Narcolepsy Service Dogs: How They Help and How to Get One

There are multiple types of service dogs. Each one is specifically trained and paired with a person according to their condition in order to live a normal life. Some service dogs alert their companions of incoming seizures while others act as limbs to retrieve essential items. Then there are those trained to help people with narcolepsy.

But what exactly is narcolepsy? How does a service dog specifically trained for it help people with the condition? And what should a person in need of a narcolepsy service dog do to get one? Find the answers by reading on.

What Is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a type of sleep disorder that causes sudden attacks of sleep and extreme drowsiness. Unlike insomnia in which one can anticipate drowsiness and get to a safe place to rest, narcolepsy can be life-threatening because the person who has it can pass out while doing critical tasks such as driving, biking, or walking.

Many narcoleptics suffer from injuries and one-third of them have been involved in vehicular accidents. Other symptoms of narcolepsy involve the inability to stay awake for hours or minutes and the loss of muscle tone (cataplexy, awake but paralyzed) no matter what the circumstances are.

Yes. Even if a narcoleptic individual has slept for 7 to 10 hours at night, they can or will collapse suddenly during the day. In most cases, narcolepsy is triggered by emotions that are sudden, anticipated, mild, or intense.

A service dog trained to assist a narcoleptic can help prevent life-threatening scenarios that a narcoleptic is bound to experience, especially if they are alone.

In What Ways Can Narcolepsy Service Dogs Help?

Depending on the severity and symptoms of a narcoleptic, a service dog will undergo specialized training before they’re paired together. The tasks include:

• Catching the human as they fall - Large narcolepsy service dog breeds can be trained to catch a collapsing human. This action can prevent upper body and head injuries, especially if the person is standing, walking, or running on solid ground.
• Alerting the human for an incoming episode - Bark, nudge, or lick the human to signal them to sit or lie down before a narcolepsy episode occurs.
• Asking for help nearby - If the dog detects an injury on its handler due to a collapse, they will find the closest human and lead them to the unconscious person to call for a first responder.
• Waking the narcoleptic up - The service dog will wake its unconscious handler in ways similar to alerting them for an incoming episode.
• Guarding the human until they wake up - If the narcoleptic person cannot wake up, the service dog will make sure they remain untouched until they regain consciousness.
• Getting the narcoleptic into a comfortable position - Sometimes a narcoleptic will fall into a position in which their head obstructs their breathing. A narcolepsy service dog will raise the person’s head to make sure they breathe properly while unconscious.

How to Get a Narcolepsy Service Dog

First, you must be clinically diagnosed with a disability and at least be 12 years of age. Exceptions for getting a service dog when you’re younger than 12 only apply for those diagnosed with autism.

Then, provide proof that you live in a stable environment. Make sure that you’re cognitively and physically capable of rendering an hour a day to train with your future service dog. Having the ability to independently command and handle a service dog is part of the requirement.

You must have the means and knowledge to provide the financial, physical, and emotional needs of a service dog. Lastly, you shouldn’t have another pet dog at home as they might interfere with the service canine’s work. However, other pet animals are permitted.

Narcolepsy increases one’s risk of accidents. It’s a condition that exposes a person to plenty of life-endangering events. If you suffer from narcolepsy or know someone who does, it’s best to get a service dog specifically trained for it.

Know more about service animals here!

• Service Dogs for Anxiety: What You Need to Know
• 8 Things You Should Bring While Traveling with Your Service Animal
• The 7 Best Service Dog Breeds for People With Disabilities
• What Are The Different Types Of Service Dogs? (And What They Do)
• Psychiatric Service Animal vs Emotional Support Animal: What’s the Difference?

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals.

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