Believe it or not, 20% of our population deals with a handicap of some sort that can limit their abilities to do what most of us take for granted. Even though hundreds of years ago many of us became reliant on our pets for many other reasons, the first record of a service dog was in the 1750s. Since this time service animals have taken on many more roles over the years.
There are three different types of services animals in place since the ADA— American Disabilities Act of 1990— defined their purpose and became a law.
Guide animals are geared to help the blind maneuver everyday difficulties such as crossing the street and helping them avoid danger.
Hearing animals help the hearing-impaired stay safe in situations that can be harmful to someone who lacks the ability to hear things such as sirens, traffic, or when the doorbell rings.
Service animals are those who work with individuals who can hear and see but have other disabilities.
We also have Emotional Support animals for those who suffer from PTSD, autism, or acute anxiety.
There are also other categories of search and rescue animals, military and police animals, and other working animals which we will discuss in future blogs.
Due to the ADA law, these service animals can be present in public places where most animals are not allowed, to help their owners maneuver a world filled with sounds, sights, smells, and emotions that we all take for granted. Many people respect and admire these service animals, while others feel it’s unfair or that the disabled community gets more perks than the rest of us. But imagine:
If you had no sight and had to get from one place to another, through traffic, sidewalks, people, and crowded aisles in stores.
If you couldn’t hear anything but silence. You wouldn’t know if someone was walking behind you, that the fire alarm is going off in your home, that someone is at your door, or if you are about to step off the curb just when a firetruck is coming around the corner headed right at you.
If you had PTSD and hid under the table anytime you heard a loud bang or you have a hard time with all the sounds and sights in the world and can’t handle it all at one time, so you simply run and hide every time you go out into a public place.
These service animals help not only those without sight, sound, and emotional stability, but they also help those in hospitals heal much faster or patients in rest homes not feel alone, and others help many people with debilitating disabilities be able to lead a normal life. These animals are the unsung heroes who help many people live happy functioning lives.
Think you’ll never have to rely on an animal to help you manage the world? Tell that to those who have had their sight taken away because of a disease or accident. Or those who have lost their hearing due to fighting in one of the recent wars. Or to the person who just got back from a warfront and now has PTSD. We may never think we will ever be in a position of need, but no matter how you look at it, we all need some form of help and support as our life proceeds, including from these service animals— either directly, or indirectly for a family member.
Every pet is a blessing, but these pets take on a whole new meaning for most. Be thankful for these loving animals as they give so much of themselves to protect their owners from danger while giving them the freedom they never thought they would have.
Thanks to all the service pets out there.
Carolyn Osborn
Discover the deep healing and connection, and the relief and freedom that await you, and your animal, with Chiron Energy Medicine.
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P.S. Our newest program is featured right on our website homepage or in our sessions menu: Chiron Mirror Sessions • Tandem Healing for You and Your Animal. It is designed to help you discover the deep healing that awaits you and your animal when you are guided to release unwanted behaviors and unconscious wounds and patterns of suppressed emotions and traumas that trigger dis-ease or illness if left unattended.
See or learn more about our sessions and packages for people or animals here and view our equine and performance sessions or packages here.
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