Support Pets, Author at Support Pets

May 17, 2021August 21, 2023

What Can a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) Help With?

Just the physical connection with a dog can create calm in chaos and reduce anxiety and stress. Although that’s true for any beloved pup, a Psychiatric Service Dog is so much more than just a cute pet!

A PSD helps individuals with anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions by performing specific tasks. A service dog must have completed specialized training that is legally defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Remember that support and comfort animals, although just as valuable to the people they help, don’t require that level of training or certification.

The training of a PSD is extensive and usually takes a year to two years to complete. A Psychiatric Service Dog must be housebroken, under the control of the handler at all times and vaccinated according to state and local laws. Although your current family dog or cat can become an Emotional Support Animal, it’s not advisable to try to train your existing furry friend to become a PSD; you should adopt a new dog and train it to serve as a PSD from the beginning or adopt a dog who is already trained.

These service dogs are trained and equipped to provide profound support to those they accompany in a number of ways. Check out some of the benefits that a PSD provides to a person’s mental and physical health.

Grounding

A PSD can be a great aid in reducing anxiety for the person they accompany through the practice of tactile stimulation (grounding). Grounding is a dog-to-human connection such as the touch of a paw, brushing against the person’s side, sitting on the person’s feet, laying on or beside the person, or licking their face.

The best method of grounding depends on the individual service dog and the person they are supporting. The individual experiencing anxiety or stress may find certain methods of grounding more soothing than others. Similarly, each service dog may instinctively find different ways of grounding that are effective for the person they accompany. A PSD has the training and instincts to figure out what method works best for their person.

Tasks

Another great benefit to having a PSD is their ability to help with tasks. Among other things, a service dog can be trained to retrieve medication, find a phone, or get another person to assist in a medical emergency. So the PSD provides peace of mind to the companion and their friends and family as a reliable resource.

Safety

A service dog may also perform safety checks in a room or turn on a light for someone suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety. With their ability to identify danger and help lessen the risk of it, Psychiatric Service Dogs provide both safety and security to their human companions.

Exercise

Since both dogs and people thrive on enjoying some time outside, a service dog becomes a wonderful incentive to get out in nature, exercise, and enjoy some fresh air, all of which can improve some symptoms of depression and anxiety. It also offers great bonding time!

Companionship

A service dog offers the much needed companionship that can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing company to its human, along with grounding, motivation to exercise, and a source of security. A 2005 study showed that patients in long-term care facilities reduced their feelings of loneliness by visiting with dogs. The effect was stronger when dogs could visit them one on one, instead of in group settings, probably since people had more intense interactions with the dogs. Animal visits alone were enough to reduce feelings of loneliness.

Mood Boosters

Here’s the bottom line: it’s hard not to love them! In addition to their ability to perform much needed tasks, service dogs come in a cute, furry, affectionate, playful, lovable package! That contributes to their abilities to reduce stress and anxiety and to boost mood. It is easy to smile and be comforted when these furry companions go in for cuddles. Additionally, the security they provide allows the indoor people to feel relief, to let go of anxiety.

Lower Blood Pressure and Improve Heart Health

Service dogs have even been shown to improve heart health while reducing blood pressure and regulating heart rate. A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) demonstrates a PSD’s effectiveness in lowering blood pressure in individuals. Blood pressure was lower when the dog was present during the entire time than when the animal was just introduced during the second half of the observation time. Another study compared the effect of stroking a dog versus resting, chatting, or reading in undergraduate students. Blood pressures were significantly lower when stroking a dog than when chatting or reading; however, it was lowest during rest. A positive attitude toward companion animals was associated with lower blood pressure overall.

People who are managing a variety of psychological challenges might benefit from the aid of a Psychiatric Service Dog. When taking into consideration all the benefits listed above that a Psychiatric Service Dog provides, it is no surprise to learn that the aid of a PSD can promote an improvement in overall health.

In fact, another review from the NCBI showed that a PSD can help with the following: reduce depression, improve mood, encourage more positive interactions with other people, a decrease in cortisol levels, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and a reduction of reported fear and anxiety. The presence of a PSD collectively provides this incredible secondary ability of improving the overall health of the person they accompany. Anyone in search of a meaningful and impactful means of managing their psychological health and symptoms could benefit from a Psychiatric Service Dog.

