Psychiatric assistance dog: Difference between revisions
added additional work or tasks that are used by some disabled handlers |
Sarranduin (talk | contribs) obviously, having a list presents too much temptation for edit-warring, so I have rewritten that section; also, + headlines, wikilinks, etc. |
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A ''' |
A '''psychiatric service dog''' is a specific type of [[service dog]] trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric [[disability]], such as [[major depressive disorder]], [[bipolar disorder]], [[post-traumatic stress disorder]], [[autism]], [[anxiety disorder]]s, or [[schizophrenia]]. |
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== Training == |
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Like all [[assistance dog]]s, a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks particular to their handler's disability. Such work or tasks include but are not limited to: |
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Like all [[assistance dog]]s, a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform tasks particular to their handler's disability. Generally, the majority of the dogs' work is to provide environmental assessment, in such cases as [[paranoia]] or [[hallucination]]s, or "alerting" behaviors, such as interrupting repetitive or injurious behaviors or reminding the handler to take medication. The dogs may also be trained physical tasks, such as retrieving objects, guiding the handler from stressful situations, or acting as a brace if the handler becomes [[dizziness|dizzy]]. |
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* Reminding the handler to take medication at certain times of the day |
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* Waking the handler if they sleep through alarms or otherwise cannot get themselves out of bed |
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* Alerting to incipient episodes such as significant mood shifts, panic attacks, or dissociative episodes |
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* Responding to an episode in a manner that is adaptive for the handler |
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* Assisting a handler with environmental assessment (i.e., reality-testing for feelings of fear and paranoia) |
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* Assisting a handler with hallucination discernment or environmental assessment (i.e., reality-testing for feelings of fear and [[paranoia]]) |
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* Assisting a handler with Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia to safely leave her home or to lead her out of a triggering situation. |
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* Interrupting repetitive or self-injurious behaviors |
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* Carrying identification in case of dissociative episodes or fugue states |
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* Leading a handler out of a crowd during a panic attack, fugue state, or dissociative episode |
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* Aiding with mobility when the handler is dizzy from medication or has psychosomatic (physical) symptoms |
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* Providing exclusive focus and tactile stimulation when a handler requires it in order to mitigate symptoms |
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Psychiatric service dogs may be of any breed or size |
Psychiatric service dogs may be of any [[dog breed|breed]] or size suitable for public work. The majority of psychiatric service dogs are trained by the person who will become the handler- usually with the help of a professional trainer. However, assistance dog organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for dogs to help individuals with psychiatric disabilities. |
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== Accessibility == |
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In the [[United States]], the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]] defines a disability as a "mental or physical condition which substantially limits a major life activity," and therefore allows handlers of psychiatric service dogs the same rights and protections afforded to those with other types of [[assistance dog]]s. Some individual state laws also provide additional guidelines or protection. |
In the [[United States]], the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]] defines a disability as a "mental or physical condition which substantially limits a major life activity," and therefore allows handlers of psychiatric service dogs the same rights and protections afforded to those with other types of [[assistance dog]]s. Some individual state laws also provide additional guidelines or protection. |
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*[[Hearing dog]] |
*[[Hearing dog]] |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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*[http://www.bazelon.org/issues/disabilityrights/resources/lmtslist.htm Bazelon's List of Limitations on Major Life Activities for Psychiatric Disabilities] |
*[http://www.bazelon.org/issues/disabilityrights/resources/lmtslist.htm Bazelon's List of Limitations on Major Life Activities for Psychiatric Disabilities] |
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*[http://www.psychdog.org Psychiatric Service Dog Society] |
*[http://www.psychdog.org Psychiatric Service Dog Society] |
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Revision as of 21:43, 31 January 2007
A psychiatric service dog is a specific type of service dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia.
Training
Like all assistance dogs, a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform tasks particular to their handler's disability. Generally, the majority of the dogs' work is to provide environmental assessment, in such cases as paranoia or hallucinations, or "alerting" behaviors, such as interrupting repetitive or injurious behaviors or reminding the handler to take medication. The dogs may also be trained physical tasks, such as retrieving objects, guiding the handler from stressful situations, or acting as a brace if the handler becomes dizzy.
Psychiatric service dogs may be of any breed or size suitable for public work. The majority of psychiatric service dogs are trained by the person who will become the handler- usually with the help of a professional trainer. However, assistance dog organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for dogs to help individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
Accessibility
In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act defines a disability as a "mental or physical condition which substantially limits a major life activity," and therefore allows handlers of psychiatric service dogs the same rights and protections afforded to those with other types of assistance dogs. Some individual state laws also provide additional guidelines or protection.