Psychiatric Service Dogs
PTSD Symptom
Service Dog Assistive Task
Service Dog Assistive TaskReclusivenessCanine accompanies veteran outside the home
Canine accompanies veteran outside the home•Required daily walks and public socialization requirements for service dog training must be met.
Required daily walks and public socialization requirements for service dog training must be met.Night Terrors/NightmaresCanine wakes veteran, optionally turns on light
Canine wakes veteran, optionally turns on light•This is a task your dog will naturally perform as the bond deepens between you. The dog recognizes the change in your chemistry as nightmares begin and will usually lick your face to awaken you. Train the “light” command if you want your dog to turn the light on for you.
This is a task your dog will naturally perform as the bond deepens between you. The dog recognizes the change in your chemistry as nightmares begin and will usually lick your face to awaken you. Train the “light” command if you want your dog to turn the light on for you.Startle Reaction/ResponseCanine-defined space perimeter, alert to approaching strangers
Canine-defined space perimeter, alert to approaching strangers•This is a task your dog will perform naturally, his size beside you creating a space between you and others, his head will turn and he will show excitement to alert to someone approaching.
This is a task your dog will perform naturally, his size beside you creating a space between you and others, his head will turn and he will show excitement to alert to someone approaching.ForgetfulnessCanine medication reminder
Canine medication reminder•Your dog will learn your routine both by watching you take your meds and by the change in your chemical odor if you forget to take your medication. Dog may retrieve medication for you, lick or nudge you excessively to alert that something is wrong or may pace back and forth to where medicine is kept. You can encourage/train retrieval of medication by using the Retrieval Commands section of the Manual.
Your dog will learn your routine both by watching you take your meds and by the change in your chemical odor if you forget to take your medication. Dog may retrieve medication for you, lick or nudge you excessively to alert that something is wrong or may pace back and forth to where medicine is kept. You can encourage/train retrieval of medication by using the Retrieval Commands section of the Manual.Dissociative fugue“Take me home” command
“Take me home” command•You can also teach your dog to take you to a building exit using the Exit Command training or take you to your vehicle using that command training.
You can also teach your dog to take you to a building exit using the Exit Command training or take you to your vehicle using that command training.HypervigilanceCanine alert, house search, environmental threat assessment
Canine alert, house search, environmental threat assessment•Dogs are naturally alert to their environment and you can check in with your dog to determine if there is a threat. If your dog is calm and relaxed, you can calm and relax as well. If your dog is on alert, you will see perked ears, ruffling of the fur along the spine, stiffened posture, possibly even growling. Teach your dog the “search” or “house check” commands.
Dogs are naturally alert to their environment and you can check in with your dog to determine if there is a threat. If your dog is calm and relaxed, you can calm and relax as well. If your dog is on alert, you will see perked ears, ruffling of the fur along the spine, stiffened posture, possibly even growling. Teach your dog the “search” or “house check” commands.Neurochemical imbalanceTeam walks to stimulate endorphin production
Team walks to stimulate endorphin production•Through the bond you’ve developed with your dog, he is very in tune with your body chemistry and may alert by nudging or licking. When this occurs, ask yourself what you are feeling and what will make you feel better. It may be a walk with your dog, playing tug or fetch, an obedience lesson or therapeutic petting.
Through the bond you’ve developed with your dog, he is very in tune with your body chemistry and may alert by nudging or licking. When this occurs, ask yourself what you are feeling and what will make you feel better. It may be a walk with your dog, playing tug or fetch, an obedience lesson or therapeutic petting.FlashbacksTactile stimulation mediates sensory re-integration and orientation to time and place
Tactile stimulation mediates sensory re-integration and orientation to time and place•Your dog will lick, nudge or paw at you to bring you back into time/place and ground you.
Your dog will lick, nudge or paw at you to bring you back into time/place and ground you.Emotional RegulationCanine as therapeutic distraction
Canine as therapeutic distraction•Therapeutic petting, talking, playtime and walks will produce oxytocin, endorphins and feelings of well-being.
Therapeutic petting, talking, playtime and walks will produce oxytocin, endorphins and feelings of well-being.Sensory OverloadCanine as alternate focus
Canine as alternate focus•Grounding is a natural task the dog performs to relieve you of anxiety, panic or frustration. Petting, focus on the dog in uncomfortable situations. The dog may lick, nudge or paw at you as it senses overload.
Grounding is a natural task the dog performs to relieve you of anxiety, panic or frustration. Petting, focus on the dog in uncomfortable situations. The dog may lick, nudge or paw at you as it senses overload.Social WithdrawalCanine-facilitated interpersonal interaction
Canine-facilitated interpersonal interaction•People are going to want to talk to you about your dog with the focus being on your dog. Practice what you will say or do when asked, “May I pet your dog?”, “What does your dog do for you?” Show them tricks you’ve taught your dog. This will allow you to gradually become more comfortable in social situations.
People are going to want to talk to you about your dog with the focus being on your dog. Practice what you will say or do when asked, “May I pet your dog?”, “What does your dog do for you?” Show them tricks you’ve taught your dog. This will allow you to gradually become more comfortable in social situations.Lack of InsightCanine alert to emotional escalation
Canine alert to emotional escalation•Your dog will smell when you are becoming excited, angry, depressed and will use tactile stimulation – licking, nudging, pawing to distract you. Pay attention to what your dog is telling you, focus on him/her by petting and talking to bring your emotions back under your control.
Your dog will smell when you are becoming excited, angry, depressed and will use tactile stimulation – licking, nudging, pawing to distract you. Pay attention to what your dog is telling you, focus on him/her by petting and talking to bring your emotions back under your control.HallucinationsCanine-facilitated reality testing
Canine-facilitated reality testing•Your dog will provide tactile stimulation to bring you back to time/place. Check your dog’s behavior to reality test what you think you are seeing/hearing.
Your dog will provide tactile stimulation to bring you back to time/place. Check your dog’s behavior to reality test what you think you are seeing/hearing.
