{"id":2349,"date":"2019-11-08T15:48:29","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T21:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/?p=2349"},"modified":"2026-06-08T12:04:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T17:04:45","slug":"service-dog-for-parkinsons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/service-dog-for-parkinsons\/","title":{"rendered":"Service Dog for Parkinson\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"

Parkinson\u2019s Disease, also known simply as Parkinson\u2019s or PD, is a disorder of the nervous system that primarily affects motor skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

More than 10 million people around the world are currently suffering from Parkinson\u2019s Disease. As of now, there is no cure for this debilitating condition, though there are many treatment options to help alleviate symptoms and improve a patient\u2019s quality of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

US Service Animals is here to help you learn more. We cover more about Parkinson’s and how service dogs can help.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Parkinson’s Disease (PD)?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Parkinson\u2019s is a condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms in patients. Generally, these symptoms increase in severity over time, though the progression of the disease can be managed with the proper treatment plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the most common symptoms include tremors, deterioration of motor skills, loss of automatic movements (like blinking), and changes in speech.<\/span><\/p>\n

The exact causes of Parkinson\u2019s are unknown, though medical professionals believe that an excessive loss of neurons in the brain, particularly those that produce dopamine, can lead to Parkinson\u2019s Disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While there is still no cure for PD, it can be treated using medications, exercise, and self-care. You will need to consult your doctor to find the best treatment plan for your condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is also important to remember that there are many options besides pharmaceutical drugs for PD treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Animal lovers who suffer from Parkinson\u2019s often ask if they would be eligible to have a service dog to help manage their condition. Thankfully, the answer is yes; you can absolutely get a service dog for nervous system disorders, including Parkinson\u2019s Disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are Service Dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You may hear service dogs and think that they are one of the animals that assist cops or military personnel. Dogs can be trained to do this, but these types of dogs aren\u2019t the service dogs we are referring to. Service dogs encompass a wide array of dogs to help support those with mental illness and\/or physical disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Service Animals are defined as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cService animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities… Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person\u2019s disability.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to the ADA, service dogs are granted certain protections by law. Many of these protections relate to where you can and cannot go with a service dog, as well as which questions certain people can and cannot ask about your condition. The ADA provides the following guidelines related to location:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnder the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go\u2026. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal\u2019s presence may compromise a sterile environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Service dogs are specifically trained to help make the day-to-day life of their owners better and alleviate the burden of their condition. These animals can help with different aspects of everyday life for their owner, from retrieving hard to reach items to physically supporting a person with impaired motor skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since they must provide excellent support around the clock, service dogs are truly put to the test. They have to make it through extensive training before they can officially become a service dog. This helps give individuals some peace of mind, knowing that their companion is extremely well trained and reliable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standards and Training for Service Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

As stated above, service dogs must meet certain criteria to qualify. A service dog will need to possess the following qualifications, and we cover them in detail below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/span><\/h3>\n

Service dogs must be well-tempered. This means that they are not quick to anger and do not get stressed out easily. They should enjoy being touched and not react aggressively if a patient mishandles them. While some of these behaviors can be trained, dogs will need to be inherently calm to some degree.]<\/span><\/p>\n

Social\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Service dogs must be social and friendly. This is perhaps the most important requirement, as they will need to cheer people up when they need it the most. However, dogs that are overly energetic can be too rough with certain individuals (especially the elderly), so service dogs must be social, but not overly enthusiastic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adaptable<\/span><\/h3>\n

Service dogs will need to adapt to various environments. Sometimes they may need to provide support while there is a lot of noise going on, and other times they may need to help patients in cramped living spaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In any case, they will need to be comfortable, no matter the setting. A dog that is uncomfortable might become shy or even aggressive, which could cause unnecessary harm to their owners.<\/span><\/p>\n

These are not the only criteria that service animals must meet. Once it is determined that a given animal checks all the boxes listed above, they will need to undergo training.<\/span><\/p>\n

Service Animal Training\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The type of training that a service animal needs will depend on the type of service animal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, there are 8 types of service dogs, each with their own required skill sets:<\/span><\/p>\n