Archive for the ‘Disabilities’ Category
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the U.S., with approximately 40 million adults experiencing the disorder. In cases where a person with anxiety is unable to function at work, school, or in social situations, a psychiatric service dog can help them get back on the right track.
A psychiatric service dog is a highly trained dog that can perform specific tasks or services that the individual with a disability may not be able to accomplish on their own. Service dogs are legally allowed to follow their owners into establishments that are not usually open to animals. You can even fly with a service dog for free on planes.
These are the 4 steps for getting a service dog for anxiety:
See whether your anxiety is a disability.Anxiety can be a qualifying disability if it substantially limits a major life activity. Not sure if you meet this criteria? A PSD letter can help. Adopt a suitable dog if you don’t have one.If you don’t have a suitable dog for service dog duties, adopt a dog with the right temperament and intelligence for the task you need to help with your condition. Train your dog to help with your anxiety.A service dog must be individually trained to perform a job or task relating to your condition. You can self-train or use a professional trainer. Train your dog for public access.All service dogs must be well-behaved and in control when in public settings. They should ideally be able to pass a public access test. How a Service Dog Can Help With AnxietyAnxiety stems from a physiological response. The brain gauges situations as dangerous, even when a person isn’t actually in danger t or if the danger has long gone. The brain then starts the stress reaction (a so-called “fight or flight” response) and releases hormones into the body. These hormones then initiate unpleasant physical effects: hyper-awareness, rise in blood pressure, sweating, increase in heart rate, and quick breathing.
Research has shown that trained psychiatric service dogs can help humans overcome anxiety in several ways:
Lower blood pressure and heart rate Provide a calming influence through deep pressure therapy, nuzzling, licking, and other touch Function as a protective factor against suicide and self-harm Provide a sense of security Fetch any medication or devices that may help reduce the symptoms Perform crowd control workKeep in mind that in order to qualify as a service dog, there must be a need for the dog to perform a job or task relating to a person’s disability. If the dog merely provides comfort for anxiety that qualifies as a disability, it is likely an emotional support animal and not a psychiatric service dog.
Anxiety as a DisabilityAccording to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), a person with anxiety can be considered to have a disability if their condition “severely impacts the ability to perform one or more major life activities.”
Disabilities like severe anxiety are not visible to others, like someone in a wheelchair or a blind person with a cane. If anxiety causes impairment in a major life function such as work, school, or personal relationships, then the person may meet the definition of a disability and be able to qualify their dog as a service dog.
A healthcare provider can help someone determine if their anxiety rises to the level of a disability. They can confirm their opinion about whether you have an anxiety-related disability in a signed PSD letter. It’s worth repeating that even if a person has an anxiety disorder that qualifies as a disability, a psychiatric service dog is only appropriate if they need a job or task performed to assist with that disability. If a task-trained dog is not required, trying for emotional support animal status is probably more appropriate.
Wonder if you qualify for a Psychiatric Service Dog?Get an assessment from a licensed medical health professional. If you qualify, they can issue a PSD Letter so that you can confidently train and own a PSD. Training a Service Dog for AnxietyTraining a service dog for assisting anxiety requires patience but can be done on your own or with the help of a professional trainer. There are also psychiatric service dogs that are sold pre-trained, but the cost is prohibitive for most people.
Many people find the process of training a service dog to be rewarding and worthwhile in and of itself. The ADA allows for self-training of service animals, but you should always consult an expert if you’re not sure or you get stuck in the training process. Keep in mind that you not only have to train an anxiety service dog to perform its job to help you but also so that it is under your control at all times, able to maintain a calm demeanor, and ready to serve you in various public environments.
Keeping a training log will help with analyzing the progress of your service dog’s training. Download this free sample Service Dog Training Log, provided by Service Dog Certifications.
Older adults have always made vital contributions to society, family, and history, yet they struggle increasingly with loneliness, depression, and other mental or neurological disorders. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 20% of older adults aged 60 or over have a mental health disorder. To ensure the safety and health of this population, it’s essential to identify ways to address their mental health concerns. One way to help older adults is with psychiatric service dogs.
What is a Service Dog?Emotional support dogs (ESA), therapy dogs, and service dogs help people with mental or emotional disabilities or disorders. Of these three, only handlers of service dogs maintain the rights under three federal laws:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Air Carrier Access Act (ACA) The Fair Housing Act (FHA)These federal laws protect the right of people with disabilities to have their service dogs with them at all times. Whether it’s in a public park (ADA), on an airplane (ACAA), or in a “no pets allowed” apartment (FHA), service dogs are able to remain with their handler. Unlike other animals, service dogs can enter and stay in public areas where pets are not allowed.
