Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Laura Britton Stace
The George Washington University School of Nursing, USA
Valley Health- Luray Family Medicine in Luray, USA
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut
Service dogs have been used in the adult population for decades. Recently, there has been a diversification in types of service dogs, specifically for the pediatric population. Although guide dogs and mobility dogs are relatively accepted in society, autism assistance dogs, seizure alert and response dogs and diabetic alert dogs are relatively new. As pediatric service dogs attract more media attention, pediatric providers need to be prepared to answer parental inquires regarding service dog use. The pediatric provider is well equipped to identify children who could benefit from a service dog intervention and should be able to make a referral to a reputable service dog provider. This article presents guidance on appropriate patient selection, making a service dog referral where risks and benefits are also involved. Pediatric providers are ideally positioned to be leaders in implementing this evolving new assistive technology that can help to alleviate the pediatric disabilities for both patient and family.
Email: lbt2113@cumc.columbia.edu