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PSD COMMUNITY
Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) Awareness Quilt
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| Many do not realize that Service Dogs assist people with a variety of disabilities. The purpose of the Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) Awareness Quilt is to raise consciousness about the work of Psychiatric Service Dogs, in particular. PSD mitigate the effects of mental health disability by alerting handlers in advance of panic or anxiety attacks and ‘grounding’ those who are prone to disassociation. To this end, PSD are extremely effective at helping those diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Dissociative ‘flashbacks’ can be terribly frightening for an individual and tactile stimulation with one’s PSD during a flashback helps re-integrate the individual to proper time and place. For those who are at risk of walking into moving traffic during a dissociative episode, a PSD may be trained to prevent such dangerous behavior. |
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| For persons with mood disorders, PSD may alert to hypomanic, mixed or depressive mood states. Given the exquisite olfactory capabilities of dogs, in general, a PSD that is trained to its handler’s usual range of behaviors, attitudes, and dispositions will notice change and manifest idiosyncratic behavior when the handler’s physiology changes prior to a major mood shift. Such advance notice affords the handler a reasonable opportunity to intervene before s/he has lost critical mental faculties. Early intervention is the key to success in managing labile mood states with medication and cognitive approaches. |
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| PSD partnership is profoundly changing lives and restoring individuals’ abilities to function in the community. Thus, it is with great sadness that we observe the efforts of some groups to marginalize the work of PSD by referring to them as ‘emotional support dogs’ or ‘comfort dogs’ that are not eligible for full public access rights. We know these groups lack a comprehensive understanding of how PSD work for us simply because they do not grasp the abstract terrain of mental illness. Fortunately, the law is on our side and we aim to keep it that way. |
| In regards to the quilt, PSD handlers are making patches with representations of their dogs and statements about how their dogs have changed their lives. If you are a PSD handler and would like to create a patch for the quilt in recognition of your dog’s assistance, please write to Nancy and she will provide you with easy instructions. There is also a supporter patch banner under construction whereby members of the public who support PSD can sign their name and show their support. Please write to Nancy if you are interested in adding your name to the supporter patch banner. |
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| The quilt will be available for viewing at selected outreach events of the Psychiatric Service Dog Society. When the quilt has completed its job of educating the public, it will be auctioned-off to support the ongoing work of the Society. |
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© 2008 Psychiatric Service Dog
Society
Disclaimer: Material on this website is provided for educational purposes only.
Consult your own physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with
respect to your symptoms or medical condition.
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