Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD)

What is a PSD?

• Dogs trained to perform specific tasks to assist their owners with effects of psychiatric illness
• Not therapy dogs or emotional support dogs
• Working dogs, with the same rights as other service dogs

Types of illnesses ASSISTED

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self-harm
• PTSD
• Bipolar Disorder
• Other panic disorders

Tasks performed

• Medication reminders
• Interrupt and re-direct
• Get help from stable adult
• Room searches
• Create barriers
• Guidance to a safe place

Benefits

• Greater success in school and at work--better productivity and increased self-confidence
• Be in public places more often--more socialization opportunities
• Decrease in self-harm incidences--increased safety
• Improved medication compliance--better disease management

References

• http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html
• http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/77
• http://www.psychdogpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/PDSPflyers2015.p...