According to the ADA, a service dog must:
have specific service dog training that completes an essential task for a particular disability. assist with accomplishing a vital daily activity for a person with a qualifying disability. be essential to their handler.A few examples of service dogs are:
Mobility assistance dogs Guide dogs for people who are vision impaired Diabetic alert dogs Autism support dogs Psychiatric service dogsAlthough older adults may benefit from any of the service dogs listed above, psychiatric service dogs are ideal for helping those with mental health conditions.
What is a Psychiatric Service Dog?Psychiatric service dogs (PSD) are specially trained to help people with psychiatric or neurological disabilities. A PSD may receive training to help older adults in the following ways:
Obtain medication during psychiatric emergencies or severe depression. Alert their handler to medication administration times. Serve as a physical barrier between their handler and a distressing situation or object. Enter a room before their handler to ensure safety. Guide their handler to the designated exits during an emergency. Awaken their handler when their handler is groggy from medication. Wake their handler from nightmares. Prompt their handler to eat or bathe. Prompt their handler to exercise or perform a healthcare task. “Ground” – reducing anxiety through tactile stimulation – their handler when their handler becomes overwhelmed or distressed. Lead their handler to safer areas. Obtain assistance when their handler falls into an emergency situation.The list above only offers a brief snapshot of tasks a psychiatric service dog can perform for older adults. Which job a PSD is ultimately trained for depends on the needs of their handler.
Older Adults and Mental HealthIt’s just as essential for older adults to get help for their mental health as it is for younger adults. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), older adults have a higher risk for depression than the general population.
Roughly 80% of adults over 60 have at least one or more chronic illnesses, and adults with a chronic disease are at a higher risk for depression. About 1% to 5% of older adults have major depression. The rate of major depression is higher in older adults who require home healthcare (13.5%).Adults over the age of 60 are also more prone to developing Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive disease resulting in memory loss. The CDC states that the number of older people with Alzheimer’s disease doubles every 5 years after age 65. People with Alzheimer’s may forget to take medication, get lost from home, or become irritable or depressed.
In the United States, loneliness among older adults is becoming a problem. One in three older adults struggles with loneliness. Although social isolation may contribute to loneliness, being alone is not always a factor. Some older adults who live surrounded by family and friends may still feel lonely. According to the World Health Organization, loneliness can lead to depression, negatively impact the quality of life, and shorten a person’s life span.
Psychiatric service dogs can help seniors that suffer from severe mental health issues due to loneliness and depression. How Can Psychiatric Dogs Help Geriatric Mental Health?People seeking solutions for mental health problems in the elderly may find that psychiatric service dogs are excellent alternatives. They are great companions, and PSDs serve as a valid assistive option for older people with mental health disabilities. By offering both company and physical assistance, a psychiatric service dog can significantly alleviate psychiatric and neurological symptoms.
Can Psychiatric Service Dogs Help with Dementia?PSDs help adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia safe in several ways. They can be trained to assist in routine activities like eating, dressing, or taking medications. A psychiatric service dog can also prompt people with dementia to perform their regular daily routines, which can help improve an older person’s quality of life. A psychiatric service dog can prevent an older adult from wandering or getting lost, either by guiding them home or alerting others. Additionally, a GPS locator can be attached to a PSD’s vest or collar, helping to alert loved ones if their older relative wanders away.
Do Psychiatric Service Dogs Reduce Symptoms of Depression or Anxiety?Pet owners are typically less lonely than non-pet owners. However, psychiatric service dogs are more than pets. Although they do provide a close presence, they also perform tasks that can assist an older person in times of need. Normal pets can sometimes overwhelm older adults with mental illness because pets aren’t trained to work with their diagnosis. PSDs, on the other hand, are trained for the specific purpose of working with individuals who have a psychiatric or neurological health conditions. The dog will know when to jump into action and help their handler, making them an indispensable part of the handler’s life and safety.
Psychiatric Service Animals and Mental Health ServicesA 2019 study published in the journal Frontiers of Veterinary Science found that 46% of psychiatric service dog owners saw their need for mental health services decrease. These PSDs typically performed more than one task for their owner, from grounding (94%) to blocking other people (42%). For older adults, a PSD can be a life-changing experience while also reducing the need for health services.
Improving Geriatric Mental Health with a PSDCaring for the elderly shouldn’t only consist of doctor’s visits, medications, and hospital beds. Sometimes, including treatments that are outside the box — like utilizing a psychiatric service dog — can reduce the need for medical care and keep older adults safe. A psychiatric service dog can not only help geriatric mental health, but it can boost their physical health and overall satisfaction with life.
