Today’s guest post is brought to you by Christina of Comehereboy.com. Christina has been training dogs for over a decade and developed her website to teach others to train their dogs to manage anxiety – Paul Dooley
Anxiety had taken my life from me. My brain no longer seemed to do what I wanted it to, despite force of will and healthy habits. I was left sobbing on my bed feeling alone (despite having my husband wrapped around me) some nights or having to sit in the foyer of the church because I suddenly felt
like going into a class was too overwhelming for me.
I already had been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety now seemed to be the cherry on top. Would I ever be me again? I saw a psychiatrist. Medication he prescribed helped some, but it never got rid of my problems entirely. No – the real cure for me was a stray German Shepherd named Bronco. Bronco has saved my life and given it back to me.
Those of us who own dogs know that their unconditional love and intuition is innately healing. When you have a mental illness that significantly affects your life each day, a dog can be a literal lifesaver. Your dog can actually be prescribed to be by your side by a psychiatrist – a side-effect free “drug” known as an emotional support dog (ESD) or a service dog (SD).
You may know some things about a service dog. A professionally raised and trained service dog is extremely expensive and it can take years on a waiting list to get one. What many people don’t know and what I’ve made it my goal to teach them, is that a service dog does not need a special certificate or breeding. You can have your own service dog, specially prescribed by your doctor and trained by you to help you function in public.
With that in mind, I decided to write a list of the most important reasons to consider
a service dog to help manage your anxiety:
1. They can recognize signs of a panic attack before you do
Dogs have incredibly acute senses, more so than we give them credit for. Your dog notices when you begin to breathe more quickly or heavily. He notices when you begin biting your nails or pacing. He can even detect a change in your scent or heart rate as you begin to feel stressed. So before you even start to realize that you’re becoming panicked, a service dog that has been trained well will let you know it’s time for an intervention.
2. They won’t take no for an answer
A service dog will not hesitate to bother you until you take action when a panic attack is on the horizon. Well-trained service dogs will nudge you, whine or bark or stop moving until you let them help you, so you’d better listen and not wait until it’s more convenient (which could mean it’s too late).
3. They aren’t afraid to tell you when something is wrong
A friend might be worried about making you sit down in the middle of an aisle in a grocery store and giving you a hug, but your service dog will always prioritize your well-being over anything else. Your service dog will bother you until you take care of yourself, and this will keep panic attacks from getting too bad to handle.
4. Their presence is automatically relaxing
Dogs, even non-service dogs, provide a calming effect just by being nearby. Having a service dog by your side drops your heart rate and blood pressure. Even people with agoraphobia often find that a dog helps them get out much further than they have before – just because of the relaxing presence that a dog has.
5. Focus is shifted from you to your dog
One nice thing about being out in public with a service dog is that you don’t have to worry that people are focusing on you. All that they are interested in is your dog. So all eyes are on the dog and you don’t have to feel as worried about people staring at you.
6. They bring more opportunities for easy conversation
This one may seem like a drawback, but realize that the people will be focused on your dog instead of you. When you are talking about your dog (an easy subject) and people aren’t usually looking at you, it’s a good way to ease into social interaction. Your service dog makes a great go-between.
7. They can remind you to take medication
If you’re anything like me, the alarm for your medication goes off several times a day. You turn off the alarm, get distracted, and the next thing you know your anxiety is rising and you realized you forgot to take your medication. Service dogs are great, because they can be an alarm that won’t leave you alone. A well-trained service dog knows when it’s time for your medication and they will bother you until you take it.
8. They can give deep pressure therapy for calming
Deep pressure therapy is scientifically proven to be very relaxing and calming, especially during a panic attack. This therapy has been shown to shorten and lessen the severity of panic attacks. If you have a service dog, he can lay his head or body against your chest to give you deep pressure therapy at any time of the day. It’s a medication-free way to help if your dog notices an attack coming on.
9. They can ground you to the present
During an anxiety attack, you begin to lose sense of the here and now – which is part of the panic that grips you. Part of a service dog’s training can be to lick your face or hand or poke at you to help you keep a hold of your senses during an attack. You might also find that petting your service dog helps ground you as well. If your dog gives you deep pressure therapy by pressing up against your chest in your lap, and is licking your face while you pet them, you’ll find that you can keep from losing yourself in the panic much more easily.
