Dogs truly are mankind’s best friend when it comes to the ability to perceive what goes unspoken, including complicated emotions. That’s why dogs are naturally such perfect helpers for people experiencing mental health challenges.
Psychiatric (mental health) helping dogs are classified by the kind of help they provide, by whether a ‘prescription’ is needed to get a specialized help animal, and whether the dog needs to be professionally trained and certified to perform special duties.
Comfort dogs simply provide their loving presence and acceptance. They work in short-term high stress situations. These dogs don’t require a statement of need, and don’t have to be specially trained. They only need understanding and good manners to be capable of very meaningful work.
Some work at just one location, such as a women’s prison or a children’s dentist. Others may be brought out for special jobs during a crisis, or to offer a ‘calming distraction’ in instances such as helping children or victims who must meet with police investigators or testify in court.
Therapy Dogs are also comforting animals. They, too, don’t require a statement of need, and may have only basic training. But they have long-term assignments, often befriending groups of people with special needs, such as visiting nursing homes, or they may be a special permanent companion animal to just one person. Their unconditional acceptance and understanding presence lowers stress and goes a long way to help remove sadness and fear.
Because comforting dogs are not verified by a mental health professional’s statement as medically necessary, they don’t have any special access to support services and housing, although some business owners or landlords may make exceptions to their rules if the dog is well behaved and attentive.
But for those whose emotional needs are deeper, a statement written by a licensed mental health professional about the need for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or a Psychiatric Support Dog (PSD) opens doors to a wider range of help. The statement should explain the therapeutic value of the dog’s presence. It won’t give the diagnosis, but it will qualify the person to get a specially trained dog and to apply for special housing, restaurant or transportation arrangements. Before being allowed in some places, managers will sometimes ask to see the statement, so keep it handy.
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) can be one’s own pet, or come from a shelter, or from anywhere else. An ESA can be almost any animal, but it is usually a dog. ESA dogs provide relief for milder symptoms from such emotional challenges as depression, anxiety and phobias. Their presence provides calming comfort that reduces symptoms. Simply having the ability to hug and talk to a dog does a world of good.
For example, a person with anxiety disorder finds herself in a noisy, crowded situation and feels increasingly uncomfortable. Her dog can see that her breathing has changed and she’s agitated. He is trained to tap or lick her hand to break her focus. He may lean against her or put his full weight on her to help ground her. Or he may get help, or retrieve her medication.
Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSD) (a designation strangely reserved only for dogs and miniature horses) are the top of the line for psychiatric helping animals. They are officially recognized with a statement of need for a PSD. That helps the person to get a dog that has distinctly qualified training, and is afforded special federal exceptions. PSD dogs are often bred and specially trained by professionals to do certain tasks, and are further certified for 24/7 duty in mental health situations that include anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and PTSD. Then the dog is even further trained to respond to the specific needs of their designated person ( also called a handler.) They know how to concentrate, how to behave in crowds, and how to protect the person, how to retrieve medications, and when and how to get additional help. They are protectors, as well as comforters.
For example, for someone with PTSD, this special dog will help interrupt nightmares, help to extend the handler’s personal space when going out in public, help to break the ice and take the emphasis off the handler when meeting people, and help to calm the person with a ‘get rest’ signal, as well as to alert a family member if necessary.
Because they are certified as trained and manageable, the Fair Housing Act could allow for the handler to live in otherwise ‘no-pets’ housing. Also, local stores and restaurants may give special consideration to a service dog.
Also, Psychiatric Service Dogs are the only type of helper dog given special exemptions by the Americans with Disabilities Act and allowed on certain types of interstate transportation.
The information that is online can be confusing. Other countries have differently named categories for helper dogs, which can contribute to the confusion. There are also many online services offering letters, certifications and training that may not be all they claim to be. Additionally, there are questions about whether the statement of need is valid in only one state or all, and whether it must be renewed annually.
Donation organizations do exist to help fund the purchase, training and veterinary care of a PSD or ESA dog – especially among military veterans – but which ones are legitimate? Do they ask you to pay a deposit and wait two years for a candidate dog? Do they require you to do fundraising for them?
The best places to get information are through your own mental health professional and recognized associations and affiliated local chapters, and also patient help groups that pertain to your special needs.
When you feel like the world is closing in, or you’re a child terrified of a medical procedure, there is nothing in the world more beautiful than the face of a smiling dog who assures you that everything is going to be alright.
Heron’s Crossing provides end-of-life care for pets in the Metro Atlanta area. In-home appointments with compassionate vets are available. If you’d prefer a home-like setting away from your home, our Decatur office is also available by appointment.