Service Dogs

We have all heard of "seeing eye" dogs for the blind, but did you know that service dogs can help people with all types of impairments live a full and independent life?

You don't have to be blind to be eligible for a service dog or to benefit from their companionship and service. Service dogs are trained to help people who are:

• Visually impaired
  
• Hearing impaired
  
• Mobility impaired
  
• Autistic
  
• Psychologically impaired
  

Of course, each dog is individually trained to work with a specific person, so most of them learn to help with a specific disability; however, they can be trained to work with a person who has multiple disabilities.

The process of applying for and finding the right dog can take several months. Those who are losing their sight due to progressive eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy can get started early. Knowing that you will have a loyal and helpful companion by your side makes the transition smoother and less frightening. With the help of a service dog, you don't have to give up your independence.

To learn more about vision disorders, click here to visit The LASIK Directory.