10. They can lead you out of a building
This is one of the more impressive tasks a service dog can do. Service dogs can be trained to find the exit from a store or building for you. This is absolutely fantastic if you begin to feel claustrophobic or overwhelmed and need to get outside or away from people as quickly as possible. It’s most useful, of course, if you lose your sense of direction. Your service dog can get you out in no time. They can also find your car, which is useful even if you aren’t having a panic attack.
11. They can alert a loved one
If a panic attack comes on while you’re upstairs and your friend/roommate/family member/significant other is in the basement, how can you let them know something is wrong in time? The answer is that your dog can find them and let them know. A service dog can be trained to find people by name, so they can fetch a person to help.
12. They can find and bring you your phone
Another task a service dog can provide is to bring your phone to you. This can do two things: help you feel comfortable knowing your dog can find and bring your phone if it’s lost, or get your phone if you need to call someone to help you. If you struggle with health anxiety (what if I break my leg and can’t get to my phone?) like I sometimes do, it feels good to know that your dog is there to help if you can’t find or get to your phone.
13. They can keep people away from you
Sometimes during panic attacks, well-meaning people try to come help you. Many times, however, strangers can make a panic attack worse. A service dog can act as a barrier between you and strangers, pacing around you and pushing people away while you calm down.
14. They can help give you back your independence
So many people with crippling anxiety have found relief through service dogs. They go from having to rely on and inconvenience a family member to being able to live, go to school, travel and work with a dog by their side. A service dog can be literally freeing.
15. They bring a higher quality of life and lower depression
If you suffer from depression along with your anxiety, dogs have been scientifically proven to treat depression. People have a higher quality of life and are happier when they own a service dog because they know they have someone to take care of them. Everyone is happier when they can take care of themselves.
16. They reduce stress (cortisol) levels
Cortisol is a hormone that indicates our stress levels and is related to anxiety. In this study, autistic children’s cortisol levels were measured before having a service dog, while they had a service dog, and after the service dog left their home. There was a statistically significant reduction in cortisol levels while they had the service dog in their home compared to before and after. This has been shown to also be true for heart failure patients and children with insecure attachment difficulties.
17. They can help you feel safe
Having a well trained service dog can help you feel safe in more ways than one. Of course, there is the safety that comes from having a backup for managing your anxiety – a second set of paws devoted to watching you for symptoms. There’s also the physical safety that a dog can bring as well. A good sized dog will make a person with any scary intentions think twice before doing anything to you – whether or not your dog would actually protect you.
18. You’ll always have a friend (without imposing on anyone)
Studies show that people feel less lonely when they have a service dog. So if you need to move somewhere where you’re by yourself, you don’t need to feel like you’re alone. You’ll always have a friend in your service dog, and you’ll never find a better one. He’ll always be there for you. Service dogs are allowed by law in any apartment or home, so you don’t even need to worry about finding pet-friendly housing.
19. They’ll help you want to go out more
If there’s anything that makes you want to stay home all the time, it’s anxiety. Nothing is more embarrassing than meltdowns around other people. The unfortunate thing is, if you don’t go out, things just get worse. Studies show that the positive interactions with people and the reduction of stress that a service dog brings will have you going out more. You’ll actually want to leave home. You’ll feel less worried about what is going to happen and more confident that things will go well.
If you feel like anxiety has taken your life away from you, a service dog can give you back what you’ve lost. My dog’s incredible sensitivity to my needs helps me function from day to day like I used to. My dog has in many ways saved my life, and many other people with service dogs feel the same way.
Almost any dog can be a service dog with the right training on your part. You can find healing and hope with your best friend by your side. Bronco has been one of the best things that could have ever happened to me – I couldn’t imagine living without him now. Dogs are a wonderful addition to an anxiety treatment plan.
To learn more about training a dog to help with anxiety, please drop by my website:Comehereboy.com and take a moment to sign up for my newsletter.
Thank you
Great article ! I have three dogs and when I am with them at home I feel great . it would be very nice to have one of them around me for going out . My dogs mean I’m home and safe and they are very in tune with me and I don’t have to do much training . They are very good with alerts .
