The love and companionship of pets offer many benefits to those with hepatitis C and liver disease. Along with pets, animals are used in a variety of service to patients.

Service of Pets

Animals offer great benefits in a variety of ways in all forms of service to those dealing with different medical conditions. Different states have various qualifications for a person and animal to qualify for service.

  • Service Animals
  • Therapy Animals
  • Emotional Support Animals

The American Disability Act states a service animal defined by Title II and Title III is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

To qualify for a service animal in most cases your doctor would need to provide a letter stating your need for the service animal.

Service dogs are allowed anywhere a person can go. Therapy dogs are not allowed access to all areas but generally limited to certain medical, rehab, nursing care facilities, and schools, etc.

Dogs are the most often used animals in service and therapy. Horses are also used in therapy.

Pets Offer Love & Companionship

Even if you do not qualify for a service animal, our pets offer benefits in extraordinary ways. The companionship of our pets helps provide unconditional love and support for everyone. For those who live alone, pets can prevent loneliness and depression.

The responsibility and daily care of our pets are nurturing, loving, and can often be entertaining. A special bond is made like none other.

Pets Help With Those Chronic Conditions

Pets often serve as therapy, even if we’re not aware we need it. Animals and especially pets have a way of bringing us out of ourselves, helping us to focus on something other than what we’re dealing with.

They help us see love and care from a new perspective. They can challenge us physically to be more active and take better care of ourselves and them.

Personally, I’m a big-time animal lover and have had pets my whole life. They add so much love and joy to life. When I was going through my treatment for hepatitis C, my dogs wore invisible nurses caps and showered me daily with love. Their companionship helped me greatly when I wasn’t feeling well. Can you relate?

In Summary

All pets from birds, cats, dogs, horses, and others, provide wonderful championship, unconditional love, and help to everyone who owns one.

Do you or have you had a favorite pet: How did/does your pet help you?

Share your comments below.

This entry was originally published on Life Beyond Hepatitis C on June 2, 2021 and is reprinted with permission.