[Michelle1Allisa]

I use a Psychiatric Service Dog as part of my "recovery toolbox".

They work wth DID, OCD, PTSD, Schizo., depression, Agoraphobia, and Bi-Polar.

My Psychiatric Service Dogs have really made a world of difference in my life such as I can now go out of the house without being so afraid and I have now bee able to live by myself and feel safe. I also now have a job that I love and feel like I can do ongoing.

I really recommend one for anyone who has a diagnosis and loves dogs.

Michelle1Allisa
Ohio

[nothemama8]

Welcome Michelle, we also have a service dog here they are called Emotional Support Dogs, her name is Tara, she is an 8 year old Sheltie and very smart
Angie

[Michelle1Allisa]

I'm glad to about your Emotional Support Dog, nothemama8. But just a FYI Emotional Support Dog or different from Psychiatric Service Dog because ESD's aren't granted public access by law as to where PSD's are granted public access and the only place they are not allowed to go are in operation rooms in the hospital. Daisy goes every where that I go. She goes to Emergency room with me and my other PSD has say in the hospital with for my whole stay.

Thanks for sharing. I always love t hear about working dogs.

[e_sort]

that is really interesting. I never heard of this. can I ask what your dog helps you with?

[Michelle1Allisa]

hi, mine helps in many ways. She helps to work as a "disract" for me when I am out in public, when I start to get anx. she can sense it and she will begin licking me to hel me focus on her instead of what is making me anx. She also carries my medical info, emergency contact, and my address/phone number in care any of my alters don't know where we live it can help us or someone to find our way home. She is also trained to do "barrier" work that's where she places herself between me and others so that they keep a distance so that I can be safely comfortable. That's some ofwhat she does in public. At home she helps me to know the difference between real noises/voices an the ones in my head. And she works at keeping my depression down because she relies on me to care for her so I have to keep going for her. She also helps to wake me from my nightmares.

Now that we train dogs for other people she helps show new trainees what they need to do and we go into schools, companies, and conventions doing presentations on the work of a PSD and other service dogs as well.

I hope I answered your questions without over loading you. They just can do so much andthis is something that I am very passionate about because thy have helped me soooo much in the 4 years.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me directly.
Take care and I look forward to talking to you in the feature.

Michelle

Originally Posted by e_sort

that is really interesting. I never heard of this. can I ask what your dog helps you with?

[bourne]

That's awesome. Are the dogs specially trained like seeing eye dogs? I don't have a dog as I am very allergic, but I do have access to a number of dog's owned by family members, and I take them out to play as often as I can because it really helps with my depression. I love them. I only wish I could roll around with them. They really do provide some amount of joy in my life.

[deliquesce]

oh wow, thanks for sharing, michelle.

your dogs sound like they really make your life more fulfilling, how wonderful. i have two dogs as pets, and they are pretty stupid (it's true, but i love them all the same) and they are just the joy in my life. they rely on me for everything and just give me unconditional love.

do you have any pics of your dog? i love looking at other people's darlings.

[pondbc]

It is miraculous what animals can do....your dog is such a blessing in your life. They have knowledge and awareness that are beyond our comprehension.
I have two yellow Labs who are loving and delightful, my constant companions. They are always there for me and they make me laugh!
So glad to hear what a difference your dog has made in your life, and that you can now get out and about.

[Miracle1986]

I have never heard of PSDs.
that is so cool!!! how does a person go about getting a PSD? Are there special requirements (other than having a dx)?

This is so wondeful. I've heard of it before.

For my poor Peanut, my best friend of 8 years...... He needs therapy from everything he's gone through with me. Really

[ThePainNeverDies]

This is amazing. I've heard of it before too and really want to get a PSD because i love dogs and I know that they're the only thing that really keeps me going. If I didn't have dogs living around the town I live in, I'd not be here today. If I didn't have my dog that lives in my adoptive home (I live alone now) to look forward to somehow getting custody of (they abuse her to continue to abuse me), I wouldn't be here either.