Hello, my name is Marisa Marie. I have been suffering with anxiety, panic attacks and depression since age 14. I finally decided to get a small dog who I then realized helped me with my anxiety and soothed me whenever I was stressed or thought I might have a panic attack. I have never had a problem with my living situations and having him until now. For financial reasons I needed to rehome asap and the house I leased has a “no pet policy” After a lot of research I figured out that if I registered my dog as a service animal and have a note from a physician prescribing me an anxiety dog, I would not be breaking the lease. Unfortunately I do not have insurance right now so I am trying to find out where I can go (at the least expensive price) to see a Doctor who can give me the last piece to this puzzle which is a note saying I need an anxiety dog. Can I go to a clinic? Is there a certain type of Doctor I need to see? Please! Any help is appreciated.
for me, it has been a cat – specifically one cat – when I lost her,, everything just collapsed. have found a ‘new’ kitten with the same gentleness…….I plan on working with her further so I can have her as my ‘ESC’ working cat. If I have her with me, my anxiety is lessened, and I can leave the house……
I have suffered from anxiety since I was 4 years old and I’m now 26. I am very interested in having my bulldog be my service dog. My anxiety has now become worse since we moved to Germany a few months ago. Because we’ve recently relocated I’m worried that I won’t be able to get a prescription for a service dog. I have yet to find another doctor here. Any advice on how to move forward with this? I think it would be a great help to get me out of the house. I’m stuck here unless my husband is home. I’m terrified of going anywhere by myself and talking to anyone. My husband is my shield. I’m tired of letting this get me down.
How do I get a service dog for depression, anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I keep trying to find a website to tell me what I need to do. I don’t have a lot of money. I really need help. Please. Sometimes I am in the store when one comes on and I don’t know what to do. Sometimes I want to scream and I am afraid that one day that will happen when I really feel there is no way out.
Hi,
I have also recently relocated to another country with my husband (dear Aubrie, where do you live in Germany, maybe we are close ?) he works until very late each day and I work from home. it’s been very hard and my anxiety has gotten worse, with stomach problems now and sleepless nights. I am considering getting a dog, but I don’t know if I can really take care of him. especially that sometimes I’m sick in the bathroom all morning , and won’t be able to take him out for a walk, or I can’t sleep at night and have to sleep during the day ? should I get a service dog in my situation ?
Hi im 14 and i have bad panic attacks at school and im wondering where i could get a services dog for me at school so i dont have to be alone when one comes on do you think they would allow me to have one at school cause my most panic is at school
hi ive allways been a dog lover, but currently dont have one. I would love to know more about how to get a service dog. I suffer from depression and anxiety and have become increasingly angoraphobic, im having more severe anxiety attacks. Im on several medications for these conditions but they arent working. I have hope that a service dog may help.
Ever since I found a sweet pup my life has changed incredibly. I can handle going anywhere as long as he can be with me. After a nervous breakdown brought on by unrelenting stress I wouldwas paralyzed with withdrawal. Finding this sweet love of my life has been a blessing from God. Sadly, because he is not a trained service dogI’m not permitted to take him everywhere with me so I’m home with him whenever I can be. Dogs are amazing friends whose unconditional love is calming and perfect.
I have bipolar and extreme anxiety, I do not like leaving the house because I have real bad paranoia. I’m sure my psychiatrist would OK this. How much will I have to pay for him to become a service dog? I don’t want to be a shut in anymore.
I would like to get a rescue dog for my therapy dog for my stressand Anxiety.I have a lot of trouble going into a mall by myself.What kind of dog would you recamend.I have’nt went to a mall or groceries rot a long time.How ca I find a dog that has these talents for my needs.Thank You Margaret
I’m writing about my 17 year old daughter. She’s suffered from anxiety, depression and terrible insomnia. She’s brought up the idea of getting a therapy dog just for her. We have a dog but she gravitates to me. She would specifically like this dog to bring with her to college. Any experience with that? I don’t know yet what the school would allow in the dorms. She also feels that sleeping with the dog would help with her insomnia. Thoughts? Thank you for your help.
Lovely post thank you! Dogs are angels made in heaven. They bring so much joy and can lift your day completely.
I would love to know how to get a walking dog. A small dog I have bipolar and I get really upset I can’t be by a lot of people in one area. How can I get a dog. Please help me.
