Can a Service Dog Help With Pediatric Narcolepsy?

If your child has narcolepsy, you know how challenging it can be. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep and wakefulness.¹

Children with narcolepsy may feel extremely tired during the day. They might have sudden “sleep attacks.” This can make school, sports, and even just playing with friends difficult. You might wonder, “Is there anything else that can help?” For some families, a service dog could be a good option.¹

What does a service dog do?

A service dog is not a pet. It is a dog that is specially trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability.^1,2

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the right to have a service dog in public places. The tasks a service dog performs must directly help with the person’s disability. A service dog can help with many medical conditions, including epilepsy, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.²

For example, a service dog can:^2,3

• Guide a person who is blind
• Alert a person with diabetes to low blood sugar
• Help a person with a mobility issue
• Recognize and respond to a medical episode
• Provide comfort and relaxation in moments of anxiety and stress

How can a service dog help with narcolepsy?

Service dogs can be a great help for chronic medical conditions like narcolepsy. While a service dog cannot cure narcolepsy, it can perform tasks that make life safer and easier. They can be trained to help in many ways.^1-3

They can provide alerts

One of the most important things a service dog can do is provide alerts. Some service dogs can sense a person’s impending sleep attack. They might be able to tell when the person is about to have a cataplexy attack. Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone, which can lead to falls. A service dog may be trained to bark, nudge, or lick their owner right before an episode, so a person can sit down or move to a safe space.¹

There has been research that discusses how dogs can be trained to recognize and respond to medical episodes. For those with narcolepsy, a dog could be trained to nudge or paw, or lick the face of a person to help them stay awake or to end an episode and help them wake up.^1,3

They can provide physical assistance

A service dog can also provide physical assistance. If a person with narcolepsy has a cataplexy attack and falls, the service dog can be trained to help them get up. It can also stand over them to protect them. This is especially helpful if they are in a crowded place. A service dog can also fetch medicine or a phone if a person needs help after a sleep attack.¹

They can help provide independence

Service dogs can help children and adults with narcolepsy gain more independence. A 2021 study discussed the benefits of service dogs for those with narcolepsy and showed that service dogs help to increase a person’s sense of independence and safety. A service dog can help give a child more confidence and can help them feel more in control of their life.⁴

Is a service dog right for your child?

Deciding on a service dog is a big decision. Here are some things to think about:¹

• Age – According to the US Service Animals, a child needs to be 12 years or older in order to qualify for a service dog.
• Responsibility – A service dog needs care. This includes feeding, grooming, and exercise. A parent or caregiver will be responsible for this. You need to be sure you are ready for this commitment.
• Cost – The cost to get and train a service dog is high. It can be thousands of dollars.
• Training – It takes a long time to train a service dog. The training is very specific. You must work with a qualified organization. You need to make sure the dog is trained for the specific tasks your child needs.
• Child’s comfort – Your child should be comfortable with a dog. They will be together a lot. The child and the dog must have a strong bond.

Service dog resources

A service dog may be very helpful for a child with narcolepsy, especially as they get older and become more independent. Many groups in the United States train service dogs for people with narcolepsy. These organizations may be for-profit or nonprofit. Some only serve people who live in a specific area. Here are a few examples of these organizations:

• Canine Partners for Life
• New Hope Assistance Dogs
• PAWS with a Cause
• Service Dog Academy
• US Service Animals

Talk to doctors and other families with service dogs. It can be helpful to get firsthand experience from those who have used them to help manage their health conditions.