What Do PTSD Service Dogs Do to Support People with PTSD

PTSD service dogs are trained to provide emotional support and stability to individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They help their owners navigate everyday situations that might trigger anxiety or panic attacks.

These service dogs are specifically trained to recognize and respond to their owner's distress signals, such as a change in breathing or body language. They provide a sense of calm and security, helping their owners feel more grounded and in control.

By providing a sense of calm, PTSD service dogs can help their owners engage in activities they might have previously avoided due to anxiety or fear. This can include things like going to the grocery store, riding public transportation, or attending social events.

PTSD service dogs can also be trained to interrupt flashbacks or nightmares, helping their owners break the cycle of distress and find a sense of peace.

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Alerting is a crucial task that PSDs perform to help their handlers manage their symptoms. A PSD can be trained to recognize specific behaviors that occur right before an episode, allowing them to alert their handler and prevent unwanted behavior.

Dogs can be trained to paw at their handler's leg to interrupt debilitating and destructive behavior during panic attacks, flashbacks, and anxiety attacks. This simple action can refocus the handler and help them work through the problem.

A PSD can also be trained to alert their handler to certain sounds, such as a phone ringing or alarm clock, until the handler takes a specific action. This can be a lifesaver for people who struggle with sleep or auditory sensitivities.

In emergency situations, a PSD can alert family members or passersby when their owner is having an episode and is not responsive. This can help prevent accidents and ensure the handler's safety.

By performing alert tasks, PSDs can help their handlers increase compliance with alarms and reminders, such as taking medication or showering. A PSD can nudge or nuzzle their handler until the specified activity is completed.

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Psychiatric Service Dogs can alleviate anxiety in their handlers by physically applying pressure through Deep Pressure Therapy, trained to put their body weight on their handler's lap and abdomen. This physical pressure can then mentally relieve anxiety and induce a sense of calm.

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Grounding techniques are also used to bring the handler back to reality during episodes. This can be done by performing tasks like licking the handler's face, pawing at them, or sitting on their feet or lap. These physical interactions can be extremely helpful in public or social situations.

Substances that slow brain activity, such as sedatives and tranquilizers, can lead to depression of the central nervous system, making it harder for handlers to cope with emotional distress, conflicts, and sensory overload.

Deep Pressure Therapy is a non-invasive, gentle way to alleviate anxiety and induce calm in individuals.

Using a dog's body weight, this therapy can physically and mentally relieve anxiety.

Dogs can be trained to provide deep pressure by jumping on their handler's lap and abdomen, a technique suitable for small breeds.

Tactile stimulation, which includes texture and touch, can be performed in various ways, such as pawing, nudging, or giving a kiss.

This type of therapy can benefit individuals coping with dissociation, flashback, apathy, feeling of isolation, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, depersonalization disorder, fearfulness, distractibility, trembling, emotional overload, and hypervigilance.

People with these health conditions can find relief from their symptoms through deep pressure therapy.

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Grounding in the context of service animals means bringing the handler back to reality when they're having an episode by performing various tasks.

A Psychiatric Service Dog can be trained to ground their handler by licking at their face, pawing at them, sitting on their feet or lap, or rubbing against their body.

This task can be extremely helpful when the person is in public and/or is engaged in social interactions.

If a person deals with anxiety, dissociative episodes, flashbacks, catatonia, psychosis, emotional distress, emotional/sensory overload, night terrors, or self-harm behavior, they're likely to need their Psychiatric Service Dog to ground them when they have an episode.

Emotional distress, conflicts, sensory overload, and lack of sleep can cause night terrors, reduced energy levels, and lack of motivation.

Substances that slow brain activity like sedatives, tranquilizers, and hypnotics, may lead to depression of the central nervous system.

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Boundary control is a vital aspect of a PTSD service dog's training. They can be taught to stand between their handler and others to create more personal space, helping to alleviate anxiety caused by close proximity or crowded spaces.

This cue is not a protective measure, but rather a simple command that allows the dog to move into a down-stay position, providing a physical barrier between the handler and others.

A dog can be trained to guide their handler to a safe place, such as their home, in case of an anxiety episode or sensory overload. This task can be life-saving in public situations.

The dog's ability to guide their handler can also help with feelings of fear or confusion, providing a sense of calm and security.

Emotional support is a crucial aspect of what PTSD service dogs do. A well-behaved dog can help to lower blood pressure and give a sense of ease to anyone who is near.

Having a PTSD service dog can bring out feelings of love and companionship, which can be especially comforting for those who struggle with mental health issues. These dogs are good companions and can help alleviate feelings of loneliness.