I already have a sweet little terrier. Explain to me please how to go about getting approval for him to b a service dog. It looks like getting a note from my doctor is the first thing? I’m a retired 76 yr old woman that stays at home to much and I suffer from anxiety
For those wondering about getting or training your current dog to be a service animal:
In the U.S. there’s no legal requirements for certification. Relevant laws are the ADA (title iii for public access, title i for employment accommodation of a service animal), FHL (for non-pet friendly housing), and student disabilities acts (in regards to educational facilities). For flying, see the ACA, and there’s another one for trains. Eh. Make sure that you would actually qualify as disabled based upon the ADA title iii definitions BEFORE doing ANYTHING ELSE.
Anyhow, there’s a difference between an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and Service Animals. Service animals can only be dogs or mini horses. ESAs can be any animal. Service animals are trained to do certain things which mitigate a disability (such as alerting to oncoming panic attacks), while ESAs are NOT task-trained. ESAs do not have public access protection, but are protected under FHL, so can live with you in non-pet friendly places. You NEED a doctor’s note for an ESA.
For a service animal, first you need to make sure that any prospective animal is in good health and can keep up with you. If you work all day outside in Texas, you don’t want a Siberian Husky. Likewise, if you work all day in an office with little room to move and few breaks, don’t get a beagle puppy. It’s not fair to the animal.
Next, come up with a list of tasks that you’d like your animal to know and do consistently in order to help mitigate your disability. For example, my Service Dog in Training (SDiT) licks my hands if I’m having issues with sensory processing from my autism spectrum disorder. How is your animal going to know to do each task? Write out a list of symptoms that you want to have your animal react to. For example, if you start shaking before a panic attack, things like that.
Look up common training techniques for basic behavior: those can generally be modified to teach tasks to an SDiT. Positive reinforcement, clicker-training, things like that.
Finally, talk to your doctor/therapist/psychologist or other qualified individual. This should be the primary care provider for you in addressing the disability. So, if you’re looking at Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) then odds are you need to be talking to your psychologist or psychiatrist. If it’s physical, you need to talk to your general practitioner. Make sure that whomever you go to supports you on it. Otherwise, don’t.
Once you have done all this, if you have not had experience training dogs before, look into local trainers and find one to help you. If you can’t find a local trainer, a lot of service dog programs will be low cost or will have options for payment plans. If you are confident enough in your dog training abilities to put your safety on the line, then owner-training is fine (I don’t want you to think I’m being mean; I’m currently owner-training, but I’ve also had about ten years of experience training unruly dogs).
There are numerous resources which can help you in the training process, including the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) website, which has an excellent Public Access Test available to look over for free. It shows you the basic standards which service dogs are held to in places of public accommodation. If your dog cannot pass that test, then they’re not ready to be a service dog. The website Service Dog Central has some useful info, but is kind of rude in presentation. There are a lot of service dog handlers on tumblr, and there are plenty of training resources there, just look under the “Service dog” tag, or the “Service dog training” tag. Also youtube.
Stephanie, concerning your daughter, talk with her primary care provider. Legally, any college which accepts financial aid from the government must comply with title iii of the ADA and FHL, so if she gets an ESA (emotional support animal) or a service animal, she’ll just have to talk with the disabilities center and the res life offices, and then she should be fine.
Hi, I am in the uk and my last dog who I rescued knew before me of a panic attack coming he was not trained tho. The dog I have now is a black Labrador and he stays clear of me when I have a attack he is timid and it scares him I think which makes me feel terrible so he is a real daddy boy now.
I would love to have a dog who could understand and be there with me when I have a attack but how do I go about finding a dog ?
Jackie
My daughter has severe anxiety with the possible start of another disorder. Medication has helped, but I can’t help but feel that if she had a service dog, that she would feel so much better. Her anxiety is genetic, my son, and I also have it, however, my daughter & I are the only ones that need medication right now. I would like to purchase a service dog for her. Any recommendations? I have two kids and a husband with special needs, and don’t have the time to put in to train a dog for service. However, everything you mentioned above was right on track with my daughters needs.
I had my first panic attack in my 60’sI I have always had anxiety & stress problems. I am on medication, but lately have been having a lot of problems. I am now 78 and live in a Senior Citizen Apartment Complex. There is a lot of stress factors when you live with the elderly!! I am asking for help finding a local adoption agency for a small therapy dog for my anxiety. I am on a fixed income & cannot afford a lot. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you. God Bless. Dee
I love my dog she helps me get up every day I am a widiow for 27 years, and 77 years old, she makes my day, I have servere arthrs a bad back, knees, I cant do much thinks my condo assocation done want the dog my the pool with me. She lays on the floor, all the people love her, except dog haters
Thank youfor writing this article. I’ve been long time reader
but I have never been so inclined to actually comment.
