Medical Service Dogs

Medical Service Dogs

Medical Service Dogs are specially trained canines that provide vital assistance to individuals with a wide range of medical conditions. These dogs are not just pets; they are highly skilled partners who perform specific tasks that enhance the independence, safety, and quality of life for their owners. At Valor Medical Service Dogs, we are dedicated to training and pairing Medical Service Dogs with veterans, disabled individuals, and children with autism, providing them with life-changing support.

What Are Medical Service Dogs?
Medical Service Dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities by performing tasks that mitigate their conditions. These tasks vary depending on the owner’s specific needs but can include:

Medical Alerts: Detecting and alerting to medical issues such as low blood sugar (diabetes), seizures (epilepsy), or other conditions that require immediate attention.
Mobility Assistance: Helping individuals with physical disabilities by retrieving objects, opening doors, providing balance support, or assisting with transfers.

Transformative Service Dog Training Programs

Medical Alerts

Specially trained service dogs tailored to meet the unique needs of veterans, aiding in mobility, PTSD, and daily tasks.

Psychiatric Support

Offering grounding and calming techniques for those with  anxiety, other mental health conditions, helping them manage daily stressors and triggers.

Autism Support

Specially trained service dogs tailored to meet the unique needs of veterans, aiding in mobility, PTSD, and daily tasks.

Real Warriors. Real Stories.

Frequently Ask and Questions

What is a Medical Service Dog?
A Medical Service Dog is a specially trained canine that assists individuals with specific medical conditions. These dogs are trained to perform tasks that help mitigate their owner’s disability, such as alerting to medical conditions, providing mobility assistance, or offering psychiatric support.
Medical Service Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that directly relate to an individual’s medical condition. While all service dogs are trained to help with disabilities, Medical Service Dogs focus on conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, mobility impairments, PTSD, and autism, providing targeted support that enhances the owner’s quality of life.
Individuals with a diagnosed medical condition that significantly impairs their daily life may qualify for a Medical Service Dog. This includes those with diabetes, epilepsy, mobility impairments, PTSD, anxiety disorders, or autism. A healthcare professional typically provides documentation of the condition as part of the application process.

Medical Service Dogs can be trained to:

Alert to medical emergencies, such as low blood sugar (for diabetes) or the onset of a seizure.
Provide mobility support, including retrieving items, opening doors, and assisting with balance.
Offer psychiatric support, such as grounding techniques during anxiety or PTSD episodes.
Assist children with autism by preventing wandering and providing comfort during sensory overloads.

Training a Medical Service Dog is a rigorous process that typically spans 18 to 24 months. It includes basic obedience, task-specific training tailored to the individual’s needs, and public access training to ensure the dog can assist effectively in various environments. At Valor Medical Service Dogs, we follow industry-leading practices to ensure our dogs are highly skilled and well-prepared.