This post is the first in a series on Service Dogs.
I believe that whenever possible people with fibromyalgia should consider getting a service dog to assist them. My first service dog was a Rottweiler named Rocky. He was with me 24/7 for 8 years when he passed in 2019 from congenital heart failure.
I’m very excited to say I finally adopted a new dog. He is in training as my new service dog. His name is Buddy and he is a 2 year old retriever mix. (Picture below). Because of the loyal service both Rocky and Buddy have given me, I am starting a series of posts to educate patients on the abilities and functions of various types of service dogs.
If you have ANY questions please leave a comment below.
I hope you find the path to your best life in these words.
—Thom
What Is a Service Dog/Animal
Service dogs are animals that have been specially trained to provide aid to individuals who are disabled or handicapped. When service dogs were first introduced, they were employed to assist war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Service dogs can be trained to help and support people with a variety of infirmities and handicaps. One of the most common reasons for using service dogs is mental health problems such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. A person’s attachment with their service dog may help them feel more confident, less alone, and less anxious.
What is Fibromyalgia?
It is a chronic pain that can develop when there is a malfunction in the central nervous system and peripheral neural system. It can affect people in various degrees of severity, from mild to extreme. The person may experience fatigue, anxiety, depression, and insomnia too.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterized by pain in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. This has led to an increased interest in service dogs for people with Fibromyalgia who have trouble getting around on their own. Service dogs are known to provide a variety of benefits to people with fibromyalgia, such as providing some relief from the fatigue that is often associated with this condition.
Fibromyalgia Is a Chronic Pain Disorder. it Is Characterized By:
- Widespread Pain in Joints, Muscles, Tendons, and Other Soft Tissues
- Muscular Stiffness
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
The Benefits of Service Dogs for Those With Fibromyalgia
The benefits of service dogs for people with fibromyalgia are varied. They provide social support, help alleviate symptoms like muscle spasms, chronic pain, and they provide a way for their handler to be more active in their daily lives. Those with Fibromyalgia find that a service dog can help them with their symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Service dogs allow people suffering from chronic pain to participate in everyday tasks that they would be unable to accomplish without the assistance of the dog.
There are a lot of benefits of service dogs for people who suffer from fibromyalgia. It is a complex disorder and at the same time, it is a disorder that has no cure. Service dogs can help with managing pain, better sleep cycles, and anxiety.
Service dogs can be a great help to people with fibromyalgia, especially when it comes to pain. They are able to detect if their human is in pain or not. When they are, the dog will then get them some medication or help them find a comfortable position.
Many Benefits of Service Dogs
They can be taught to assist individuals with disabilities in a variety of ways, including opening doors, pulling wheelchairs, picking up objects, and maintaining balance. They are also utilized to provide support for persons who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Service dogs can be trained in a variety of methods, including through the use of hand commands and spoken requests. Training a service dog is a process that takes a great deal of patience and attention on the part of the dog’s handler in order to achieve the desired outcomes.
A Disorder That Has No Cure
It is not understood what causes fibromyalgia; however, it could be caused by an auto-immune condition or a hormone imbalance. When it comes to treating this disease, there are numerous options available. These include medication, exercise, and complementary therapies such as massage therapy and yoga.
Hello Thom,
I really appreciate your article.
As someone who suffers with multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia a service dog would be invaluable to me. I’ve worked with an array of animals professionally all my life and I’ve had many dogs. I love them and now one that could assist me would be such a gift. My husband, who is retired military, just lost his service dog in January. He trained his dog before we met. He had a chihuahua and that dog was so helpful and dedicated to him. We realize more and more how a service dog could help me dealing with fibromyalgia. It’s finding the support to train the dog in tandem with, as according to the ADA, my training the dog. Thank you for your articles on Fibro!