can dogs be *prescribed* as treatment for panic attacks?
ByI’ve been with a dog at my side for the past 13 years, 24/7. I suffer from horrible panic attacks. I just lost my shepherd last summer, and am raising a new one who is so wonderful. I’m just wondering if ppl like me could get special permission to take a dog anywhere, kindof like a *handicapped status*. My panic attacks make my life unbearable and when i go out without a dog I feel kinda naked..it brings on the attacks 1000 times quicker and harder…..I just don’t know what to do. I really need my dog with me at all times. problem is that i’ve actually found quite a few jobs that let me have a dog with me, but I cant drive (cuz of the attacks) and would like to take my dog to stores with me…..is there a word for this condition? like "dog addiction"? I’ve googled it and all the results talk about nasty beastiality stuff….or about dogs addicted to their masters. I never see anything about ppl who just CAN’t get by without their dog….any info on this subject, solutions, treatment..would be appreciated.
in the united states for mental illness dogs can be emotional support dogs … which means you could have the dog in housing that may not allow dogs, and i believe there are special rules for flying with the dog … but the dog could not be an assistance dog (like for the blind, and allowed everywhere) for mental illness issues …
4 Comments
March 14th, 2011 at 1:12 am
Yes they can. They are called service dogs.
People attach to anything. for you it just happens to be a dog. Some have a blanket or key chain. It is an OCD issue. A therapist could help work through it and a service dog could make your life "normal" as possible for you.
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March 14th, 2011 at 1:22 am
First of all your doctor would have to diagnose your disorder and "prescribe" a therapy for you. Your dog would have to be trained to become a certified therapy dog or you would have to purchase a certified therapy dog. Your doctor’s office will help you arrange all this.
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March 14th, 2011 at 2:05 am
in the united states for mental illness dogs can be emotional support dogs … which means you could have the dog in housing that may not allow dogs, and i believe there are special rules for flying with the dog … but the dog could not be an assistance dog (like for the blind, and allowed everywhere) for mental illness issues …
References :
March 14th, 2011 at 2:15 am
No, they can’t. A doctor’s note or prescription does not give you the right to take a dog everywhere.
The A.D.A. and various state laws all require that
1. The handler of the dog must have a disability that severely limits a major life function.
2. The dog must be TRAINED to do work or tasks that directly mitigate the disability. Simply being with you does not qualify.
3. The dog must be trained for public access.
Start by talking to your doctor to see if you are deemed disabled under the A.D.A. requirements, then start researching psychiatric service dogs if given the O.K. from your doc. Places that "certify" your dog are scams that will take your money, and that "certification" won’t hold up in court. Remember it can take a LONG time to properly train a service dog, up to two years.
Pleasedontpetme.com is a good forum to join, you can get info from real service dog users there about how a dog can help you if you truly need one, and to point you in the right direction for how to end up with a properly, and legally trained service dog.
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