Service Dogs Blog Post

For my blog post, I chose to further my previous post on the therapeutic approach of having a service dog to help address trauma. The therapeutic approach to addressing the impact of trauma that I originally chose was service dogs. The purpose of having a service dog for someone with trauma is to help aid them in times where the owner’s symptoms prevent them from being able to do a task. For instance, some of the more basic services that these dogs can provide are, “to guide a disoriented handler, find a person or place, conduct a room search, signal for certain sounds, interrupt and redirect, assist with balance, bring help, bring medication in an emergency, clear an airway, and identify hallucinations” (Rousseau, 2022). Service dogs not only help people with PTSD, but can help people with all different types of disorders, whether from trauma or other similarly mentally altering experiences. They are also commonly used for people who are blind, for those who have seizures, and for those with severe anxiety, from what I have witnessed.

Some people prefer to have their service dogs where a vest, so that people do not try and pet or distract the dog from doing its task (servicing his/her owner). These vests tend to say things like “working dog”, “do not pet”, or “service animal”, etc. in hopes that people will leave the animal be while it is actively working. It is crucial that service dogs stay completely focused on their task while they are “on duty”. However, some people have used the term “service animal” lightly and as an excuse to be able to bring their dog(s) from home and into stores with them. This could especially be concerning if the fake service dog reacts to the real service animal, and in turn, distracts the service dog from staying focused. 

Although service dogs are great for aiding people with trauma, they are in no way capable of completing relieving one of the symptoms that they experience. Unfortunately, none of the therapeutic approaches addressing trauma can guarantee to completely cure someone of their trauma, but they most certainly can help a great deal. Overall, these dogs focus on ways to support their person before, during, and after a trigger may occur. In some instances, a service dogs actions could be the difference between life or death for someone who cannot get the help for themselves. Service dogs are very effective for many people who have trauma, and they can make for a great therapeutic approach in addition to other forms of therapy.

As mentioned before, even for people that are not diagnosed with PTSD, but who have mental health related issues, service dogs can be great. Additionally, other types of animals can be just as therapeutic, as we are continuing to learn about the benefits of animals with mental health. I personally have met people who struggled with trauma or their mental health, and had a service animal other than a dog. Although the animal may not be able to do certain tasks that a dog could, not everyone has the same opportunities to own a dog. Therefore, other (smaller) animals are still helpful in providing that 24/7 comfort to someone who struggles with their mental health and may need in order to function throughout their day.

References:

Rousseau, D. (2022). Module 4: Pathways to Recovery: Understanding Approaches to Trauma Treatment. Blackboard

By: Cameron Kunkle

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3 comments

  1. Hi Cam!
    This is an interesting post! I was wondering if you knew any situations in which someone would not want to label their dog as a service animal even if it was? Also, a lot of people I knew during the Covid-19 lockdown were getting pets as a way to comfort themselves when they couldn’t go hang out with friends or family. Do you know any research that shows if this is effective in helping during times of stress, anxiety, or even loneliness?

  2. Enjoyed your post. We use a therapy dog at our Child Advocacy Center and will sometimes use them in court. You mentioned the vests that they wear. It’s funny how our dog Hayward is all business when the vest is on, but the minute you take the vest off, he’s as playful as a puppy.

  3. Hi Cameron. I also expanded my treatment approach post, just like you. I just got a puppy and will work to make him a psychiatric service dog. It does take a lot of work, but it will be so rewarding to have a 4 legged friend who recognizes my triggers even before me and that it can help with them.

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