See if your mental disability qualifies for a psychiatric assistance dog. Get an PSD Letter assessment from a licensed medical professional.
May 30
Service Dogs for Seniors
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Data (2010), about 40.3 million people aged 65 and older live in the U.S, and the numbers keep growing. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the senior population may exceed 70 million by 2030. And with this rapid growth in the number of seniors comes the need for daily care. One excellent source for daily senior assistance is a service dog.
Aging in PlaceThe last two decades saw significant population increases in the 65+ age group. And approximately 87 percent of seniors want to “age in place,” which means that their first preference is to remain in their home and community as they grow older. Despite this desire to stay in familiar surroundings, seniors often live alone.
Pew Research data shows that about half of seniors in the U.S. share a home alone with a spouse or partner. And approximately 27 percent of seniors live by themselves. Older women are more likely to live alone, and — as children grow up and move out — seniors are more likely to live in small households. Rather than moving to a retirement community or moving away, many seniors opt to stay somewhere familiar when they need it most.
How a Service Dog Can Help Senior CitizensAs all people age, however, health begins to decline. Physical challenges — like reduced mobility and vision — and medical issues can pose risks for seniors living alone. A service dog can help address many of these issues, allowing disabled seniors to live their golden years in a safer environment.
What is a Service Dog?A service dog is not a pet, nor is it a therapy dog or emotional support animal. Service dogs help people who have a physical or mental health disability. A service dog is a dog that has received individualized training to accomplish tasks for people with disabilities.
Federal laws protect service dogs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for example, enables service dogs to accompany their owners into areas where animals are not typically allowed. A service dog may follow their handler anywhere accessible to the general public. These areas include restaurants, parks, theaters, stores, to name a few. Service dogs are provided such comprehensive access because service dogs are not pets — they are critical to the health and well-being of their handler.
Other federal laws protecting service dogs are the Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing Act and the Transportation Department’s Air Carrier Access Act. Under the FHA, service animals may live with their handlers in “no pets allowed” housing. For example, a senior living in a “no pets” rental may live with a service dog free from fees and discrimination because the FHA protects their ability to live with their service dog.
When it comes to travel, the ACAA allows service dogs to fly in an airplane’s cabin with their handler without fees. Along with these federal laws, some states also have laws that pertain to service dogs.
Service dogs can assist senior citizens with any physical challenges they may encounter. What a Service Dog Can DoLaws exist to protect the presence of service dogs because they’re a vital part of a person’s safety and health. As many seniors live alone, service dogs can offer an extra layer of security and peace of mind. Some of the tasks service dogs can perform for their handlers include:
Alerting and safeguarding a person prone to seizures. Obtaining and reminding a person of their medication. Opening cabinets and doors for a person. Serving as a physical brace for someone with mobility problems. Alerting a deaf or hard of hearing person of alarms, bells, or knocks on the door. Contacting emergency services through a pre-arranged method. Assisting a person off the floor if they fall. Alerting a diabetic person to significant blood sugar changes. Monitoring for the presence of allergens such as peanuts. How Can a Senior Qualify for a Service Dog?First and foremost, to qualify for a service dog, a senior must have a mental or physical disability that impacts their daily life. Service dog candidates must show that there is a task they need to be done by the dog and that the task relates specifically to their disability. For example, a senior with a hearing impairment may show that a service dog can notify them of the doorbell, phone calls, and other auditory alerts. In addition, the senior must have the capacity to independently care for the dog — both financially and with daily care —, and must have a way to give commands and maintain control of the dog. Lastly, the senior’s home must be a safe environment for the dog.
It’s critical to note that you do not need any type of documentation to prove that you have a service dog. You may have seen service dog owners with ID cards, certificates, special vests and harnesses or registration badges. These accessories are used only to help signal to the public that you have a working service dog, but they are not required. They also do not qualify anyone for a service dog or function in lieu of proper service dog verification.
Third parties are allowed to verify service dogs by asking two questions: 1. Is the dog required because of a disability and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? If you are flying with a service dog, you will be required to complete the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form prior to boarding your flight.
Service Dogs Can Assist and Comfort SeniorsService dogs are an excellent option for seniors who have a disability. Not only do they perform tasks that can make a senior’s life safer and more manageable, but they also offer companionship and comfort.
Let everyone know your service dog is an indispensable part of your life with your Service Dog ID. Get your service dog registered here.
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