May 6, 2021May 6, 2021

7 Ways to Relax with Your Pet

Pets are so good for us! Just having a pet in your home can make you less stressed and bring both joy and unconditional love to your household. It can also help you relax and reduce stress!

In today’s world, stress is a big problem for most people. US employers lose billions of dollars each year due to stress and stress-related illnesses. Stress can cause people to have a lack of energy and focus, reduced creativity and more. For people suffering from stress, bringing a pet into their lives can make a huge difference.

Some studies have also shown that:

People with pets have lower blood pressure when stressed than those who don’t and adopting a pet can even help reduce blood pressure.
Playing with a pet raises levels of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are calming, relaxing chemicals.
People who own pets have lower indicators of heart disease.
People who’ve had heart attacks survive longer if they have a pet.
Older pet owners visit the doctor 30% less.
Pet parents are less likely to suffer from depression.

Scientists believe that oxytocin, the same chemical responsible for romantic bonds and parent-child bonding, is responsible for our human connection to pets, a connection that is boosted through touch. When we interact with animals, especially dogs, oxytocin is boosted in both us and the animal. This may be part of why dogs are man’s best friend. Dogs boost our oxytocin levels just by making eye contact, the same way that babies do with their parents. They are able to calm us just by being there, which is why they make such wonderful emotional support animals! Although the simple presence of a pet in your home can bring many of these health benefits, it’s important to be proactive – and active – in relaxing with your pet to make the most of the connections. What are some great ways to do that?

1. Take a walk!

Your dog needs exercise, and so do you. Having a dog, especially if you don’t have a yard, means taking them out regularly for walks. Dog owners are far more likely to get their daily steps in and be more fit than people without dogs. Physical exercise helps humans reduce stress and lower blood pressure as well.

Making sure your dog gets enough exercise helps keep them calm and relaxed when inside too. Burning off all that excess energy, especially in puppies and young dogs, is as good for your furniture and shoes as it is for the two of you! You might even make new connections with your neighbors as you stroll around the block.

2. Visit the dog park.

If you have a dog park nearby, it’s a wonderful way to let your pooch run with other dogs. Dog parks are fenced, so they’re safe, and most dog owners who bring their dogs make sure their pets are well-socialized and friendly before doing so. Hanging out and chatting with other pet parents while your dogs run and play in a secure environment is very relaxing. Bonus points if the dog park is a walkable distance away!

3. Set aside time for playing.

Whether you have a cat, dog or other pet, most love to play! Invest in some good toys that allow you to interact with your pet. Maybe your dog loves to play tug-of-war, or your kitty loves to try to catch a bird on a “fishing pole.” Laser pointers can be fun for both cats and dogs to chase. And of course, almost every dog loves to play catch and fetch.

Consider taking your pet to the “toy store” and see what they gravitate toward. All of these activities help your pet burn energy and allow your bonds with them to deepen, ultimately boosting all those lovely chemicals mentioned above. They also see you as a source of fun and good times, which also increases that bond.

4. Pet them.

The importance of petting your cat or dog regularly cannot be overstated. Humans need touch, and so do our pets. Just petting a cat or dog is shown to reduce heart rate and blood pressure as all those good hormones and chemicals flood our brains and bodies. A good snuggle session makes even bad days better and makes good days awesome!

If you like to watch TV and movies to relax, turn that into cuddle time with your cat or dog. If that turns into “Netflix and napping,” so much the better. Any time you’re sitting with your hands free can become time to pet your pet.

5. Wrestle with them.

Many dogs, especially bigger breeds, love to wrestle with their people. It offers connection and play time that they enjoy. Some dogs seem to like being “tickled” in the process. They almost laugh when their bellies are scratched in just the right spot.

6. Sing to them.

No one loves the sound of your voice more than your pets! Find some great music YOU love and let out your inner rock star. When we sing, we breathe more deeply, which instantly reduces stress and blood pressure.

