Introduction
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults each year. While many treatment options are available for anxiety, one that has gained attention in recent years is having a service dog as a companion. In this article, we will explore the benefits of having a service dog for anxiety, the types of dogs available, the process of getting a service dog, and the comparison of various anxiety treatment options.
Importance of Service Dogs for People with Anxiety
Service dogs are trained to help people with a variety of disabilities, including anxiety disorders. These dogs can offer emotional support, which can include providing a calming presence, alerting their owner to an anxiety attack, and even performing tasks to distract their owner during a stressful situation. All these benefits can help someone with anxiety live a more independent and fulfilling life.
The process of obtaining a service dog for anxiety begins with a medical professional who can certify that a service dog would be beneficial for someone’s mental health. After this certification, the next step is finding a reputable dog training organization and selecting a dog that is compatible with its future owner. After some initial training, the dog will learn specific tasks, such as providing deep pressure therapy, interrupting self-harm behaviors, and providing companionship during panic attacks.
Personal Story of Someone Benefiting from a Service Dog
The emotional bond between a service dog and its owner is essential in helping to manage anxiety. One such example is Sarah, who has been living with severe anxiety for several years. After receiving a recommendation from her therapist, she decided to get a service dog named Max. Max provides unconditional love and support for Sarah, which has improved her overall quality of life. He is trained to alert Sarah before an anxiety attack, ease her anxiety through deep pressure therapy, and even turn on the lights at home to prevent panic attacks in the dark. Sarah and Max have developed a strong connection and Max not only assists, but has become Sarah’s constant companion.
Types of Service Dogs Available for Anxiety
There are many types of service dogs available for anxiety, including psychiatric service dogs and emotional support dogs. Psychiatric service dogs are trained to provide assistance to people with psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety, by performing specific tasks to alleviate their symptoms. The emotional support dogs, on the other hand, offer emotional support to their owners through their calming presence.
The specific training process for service dogs that assist with anxiety includes intensive socialization and obedience training, which allows them to acclimatize to different situations and people. They learn to identify physical signs of anxiety and are trained to act proactively, providing support before an anxiety attack or incident occurs.
Comparison of Anxiety Treatments
Treatment options for anxiety include medication, therapy, and service dogs. While medication can help in managing physical symptoms of anxiety, it is not enough to manage the emotional effects. Similarly, therapy helps reduce anxiety by giving people the tools to manage their symptoms, but this is also limited to certain times and places. Service dogs can be with their owners at any time, providing emotional support, and if trained for it, can assist with any anxiety management tasks.
Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice will depend on the individual’s specific circumstances and preferences. It is important to understand that service dogs are not a substitute for medication or therapy, but can significantly improve quality of life in conjunction with these treatments.
Laws Concerning Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals
The law recognizes service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), where they are protected under a US federal law. According to the ADA, people are entitled to their service dogs, regardless of their breed or official certification. Under the law, service dogs are allowed to be in public and in the workplace, and hosts cannot legally ask about a disabled person’s disability or ask for their service dog’s certification/registration for entry. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are different and are not considered service dogs under the ADA. ESAs do not have public access rights, and if someone with an ESA wants their animal to accompany them, they need to receive permission in advance.
Conclusion
Overall, a service dog can provide significant benefits for individuals living with anxiety. With proper training and socialization, the relationship between a service dog and its owner can be incredibly supportive and valuable, and help to significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety. No matter which treatment route is chosen, anyone with anxiety should remember they are not alone and help exists.
