National Service Dog Month: Understanding PSAs and Their Mental Health Benefits
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- By: ASP Team
When you think of service animals, you may think of dogs that help people with physical disabilities, such as seeing eye dogs, or dogs that help people who are wheelchair bound. But service animals can also aid people with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities. These Psychiatric Service Animals play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals in need. In honor of September being National Service Dog Month, we’re breaking down exactly what it means to be a service animal and celebrating the positive impact that their hard work has on the lives of their handlers.Â
What is a Service Animal?
According to the ADA, service animals are specially trained animals that assist individuals with disabilities in performing tasks they cannot do independently. They are usually dogs, but can be miniature horses as well.Â
A service animal’s primary function is to help its handler manage a disability. In the context of mental health, Psychiatric Service Animals are trained to assist with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychiatric disorders. They can perform tasks like interrupting self-harming behaviors, providing deep pressure therapy during panic attacks, or retrieving medication.
Recognizing the Benefits of PSAs During National Service Dog Month
Security and Independence
One of the significant benefits of service animals in mental health is their ability to provide a sense of security and independence to their handlers. For someone with PTSD, for example, a service dog can help mitigate the effects of flashbacks or nightmares by waking the handler or creating a physical barrier between the handler and other people. This can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms and allow the individual to function more normally in daily life.
Companionship
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The presence of a service animal can also reduce feelings of isolation that often accompany mental health conditions. The bond between a service animal and its handler is often profound, offering not only physical assistance but also emotional support. This companionship can decrease stress levels, lower blood pressure, and improve overall well-being. The routine of caring for a service animal can also provide structure, which is beneficial for individuals struggling with mental health issues.
Social Interaction
In addition to physical and emotional benefits, service animals can also play a role in social interaction. The presence of a service animal can help break down social barriers, making it easier for the handler to engage in social activities. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who may feel stigmatized or isolated due to their mental health condition.
Obtaining a Letter for Your PSA
Though you legally have the right to have your PSA accompany you in housing and travel accommodations and public places, the thought of someone questioning your animal may be a stressor. At American Service Pets, we can help you navigate that with an official doctor or other licensed mental health provider letter signifying the role your PSA plays in your life.
Don’t have a service animal?
If your animal is not yet task-trained, you have a few options. They could serve as an Emotional Support Animal, still providing you with comfort without having to be trained. We can help you obtain an ESA letter and register your pet if you choose to go this route. However, please note that ESAs do not have the same access rights as PSAs – especially when it comes to travel – so that is something to keep in mind.
If you would like to train your animal to be a PSA but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in luck! With the American Service Pets I Train Academy, you can actually self-train a service dog from the comfort of your own home, saving the stress of finding a trainer and paying astronomical training prices.Â
We worked with celebrity dog trainer and star of Netflix’s Canine Intervention Jas Leverette to develop the I Train Academy curriculum, which starts at basic obedience training and allows you to work all the way up to complex service dog task training at your own pace. Jas has over 20 years of experience in the dog training industry, and celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Steph Curry, and Drake have trusted him to train their dogs. Now it’s your turn!Â
(And the best part: We offer a free trial of I Train Academy so you can confirm that the program is the best fit for you and your pup!)
In conclusion, service animals are invaluable assets for individuals with disabilities, particularly those with mental health challenges, and during National Service Dog Month we want to celebrate their essential roles. They provide not only practical assistance but also emotional support, helping their handlers lead more independent, fulfilling lives. Through their unique ability to understand and respond to the needs of their handlers, service animals offer a pathway to better mental health and overall well-being.
The benefits of an Emotional Support Animal certification and a Psychiatric Service Dog certification are drastically different. Fortunately for you, American Service Pets’ network of active board certified doctor or other licensed mental health providers can help you find the right path to certification. To find out whether you need an ESA or PSD letter, take our easy, three-step Pet Owner Survey!
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