Service dogs are specially trained to provide assistance to children with special needs. They can be taught to support kids in a variety of unique ways that help with daily living and even help in an emergency situation. For families with disabled children, service dogs can be a lifeline.
The Various Ways Service Dogs Can Help Children With Special Needs
Service dogs can be taught to handle tasks that children with special needs may need extra assistance with, such as:
Opening, closing, or even holding doors until the handler passes through them
Retrieving dropped items
Turning lights on and off
Opening and closing cabinets
Helping with dressing by tugging on clothes
Laying across the chest of a handler in the midst of a seizure to help reduce the duration and keep the handler safe
Retrieving medications or glucose kits
Unloading groceries
Putting laundry into the washer or dryer
Alerting caretakers of a handler’s distress (unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, etc.)
If you’re considering adopting a service dog for your child with special needs, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Consider Your Child’s Specific Needs: You’ll want to do your research to ensure that a service dog will be able to help with the unique needs that your child has. In some cases, your family may require a special trainer or program to teach the dog the tasks that your child may require.
Get Input from Your Child’s Healthcare Team: Adopting a service dog is a big decision. As such, it’s important to get input from your child’s healthcare team. They will be able to tell you if adopting a service dog is right for your child and offer any guidance or recommendations.
Do Your Research: Not all service dog organizations are created equal. When you’re doing your research, look for an organization that is reputable and has experience training service dogs specifically for children with special needs.
Contact Our Special Needs Lawyers
Decisions about service dogs and supportive aids are just one part of creating a special needs plan for a child with special needs. Our special needs lawyers are here to assist your family with additional aspects of planning, including the creation of Special Needs Trusts and guardianship nominations to ensure that your child is prepared for the most independent life possible. If you have questions about planning or need help getting started, schedule a consultation today.
To schedule a consultation with our law firm, please feel free to contact us.
