Ronja

The science behind service dogs! Multiple studies have shown that service dogs significantly improve various aspects of their person’s quality of life, such as psychosocial health, work/school-life participation, life satisfaction, independence, and self-esteem. For example, in one study, 36 participants reported that since obtaining a diabetic alert service dog, individuals not only experienced significant decreases in the frequency of hypoglycemia episodes but also reported that they were less worried, had a greater quality of life, and were more able to participate in physical activities. Another study reviewing the impact of hearing alert dogs and mobility service dogs found that having a service dog positively affects a person’s physical health, well-being, and activity level. Studies that have examined how non-disabled people interact with both adult and child wheelchair users have found that those with service dogs receive more frequent social acknowledgment from passersby. This suggests that the benefits of service dogs for their owners extend beyond working tasks to include enhanced opportunities for social exchange. The service dogs substantially reduced the tendency of able-bodied people to ignore or avoid the disabled person. It is important to note that these studies were not about strangers interacting directly with the service dog. They noted acknowledgments towards the persons, such as friendly glances, smiles, distance, and conversation. From trained tasks that directly mitigate a disability to the non-trained benefits that they bring, it is clear that service dogs make an incredible impact in the lives of their person. They are so much more than medical aids. Service dogs are life-changing and even life-saving animals. There are, however, an incredible number of barriers that so many disabled individuals still face today - some of those barriers are directly related to the very thing that provides them independence, their service dog. Mom spent ALL WEEK reviewing case law regarding service dogs and the legalities and benefits behind individualized risk assessments. She did this to write a comprehensive white letter to those on Capital Hill, the House of Representatives, support organizations, and lobbyists in our continued fight against @CDCgov, and our request for a Congressional Hearing about the exclusionary language that presents a barrier for service dog handlers in laboratories.

I am a Service Dog! There is a misconception that service dogs must wear a vest or harness identifying us as a working dog. A service dog by federal US law does not need to wear any identifying working gear. BUT - by choice- Mom always vests me when we are working. My vest has a patch that says, “Do not pet me. I’m working. Service dog.” Please respect working dogs space and do not distract them.