It is estimated that about 3 million people are afflicted with narcolepsy worldwide. While it is not as common as many other conditions, it is still very serious and can make it difficult for people to live their lives in peace. Unfortunately, there is no cure for narcolepsy. However, there are several treatment options available to help manage the symptoms.
Surprisingly, service dogs are one of these options. But how can service dogs help a person suffering from narcolepsy? And what exactly is narcolepsy? Our experts at US Service Animals answer all of these questions and more in this helpful guide!
What Is Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a chronic brain disorder that involves poor control of sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy experience extreme daytime sleepiness, which manifests itself in sudden and uncontrollable bouts of sleep that can last up to several minutes. Severe bouts of depression and anxiety are other common consequences experienced by those who suffer from narcolepsy.
As stated previously, there is no cure for narcolepsy. The only options right now are stimulants and drugs that induce a deep sleep at night and help alleviate tiredness during the day. Additionally, service dogs have proven to be a unique solution and a great asset for people who suffer from the disorder and simply want to live a “normal life.”
How Can Service Dogs Help With Narcolepsy?
Service dogs can truly make a huge difference in a person’s life; this is especially true for those who suffer from narcolepsy. Dogs trained for the disorder can sense when a narcoleptic episode is about to occur and warn the owner to sit or lie down by barking, nudging, or licking.
In short, service dogs can become an indispensable companion for those with narcolepsy.
Service Dogs Trained for Narcolepsy Can Help By:
- Warning if the afflicted person is about to have an episode
- Ending the episode with a face lick
- Fetching help if the owner injures themselves while suddenly falling asleep
- Waking the owner up if they sleep through the alarm clock
Also, some people with narcolepsy suffer from extreme fatigue and lack of sleep, which can bring on bouts of depression and anxiety. A dog can be trained to apply deep pressure therapy and hugs. This is a simple act of pushing against a person during panic attacks and high stress. Deep pressure therapy service dogs can lower the heart rate and blood pressure and allow for a quicker recovery.
Having a service dog can also help motivate people to do small exercises, such as walking and other low-energy activities. These kinds of activities can help fight against the imbalance caused by narcolepsy. A person afflicted with narcolepsy will have a better chance of combating fatigue by owning such a delightful companion.
When facing hypnagogic hallucinations, just seeing your dog next to you can help a person rationalize that the hallucinations are not real. Dogs can also help get narcolepsy sufferers home safe if one becomes overcome with sleepiness. A service dog can take the lead and guide the owner home with the proper commands.
Finally, a service dog can even be trained to alert you in the morning to make sure that you wake up on time and get ready for work or do other daily activities. They can also remind their owners to take the medication needed to stay awake. Taking medication daily and on time is a key factor in fighting the symptoms of narcolepsy.
While these actions may seem small, they make all the difference in the world to someone with narcolepsy. The support of having a friend by your side at all times can also be immensely reassuring.
In short, service dogs are able to perform some pretty amazing tasks to help those with narcolepsy live a healthy and safe life. Obviously, service dogs cannot cure the disease or even alleviate the primary symptom (suddenly falling asleep), but they can help keep their owner safe and comforted when they need it the most.
What Is a Service Dog?
Service dogs can improve the lives of people afflicted with a wide range of disabilities, whether they are physical, neurological, or psychiatric.
These dogs can be custom trained based on a person’s unique needs. The following are a few common examples for narcolepsy service dogs:
Service Dogs Can Provide Alerts
This includes alerts to specific sounds, such as alarms, ringtones, or sirens, as well as to specific smells, like smoke or gas. Service dogs can also be trained to perform alerts such as:
- As a response to your name being called or someone trying to get your attention
- Alerting someone else and seeking help when you are having a medical emergency
- Pressing a medical alert button for the designated emergency contact
Service Dogs Can Keep You Calm
Service dogs can be trained to alleviate emotional distress and provide grounding comfort through:
- Applying or receiving deep pressure therapeutically
- Cuddling on cue
- Interrupting repetitive movements or compulsive behaviors
- Leading you to an uncrowded area or place to sit down
- Responding to an anxiety or panic attack
- Interrupting nightmares or night terrors
Other Ways Narcolepsy Service Dogs Can Provide Support
Service dogs can make day-to-day activities and obligations more manageable through tasks like:
- Retrieving personal items, such as keys or cell phones
- Carrying items for you
- Opening, holding, and closing doors
- Bringing medication to you at a designated time
- Turning on and off lights
- Providing a foundation to steady yourself or helping you stand up
- Pulling to assist manual wheelchair propulsion
Service Animals vs Therapy Dogs vs Emotional Support Animals
It is important to note the differences between service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), and therapy animals.