7. Try dog yoga.

Dog yoga, or doga, has been around for about 20 years. It’s based on the idea that many yoga poses and the ways that dogs stretch are very similar. (The pose is called downward dog for a reason!) Practitioners of doga believe that practicing yoga together deepens the bond between dogs and their humans. Dogs get many of the same benefits from doga that humans get from yoga: improved circulation, soothing, relaxation and stress relief, gentle exercise, mobility, discipline and impulse control. For dogs that are older or recovering from an injury, doga can provide a way to get some physical activity without damage to joints. YouTube has tons of videos that can help you build a doga workout at home. You may also be able to find in-person doga classes in your community, which may help build connections for you too!

Pets are great for helping us relax and making us healthy. Taking an active role in making that happen can only boost the benefits that they bring to us, both physically and emotionally.

April 23, 2021August 21, 2023

Emotional Support Animals versus Psychiatric Service Dogs: What You Need to Know

We all know what pets are. They’re part of the family and bring us unconditional love and joy every day! Technically, pets are “animals that are kept for company or entertainment rather than being working animals, laboratory animals or livestock.” That dry definition doesn’t come close to describing the wealth of benefits we get from having pets in our lives!

But it’s important to know exactly what defines a pet and separates it from both Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSD), as well as what separates those two categories from each other.

What is an Official ESA®?

Emotional support animals are a gift to people suffering from a range of disorders. They provide support and can calm people in the middle of a panic attack, suffering from depression or managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ESAs don’t require special training or perform special tasks. For someone to have an ESA, a doctor must prescribe that to them based on a diagnosed mental or emotional condition that requires additional emotional support.

Although ESAs are protected from pet restrictions and fees by the Federal Housing Act, private businesses can choose whether or not to allow ESAs on the premises. Most businesses accept well-behaved Emotional Support Animals, including public transportation, ride shares, shops and restaurants. More employers than ever are open to the presence of well-behaved ESAs in the office as well, if conditions are safe for both employees and the ESA.

Although the majority of ESAs are dogs, with cats second, they can be anything: rabbits, hedgehogs, even birds, and more!

What is a Psychiatric Service Dog?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) carefully defines service animals. Service animals must be trained to perform specific tasks and perform services to their owners. Seeing-eye dogs for the visually impaired are probably the type of service dog that most people are familiar with. But service animals can perform a variety of tasks for people with a range of conditions, including deafness, mobility issues, multiple sclerosis, cancer and epilepsy. That includes mental and emotional illnesses as well, which is where Psychiatric Support Dogs (PSDs) come in.

Many of the same conditions that emotional support animals can help their owners with can be helped by psychiatric service dogs as well. Those include depression, anxiety, PTSD, learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), phobias, anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder, autism and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Why do we say Psychiatric Service DOG? The ADA is strict that service animals, unlike ESAs, must be dogs, and in very specific circumstances, horses. So to simplify, we talk about Psychiatric Service Dogs rather than Psychiatric Service Animals.

Just like any other service dog, PSDs must perform specific tasks for their owners and be trained to do so. Those tasks may include:

Retrieving medications
Reacting and alerting the owner to specific sounds like fire alarms
Grounding and reorienting people having an anxiety or panic attack
Assisting with balance for people who are unsteady walking due to medications or other issues
Locating people or places in a crowd
Interrupting and redirecting people exhibiting OCD or self-destructive behaviors
Navigating a person through a stressful environment such as a crowd and buffering them from people in that crowd
Searching the room for people with PTSD
Maintaining healthy routines through task reminders
Performing tactile stimulation and pressure therapy when their owner is in distress

It’s important for owners of PSDs to understand that no one is allowed to ask your PSD to demonstrate the tasks that it is trained to perform. They may ask IF you have a condition that requires the assistance of a PSD, but not what that condition is nor how severe it is. That’s part of your right to privacy under the ADA.

Like all service animals, PSDs have the same rights to be in any place that serves the public. While businesses may elect not to all ESAs inside, they must allow PSDs in. That includes all housing and lodging, including apartments and hotels; public transit and airplanes; and all public spaces including offices, university campuses, restaurants, bars, stores, supermarkets and more.

What’s the difference between a PSD and an ESA?

The difference in the two types of animals is primarily about the tasks they are trained to perform and the type of animal. No bird or rabbit, no matter how supportive they are to a person in need, can be a PSD, but they can be ESAs. At the same time, if a dog is not trained to perform a specific task, it cannot be a PSD, but it can still qualify as an ESA. The difference rests in the type of animal and its training.

