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Service Dogs for PTSD

According to the American Disabilities Act, or ADA for short, service animals must be trained to work or perform tasks for a disabled person to qualify as a service animal. PTSD dogs are a type of service dog that specializes in handling a person with any significant trauma. These dogs have rights to all public access areas and are individually trained to work with people with PTSD. Trainers authorized by Assistance Dogs International and organizations that follow the standards set by the ADI train these dogs with specific requirements in mind. Each dog is trained according to these standards, and those who will work with people with PTSD will need additional training according to the person’s needs. These dogs provide a lifetime of support, helping ease people with PTSD.

What kind of services do PTSD Dogs provide?

Service dogs handle people with disabilities by acting concerning that person’s needs, whether that person is blind, deaf, or severely disabled. PTSD Dogs bring a sense of love, provide good companionship, take orders when trained, help reduce stress, and help the individual meet new people. These dogs can individually act, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs, by:

  • Assisting in medical crises
  • Assisting in treatment by subtle reminders
  • Giving the individual a sense of security
  • Helping the individual handle emotional trauma through companionship

According to researchers in the Department of Defense, this is believed to be caused by the presence of oxytocin. Oxytocin promotes bonding and trust, as it occurs when people come in contact with babies, dogs, and other cute creatures. This boost of oxytocin can help people living with PTSD by putting them at ease and making them more responsive to therapy as a result. PTSD dogs can be beneficial, but whether or not these dogs align with emotional support dogs is still being questioned, according to the VA.

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How effective are PTSD Service Dogs at treating PTSD?

Many studies related to service dogs show the benefits service dogs have regarding physical disabilities. However, studies on how beneficial service dogs are for mental health are still being determined through various studies. For instance, studies from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense suggest that service dogs can benefit traumatized soldiers. However, those results come with limited validation, and future trails can only further help negate the questions that remain and give a better understanding of the psychology of how PTSD dogs treat people with PTSD. Studies from Purdue University show that there is a lack of empirical research on the effectiveness of PTSD service dogs, resulting in mixed model results. However, the conclusion of the study proved that PTSD dogs could serve as a “meaningful improvement” for those with PTSD.

Are PTSD Dogs just for Veterans?

ptsd service dog

A service dog can be any breed. You can either train your own service dog or work with an accredited trainer.

Most studies involving PTSD dogs centralize around veterans. However, experts in the field state that these service dogs can be beneficial for those with non-military related PTSD, including sexual-assault victims and those who have experienced significant traumas such as car accidents and accidental fires. However, official studies have been limited in results and need further trials to prove useful. While the ADI has specific instructions for military veterans to gain access to service dogs, those who are non-military can apply for a service dog through any approved service dog training organization that has taken the ADI standardization test. You can also adopt a dog from a shelter and train them yourself to provide a service for your disability if you do not have the means to apply through a service dog training organization. 

Even with the research involving veterans, PTSD dogs don’t earn the same VA coverage as other service dogs would. While the VA covers veterinary care for service dogs that assist veterans with physical disabilities, the VA doesn’t do that for PTSD service dogs. Any treatment within the VA only includes therapies such as exposure therapy, cognitive therapy, and desensitization therapy. As for others with PTSD, those who have the medical documentation can receive a specially trained service dog for PTSD through applying at any chosen trainer organization.

How do I gain a PTSD Dog?

Any service dog, including PTSD service dogs, follow under the guidelines of the ADA, which state that service dogs have legal access to all public areas as long as they are appropriately leashed and controlled by their handler. PTSD service dogs usually cost on average $20,000 or more, depending on the organization, and finding the right organization to purchase a service dog can be difficult due to the lack of federal regulation on training and accreditation. While the ADI does not provide trained service dogs, it only provides guidelines for trainers and individuals to follow and a database for accredited members to search. Once you find the right organization or trainer for you, you can go through their application process and work with the trainers to help you find the service dog for you. You may also train your dog yourself if you are unable to pay the fees to specially train your dog through a trainer. 

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56 comments

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  1. Christina Pohlmann says: July 4, 2021

    Trying to get help training my puppy to be support for PTSD anxiety and sizures

    Reply
  2. Jesse Williams says: March 27, 2021

    My name is Jesse Williams I’m currently being employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs at Jefferson Barracks St Louis division from what I’ve learned I’ve been suffering from PTSD since being released from the military in the end of 2002 I currently have a dog her name is Elsa she is a Pomeranian but I’m looking for a PTSD dog if available preferably a German Shepherd

    Reply
  3. Paige says: December 5, 2020

    My name is Paige Im 14 years old, and I have been diagnosed with PTSD and Severe Depression and a panic disorder any advice?