Service animals are dogs, or occasionally miniature horses, that have been trained to perform disability-related tasks. These tasks relieve symptoms and greatly improve independence.
For this reason, service animals are granted public access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They are allowed in public spaces where other animals may not be allowed to go.
They also receive reasonable accommodations in housing and when traveling by air, per federal laws like the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).
If you’d like to learn more, our dedicated guide on service dog laws here at US Service Animals covers the full scope of their legal rights.
Emotional Support Animals
Alternatively, emotional support animals are not trained in specific tasks, nor are there limitations on the types of animals that qualify; dogs, cats, birds, and even reptiles can qualify as ESAs. They provide support exclusively through their companionship and are assigned to those with qualifying mental health disabilities.
In the United States, ESAs are not recognized by the ADA or the ACAA. However, they do receive protection from the FHA and, like service dogs, are granted additional housing rights. This includes exemption from no-pet policies in rental properties.
If you or someone close to you suffers from a mental health disability, but would not require specially trained tasks, an ESA may be the best option for you.
Therapy Dogs
A therapy dog is similar to an ESA in the sense that they offer emotional support and companionship to those suffering mental pain or debilitation. However, they are often exclusively used in treatment facilities and group settings.
For example, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and hospice care facilities often use therapy dogs to combat loneliness and depression among the residents.
It is important to note that there are different kinds of therapy dogs that all serve different purposes. Generally, therapy dogs can be divided into three categories:
- Therapeutic Visitation Dogs: This is the most common type of therapy dog. These pets and their owners visit hospitals, mental health facilities, and other healthcare centers to prevent patients from feeling lonely, disconnected, or hopeless.
- Animal Assisted Therapy Dog: This type of therapy dog is generally reserved for rehabilitation clinics. Under the guidance of a trained physiotherapist, these dogs help patients regain mobility through various motor-control activities.
- Facility Therapy Dog: These dogs are often used exclusively in elderly care facilities to alert staff of any issues with the patients. They also provide companionship to the residents, many of whom do not have any living friends or relatives outside of the facility.
If you’re thinking about getting a therapy dog in addition to a service dog for narcolepsy, take a look at our guide on how to get a therapy dog.
Service Dogs for Narcolepsy Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we cover some of the most frequently asked questions about narcolepsy service dogs.
Can You Get a Service Dog if You Have Narcolepsy?
Yes, narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is recognized as a disability. Provided you have received an official diagnosis and would find benefit from trained tasks, you can qualify for a service dog. However, be aware that you must be able to give the service dog the care, lifestyle, and environment they need to thrive.
How Do Service Dogs Detect Narcolepsy?
A service dog can be trained to recognize the subtle physical shifts in their handler that precipitate a narcolepsy episode. They can then warn their handler to give them time to prepare and get into a safe position.
What Does It Cost to Get a Narcolepsy Service Dog?
The price to obtain one of these animals is around $30,000 to $60,000 from a private service dog organization. These organizations carefully match dogs to your lifestyle and requirements, and train them to perform your specific tasks in-house.
However, more affordable options are available. For instance, you can work with a non-profit service dog charity or self-train with the help of an online program. Our full guide covers more on the ins and outs of service dog cost.
Are Service Dogs for Narcolepsy Covered Under Insurance?
Generally, no. These animals are very specialized, but they are not considered a necessary component of an individual’s life. This doesn’t mean that you can’t try and raise the funds on your own, you just likely won’t receive a narcolepsy service dog through insurance for free.
Reclaim Your Life With a Narcolepsy Service Dog
If you think you are a good candidate and could greatly benefit from having a narcolepsy service dog in your life, consult with your doctor to determine the best treatment plan for your condition.
You can also contact our support team at US Service Animals. We can guide you further on your eligibility, the process, and the effort and expenses involved.