Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injury and lupus are very different conditions that have one thing in common: They can all cause pain. Additionally, mental illnesses can cause chronic pain. Service dog trainers need to consider their client’s pain in all aspects of the service dog training process.
Task Selection and Training
Think about the client’s pain when selecting and training tasks. For example, if a person has difficulty bending, the service dog may need to be trained to reach upward when delivering items to minimize the client’s need to bend or stoop down. For alert tasks, a nose nudge to the leg might be painful, so trainers should consider alternatives such as having the dog sit in front of the client or perform a chin rest on the handler’s lap. Other tasks that involve direct contact with the handler, like deep pressure therapy or assisting with removing clothing, may need to be trained with more attention to precision and control to ensure the dog does not accidentally hurt the handler when performing the task.
Training Accommodations
Training strategies and task prioritization also need to be adapted in consideration of a client’s pain. For example, beginning training loose leash walking at an early stage may help prevent the discomfort associated with a dog pulling on the leash. Emphasizing techniques like targeting and shaping can be helpful in reducing a client’s need to bend or reach. For clients who have pain in their hands, using a food tube or a spoon to deliver treats, or tossing treats to the dog, may be helpful.
In training sessions, trainers should provide seating options and encourage clients to share what their needs are. Trainers need to remember that, like many other health issues, pain levels often fluctuate. A client may need different accommodations at different times.
Training Tools
Training tools and equipment may need to be adapted or tweaked to support clients. Options such as larger-sized treats and treat bags with wider openings may be helpful. Even subtle changes, such as the material or texture of a clicker or leash, can make a difference for certain clients. Some individuals may benefit from working with their dog at a tether station or with a helper holding the dog’s leash while the client works with the dog.
Consider that pain makes it harder for people to focus, think and remember. Be ready to repeat information and reduce the amount of information covered in one session if this will be helpful to your client. Take breaks and check in with the client to see if they want to continue or prefer to stop. It is also always a good idea to provide an email with a few notes to summarize concepts covered in a session.
People with disabilities often experience self-advocacy fatigue because they find themselves asking for accommodations constantly. Trainers who regularly check in, and proactively offer their clients options and accommodations, alleviate a bit of this responsibility and build trust in the process. By understanding and anticipating the unique challenges faced by each client, trainers can create a supportive and flexible training environment that benefits the dog-handler team and the trainer.
