Psychiatric service dog Puns

Hi there,

I'm flying to the UK from the US with my psychiatric service dog, Enzo.

I initially had a flight booked with Delta and all they asked for were the USDA forms which is standard.

I've had to rebook my flight with Virgin and they're asking me questions like "what is your disability" and asking for documentation from Enzo's trainer, certification for public access, etc. I can gather these documents, but isn't it illegal for them to ask me that on the US side?

Just want to make sure I understand. Because the company is UK-based, does this allow them to have different standards? I already have pre-approval to enter the country from the animal reception centre at the airport in the UK.

Thanks all!

Hello All,

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 in April of 21' and since then my symptoms have worsened to the point where my therapist believes a service dog could really benefit me. The dogs tasks would be interrupting self harm behavior, guiding me when my medication makes it difficult for me to talk, Providing deep pressure when I have a panic attack, and interrupting and getting help when I have a manic episode.

I've been looking at organizations and dogs for the past couple weeks and have come up with nothing but dead ends. Unless I want to spend 9k on a dog that doesn't know more than 3 commands but "has the right genetics" I'm stuck. 3000 is the max I can spend on the dog, to leave some for the training it would undoubtedly require & other costs. The primary breed of dog I was looking at was Golden Retrievers. I was told they can be the best dog to train yourself. Another organization, Heelers4heros has some dogs, but the temperament seems to be a bit lacking.

Another dog I was considering was this rescue: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/z-cody-54087369/tx/houston/texas-cattle-dog-rescue-tx1329/

All this said, I really don't have a clue what I'm doing and would love some guidance from y'all. FYI i'm in Texas.

With multiple mental health diagnoses and a love for dogs I would benefit from a psychiatric service dog for sure, and I have a list of tasks that I would teach the dog all written out and how they would help me but I just have this unshakeable guilt that I dont have a "valid" enough disability for an assistance dog. I understand that this isnt true, but it's really impacting me :( any ideas?

I’m in NYC metro area, I struggle with symptoms of CPTSD, GAD, claustrophobia, and my blood pressure experiences sudden drops causing fainting spells. I’ve been looking at mini cockapoos, cavapoos, and golden doodles, although I’m concerned a poodle may be too sensitive for the work. I prefer hypoallergenic and small (<30lb).

Does anyone know of a reputable breeder within driving distance (I’ll drive far) who has specifically bred dogs for service work or similar? I’m open to other breeds people may recommend, thanks!

Hi everyone! I just started to look into PSDs and was wondering how do I go about finding one? I’ve tried googling and well.. not too helpful. I have anxiety, depression, and BPD (borderline personality disorder)

TIA for any info you can give me. 💛

Hi guys!

I am looking into possibly getting a psychiatric service dog for a loved one. They’re suffering through severe depression and anxiety as well as ptsd (not combat related) which has lead to an alcohol abuse problem and I am wondering how would this dog help. Anyone able to provide some insight on how your PSD works for you? Is it actually beneficial? Will it assist in her alcohol recovery?

I've been looking into how a service dog could help me with my ptsd/autism but many websites with information are oriented towards veterans and parents of autistic children respectively, and so finding out what's possible has been a little difficult.

So far I've managed to find https://autisticworldscollide.tumblr.com/post/147060960357/executive-functioning-and-service-dogs this, along with the fairly short lists of things like deep pressure, light guidework for dissociation, leading to exits, but like, there's more than that and I know it and I can't find more in depth information.

Thanks for your time in advance!

I am making a new post as my last one seems to have confused some people. I am trying to educate myself on both Psychiatric Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs. I am looking for better ways to understand how having one of these dogs can assist in Severe Anxiety & Depression as well as PTSD (not combat related) and if this can be beneficial to a recovering alcoholic and maybe even assist in keeping them sober.

