Important Information about Support Animals:

• ​You first have to have a disability in which the support animal would help with. 
• Understand the difference between the three types of support animals (ask Heather for more information).
• There are no certifications necessary for these types of animals (service/emotional support). 
• Don’t fake a service animal.
• There is a significant cost to service and emotional support animals in terms of taking care of basic needs and veterinary bills.
• ​Service dogs have extensive training which can cost thousands of dollars. 
• If you are seeing a mental health professional for the first time (and if you are requesting a letter), the professional would first have to complete an assessment which may take more than one session. Some mental health professionals will not write a letter recommending a support animal until you have established an ongoing therapeutic relationship. 
• There are several instances in which a mental health professional may not complete a letter recommending a support animal, especially if the support animal is for a medical condition (epilepsy, migraine alert, allergen alert, guide dog, etc.) vs. a mental health condition.

​

Psychiatric Service Dogs

Psychiatric service dogs can help with the following tasks:

• Bring medication to alleviate symptoms. 
• Bring a phone to their handler during crisis.
• Summon help.
• Help their handler rise and steady.
• Wake their handler if there is a night terror.
• Provide tactile stimulation to disrupt emotional overload. 
• Wake their handler for school or work.
• Assist during dissociative episodes. 
• Provide deep pressure for calming effect.

Learn more about psychiatric service dogs by reading this article (http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html) which was published by the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners. The article is authored by Joan Froling, Trainer Consultant with Sterling Service Dogs.