How Do I Know If I Need an ESA or a PSD?

It’s important to understand that the difference between an ESA and a PSD does not depend on the severity of a mental or emotional condition. The best way to find out if you need a PSD is to work with a licensed doctor who will ask you to describe your symptoms and assess your situation to determine the need for a PSD or an ESA. If a doctor concludes that you can benefit from a psychiatric support dog, that’s the way to go.

Can My Pet Become an ESA or a PSD?

Absolutely! Any dog or cat can be an Official ESA^®, regardless of training. If a doctor confirms that your pet provides you with necessary emotional support, then your pet qualifies as an ESA. It’s a little trickier to turn a pet into a PSD, but it’s still possible. Remember, a PSD can only be a dog, so you can’t turn your cat into a PSD. However, if your doctor determines that you need a PSD and you already have a dog, your dog can become a PSD with some training.

How Can My Pet Become an ESA?

A medical professional licensed in your state must prescribe that you need an Emotional Support Animal to help you get through a mental or emotional illness. A simple questionnaire is the start to getting your pet certified as an Official ESA^®! We work with licensed physicians in every state to provide access to ESAs to people in need of that support. We understand that ESAs perform a valuable service – not the same as PSDs but just as important and necessary. To get your pet certified as an Official ESA^®, contact us today so we can help you

April 19, 2021May 6, 2021

Bring on the Green: Houseplants That Are Safe for Pets

Houseplants are good for us! They help keep our indoor air clean and bringing nature inside can change the entire dynamic and feel of a home. Many people feel more connected to the Earth when they are able to put their hands in soil and work with living plants, especially those who live in high-rises or town homes without yards. But as much as we enjoy them, some houseplants and cut flowers may not be so great for our furry roommates.

Did you know that some common houseplants can make your pet sick? Pets, especially cats, are often drawn to the leaves and eat parts of houseplants. And often, we keep those beautifully tempting houseplants at their level, especially larger ones with substantial pots. (Many a holiday has been disrupted by taking sick kitties to the vet after they’ve gotten into a lovely Christmas poinsettia!) It’s important to protect your pets from the detrimental effects of poisonous houseplants.

Plants to Avoid

Besides poinsettias, some of the most common toxic houseplants include many varieties of lilies, including Easter lilies and Lily of the Valley, daffodils, tulips, azaleas, aloe vera, some kinds of ivy, elephant ears, some ferns, cyclamen, desert roses, asparagus ferns and jade plants. Eucalyptus is so irritating to dogs that even the smell of it in your home can trigger a bad mood or lethargy in your pooch!

The symptoms of toxic poisoning can be painful and distressing for both pet and owner. Different toxins can affect different parts of your pet’s body and the intensity of their reaction can be affected by things like their size and weight, as well as how much of the plant they ingested. Common signs of poisoning are:

Plants to Embrace

So how can your pets and plants co-exist safely and happily? Avoid the risk of a sick cat or dog by making sure that your houseplants are non-toxic. Beautiful options abound that will be safe for your furry friends and bring the joy of living plants to your home. Besides the ones listed here, you can always ask your local nursery about a plant before you buy it or check with your vets office as you’re planning to shop.

- Green Plants: Many types of common, easy-to-care-for houseplants are safe for your cats and dogs.
- Non-flowering Colorful Plants: Although these don’t flower, they have colorful, festive leaves that brighten any space!
- Flowering Plants: Although there are fewer flowering plants that are safe for your pets, but the ones that make the grade are gorgeous!
- Edible Plants: If they’re safe for humans, they’re more likely to be safe for your pets.

It’s important to know that even plants that aren’t poisonous or toxic can cause digestive upset if your dog or cat eats them, or enough of them. Try to keep plants where your pets can’t be tempted by them, such as in hanging planters, on shelves out of their reach or in spaces they don’t visit frequently.

With a little research and planning, it’s easy to keep your home beautiful and your pets safe with lovely and safe plants that you can enjoy no matter the season.

NOTE: If you suspect that your pet has ingested a toxic plant or any other kind of poison and you can’t get to the vet right away, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 immediately, anytime of the day or night, if your pet displays symptoms or if you suspect exposure to or ingestion of a toxin. Both organizations charge a small fee for their assistance.