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PTSD service dogs can also be trained to take orders well, which can be very comforting for a Service member or Veteran who was used to giving orders in the military. This can help them feel more in control and confident.

Here are some ways PTSD service dogs can provide emotional support:

By providing emotional support and companionship, PTSD service dogs can be a vital lifeline for those struggling with mental health issues.

A Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) is a highly trained individual that offers vital assistance to those facing mental disabilities.

These remarkable dogs provide grounding, deep pressure therapy, guidance, alerts, reminders, retrieval, protection, and relief from sensory overload.

You can turn your dog into a PSD in a self-paced and fully-online format with a training course that assigns a professional service dog trainer as your individual tutor.

A service dog training log book is provided to chart your progress and keep a written record of your training history.

Upon completion of the course, you'll receive a Trained Service Dog Certificate and your dog partner will be certified as a Service Dog with all the training records.

PTSD service dogs can be trained to help manage sensory overload in various ways. They can close doors to block out noise or turn off lights to reduce visual stimulation.

One way a PTSD service dog can assist is by providing tactile redirection. This means they can give their owner a gentle touch, like stroking their fur or touching their nose, to help manage anxiety or fear.

A PTSD service dog can also be trained to open doors, allowing a family member or health professional to come in and provide support. This can be especially helpful in situations where the owner is experiencing a panic attack or night terror.

Turning on the light can be a simple yet effective way for a PTSD service dog to interrupt a night terror. This can help the owner feel more grounded and in control.

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If you rely on a service dog, you need to know about the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), a U.S. federal law that gives you the right to bring your service dog in the plane cabin on all flights to, from, and within the United States.

The ACAA is a specific law that protects the rights of people with service dogs when traveling by air.

Service Dog Certifications is not affiliated with any government agency, so their products and services don't confer any legal rights on any person.

You have the right to bring your service dog in the plane cabin, but it's essential to understand the law and your responsibilities as a service dog owner.

PTSD is a serious condition that requires comprehensive treatment. Understanding the basics of PTSD is crucial for effective treatment.

A complete guide to PTSD basics is available in "Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment (PDF)". This guide provides a thorough overview of PTSD and its treatment options.

PTSD treatment often involves a combination of therapy and medication.

PSDs can be taught to wake up the handler when they're having night terrors or when the morning alarm goes off. This is done through tasks such as pawing, licking, or nudging them.

These incredible animals can also perform tasks like pulling the blanket or turning lights on/off to help their handlers wake up.

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Corners can be a daunting task for those with PTSD, as it's hard to know what's waiting on the other side.

Our dogs can be trained to go around corners in front of their handler, alerting them if there is someone waiting on the other side. Over time, this form of therapy can assist the recipient in becoming more comfortable with going into public.

A PTSD service dog can be trained to stand between their handler and others to create a safe distance, a non-aggressive way to help their handler feel more secure.

This positioning can be beneficial in various situations, both indoors and outdoors, and can help their handler avoid overwhelming stimuli.

In some cases, the handler may experience a "startle response" due to intense stimuli, and a PSD can protect them by standing in the way and preventing them from falling.

A PSD can also guide their handler home or get assistance if they become disoriented or lost during a panic attack or flashback.

PTSD is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 8 million adults struggle with PTSD.

PTSD can happen to anyone, regardless of their background or character. It doesn't indicate weakness, but rather a need for support to overcome a traumatic experience. PTSD is often triggered by memories of a traumatic event, which can make daily life challenging.

A person with PTSD may experience episodes of anxiety, dissociation, flashbacks, catatonia, psychosis, emotional distress, emotional/sensory overload, night terrors, and self-harm behavior. These episodes can be overwhelming and disorienting, making it difficult for the person to navigate their environment.

One of the most significant benefits of having a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) is that it can provide grounding, which means bringing the handler back to reality when they're having an episode. This can be done through various tasks, such as licking at their face, pawing at them, sitting on their feet or lap, or rubbing against their body.

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A PTSD service dog can also guide their owner home or get assistance when they become disoriented or dissociate from their environment. This is especially helpful during panic attacks or flashbacks, when the person may feel lost and disconnected from their surroundings.

Some common tasks that a PSD can be trained to perform include:

These incredible animals can make a huge difference in the lives of people with PTSD, providing a sense of safety and support during challenging times.

PTSD can be treated with a combination of therapy and medication. A complete guide to PTSD basics is available in the PDF "Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment".

The first step in treating PTSD is to seek professional help from a mental health expert. PTSD treatment often involves a team of healthcare professionals working together to create a personalized treatment plan.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of therapy used to treat PTSD. CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with their trauma.

Medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can also be effective in managing PTSD symptoms.

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