Currently I am really looking into how does your dog assist you. Do you think having one of these dogs benefited you? Are they helpful in reducing anxiety? What has having one of these dogs changed in your life. Before I bring this up to my loved one about possibly getting them a ESD or PSD I want to be sure that I fully understand how they are beneficial. I do not in anyway intend to purchase a dog without their knowledge and shove it off onto them to take care of. I just want to understand the benefits or even the negative side of having a PSD/ESD.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

I’ve been researching ESAs and Service Animals for myself and I am confused. The ADA doesn't require professional service dog training but does require that they are meant to help with a disability and are task trained. If I have a mental health letter stating its for my C-PTSD and I task train a dog for the required hours myself and they pass a public access test, are they technically a psychiatric service dog? I originally intended on task training an ESA and just keeping it limited to my dorm due to the expenses of professionally trained service animals and being a college student. I was planning on training interruption tasks for my dissociation and flashbacks as well as DPT, but I had originally planned on just training my ESA to help because it is more severe in my dorm building (where as ESA would be allowed). Would a task-trained ESA that passes a PAT legally be a service animal? Or am I missing something?

Hey again I know I've been posting a lot but wanna make sure I have everything sorted out. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a program trainer that does psychiatric service dogs for people who can't afford it. I'm worried a go fund me won't get enough to pay for the dog and even if I work during all my free time and don't use money on anything else (which is unrealistic) I won't have enough to afford it on my own. I've tried looking and can't seem to find any. Thanks for all the help so far

Hello,i have came to Reddit to hopefully give me some insight on training programs located in Massachusetts.As I live in mass and am now a 19 yr old adult it has been very hard to find Psychiatric service dog trainers located in this area.I have decided to go the owner training route since program dogs can be extremely pricey and have long wait times.That being said I would love to have the help of a professional trainer.This being said I did go to a trade school and trained dogs for 4 years but am not completely confident in my service dog training skills so I would love the help.I do have experience training dogs but I do not want to do this alone.I have looked at assistants dogs international but unfortunately have had no luck.

I feel as though I am stuck as of right now,Although it has been a few years since my initial diagnosis this all still feels very new to me.

Unfortunately the reality of owner training is not easy and although is definitely a lot cheaper then the other alternatives,it is this an ongoing process.Any help and advice would be very much appreciated!

Thank you! :)

I am 24 years old and have been looking into training my own service dog. I found a place in my city (https://www.customcanines.org/) that you bring a dog that is good citizen certified and then spend 12 weeks over a year taking the dog in to train it to be a service dog. The next semester starts May 15th. The thing is i live in an apartment and dont think i am prepared to raise a puppy. There is always an option to move back in with my parents for awhile. My thought is to adopt a 1 year old lab/retriever, live at home for 3ish weeks to acclimate the dog to me and teach it some basic skills. I would then do dog training classes in my area, get the good citizen test and join by may 15th. Is this possible? Will i have enough time? Can you train a dog on your own? Is it better to get a puppy from a breeder and wait 1.5 years?

Please help meeee i dont know what to do and need a more specific plan.

Hi! I’m fifteen years old (16 next month) and I think I might benefit from having a psychiatric service dog. I have debilitating GAD & panic disorder, social anxiety, PTSD, depression, and possible BPD. I’m also autistic. School in particular is a daily challenge for me, which is very upsetting for me as I love learning and hope to go to college. My therapist agrees that a dog is probably the best route for me, as medication isn’t enough to get my anxiety down to a workable level and therapy, while helpful, doesn’t provide the constant attention I need. I’m looking for organizations that could meet my needs and match me with a service dog, preferably before I go to college in 3 years. I have never owned a dog before (I have owned many pets, though- animals are one of my special interests) so I don’t feel confident owner training.

I live in California and am particularly drawn to Doggie Do Good as they’re close to me and don’t have a miles-long waitlist. Are they a good organization? If anyone’s had any experience with them, please feel free to let me know how it went. Also, if anyone has any other suggestions of organizations, please comment! I’m not opposed to working with a trainer, but I don’t know if I’d be able to handle the possibility of the dog washing out and having to be rehomed that comes with that. Any advice is much appreciated!

