Psd - psychiatric service dogs

[Kunoichi]

Hi all,

I have been just reading mostly lately. Been dealing with a lot of my own muck and figured I shouldn't try to offer advice when I was that unstable. So anyways, I have been looking into Psychiatric Service Dogs.

I want to train my own for my own needs and register it. I was wondering if anyone has a PSD and what your experience has been with it.

Its becoming to the point where I am becoming more and more agoraphobic. I can barely go out, even with my DH, and even then I'm in a constant panic. I am in the process of getting meds, but as of right now, I am passing out whenever I dissociate too fast for me to control it.

So I thought maybe having a PSD when I'm out might be at least helpful.

What are your thoughts?

Thank you

Kunoichi

 

[redheaddanyell]

I never thought about it but I would love to have my dog be a PSD. She really does calm me down. I looked around and I cant find any real requirements. I see a packet you can get for $249 that has the vest and patch....I think some cards too. But nothing that really required you to certify. I would think for legal purposes you would want to certify. It says you can train your own dog...I saw some checklist items and if your dog can follow then you just click yes and it is done.
I think this is a great idea.

 

[notjustfriends]

Helpful pups - certified for emotional support

I started looking into this when I realized I really could not go anywhere without my faithful collie... she is a natural at helping, not to mention so gentle with children. I wanted to get her certified to help out at hospitals until the "BAD THING" that caused my PTSD to happen.

From what I understand, you need a Dr (psych) to certify the dog. I do not believe it is like a seeing eye dog program, but I could be wrong, or it could vary country to country or state to state.

The GOOD thing is the PSD dog (I think we call them ESDs here, can't recall) is they get the same benefits as seeing eye dogs... therefore free to travel on planes and all that.

Once I realized I could pretty much take my dog anywhere, except the airplane, I decided not to go through with it. And then I thought of how my dog would be on an airplane... She would comfort me but then she would panic herself and probably utilize the floor as a... dumping ground.

Please look into it more, I have been very interested, just need a pup who can withstand a flight without freaking out :)

 

[notjustfriends]

PS: I am currently without her (I am across the country), and it has been SO HARD without her. Such comfort from the love of animals... especially the special ones who just seem to know exactly what to do right when you need it. When I got really down, it was my pup who would follow me from room to room (HA! yes even the restroom). I hope to fly back and drive her back where I am now. I can not wait to see her. She is crucial to my healing. Sorry I forgot to put this in my last message.

 

[pandora]

I do not know much about this but think it is something I would like to research...my son and I are getting a miniature daschund as soon as we move and I have already promised do I cannot change my mind on the breed. I wonder what kind of dogs are best..I bet labs and retreivers..I doubt a mini dog. Anyway thanx for the idea, I love it!

 

[Kunoichi]

Thank you for your response and interest!

The dogs can be ANY breed so even your mini daschund could be used. As long as the dog is able to perform its duty. For me, I would want a bigger dog as that is best suited to me.

I am going to get the puppy and train it for my own needs. So i wouldn't need someone to certify it. Not because I think I am "better" but rather because I know MY needs best, not someone else. And just because the dog is "certified" by someone else...doesn't mean the dog will be best suited for your needs. Especially IMO since mental health issues tend to come in twos, or in my case, three's, fours, fives lol

 

[pandora]

I thought it would be great for me as well as for my son and to help him with his autism and maybe helping remind him of things...definately something to look at in the near future.

 

[Grama-Herc]

I wish I could recall the program I saw, but it is possible to train any dog to be a
"Certified Service Dog" with all the rights and privilages.

Many people have emotional service support dogs. I think it is a fabulous idea. Do a subject search on the forum because I started a thread on this subject and someone wrote a post with some good info. I just can't recall where or what

 

[Wrongway]

The first thing you must do is get the dog canine good citizen certified which the training can be done and the testing at petsmart. They must have that certification and be registered with the AKC with that certification no the dog does not need to be a pure bred to be CGC certified. Than there are numerous other skills that you can train your dog yourself and have them verified by a certified dog trainer IE dog acting as a wall between you and the public it will keep the people away from you while you are in public and it can not be aggressive about it also act as a brace o support you should you have trouble balancing yourself and I also say it has to be able to get me a beer out of the refrigerator but they must be able to get you the meds you take in the event you cant do it yourself. And of course show you love and affection when your down they also check on you in the night if you are having bad dreams. I have sleep apnea and when I stop breathing she licks my face until I wake up those are the basic requirements to be fully certified I just finished my German Shepard and she is certified now to go any place I go There is also and ID card they get to prove they are certified its not hard to do you can do most of it yourself but you just have to use an animal with the right temperament remember it must act correctly in public especially restaraunts and places were large groups of people are

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@Wrongway My Bella was a found stray. She saves my life everyday. She had basic commands and I work on more. Is there a particular training method that you refer to and use? Wooof.