Service Dogs and Support Animals: Bridging the Gap Between Care and Connection

A loyal companion offering both unconditional love and life-changing assistance? That's the power of service dogs and other support animals. These specially trained animals have become increasingly important in health care settings, providing crucial support to patients and staff alike.

"These remarkable animals play vital roles in managing physical, emotional and mental health challenges," explained Sami Abate, system vice president of Nursing Excellence and Clinical Research at Inspira Medical Group. "From guiding the visually impaired to providing comfort in hospitals, their support is truly invaluable."

Here’s a breakdown of the different types of support animals and how they contribute to well-being:

Service Animals 

Service animals are trained for specific tasks related to a health condition or disability. They can provide services like visual guidance, health alerts, safety assistance, mobility assistance and help with everyday tasks. These animals have guaranteed access to public spaces with their handler under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Here are some common examples of service animals and their roles:
 

• Guide dogs for the visually impaired: Guide dogs help those with blindness or low vision navigate their surroundings safely. These highly trained dogs help their handlers avoid obstacles, promoting independence and confidence in daily activities.
• Medical alert dogs: “These service dogs are trained to detect specific medical episodes or changes in their handler's health,” said Abate. “For instance, seizure alert dogs warn their handlers before a seizure happens, while hypoglycemia alert dogs notify those with diabetes of dangerous blood sugar levels.”
• Mobility assistance dogs: For those with limited mobility, these dogs are indispensable. They help perform tasks such as opening doors, retrieving objects and providing physical support, making daily tasks more manageable.
• Psychiatric service dogs: These animals help those with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They can anticipate panic attacks or emotional distress, help remove their handlers from triggering situations and provide protective comfort by alerting others for assistance when needed.

Emotional Support Animals

Unlike service dogs, emotional support animals (ESAs) are not trained for specific tasks related to a disability—they provide vital emotional relief to individuals with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and autism. 

While ESAs don't have broad public access rights, including in hospitals, the Fair Housing Act (part of the ADA) allows them in housing that typically restricts pets. At home, these animals offer vital benefits such as stress reduction and symptom management.

Therapy Animals

Therapy animals, most commonly dogs, provide emotional comfort and promote well-being in various settings, including hospitals, schools and nursing homes. They visit patients, staff and visitors, offering a calming presence. Therapy dogs can also participate in wellness events and help during crisis response situations, allowing them to play a significant role in health care settings. 

Therapy animals offer significant benefits in hospital settings, providing essential support and comfort to both patients and staff. “Research shows that these animals can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and promote relaxation, helping to ease anxiety during challenging times,” said Abate. “By encouraging social interaction and improving engagement in rehabilitation activities, therapy dogs create a comforting atmosphere that fosters a positive healing environment.”

At Inspira, therapy dogs play a vital role in enhancing the overall patient experience. These specially trained dogs visit patients in both inpatient and outpatient areas, offering companionship and emotional support. They also assist staff during crises and stressful events, such as accreditation processes, while participating in wellness fairs and community events to promote well-being.

Inspira Health is actively exploring ways to expand its use of therapy animals. Addressing barriers to animal-assisted interventions is essential, and we aim to educate care teams about the benefits of these programs. Continuing therapy dog visits for both patients and staff remains a priority, aligning with our approach to health care.

Learn more about Inspira’s holistic approach to behavioral health and wellness.