Multiple sclerosis impacts the brain and spinal cord. While it may start off as a mild condition, unfortunately, it may become debilitating over time. For this reason, it’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
The good news is that US Service Animals has your back. Read on to learn more about multiple sclerosis and how a service dog might be able to help.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It causes a number of symptoms such as vision problems, fatigue, reduced arm and leg mobility, and balance problems. Although multiple sclerosis can be mild, it can also be very disabling, which is why service dogs have become very helpful.
There are no current cures for multiple sclerosis; however, there are plenty of ways to treat the condition and help relieve the symptoms, which include having the support of a service dog.
How Service Dogs Can Help with Multiple Sclerosis
One major symptom of multiple sclerosis is fatigue. When someone is suffering from severe fatigue, they can often fall, make mistakes, and feel lightheaded. This can lead to people having difficulty when moving due to numbness in their lower legs, feeling unbalanced.
Fatigue caused by multiple sclerosis also makes people feel unbalanced and causes difficulty when moving.
A service dog can come in very handy as it provides help in balance for people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and often better support than canes or walking aids. Learn more about ways that service dogs can help below.
Everyday Activities
Service dogs can help with most everyday activities. They are allowed to go anywhere the user needs to be, including toilets, shops, and public transport. They can help people with long-term health conditions get out of the house and do simple tasks like walking to the shop. If someone is struggling to get out of bed, a service dog can help.
Dogs are very intelligent animals, and when they are trained properly, they can assist in a wide range of activities to help support and care for people with multiple sclerosis. They can sense when something is not right, which works well for extra security and protection.
If someone lives alone, having a dog provides a sense of comfort knowing they will bark when someone is near the house or knocking at the door.
They can also sense when something is wrong, including pain and tiredness. When they sense this, they can encourage the person to rest by nudging them and going towards the sofa or bed.
Picking Things Up Around the House
A well-trained service dog can also pick things up with their mouth for their owner. If their owner drops something by accident or needs their medication, the service dog can pick it up in their mouth and give it to their owner.
Dogs can also use their noses or paws to open and close doors as well as press buttons for lights or doors. These little actions are essential for people around their house, but often difficult to do when they are in pain.
Wheelchair Support
If someone is suffering from serious multiple sclerosis and their symptoms mean they have to be in a wheelchair for a lot of the time, a service dog can help with this. Service dogs can be trained to pull wheelchairs and help when they need to go up ramps and onto sidewalks. They are also great to support their owner in and out of the wheelchair.
Service dogs provide some care and companionship to their owner. There is a wide range of benefits for someone who is suffering from bad symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
If you know someone who has multiple sclerosis and would benefit from getting a service dog, it is highly recommended. They also help relieve the stress from the friends and family of the person with multiple sclerosis, as the service dog will help them get through the day without as much help from others.
Service Dogs for Multiple Sclerosis
Service dogs are trained to help provide support and care to users who need additional help around the house or when going outside. They are specially trained to support people with disabilities, from physical to mental, such as those with diabetes, autism, and multiple sclerosis.
At the end of the day, service dogs for multiple sclerosis are a great choice if you qualify. While you may have to spend some money on a quality service dog, it’s almost always worth every penny. Thankfully, at US Service Animals, we offer several online training programs for service dogs.
Whether you need help with a service dog for multiple sclerosis or a service dog for another purpose, we have your back.
Service Dog for Multiple Sclerosis FAQ
If you have more questions about multiple sclerosis, don’t worry, because we answer the most common questions below.
Does MS Qualify for a Service Dog?
Yes, multiple sclerosis (MS) qualifies for a service dog, and it’s one of many disabilities that qualify. While you may not qualify right away, debilitating symptoms that cause mobility or coordination issues will qualify for service dogs.
Can Dogs Sense if You Have MS?
Yes, dogs are able to detect if you have MS. This is due to their impressive sense of smell. In fact, dogs can sense organic compounds that the human body releases when going through changes. This can help service dogs for MS detect flare ups and other health issues.
What Is the Best Service Dog for MS Patients?
At US Service Animals, we know that most breeds can work for most situations. However, when it comes to mobility issues, medium-sized energetic breeds tend to work best. This is why golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, and other similar breeds are good choices. In fact, you may need dogs that are larger than 50 pounds in some cases.
Does Insurance Pay for a Service Dog for MS?
No, insurance does not pay for a service dog for MS or any other condition. Unfortunately, this also applies to Medicaid and Medicare insurance. For this reason, many people seek out organizations that offer free service dogs.