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{{Short description|Type of service dog}}
'''Psychiatric Service Dogs''' are a specific type of [[assistance dog]]. Psychiatric Service Dogs, also known as PSDs, are individually trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric [[disability]], including, but not limited to [[Major Depressive Disorder]], [[Bipolar Disorder]], [[Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]], [[Autism]], [[Anxiety Disorder]]s, and [[Schizophrenia]].
{{More citations needed|date=August 2020}}
A '''psychiatric assistance dog''' or '''psychiatric service dog''' is a sub-category of [[assistance dog]] trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric [[disability]] or a mental disability, such as [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder|obsessive-compulsive disorder]], [[post-traumatic stress disorder]], [[schizophrenia]], [[Depression (mood)|depression]], [[anxiety]], and [[bipolar disorder]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Esnayra J |title=Help from man's best friend. Psychiatric service dogs are helping consumers deal with the symptoms of mental illness |journal=Behav Healthc |volume=27 |issue=7 |pages=30–2 |date=July 2007 |pmid=18027616 }}</ref><ref name="SDC 74">[http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/74 Service Dog Central - Psychiatric Service Dogs] Retrieved on August 17, 2007.</ref>


A psychiatric assistance dog can assist their handler by providing a safe presence that grounds them; the dog may perhaps lean on the person to provide a calming pressure.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Esnayra|first=Joan|date=July 2007|title=Help from man's best friend: psychiatric service dogs are helping consumers deal with the symptoms of mental illness|url=https://www.northeaststate.edu:2068/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T002&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=49&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=2&docId=GALE%7CA167419384&docType=Article&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=ZONE-MOD1&prodId=AONE&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CA167419384&searchId=R4&userGroupName=tel_a_nestcc&inPS=true|journal=Behavioral Healthcare|via=Northeast State Database}}</ref>
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990), a dog is considered a "service dog" if it has been "individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability." Disability is defined as a "mental or physical condition which substantially limits a major life activity"


== Training ==
Psychiatric service dogs must be trained to perform tasks that mitigate their handler's disability, and are not emotional support animals. Some tasks that psychiatric service dogs can be trained to do include:
[[File:samivest.jpg|thumb|alt=Psychiatric Service Dog In Training|A psychiatric service dog in training]]
[[File:Service Dog in lap.jpeg|thumb|Service dog being trained to run over and lie in handler's lap to ground handler on command.]]
Like all [[assistance dog]]s, a psychiatric assistance dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks that mitigate their handler's disability.<ref name="SDC 77">[http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/77 Service Dog Central - Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks]</ref>
Training to mitigate a psychiatric disability may include providing environmental assessment (in such cases as [[paranoia]] or [[hallucination]]s), signaling behaviors (such as interrupting repetitive or injurious behaviors), reminding the handler to take medication, retrieving objects, guiding the handler from stressful situations, or acting as a brace if the handler becomes [[dizziness|dizzy]]. Moreover, the dog can be an extremely useful companion in any controlled training concerning cognitive functions, such as walking the dog.<ref name="iaadp">[http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html International Association of Assistance Dog Partners - Service Dog Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities] Retrieved on January 31, 2007.</ref><ref name="SDC 77" />


Many psychiatric assistance dogs are trained by the person who will become the handler—usually with the help of a professional trainer. Others are trained by assistance or service dog programs. Assistance dog organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for dogs to help individuals with psychiatric disabilities, and there are even organizations dedicated specifically to supporting psychiatric assistance dog handlers.
*Blocking at curbs to prevent a dissociated handler from stepping out into traffic
*Doing a room search for a handler with PTSD
*Hallucination discernment
*Guiding a disoriented handler
*Interrupting repetitive actions, such as skin-picking


== Accessibility ==
{{Globalize|section|2=US|2name=the US|date=December 2024}}


In the US, the [[Air Carrier Access Act]] has permitted psychiatric service dogs to travel in the cabin with their handler. Due to negative incidents with services dogs and [[emotional support animal]]s, from 2018 through 2020 there has been a push to limit or restrict dogs on US flights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/22/us-will-redefine-service-animals-flying-with-their-owners.html|title=US will redefine 'service animals' flying with their owners on flights|date=January 22, 2020|website=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals-including-emotional-support-animals|title=Service Animals (Including Emotional Support Animals) &#124; US Department of Transportation|website=www.transportation.gov}}</ref> During this time the act treated psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals the same and required the handler to provide paperwork for their dog. In December 2020, a revision of the act meant that the two were no longer treated the same, and psychiatric service dogs were treated the equally to other types of service dogs.
Psychiatric service dogs may any [[dog breed|breed]] suited for public access work. Many are trained by the person who will become the dog's handler, ideally with the assistance of a professional trainer. However, assistance dog organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for dogs to help individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
<ref>{{cite web |title=Everything You Need to Know about Psychiatric Service Dogs |url=https://myserviceanimal.org/blog/psychiatric-service-dog/ |website=MyServiceAnimal}}</ref>


