Dog owners know that their beloved pets can be a true source of comfort during a migraine attack. They snuggle with us, they keep watch over us, and they seem to instinctively know when we’re in pain.
But can dogs do more? Can they actually help relieve migraine pain? Or work as migraine service dogs, alerting you when a migraine attack is about to strike?
What is a service dog for migraine?
A service dog is one that’s trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Migraine service dogs are typically trained to alert their owner when they detect the very earliest signs of a migraine attack (prodrome). These signs may be subtle: fatigue, mood changes, yawning, etc. The dog may lick its owner’s hand, bark, or paw at them to communicate that a migraine attack is on the way. Then the owner can take action, such as taking medication, retreating to a dark and quiet room, or starting a CEFALY ACUTE session.
Here are a few things you may not know about migraine service dogs:
- They are not legally required to be certified or be professionally trained. However, you should be able to control your dog at all times. If your service dog is unruly, noisy or out of control, you may be asked to remove it or leave (and it’s legal for someone to ask this.)
- They are not required to wear a service-dog vest or other identification. However, it can be easier to bring your dog to stores, restaurants and other places if it’s obvious that it’s a service animal.
- They are not the same thing as an emotional support or comfort dog. While emotional support is vital for many people with migraine, the ADA doesn’t consider it to be a “task related to a person’s disability.”
How do service dogs detect a migraine attack?
Experts believe service dogs may use their incredible sense of smell to detect changes in your body chemistry that occur before a migraine attack. They may also notice shifts in your heart rate or other physical changes.
Not every dog can detect migraine symptoms. In one scientific survey, about one in four dog owners with migraine said their dog demonstrated alerting behavior in advance of migraine attack symptoms. This behavior varied by dog: One barked, spun in tight circles, and wagged its tail frantically. Another simply stared and refused to obey commands. A third dog whined, tried to direct its owner to lie or sit down, and then sat on her and refused to leave.
How can you get a service dog for migraine?
Many people assume that it will cost a lot to get a migraine service dog, but this isn’t necessarily the case! A service animal doesn’t have to be a purebred dog, and you don’t need to send it to a specialized training program (although you may want to). Here are a few ways to get a service dog for migraine.
One option is training the dog you already have. A woman named Allison noticed that her dog Charlie would sometimes paw at her, stare at her, or nudge her. Then migraine symptoms would begin 10 to 15 minutes later.
Once Charlie showed this aptitude for noticing symptoms, Allison began working with an assistance-dog trainer. The trainer taught Charlie to kiss (lick) Allison’s hand when she signaled that she was feeling migraine pain, which helped her feel better. Charlie also learned to lean on Allison when she needed to sleep.
You could get a dog with the intention of training it as a service animal. This can be tricky, because you don’t know ahead of time if a particular dog will be well suited to work as a migraine service dog. But if you’re experienced and patient (and willing to keep the dog as a pet even if it can’t be trained as a service animal), this could be an option.
You also can purchase a dog that has been professionally trained as a migraine service animal. The cost of one of these service dogs may range from $10,000 to $20,000, according to the American Migraine Foundation, and insurance doesn’t usually cover it. However, professionally trained service animals have many advantages. They arrive ready to work, they have excellent manners, and they may be able to perform more complex assistance tasks, like retrieving migraine medication, alerting others that you’re having a migraine attack, or helping you avoid falling if you experience vertigo or dizziness.
What is a migraine support dog?
A migraine support dog or therapy dog provides comfort during a migraine attack. It may cuddle with you, lie down on you, lick your hand or simply stay nearby when you’re experiencing migraine pain.
Emotional support dogs are essential for many people with migraine. However, they don’t qualify as service animals under the ADA unless they have been trained to perform a specific, disability-related task. This means you may not be able to bring your support dog with you everywhere you go, unless local laws give you that protection.
If you’re thinking about getting a migraine support dog or service dog, talk to other members of the migraine community about their experiences. Remember that you, the owner, are responsible for your dog’s health and wellbeing. Research the costs of food, training and veterinary care, so you know your budget can handle it.
If you’re looking for a way to relieve migraine pain and prevent attacks without the side effects of medication, CEFALY may be for you! It’s a safe, effective treatment you can do at home that relieved migraine pain in 79% of users in one study. Learn more about CEFALY.
