Pros and Cons of Having a Service Dog

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Is a Service Dog right for you?

Are you trying to decide whether a service dog or service animal is right for you? It is a big decision. Don’t rush it. You may be better off without one, depending on your situation.

We will discuss some pros and cons of having a service dog. In addition, we will go through some things to consider before jumping into obtaining this new family member.

Your new family member is a living, breathing medical assistance device.

Possible ‘Pros’ of having a service dog

Yes, there are pros and cons of having a Service Dog or service animal. Here are the Pro’s to consider.

Greater Independence

You’ll always have a best friend there who doesn’t judge you no matter what

He will motivate you to get out of bed and do things, when you don’t really feel like it

A real increased level of personal safety

The chance of having new possibilities – the dog can open up opportunities for you that you might not otherwise be able to do on your own

He’ll help you to keep more regular and/or consistent hours

He’ll get you to exercise every day, even if for a little bit

The dog will help you meet new people and talk to them

The presence of the dog can help you feel more confident and less vulnerable

The dog can help to distract you from negative or destructive thoughts

Having the dog can give you a real sense of accomplishment

The dog provides company and affection

Possible ‘Cons’ of having a service dog

Possibly you would have no or reduced amount of alone time, as the dog would follow you or check on you at all times, even when you are taking a shower or using the washroom

This is a big responsibility, not a lot different from having a child

Service dogs cost money, initially and on an ongoing basis

Negative attention people will give you because of your animal

You must remember that a dog is still a dog, and someone needs to care for him/her, no matter what condition you are in

Someone will always need to attend to the dog’s food, water, & regular meal times. People will need to take him/her out for a walk and a pee just like other dogs. You need to have someone who could possible take care of it if you were not able to

It can be very expensive to have a service dog, there are things like Vet fees, possible accidents that require emergency care, pet/animal insurance, medications/vaccines, grooming, training, dog food and equipment, this all costs money of course