While some organizations offer certification or identification cards for service dogs, there is no federally mandated or recognized certification process for service dogs in the US. The Americans with Disabilities Act ([[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA]]) does not require service dogs to be registered or certified. Handlers are not legally obligated to obtain or carry any specific documentation for their Psychiatric Service Dogs. However, having such identification can be helpful in situations where proof of the dog's training and status may be required, such as when traveling or accessing certain public accommodations.
In the [[United States]], the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]] allow handlers of psychiatric service dogs the same rights and protections afforded to those with other types of [[assistance dog]]s. Some state laws also provide protection to PSD handlers.


==See also==
* [[Assistance dog]]
* [[Autism assistance dog]]

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended]
*[http://www.bazelon.org/issues/disabilityrights/resources/lmtslist.htm Bazelon's List of Limitations on Major Life Activities for Psychiatric Disabilities]
*[http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html Service Dog Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities]
*[http://www.servicedogcentral.org/psds.html Psychiatric Service Dogs]
*[www.adionline.org Assistance Dogs International]



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[[Category:Assistance dogs]]


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[[Category:Assistance dogs]]

Latest revision as of 10:05, 10 December 2024

A psychiatric assistance dog or psychiatric service dog is a sub-category of assistance dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability or a mental disability, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.[1][2]

A psychiatric assistance dog can assist their handler by providing a safe presence that grounds them; the dog may perhaps lean on the person to provide a calming pressure.[3]

Training

[edit]
Psychiatric Service Dog In Training
A psychiatric service dog in training
Service dog being trained to run over and lie in handler's lap to ground handler on command.

Like all assistance dogs, a psychiatric assistance dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks that mitigate their handler's disability.[4] Training to mitigate a psychiatric disability may include providing environmental assessment (in such cases as paranoia or hallucinations), signaling behaviors (such as interrupting repetitive or injurious behaviors), reminding the handler to take medication, retrieving objects, guiding the handler from stressful situations, or acting as a brace if the handler becomes dizzy. Moreover, the dog can be an extremely useful companion in any controlled training concerning cognitive functions, such as walking the dog.[5][4]

Many psychiatric assistance dogs are trained by the person who will become the handler—usually with the help of a professional trainer. Others are trained by assistance or service dog programs. Assistance dog organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for dogs to help individuals with psychiatric disabilities, and there are even organizations dedicated specifically to supporting psychiatric assistance dog handlers.

Accessibility

[edit]

In the US, the Air Carrier Access Act has permitted psychiatric service dogs to travel in the cabin with their handler. Due to negative incidents with services dogs and emotional support animals, from 2018 through 2020 there has been a push to limit or restrict dogs on US flights.[6][7] During this time the act treated psychiatric service dogs and emotional support animals the same and required the handler to provide paperwork for their dog. In December 2020, a revision of the act meant that the two were no longer treated the same, and psychiatric service dogs were treated the equally to other types of service dogs. [8]

While some organizations offer certification or identification cards for service dogs, there is no federally mandated or recognized certification process for service dogs in the US. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require service dogs to be registered or certified. Handlers are not legally obligated to obtain or carry any specific documentation for their Psychiatric Service Dogs. However, having such identification can be helpful in situations where proof of the dog's training and status may be required, such as when traveling or accessing certain public accommodations.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Esnayra J (July 2007). "Help from man's best friend. Psychiatric service dogs are helping consumers deal with the symptoms of mental illness". Behav Healthc. 27 (7): 30–2. PMID 18027616.
  2. ^ Service Dog Central - Psychiatric Service Dogs Retrieved on August 17, 2007.
  3. ^ Esnayra, Joan (July 2007). "Help from man's best friend: psychiatric service dogs are helping consumers deal with the symptoms of mental illness". Behavioral Healthcare – via Northeast State Database.
  4. ^ a b Service Dog Central - Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks
  5. ^ International Association of Assistance Dog Partners - Service Dog Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities Retrieved on January 31, 2007.
  6. ^ "US will redefine 'service animals' flying with their owners on flights". CNBC. January 22, 2020.
  7. ^ "Service Animals (Including Emotional Support Animals) | US Department of Transportation". www.transportation.gov.
  8. ^ "Everything You Need to Know about Psychiatric Service Dogs". MyServiceAnimal.
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