I really want a PSD, but don't know if you can get them in the UK. I have been desperatelt trying to find out and still am!! Does anyone know?

[Junerain]

I could definately use a '...distract..' when I am out in public, I try to distract myself enough as is, I need so much........................

it is really great to hear how much the psd dog helps you. i got a dog about a year ago, a pet, and he's such a fun, cute little guy. he's a handful too!

[schitzo-girl626]

my dogs make me fell safe,i try to take one with me every chance i get, even to the corner store.

[NobodysChild]

Hi I have a PSD. He is a miniature doxi. He keeps me from in a more positive secure state especially now I am living in my own home. He is a womans bestfriend, lol.
If you go to Google and put in Psychiatric Service Dog, you will come up with an organization that specializes in PSD. The name of the place has Psychatric Service Dog in it, I apologize, I have forgotten the exact info, I hope this will help. Have a great day and goodluck.

[Kiya]

OMG I have been thinking about this for about 6 months!! I didn't know if it was real or not. All these things ring true for me too. and i am hoping a PSD could intervene when my system starts spiraling dangerously towards injury or sui.
thanks for your post!

Originally Posted by Michelle1Allisa

when I start to get anx. she can sense it and she will begin licking me to hel me focus on her instead of what is making me anx. She also carries my medical info, emergency contact, and my address/phone number incase any of my alters don't know where we live it can help us or someone to find our way home. She is also trained to do "barrier" work that's where she places herself between me and others so that they keep a distance so that I can be safely comfortable. That's some ofwhat she does in public. At home she helps me to know the difference between real noises/voices an the ones in my head. And she works at keeping my depression down because she relies on me to care for her so I have to keep going for her.

[Miracle1986]

Originally Posted by NobodysChild

If you go to Google and put in Psychiatric Service Dog, you will come up with an organization that specializes in PSD. The name of the place has Psychatric Service Dog in it, I apologize, I have forgotten the exact info, I hope this will help.

I found it! It's http://www.psychdog.org/

[fallenangel337]

That is so cool and so useful! I definitely want to see about getting one!

[hillyblack]

Hi Guys,
hilly here with my psd Lilly. I have been using a psd for 4 years for bipolar mania and depression. I am also getting my MSW at S,ith in Social Work and am researching the field of service dog relationships and how dogs benefit our
mental health.. I have a lot of info on them if anyone need.
Hilly

[Hunny]

What a lovely thought...hmmm, maybe someday

.

[Onzichtbaar]

I don't have a PSD but do have 2 lovely pet dogs and can relate to the therapeutic value of having pets around. I'm legally blind so in theory could have a guide dog (in my case it really isn't necessary as I can still see plenty enough to get around visually - I do know a lot of people with guide dogs though and if my sight dropped the idea of having a dog in a supportive role makes perfect sense). The obvious benefit of having a registered assistant dog is that they have permission to accompany you to places where ordinary pets are not permitted.

Someone wrote about being allergic. I also have allergies and I have 2 multigen labradoodles and have no problems with these whatsoever - they also have a great temperament and are very 'intuitive' - they react to emotion and seem to know when something isn't right. I got my first dog 2.5 years ago and she helped me put structure back in my life. The only downside I see with having dogs (well or any pets for that matter) is that regardless of how you feel you need to care for them - and if you feel really really awful, that can sometimes be an extra drain on resources. The plus side is that it forces you to keep going. I definitely don't regret getting the dogs.

Onzi

[SlatkaMala]

My dog isn't an official psychiatric service dog, but she has been there for me through some really bad times. Sometimes I think about having her certified so I can take her places with me that don't usually allow dogs, like certain apartments.

Slatka- I just looked up about the psychiatric service dogs. I really like the idea. However if you just want to be able to live in "no pet" apartments you might look at Emotional Service animals. They require no extra traning only a letter from a doctor that the animal is of therapuetic benefit to you. Heres the wiki link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_support_animal

[SophiaG]

This is really interesting. o.o

[Perna]

Another good site is: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/