How Service Dogs Can Benefit Those With Chronic Pain. 

Dogs, in general, are incredible creatures that provide companionship, mental health benefits, and unconditional love. Service dogs take things one step further by offering all of those benefits in addition to emotional support and physical assistance.

For people dealing with chronic pain, service dogs can not only improve your mental well-being, but they can help you with everything from mobility to pain management.

It’s not uncommon for people with chronic pain to have a reduced quality of life because they can struggle with daily tasks and functions. If that sounds familiar, it might be time to consider adopting a service dog for care, companionship, and so much more.

Let’s take a closer look at how service dogs can benefit those with chronic pain, and what you can expect if you decide to adopt one.

The Natural Physical Responses. 

There are different types of service dogs trained to provide a variety of support. Emotional support dogs, for example, provide their owners with comfort, while traditional service dogs have been trained in specialized areas to help those with specific needs. They can do everything from pick up objects, fetch medications, or seek out help for their owners.

The service dog you might benefit from depends on your symptoms and daily needs. However, having a trained dog can improve your quality of life. Studies have shown that visits from therapy dogs can help with things like:

• Reduced heart rate
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced level of pain
• Reduced fatigue
• Boosted endorphins

If your chronic pain keeps you from doing things you love or even causes mental health issues like anxiety or depression, having a dog around can boost your mood, improve your mental state, and even reduce the effects of pain on your body.

Help With Specific Issues. 

Chronic pain can impact people differently. Joint pain and muscle aches are some of the most common symptoms, but those struggling with them can also experience:

• Fatigue
• Burning sensations
• Sleep issues
• Problems with flexibility
• Headaches

Adopting a service dog trained to help someone with chronic pain can make your daily routines much easier and less daunting. For example, if the pain you experience causes mobility issues, you can find a dog who is able to pick things up for you rather than you having to bend down.

A dog can also help you move from room to room, guiding you to avoid any obstacles that might cause you to trip and fall. Dogs can even see better than humans in the dark, so if you have to get up during the night, your four-legged friend can help to ensure you don’t get hurt. Working with a dog that will guide you is also a great option if you can leave the house. They can keep you from running into things in public and avoid dangerous situations like crossing busy streets when there’s a lot of traffic.

Caring for a Service Dog. 

If your chronic pain feels debilitating more often than not, you might be hesitant to get a dog. No matter how well-trained a service animal is, they still require attention, care, and love. While there’s no doubt you’ll love your furry companion, you might be worried that your pain will get in the way of giving them proper care.

That doesn’t have to be the case.

Before you decide whether to get a service dog, consider how you’ll care for them and what they might need. That includes basic things like giving them food and water, letting them outside, ensuring they get plenty of exercise,s and protecting them from pests like fleas and ticks.

Motivational Tools

In many ways, these basic needs can serve as motivational tools for you. Simply getting up to let your dog outside or taking them for a walk around the neighborhood can be good for you when you’re dealing with pain.

Regular physical activity is typically recommended for people dealing with chronic pain, and your dog can support you and still do its job while enjoying being cared for, too.

In Conclusion. 

If your pain is too extreme on some days, consider working with a caregiver or hiring a dog walker to help out. If you think a dog would benefit your mental and physical well-being (and, chances are, you would be correct), it’s often worth it to make adjustments to bring one into your life.

Dealing with chronic pain can be difficult. It can sometimes make life feel exhausting and even contribute to mental health issues. However, you don’t have to handle it alone.

Consider bringing a service dog into your home for emotional support or help with specific tasks. You’ll gain an instant companion, support system, and friend that can benefit your mind and body as you manage your health.

Authored by Indiana
Published by International Pain Foundation, iPain Blog