{"id":2385,"date":"2019-11-05T02:36:43","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T08:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/?p=2385"},"modified":"2026-06-08T09:02:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T14:02:34","slug":"service-dog-for-lupus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/service-dog-for-lupus\/","title":{"rendered":"Service Dog for Lupus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lupus is a condition that impacts millions of people around the world. It’s an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack healthy cells. The result? Pain, inflammation, discomfort, and a plethora of other health issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that we’ve found that service animals can help people who have lupus. Read on to learn more about service dogs for lupus.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Lupus?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lupus, also known as Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease. It basically causes the immune system to begin attacking healthy tissue throughout various parts of the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people may be dealing with mild or severe symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include fever, chest pain, painful and swollen joints, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and even a rash that affects the face.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the cause of lupus may not fully be understood yet, it is believed to involve a combination of environmental factors and genetics. When a person has been diagnosed with lupus, the symptoms can be painful, creating anxiety, and even cause difficulty with mobility, especially as the joints become inflamed and painful.<\/span><\/p>\n

While there is no cure yet for lupus, there are various treatment options. The disease affects women more often than men. In fact, women of childbearing age are nine times more likely to develop lupus than men.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lupus is often misdiagnosed early on because the disease is called \u201cthe great imitator.\u201d That\u2019s because many of the symptoms of lupus mimic or resemble other illnesses and diseases.<\/span><\/p>\n

While medications and other treatment options can be effective, alternative treatments do not seem to have any impact on alleviating the symptoms or affecting the disease among those who have been diagnosed with it. However, for a person who loves animals and is dealing with lupus, a service dog could be a valuable asset as they go throughout their days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding What a Service Dog Is<\/span><\/h2>\n

A service dog is a carefully trained animal that will perform a series of tasks designed to support its owner or master throughout their day. Certain types of dogs have strong mental acuity and can be properly trained to carry out a number of basic tasks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While just about any dog and several other animals could become emotional support animals (ESAs), a service dog is more specifically trained and designed to provide assistance to individuals dealing with a number of health and mental issues, including lupus.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)<\/span><\/a> defines service animals as \u201cdogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the examples the ADA provides are service dogs that assist blind people, alerting individuals who are diagnosed as legally deaf, and even pulling a wheelchair. Some service dogs can remind people with mental illnesses when it is time to take prescription medications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They can also offer great emotional and physical assistance to someone who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder during a panic attack or other anxiety-related issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Service dogs are able to assist their owners in a variety of establishments and public squares. Wherever the general public has access to certain buildings, open spaces, or other areas, a service dog should be provided to go as well, so long as they are properly attired, registered and tagged, and with their owner.<\/span><\/p>\n

In many cases, a service dog is also allowed to escort their handler into a hospital or doctor\u2019s office, including an examination room. Keep in mind, though, that it is often inappropriate and potentially dangerous for any animal to be allowed in an operating room or burn unit because of the necessity to maintain a sterile environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a person, like a landlord or business owner, is not certain about what the expectations or requirements are regarding the law governing service dogs, they are permitted to ask certain limited questions about it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They can\u2019t ask about the specific health issue, but whether the service dog or animal is required because of a documentable disability, and to determine what work or task the service dog has been trained to perform.<\/span><\/p>\n

A service dog cannot be denied access to a room or organization simply because another person has a fear or allergies to pet dander. However, accommodations should be made for both as much as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Training Service Dogs Receive<\/span><\/h2>\n

Service dogs receive significant training in order to provide the support needed by the handler or owner. There are specific training requirements and certifications necessary for an animal to become a registered service dog or emotional support animal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the most pressing demands placed on a service dog are that they have a calm and even temperament. In other words, they must not be quick to get angry and not show stress easily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A service dog must also be highly sociable, meaning they do not become too energetic when approached by strangers or children, but also are open and willing to be petted if an overly enthusiastic child approaches them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They must be able to adapt to a wide range of environments, from extremely quiet and calm to noisy and boisterous, including in an environment where fireworks, for example, may be going off.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Does a Service Dog Assist Someone with Lupus?<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are several different types of service dogs, and while not all of them are going to be beneficial for somebody with lupus, there are a few that could be. The eight different types of service dogs are:<\/span><\/p>\n