Hi, this is my first post here, but I've been kind of reading the sub for a while. I'm currently trying to choose a service dog, And I've been looking at some Labradors, golden retrievers, and there's also some poodles. I'm wondering if poodles do good as psychiatric service dogs? I've seen poodles as service dogs before but I don't know how well they do as psychiatric ones.

Hello. I’m looking for some advice and to hear some of your stories.

I’m 26 years old and have been living with clinical depression for over a decade. It has a significant impact on my life and I’ve accepted that it’s something I will always have to work with. I have a lot of the classic manifestations that make life difficult - I probably don’t need to go too into detail since I assume most of you reading this already understand.

I really want a dog. I know it would be great for me. I’d have one already, but my main obstacle is that I am a very nomadic person. I move and travel a lot. I’m usually in one place for at least a few months, but I can’t see myself settling down in one place anytime soon. I truly believe my life would be better with a dog by my side, but I just don’t know if it’s realistic. I don’t really have a plan for my future.

If I got a PSD, I would definitely do extensive training with it to help me with things like remembering to take my meds, waking me up during night terrors, and helping me when I’m in a deep depressive episode and can’t stop crying or get out of bed. However, I don’t need a dog by my side 24/7. I can certainly go places alone without being a danger to myself. That’s also why I’m wondering if a PSD is the right choice for me.

Any feedback is much appreciated 🤓

I’m not moving to the UK or anything (I’m from the US), but I’m just curious. Are psychiatric service dogs recognized there?

Hello friends! Have been googling about PSD's but all that comes up are these pay-first-PSD-letter websites. They scare me. Pup is a sweet girl who is well trained and extremely helpful in panic situations. Does anyone able know a reputable site, or the proper format for her to become a PSD? Does it require specific training? She is for anxiety attacks. Not as severe as some other psychiatric disorders, but her presence helps de-escalate things. Airplanes have been a trigger lately (masks!) and am hoping to bring her home this holiday season. Thanks all!

I am planning to get a German shepherd for my service dog but I can't find a trainer. I have been diagnosed with depression,anxiety,and adhd, and a possible personality disorder but I'm not old enough to get tested for it.

I been doing a lot of research for everything but I cant find a psychiatric trainer. I have been recommended Dog training elite but I would like more options just to be safe.

Edit: I'm going to get Golden retriever or one of the fabulous 3 instead even though I have done a lot of research on German shepherds I feel not Confident enough to have one just yet. I have taken consideration of all the comments from Gsd owners I will wait until I have more experience with dogs like the shepherd. Thank you Gsd owners and people who have replied it is a big help and I thank you very much.

Hi!

To make things as short as I can, I have a diagnosis of severe ADHD and Bipolar II, as well as dealing with SPD, and on and off with big panic attacks, paranoia, isolation and SI. I live with my parents at the moment and will stay here for the next couple years as I get my treatment stabilized and finish studying.

I've grown up with dogs and they help me immensely, but I've never had time, maturity and physical availability to think about training one beyond basic obedience, but I am highly motivated at working with them any time I have the opportunity to do so for the past 5 years.

My last dog was a lab/danish rescue who kept me company for 15 years, though the last two were a lot more about providing him with as much comfort as possible as he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

He was a very mellow and kind companion after his first 3 years, and his training was done solely by myself as trainers aren't a common thing around here. Energy levels were mostly low to medium, but he enjoyed more playing in our backyard from time to time than going on walks, and I missed being able to bring him out of the house with me.

It's been a year since he passed away and I've been talking with my therapist and doctor about getting a dog and license him as a ESA and, if possible, train him as much as I can to do tasks to help me with my mental health.

PS Dogs aren't really recognized by law here, and I could only find an organization that works with this kind of training in my country on another state, so I'm aware that we won't have him being formally recognized and accepted as one, and will have to work around that.

