Posted by responsiblek9 on November 29, 2003, at 5:30:01
This is a newer lately recognized way to handle some psychiatric disability symptoms it seems.The service dogs for Psych disabilities are legit and recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act and under some state laws. Definately mitigates some of the disability caused by some mental illness. The dogs are trained to do a physical task to actively help mitigate and are traine4d for Public access work , obedience ,and manners in public . Some other areas are Panic alert and panic responce . These two often have helped a bunch of people overcome panic disorders . The dog will warn prior to a full blown panic by physically touching or blocking the person and and for responce work on command will lead to a quieter place. Similar with PTSD where the dog is sent in the house frst and turns all the lights on so the handler can see that the huse is empty and safe , to nightmares where the dog can be asked to turn the lights on so the handler can reorient and get the fear under control to Fugue assistance work. Where the dog prevents the person from wandering off or will get them home if they are lost. the things these dogs can do it quite wide from medication alert to mitigating the effects of medication like dizzyness ( they steady the person to be able to walk better and not fall ( mobility work) to brand new areas they are training these dogs in. It is an interesting use that augments the conventional therapy goals and meds people use for treatment. Thought I would toss this onto the alternatives board here . See what you all thought on this. It has been around a long time. But not recognized across the nation until the past few years . But is growing .
poster:responsiblek9
thread:284915
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031122/msgs/284915.html