    Reply
  4. Samuel Miller says: October 10, 2020

    Hello! My name is Samuel and I am 15 years old. I have been diagnosed with multiple debilitating mental disorders including complex post traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, autism, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, binge eating disorder, and more. I have been going to therapy for over 4 years and not a lot has helped. I have been thinking about getting a service dog for a while now, but I’m not sure quite how it will work. I attend a culinary school for most of the year and often dissociate and/or experience flashbacks and panic attacks when I hear loud noises, which are common in the kitchen. I’m not entirely sure that I can have one in there. Does anyone have any advice?

    Reply
    • Mary Tipton says: December 21, 2020

      My emotional support dog helps me also meditation and prayer also I fall asleep to energy orbiting theta it helps me sleep and I wake up energized ! God bless

      Reply
  5. Michelle pence says: October 7, 2020

    Hello my name is Michelle I am 13 and have ptsd due to abuse from and being raped by my stepfather and I get very scared around men or when I’m yelled at I have been told I have depression I get panic attacks in school and they are very bad. Since Covid 19 started my panic attack got worst and my father has done nothing . My conusler has said that I might need a service dog if this gets any worst I have no idea what to do I’m worryed about my mother saying things to trigger a panic attack I have no idea if I’m even qualified for a service dog. Pls help!!

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    • Janice says: January 6, 2021

      I’m so sorry about what happend I have ptsd from car crash and when I was 15 years old I got rape someone I do not know now I’m 38 years old I need Service dog oh my PTSD

      Reply
  6. Sierra says: April 18, 2020

    hi my name is Sierra i am 12 years old going on 13 i did get PTSD when my dad abused me. when i am at school and we have fire and earthquake drills it puts me in a panic. And yes my whole class fracks out and try to calm me down and nothing works! i also had a trauma with alarms and loud noises. My friends classmates and teachers are suggesting i get a service dog for my PTSD. The only dog breed that i trust are PURE BRED GERMAN SHEPHERDS and the only gender i truest are male German shepherds because somehow i do not work well with females. i do have 4 cats the 4th one is pregnant and my landlord only accepts cats we can only have dogs for disabilities and medical condition.well i also have a mental health issue and i have bipolar.i heard my fave breed GSD are very protective and vicious. but i still need a dog my mom says i do not qualify for one because of ADA ( which i do not get. ) my school is a charter school they do accept service animals we do have some kids who are autistic epileptic walking disabilities speak and mentally disabled. my principle talked to me privately in her office saying she will accept me bringing a dog on school grounds. i do not have any money either to train the dog too! also with COVID-19 i cant go to school and not much places are open. what should i do!? ( PLEASE ANSWER ASAP! )

    Reply
    • Kanani says: July 27, 2020

      Hey kiddo,
      If you are able to get supervised Youtube subscriptions I HIGHLY suggest watching Donna Hill or Service Angel Percie!! These two YouTube channels are very informational with training videos. I know Service Angel Percie has a patreon as well! So if you ever find a prospect you can subscribe to her and get specific and in depth training videos!

      Good luck and I wish you well!

      Reply
    • AJ Last says: August 4, 2020

      Hey 🙂 Apartment living, especially with many other animals and family members, isn’t often best environment for a service dog. I would do a lot of research now, write down everything you’re learning, and prepare for training or obtaining a service dog when you are older and have the means to care for the animal.

      Reply
  7. Donna Quinn says: November 23, 2019

    I have PTSD and I am not a Veteran. My dog chose me when I went to the shelter and she has naturally served min e well. She knows when I’m about to Flip out. She comes to lick my hand to calm me down, she brings comfort and when I go in public I meet people and I get out of my house more. She helps me when I go out in public. She is a natural PTSD dog with no training and has sensed what her owner needs and knows her purpose to her owner. A person with PTSD is A service Dog not just a emotional support animal. They truly service their owner with a purpose.

    Reply
  8. Mackenzie Edgar says: November 12, 2019

    Hi I been dealing with depression and ptsd, my one year old dog benelli has gotten me through so much. My parents kicked out of the house and I’m 17 years old. i Am still going to school and working and I’m not making enough money to make enough food for me But I. Make sure she is spoiled. What can I do?

    Reply
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