Psychiatric service dog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A psychiatric service dog is a specific type of service dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or schizophrenia.[1]
Although assistance dogs classically help with physical disabilities, there are a wide range of psychiatric issues that an assistance dog may be able to help with as well.[2][3]
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[edit] Training
Like all assistance dogs, a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks particular to their handler's disability.[4] 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 in physical tasks, such as retrieving objects, guiding the handler from stressful situations, or acting as a brace if the handler becomes dizzy.[2][3]
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.[5]
[edit] Accessibility
In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act defines a disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual,"[6] and therefore allows handlers of psychiatric service dogs the same rights and protections afforded to those with other types of service animals.[7] The Fair Housing Act also allows tenants that have service animals or emotional support animals to stay in housing that has a "No Pets" policy.[8] Note: Some individual state laws may also provide additional guidelines or protection.
An alternative to a psychiatric service dog is an emotional support animal, which may or may not have specific training related to the handler's disability, but provides companionship and emotional support. They do not qualify as service animals in the United States, though they do have some privileges with regards to domestic air travel and housing.
[edit] Medical Equipment
Under Federal law, a service animal is considered 'Durable Medical Equipment' and entitles individuals to take advantage of certain government benefits. For example, in the United States, under the Section 8 Housing Program, single individuals with durable medical equipment (including service animals) qualify for a one bedroom voucher as opposed to the customary studio assignment.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
- Autism service dog
- Guide dog
- Hearing dog
- Medical response dog
- Mobility assistance dog
- Seizure response dog
- Service dog
- Assistance dog
- Seizure dog
- Emotional support animal
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Psychiatric Service Dog Society - Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks Retrieved on January 31, 2007.
- ^ a b International Association of Assistance Dog Partners - Service Dog Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities Retrieved on January 31, 2007.
- ^ Delta Society Service Animal Basics
- ^ Assistance Dogs International - Membership Directory by States and Countries Retrieved on January 31, 2007.
- ^ Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Retrieved on January 31, 2007.
- ^ Service Dog Central - Psychiatric Service Dogs Retrieved on August 17, 2007.
- ^ Service Animals: Policy & Procedure; Great Lakes ADA Center Retrieved on October 17, 2007.