Please keep up the helpful articles! Cheers!
Hi suffer with social anxiety disorder depression PTSD and short term memory loss and I’m dyslexic I struggle goin out because of my anxiety but then I can struggle been in to I live in a block of flats and the noise of doors and buzzers sets my anxiety off witch then leads me to be stressed then get upset I feel like I’m trapped I really wud like to have a therapy dog to help me if you could help em in anyway or put me in the right direction that would be great I feel like I’m at a loss and just want some help to be able to lead a normal happy life again x
I’m very interested in the search dog for me I have add bipolar manic depression and anxiety I also have a very hard time finding things remembering I don’t know what email is but I have a cell phone 3092317673
PLEASE HELP ME
Margaret July 1/16.I have suffered from anxiaty and sever depression since the year 2000.I have tried many medications but my body gets use to them and then I have to find another one to try.I have not been in a mall or grocerie store since the year 2000.I can’t even enjoy Christmas shopping for my first grandson.How would I go about getting a service dog to help me as a person get my life back on track.It seems to be getting worse with every year that passes.I would love to enjoy outings with my grandson.Thank you Margaret.
I think the important thing said here is it doesn’t have to be a trained service dog–these are very expensive. You can get a dog, do basic obedience training, and if you need to get a note from a therapist that the dog is an emotional support animal. My two dogs are definitely emotional support dogs. I can’t sleep at night due to PTSD and hypervilegence and other issues. They have many of the advantages of calming me, making me feel secure, being protective etc. So don’t think you have to have a expensive trained service dog unless that really is a necessity for you.
Hi, I have social anxiety, panic attacks, and Aspergers. My dad recently moved and went to court so I could live with him. My parents were able to figure out I had social anxiety at a young age, two years ago I was officially diagnosed with Aspergers, and I was able to figure out the panic attacks. I don’t have a professional’s word for the panic attacks and social anxiety but, it’s pretty evident in my life. I need to know a few things.
1.) What’s the average cost for an service dog to help with anxiety and panic attacks?
2.) How long would it take to go through the process?
I’m still a minor but I would really like to know this to see when to bring up something such as getting professional documentation and treatments up with my dad because I feel like my panic attacks may be getting more severe and I don’t want to inconvenience him.
My name is Andrea russell I’d like to find out more about this I have had five massive. Surgeries in two years one was brought back and including two of them was in the last two and half months ago in between that my husband was killed by a drunk driver along with the depression I now have ptsd trying to deal with that is more than I could bear my doctor and I have been discussing this he will help anyway he can
Good afternoon. I suffer with Asthma/ fibromyalgia/ Anxiety PSD disorder. I had a dog when I was well, I trained him to be a PAT dog, I would take him into homes and Schools. Now I find myself ill. I would really like a contact no for help in this, I live in Penzance, I only have a flat so that could be a problem with no garden.the council have banded me a welfare tenant on list to bid for property. I rent private at this moment but the stairs are very difficult. Thank you. Theresa Wigmore.
I lost my home June 302016 and everything in it my 3 little dogs haven’t slept since a lot of aniexity stomach problems love in temporary apartment want a service dog doctor sent note to apartment saying I need one to help me deal with my great loss ! My question is can they refuse me?
I have been really thinking about getting a service dog for my anxiety! Thanks for the convincing article!
Don’t confuse Service Dogs with Emotional Support Animals. Service Dogs are highly trained to stop the act before it happens. Emotional Support Animals are pets that have no real special training but who have a close bond with you and in turn that helps you with any emotional problems that you have.
I have a 4 month old Yorkie named Loki who is my ESA. Before i got him, i hadn’t left the house – except to see my counselor and my psychiatrist in almost a year. Less then two months after getting my baby boy, I can now go to stores and interact with others. I wake up and smile because the first face I see is that little fuzzy one whose eyes are shining bright with love.
The only places he is not allowed are inside restaurants – most will let them on the patio if they have one – and grocery stores. We have gone to CVS, to pet stores and he comes with my to my primary and pain doctor appointments.
