Many people are familiar with the concept of guide dogs for the blind, but there is a much wider world of assistance animals out there. From dogs that can provide mobility assistance to cats that offer emotional support, assistance animals can make a profound difference in the lives of people with disabilities. In this blog post from Australia Disability Services, a registered NDIS service provider in Victoria, we’ll take a look at some of the different ways assistance animals can help people with disabilities and how they are trained to do so.
Different Types of Assistance Animals
Some of us might think that having an assistance animal is for one purpose only. We have listed below the different kinds of animal assistance you can request out of your NDIS budget. Please note that acquiring one requires proper documentation to be reviewed by the NDIA. You can choose an NDIS service provider that can assist you in getting an assistance animal.
Service Animals
Service animals are specially trained to perform tasks for their disabled owners. The most commonly known service animal is the guide dog for the blind, but there are many other types of service animals as well. Some service animals are trained to alert their owner to impending seizures, while others are trained to assist with mobility tasks such as opening doors or picking up dropped items.
Therapy Animals
Therapy animals provide comfort and companionship to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other settings. Although therapy animals are not specially trained to perform specific tasks, their presence has been shown to reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and promote healing.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide companionship and emotional support for their owners. Unlike service animals and therapy animals, ESAs do not need to be specially trained; however, they must be certified by a mental health professional as part of their owner’s treatment plan.
Australia Disability Services: Advocate of Great Health and Well-being
There are many different types of assistance animals out there, each with its own unique set of skills and abilities. Whether they’re providing vital services or simply offering companionship, these amazing creatures improve the lives of people with disabilities in countless ways. If you think you need one then choose a provider that includes provision of assistance animals on their NDIS disability services.
You can count on Australia Disability Services, advocate of NDIS services in Australia, to provide you with the necessary NDIS support services to boost your mental, physical, emotional and social health. Reach out to us and experience the positive changes in your life in a short period of time.
