Read on to learn more about psychiatric service dogs for depression.
Qualifications
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are defined as an animal that is “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.” The tasks that the service dog assists with must also be directly related to the disability.
Currently, only dogs and miniature horses are approved by the ADA. No other species can qualify as a service animal.
Under the ADA, there is no requirement for service dogs to undergo any specific training, certifications, or registration. There are also no limitations on dog breed.
Physical vs. Invisible Disability
Not all disabilities are visible. Many people with disabilities that can’t be seen, such as depression, can benefit from psychiatric service dogs.
The ADA defines disability as:
A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activitiesA person who has a history or record of such an impairmentA person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment
For example, you cannot look at someone and know that they have depression. However, their depression may significantly impair their daily activities and thereby qualify them for a service animal.
Service Dog vs. Emotional Support Animal
Service dogs and emotional support animals are not the same thing. The ADA only provides protection and rights for those animals that qualify as service animals.
A service dog is a working animal that is trained to perform specific tasks relating directly to their handler’s disability. For a psychiatric service dog, this might include reminding handlers to take their medication or preventing self-harm.
Emotional support animals are those that provide comfort, calming, therapy, or companionship simply by their presence, but are not trained to work or perform tasks.
Benefits
The primary benefit and goal of psychiatric service dogs is to enable the handler to better manage their disability and remain engaged in daily life. They do this by assisting with daily tasks and helping their handler reduce symptoms or avoid psychiatric episodes.
There is a large body of evidence on the benefits of service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder that often co-occurs alongside depression.
Interrupting self-harm behaviors Giving medication reminders Waking their handler up from a traumatic nightmare Providing cues to perform daily routines Turning on lights, fetching clothes, and otherwise helping the handler perform their activities of daily living Keeping disoriented or panicking handlers from danger Providing deep pressure stimulation or constant body contact
One study looked at changes in the PTSD Checklist, a symptom self-report measure from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, among veterans with PTSD who used service dogs vs. veterans with PTSD who did not use service dogs. The service dog group showed benefits, including lowered depression, higher quality of life, and improved social functioning.
However, there is currently not much research examining the benefits of service dogs specifically for depression. More research is needed to truly understand the impact of service dogs in helping handlers with depression.
Cost
Cost is a major barrier to getting a service dog. Private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid do not cover the cost of service dogs. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), it can cost up to $25,000 to buy a trained service dog from specialized organizations.
While this cost might seem prohibitive, keep in mind that there are many nonprofit organizations, charities, grants, and funds that can provide service dogs either for free or at a subsidized cost. You should look into financial aid with any service dog organization you are considering.
The initial upfront cost of buying and training a service dog is not the only cost consideration. You must also be able to support your dog by paying for their veterinary bills, local vaccines and licenses, food, bedding, toys, and more.
How to Train a Service Dog
Training
Training a dog to become a service animal takes a lot of education, time, and rigorous effort. However, there is no accredited training program that is required under the ADA for a dog to become a service dog.
Many people with disabilities take an interest in service dog training and learn how to train their own dogs. But if you are inexperienced, then it may be best to defer to the experts for training.
The AKC advises that service dog training start with foundational skills, including:
House training, including eliminating waste on demandSocialization in different environments, including staying attentive to a taskTeaching the dog to ignore distractions and focus on their handler
Once a dog has mastered foundational skills, they must also be trained to perform specific tasks to assist with their handler’s disability. This final step in training is the most important, because it is what qualifies a dog as a service animal.
Certification
The ADA also does not require any special certifications for a dog to be considered a service animal.
Many colleges, universities, states, and local ordinances offer voluntary registration programs, but this is always optional.
There are also organizations that sell service animal certifications, but it’s important to know that these are not recognized by the Department of Justice and don’t affect your protections or rights under the ADA.
How to Buy a Service Dog
There is no specification in the ADA about how to obtain a service dog, or who is allowed to provide service dogs. In order to obtain a service dog, you can:
Buy a dog from an organization that specializes in breeding, selecting, and training service dogsBuy your own dog and train it either yourself or with a hired trainer
Buying From an Organization
There are many organizations, both for-profit and nonprofit, across the country that specialize in breeding and training service dogs. These organizations offer expert service dog selection and training. Many have a 50%–70% fail rate, meaning they only pass the very best dogs to be working service dogs.
Examples of organizations include NEADS World Class Service Dogs or Canine Companions for Independence.
Investing in expert training may also come with some challenges, such as long waiting lists and expensive training fees. Always ask about financial aid with any organization you consider.
Buying Your Own Service Dog
There is no limitation on what type of dog can be a service dog. You could train your existing pet to be a service dog, or get one from a breeder or an animal rescue shelter.
Consider the tasks you want your service dog to perform for you when choosing a dog, as this will impact the size of dog you choose. German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers are common service dog breeds, but temperament is also important.
Summary
Service animals help their owners perform tasks directly relating to their disability, with the goal of improving participation in daily life. Some people who have depression that significantly impairs their engagement in daily activities use a psychiatric service dog to help them cope.
Focused and attentive to their handlerCalm in all settingsAlert but not reactiveHighly trainable for specific tasksHaving a desire to pleaseDesensitized to distractionsNot easily diverted from tasksDemonstrate information retention and learningEasily socialized in many different settings
There are many steps involved in getting a service dog, including finding the right dog, financial considerations, training, bonding, and caring for the dog. More research is needed to truly understand the benefit of service dogs for depression.
A Word From Verywell
Not everyone with depression will require a service dog. However, if your depression is preventing you from engaging in daily activities that a service dog could assist with, then you may want to consider a psychiatric service dog. These service dogs can perform many different tasks and help you cope.
It is not acceptable to ask an owner to provide documentation, explain their disability, or demonstrate tasks.
