Service dogs are some of the most helpful canine companions you can find. Not only do they offer support for people who need it, but they can also find help, remind you when it’s time to take medication, and much more. While many people believe that service dogs can only help people who have physical disabilities, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, you’ll find that there is a unique type of service dog, known as a psychiatric service dog. These are service dogs that help with mental health disabilities. So, does PTSD qualify for a service dog?
This guide answers all of your questions.
What Is a Service Animal?
A service dog is a unique type of animal that’s trained to help someone who has a disability with a specific task. These animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Housing Act (FHA), and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). These acts protect service animals in public spaces, on airlines, and in housing that’s otherwise not pet-friendly.
Service animals can only be dogs or miniature horses. Other animals don’t qualify, and only some health conditions qualify for a service animal. For this reason, it’s important to speak with a licensed mental health professional to see if you qualify.
Also, you may need to adopt, buy, or be assigned a dog that’s the right fit for you.
What Is a Psychiatric Service Dog?
A psychiatric service dog is a unique type of service dog who’s trained to assist people who struggle with mental health disabilities. While these service dogs are assigned to help people with mental disabilities, that doesn’t mean they can’t help physically. They can find help, guide people who are having a panic attack through crowds, and even bring you medication when it’s time to take it.
Still, psychiatric service dogs still require a lot of training, and that training needs to be based on your needs. Therefore, you need to consult with a licensed mental health professional and breeder to find a dog that’s right for you.
Finally, there is more flexibility with psychiatric service dogs compared to physical service dogs. Since they don’t have to support your weight (sometimes), small dogs can be PTSD dogs.
Does PTSD Qualify for a Service Dog?
PTSD can qualify for a service dog. Like other mental disabilities listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), post-traumatic stress disorder is a qualifying mental disability for a service dog.
As for how service dogs assist individuals with PTSD, you will learn more below.
How Does a Service Dog Help With PTSD?
Service dogs help with PTSD in many ways. You’ll find that service dogs can help you just by being around you, but they can also be trained to handle tasks. Common ways that service dogs help with PTSD include:
- Fetching medications
- Escorting people to safety
- Guiding people through crowds
- Applying deep pressure therapy (DPT) during panic attacks
- Calling for help with special devices or your phone
- Finding help in crowds
These are only some ways that service dogs can help, and based on your needs, they can be trained to help in other ways.
Does PTSD Qualify for a Service Dog? Your Question Answered
There are a lot of conditions that qualify for a service dog, and even a condition or disability that’s unique to you can qualify. This is because it all comes down to a diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional and whether or not a psychiatric service dog can be trained to help with your disability.
So, does PTSD qualify for a service dog? Typically, that answer is yes. What’s more, psychiatric service dogs can help with a lot more than PTSD, so we recommend learning about all the disabilities that qualify for a psychiatric service dog – this guide from US Service Animals is a great place to start. You may find that even if you don’t have PTSD, a service dog may still be in your cards.
