Part 2 of 5:
Last time we spoke about Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). If you missed it, you can read about it HERE. Today we will be examining Service Animals . Service Animals, unlike Emotional Support Animals, receive extensive specialized training in order to provide assistance to their handlers. The most common types of service animals are service dogs.
Service Animals are not something new. According to History.com, “the earliest evidence of such partnerships is found in a fresco in the ruins of the ancient Roman city, Herculaneum.” The fresco depicts a blind man presumably being led by his dog, dating back as far as the first century A.D.
In the 1750s, the earliest systematic instruction of guide dogs, as helpers of the visually impaired, took place in a Paris hospital for the blind. it wasn’t until the 1970s and the work by Dr. Bonnie Bergin that dogs began to assist people beyond seeing guide dogs. With Dr. Bergin’s work, the concept of a “service dog” began to evolve and include people with disabilities beyond visual impairment.
Service dogs are always trained to perform a specific task or a set of tasks. A seeing-eye dog, for instance, helps a visually impaired individual or fully blind person navigate life in a safe manner that gives them their independence back. A PTSD service dog can clear rooms for their handler and give the all clear. Other types of service dogs include diabetic alert dogs, hearing dogs, psychiatric service dogs, and mobility assistance dogs, among many others.
Because service dogs provide assistance for major life activities such as getting around throughout the day, opening doors, turning on lights, setting off alarms, and in some cases alerting a person to potentially-deadly blood sugar levels or remind them to take their medicine, they’re entitled to the broadest possible range of privileges and rights under federal law.
A psychiatric service dog is a type of service dog that has been individually trained to perform tasks that help with the emotional issues of a person’s disability.
A specific task may entail a psychiatric service dog providing deep pressure therapy to help their handler through a panic attack. Psychiatric service dogs may also help with assistive actions such as waking up their handler from a night terror or guiding their handler to a safe space during an anxiety episode. The U.S. Department of Justice also offers the example of a psychiatric service dog reminding their handler to take their medication, which is considered a ‘Medical Reminder’ task.
Just like any other service animal, psychiatric service dogs receive extensive training to perform tasks that assist their handler and are commonly prescribed to those living with post traumatic stress, anxiety, and other types of emotional disabilities. Because being separated from their psychiatric service dog substantially limits an individual’s ability to thrive as much as possible, psychiatric service dogs are also entitled to the same privileges and rights as any other type of service dog. Some of the most common dog breeds used for psychiatric service include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds.
Although there are no set minimum age limits, a puppy does not make a good service dog. According to akc.org expert advice, “all puppies are officially considered adult dogs once they reach one year old.” This means a good psychiatric service dog is at least 1 year old. In addition to this age, a psychiatric service dog should at a minimum be trained in the Public Access Test or Good Canine Test and MUST be trained specifically to address their handler’s psychiatric disability.
Only 0.9% of those with mental illnesses are partnered with a psychiatric service dog. However, considering that 1 in 4 adults have a mental illness, the percentage should be much higher. The human-animal bond is extremely beneficial. A quick online search of effects of animals on mental health will show this.
If you suffer from a mental disability (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.) that significantly impacts your ability to perform normal daily functions, you could qualify for a psychiatric service dog. If you’re living with a mental illness, getting a psychiatric service dog could really help your recovery. These loving animals could ease your symptoms and help you live a happier, fuller life.
To request an ESA or PSD evaluation or letter, please click the link.