There is no training involved – other than normal obedience training. All you need is a signed letter from a health care professional.
Oh and ESAs can also go on airplanes for free and without being confined to a carrier. you can also not lose your home if it is pet free. Amtrak still doesn’t allow for ESAs per se, but if your ESA is a cat or dog under 10 lbs then they are allowed on most of the lines.
My neighbor has a service dog (chihuaha) but she leave him alone for more than 10 hours. He cry all those hours. I think he suffer because he was trained to be side by side with the owner to help her in case she needed, and feel he is not making his job. Also when she came home, she still leaving him, I presumed, in a cage for more time. I offered to pet sitting, her father,,that live next door offered to pet sitting with his dog while she is away but she refuse. I don’t want to call the authorities as she is a Veteran, but my heart cries for that puppy. Please opinions are appreciated.
I’ve recently realized I may be suffering from anxiety of some sort, but I don’t know how to tell anyone. I’m twelve and the anxiety’s effects seem to be getting worse. When I was nine I fainted for the first time and everyone thought it was because I had low sugar levels at the time, but I now realize I was severly stressed at the time because of things going on at home and it was my last class of the day when it happened. Ever since then, every time I’m stressed at all, I get dizzy. Plus there was one afternoon that I was really stressed out because we were rehearsing for a choral performance, and I was worried I had forgotten the words, I had gotten so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn’t realize I had tunnel vision until I could only see the conductor’s face, then I began to panic even more, and instantly collapsed. This fainting has happened on multiple occasions, plus dizziness and headaches, even migrains, occur every time I’m even get a little stressed about anything. Often times it makes me completely unable to complete school work, or it makes me loose my appetite, as well as I have been unable to move, due to panic attacks or muscle spasms due to the stress. I’m afraid it is ruining my life, and I don’t know how to tell anyone or how to get help. If anyone can help, or is willing to help, please feel welcome to try, or give me suggestions.
I have a five pound, three year old Yorkshire Terrier, and would like to register her as a service dog for my anxiety and depression. What are the steps that I would have to take to do this. Would my psychiatrist be required to write a note that I would carry in my wallet in order to enable me to take her wherever I needed her. I live in Burlington, Ontario, am on ODSP, and live in a government subsidized apartment, so money is an issue.
Thank you.
Hi,
I have GAD, ADHD, SPD, ELD, and anorexia. I’m 12 years old. I’m thinking about getting a service dog, because whenever even the smallest stressful situation happens, I break down. But my parents don’t want a dog. What can I do or say to change their minds?
I am looking for a service for my daughter she has anxiety and seasonal depression prescription drugs don’t work.
I really want to get my dog trained, my mom doesn’t think I need it. I recently moved to the big city from my small town of 250 people. Since moving here I’ve had to take my panic attack medication and I’m almost out. I hate how it makes me feel and you’re not supposed to take it if you’re driving because it can cause drowsiness, but that’s the main time I get them. Driving makes me anxious and I’m too scared to take the bus. I cannot afford to have my dog here with me because of the pet deposit in my apartments and the monthly pet rent. On top of my anxiety and panic attacks, I have depression, ADHD and I’m suicidal.
Can you imagine being anxious while driving then zone out and realizing your not paying attention and have a panic attack while driving down the freeway! This in turn makes me even more anxious. I don’t know how to go about getting my dog certified or trained as a service dog. I have noticed that when he’s in the car with me I’m more relaxed and focused. I live in Austin Texas, does anyone know how I can get my Crash trained/certified as a service dog?
Well I moved to a low income appartment I’ve my dog for over 9 years he’s a big dog they like them small not over20 lbs well I had him registered as a ESA dog but it seems the manger don’t like his regutration cards 8 have or the ESA letter sence I got it by phone from a license thurpist he has it all on the letter I got him fixed got all his shoots not just the yearly vacination I took them to her she said she’ll talk to her boss it seems to be excuess for her I’ve really tried to please her but I can’t I’ve held my temper so for but I’m at ropes end I don’t know what to do now I’m so stressed
Thank you for writing what we , with anxiety and service animals, may already know but couldn’t communicate so well. I wish I could have read this 10 yrs ago , I’d repeat word for word what you wrote.
Thank you for relaying this message to everyone so eloquently while still helping people like me to be able to communicate the same message better .
