In a world where mental health is finally a priority, the question of whether owning a dog can boost your well-being often arises.
By Demi Powell of The K9 Personal Trainer and BTPDS. Demi specialises in disabled advocacy.
Life With a Dog and a Disability
As a dog trainer specialising in working with disabled dog owners, People frequently ask me whether getting a dog is the right choice. Living with a disability, chronic illness, or long-term injury can impact your mental health – something I know firsthand, living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). But is a dog right for you?
The answer depends on how your disability affects you and the support you have. While dogs bring love and joy into our lives, they can also be a source of stress, mainly because each dog has unique needs beyond food, shelter, and exercise. This is where a trainer like me can help. My role is to assist you in upskilling as a dog owner, adapting training techniques to suit your and your dog’s needs, and helping you create a support system that works for you.
Thankfully, we are a nation of animal lovers, so finding a helping hand is usually straightforward. And if friends or family can’t help, there are always paid professionals who can provide dog care services. Choosing the right breed for your lifestyle is essential, especially if you have limited mobility or chronic fatigue. There’s no point in adopting a Collie if you can’t meet its energetic, mental and physical demands; I say this as someone who owns two Cocker Spaniels.
Tips for Success
Adaptive occupational therapy tools can be incredibly helpful when training dogs. Part of my job is showing disabled pet parents how to train their dogs independently using these tools and techniques I often use myself when training dogs 1 on 1. Accessible enrichment games, such as movement puzzles or scent work, are great for mentally stimulating your dog while reducing physical strain on the owner.
Dog ownership is rewarding but requires planning, especially for disabled dog guardians. With the proper support and adjustments, you can enjoy the companionship and mental health benefits of having a dog without overwhelming yourself. If you’re considering adding a dog to your family, I highly recommend consulting a trainer beforehand. Our experience can help ensure an easier transition for you and your new dog, and we can assist you in choosing a dog suited to your lifestyle, whether through rescues or ethical breeders.
We hope you enjoyed “A Dog Can Boost Your Well-Being“. Click here for more of our pet-related articles.
Author: Demi Powell
Demi Powell is a cat lover and owner and owns Powell’s Pups, an Oswestry-based K9 training business. Demi is a qualified puppy school tutor and is part of the Beastly Thoughts Professional Dog Services (BTPDS) Instructor Team. BTPDS specialise in puppy training and reactive dogs, but offer a whole host of obedience training classes, lectures, webinars and online training hubs and groups.