So my questions and points are:

1. is it possible to train a psychiatric service dog by myself at all? I'm not in a hurry and I'm aware that it will take a long time to train him/her, but I'm lost even on resources to watch amd read to know where to begin with;

2. I'm very partial to medium and large breeds - I've spent a couple of years with a small breed that was an amazing fit for me while I cared for her, but she was the one exception to the other 9 I've lived and cared for. Also, the weight of bigger breeds is very comforting to me as well, but my limit is a dog that I can still carry in an emergency or going up and down elevators if I move to an apartment in the future without needing help (up to 25kg);

3. About breeds, I've been eyeing a Whippet for a long time and I absolutely adore their personality, but I'm afraid of how reactive the

Hi everyone. As it says in the title how common is a chow as a service dog? I’ve seen all other breeds task trained in public or in training EXCEPT a chow. Not sure if this breed is underrated but I found that my 2 yr old chow is non reactive and will ignore everyone and other dogs in public unless she is provoked( people trying to talk to her, distract her, trying to pet her and kissing sounds). I’m currently in the public access stage where I’m now task training her to mitigate my social anxiety and PTSD so crowd control and deep pressure like leaning/pressing against my feet and legs.

Again, how common is it and why haven’t I heard of chow as a service dog. In my honest opinion they’re attached and devoted to their person and will do things for you with little to no hesitation plus they’ve originated as working dogs decades ago

I've got a service dog for my psychiatric needs (anxieties, depressions and agoraphobia). Psychiatric service dogs are less heard of but are making a big difference in a lot of people's lives. I'm a very open and non-judgemental person so please feel free to ask me anything.

I just had my first pa issue with a security guard at a quest diagnostics for coming in with my psychiatric service dog in training. I came in to take some blood tests with my mom and he immediately got in my face when we came in asking me if I had papers for Louie (my psychiatric service dog) I am well versed on the laws and my rights so I wasn’t afraid and continued to tell him that “there are no papers for service dogs” and that it was illegal to ask for them. He was extremely disrespectful and rude to me and kept telling me that there are papers, that I need to have them and that no it wasn’t illegal because if not anybody could come in and say they’re dog is a service dog. I started to get heated and told him over and over that there weren’t any papers, there’s no such thing and that I knew the laws and they’re in my favor then he proceeded with I’m not trying to argue with you, I know the laws I was trained then I said “about service dogs?? Obviously not because there is no such thing as papers” the man obviously didn’t take me seriously and kept on with the “I’m not going to argue with you yes there are” at one point he was so close to me I told him “you’re way to close” put my hand in front of me and he ignored me and kept at it. I also told him the only too questions you can ask is if he is a service dog and what tasks he performs and anything else is illegal, he didn’t care and just continued with the “I was trained” bs. after more back and forth with him he said “I’ll let you come in this time” which pissed me off because he was still in the wrong and I told him he still couldn’t do this. We walked passed him and he was mumbling stuff to himself I could hear I few words and he was obviously insulting us (mind you I’m a minor) when I got into the waiting room I had a full blown panic attack, tears started coming out and I couldn’t stop shaking and hyperventilating. If you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned my mom helping me as well it’s because she doesn’t speak English. I could still see the security guard through the glass, he was talking to a woman obviously about us because he kept gesturing our way. My panic attack stopped with the help of Louie (ugh I love him) and my mom who tried to calm me down. I was called inside and none of the nurses had any problem with Louie and the one that was taking my blood asked me questions about him and I told her about the security guard asking for papers and she assured me that she didn’t know why he was

This is a throwaway for obvious reasons. I currently hold more than one clearance and I have started using a service dog for ADHD symptoms, specifically sensory overload/overwhelm in crowded public places, but also medication reminders and others. I have not declared this with my security team or investigators, although my diagnoses, medication, and doctors have been. He does not accompany me to work, so my coworkers and anyone else relevant are in the dark.

I've been very concerned that my use of a service dog will be misconstrued that I am in some way unstable and unfit to hold a clearance. Does anyone have any experience with this?

TIA!

I was wondering if psychiatric service dogs are recognized in Alberta or if they're seen as emotional support

Does anyone have recent experience flying with a large psychiatric service dog? Could someone detail what it was like and how the dog fit in the airplane.