Thank you
Thank you for writing what we , with anxiety and service animals, may already know but couldn’t communicate so well. I wish I could have read this 10 yrs ago , I’d repeat word for word what you wrote.
Thank you for relaying this message to everyone so eloquently while still helping people like me to be able to communicate the same message better .
Thank you
To further my last post, I would like to add that I have had 2 Italian Greyhound s as anxiety and panic attack dogs. I had trained them to even go in a litter box or bathtub at a hotel if I was traveling and my anxiety was in the way of me getting them out to 💩.
Do people ever get service dogs for Narcolepsy/cataplexy?
I really want to get my dog trained as a service dog I believe he saved my life when he was a puppy he woke me up by ratting my hair with his paws and crying till I woke up. Then I went to the restroom because I had a foul taste in my mouth so I spit in the sink and brush my teeth returned to my bed my puppy still crying so I thought he need to go to the bathroom so I put him down he continued to cry I noticed my balance was slightly off. He I went into the restroom he followed me crying. I turned and said to him “what’s the matter peanut?” But that’s not what came out of my mouth I couldn’t understand myself it was like slurred jebberish. This happened to me a total of 3 times twice in the middle of the night both times my dog awoke me once in the afternoon and minutes prior my puppy jumped on top of me on me close to my chest and neck are making odd sounds then it happened again. Fortunately no damage was done and I noticed when I’m starting to stress he automatically comes to me and lays on top of me and that calms me somehow.
Wow what a great article☺️❤️I am an obedience trainer for dogs, and have assisted people in obtaining training for their service dogs. I do, of course always recommend general obedience training as a stepping stone to Service dog training. I have an emotional support animal, (ESA) she is a pot belly pig! And, yes, she is registered as such.☺️❤️🐽🐷Thanks again for such a great article!
I’ve just started getting panic attacks and I’m wondering if I need a service dog. I had one during a band concert and had to leave because I was hyperventilating and crying. I’m wondering if it would help. And would other dogs in the house be a problem? I just turned 11 and the doctors say I should go outside more but when I do I get all panicky. Any suggestions?
I am 12 years old and I have panic attacks and anxiety. When I went to a band concert I had a panic attack and broke down hyperventilating and feeling like I was about to pass out, I left the room and someone came to check on me and swung the door on me. I still don’t feel the same. I have less frequent panic attacks now but my anxiety is just getting worse. I want to train my dog to be a service dog but my mom says it takes to long. I’m almost sure I have depression but I don’t like my psychiatrist so I never asked. What do I do??
My daughter is 12 she has developed bad anxiety and PDSD because of past experiences with her ‘mother’ who she calls it. I want to get her a service dog because she keeps having panic attacks everywhere and is seeing things. I don’t know how to get her one and it is vary stressful everywhere I go their is a 3 year waiting list and I don’t know what to do with half of the paper work.
There is a BIG difference between and emotional support animal and a service animal. An emotional support animal (ESA) can be any animal and does NOT have public access rights, as specified by the ADA, meaning you can’t take it out into non-pet friendly places. ESAs are not trained to perform tasks. Simply providing comfort by being in your presence isn’t a task. A service dog (and only dogs can be service animals, sometimes mini horses but very rarely) is trained to perform specific tasks to mitigate a person’s disability. The person must be deemed disabled by their doctor. So you could have a psychiatric service dog for an anxiety disorder (or some other psychiatric problem), and a task it could perform might be deep pressure therapy (this can be very calming, which is the idea behind weighted blankets). Service dogs require extensive training to be able to go out in public with you. ESAs are essentially pets. Also, there’s no registration for them (or for service dogs). You need a letter from your doctor for it to be considered an ESA or a service dog, but the sites where you “register” your animal and get certificates and stuff are all scams. They have no legal standing. It’s really sad how they take advantage of people.
After having double by pass and suffering from “ARDS” accute respiratory distress syndrome I developed severe anxiety over the past several years. Unfortunately the anxiety has tried to take over my day to day living and it’s winning. I see a psychiatrist on a regular basis Thanks to the VA. I’m looking to have my puppy trained to help me live a more normal life.
You should look up the service dog laws. Anxiety is not a condition that allows one to have a service dog. You can find the short black and white law at Ada.gov under the tab for service dogs