Page 7 - Reedley Exponent 4-4-19 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A37 Thursday, April 4, 2019
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H e Service Animal or Emotional Support
Animal What is the Difference
Service and emotional support animals are becom- ing more and more com- mon. e last time I ew to Kansas, in the Dallas Fort worth airport I counted at least three dogs that the owners kept near and one service dog helping its han- dler to maneuver through the crowds safely. It seems more and more people are realizing the bene ts of having an animal in their life. A bakery in Morro Bay has a whole display case full of doggie treats so people who are vacationing can purchase something yummy for their dog as they sip their co ee and have a sweet roll.
When we opened the Terraces at Sierra View Homes Retirement Com- munity we decided to become pet friendly. at was a game changer for many people looking for
By Ro Linscheid
Service animals are usually allowed in most public areas as long as the dog is under control. A service animal must have a harness, leash or other tether, unless the handler can control the animal by voice commands or hand signals.
If the animal barks, growls or jumps on individ- uals, the dog and the owner will have to leave the area. Service dogs help disabled people live a more satisfy- ing lifestyle and helps their handler to live an indepen- dent life.
Service dogs are important and have a real purpose but what does an emotional support animal do? Unlike the service dogs there is no formal training to be an emotional support animal. Emotional support
animals can be cats, dogs, ducks, and the list goes on. ese animals’ primary role is to provide companion- ship and comfort to their partners who may be suf- fering from psychological disorders. e psychological disorders could be PTSD, chronic depression, lone- liness, or anxiety. Emo- tional support animals give unconditional love proven bene cial to many people.
e advantage of owning a pet or emotional support animal is the need to care for it gives incentive to get up in the morning. Stroking, holding, cuddling, or otherwise touching a loving animal can have a powerful e ect in lowering blood pressure. Touch and movement are two healthy ways to deal with stress. Pets encourage playful- ness, laughter, and exercise. Laughing at the antics of a
playful pet helps you enjoy life with a sense of well-be- ing. Studies show playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine which calms and relaxes us.
I expect to see more and more service dogs and emotional support animals in my travels and here at Sierra View Homes Retire- ment Community. I meet and greet residents, who brought their pets when they moved into the Com- munity as they are walking their pets and enjoying the day. Animals do bring a sense of fun as Sassy, the cat, chases after her toy, or Sierra, the bird, tweets out a song, and the therapy dog make rounds just to say “hi.” Be it a service dog or an emotional support ani- mal, more and more people are realizing the bene ts of owning and loving a pet.
a pet-friendly retirement community. As of today, we have had numerous dogs (must be small dogs) cats, birds and a bunny living in the apartments.
So, what is the dif- ference between a service animal and an emotional support animal? A service dog is trained to do spe- ci c tasks for the disabled person assigned to them. e disability could be physical, sensory, psychotic, intellectual or other mental disability. Only a dog can be a service animal no other animal can be considered a
or I will sit around the house, gain weight and become unhealthy.”
at is just one of the many reasons to move to a retirement commu- nity like Palm Village. Activities, trips and a variety of social events provide seniors with age appropriate and fun things to do everyday to promote staying active and healthy. It is not too late to get active.
Now What?
service animal according to the ADA.
A service dog can be trained to assist an indi- vidual who is blind or has low vision and navigating streets are di cult. ey can alert someone who
is deaf to the presence of people or sounds. Pulling
a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, and retrieving items such as medicine are a few of the things a well-trained dog can do. Each service dog is trained speci cally for the person who will receive the dog.
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active to help you live your best life during your senior years.
I recently asked a friend of mine, who had recently retired, what the most surpris- ing thing he learned once he retired? He said, without hesitation, “I have to nd some- thing to do everyday
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