Service Dogs and Fibromyalgia

Service dogs have been the quintessential assistants for individuals with visual disabilities. However, nowadays, the services of these faithful pooches rarely stop at assisting those who can’t see very well; as the definition in the Americans with Disabilities Act aptly points out, a service animal is “any guide dog or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.” From this definition, we can glean that service dogs — or any other trained animals, in general — are not limited only to individuals with visual impairments. They can also aid in other conditions that could benefit from an animal guide, or simply act as a companion for emotional support which, as of today, is a valid reason for many people around the world to acquire one of these furry friends.