Anxiety and panic attacks can be debilitating for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. These conditions can affect daily life and make it challenging to perform even simple tasks. Psychiatric assistance dogs can provide a great source of support and help individuals cope with their anxiety and panic attacks. In this blog post, we will discuss how psychiatric assistance dogs can help calm the storm of anxiety and panic attacks.

Understanding Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anxiety and panic attacks are two different conditions that can often be experienced together. Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry, or fear about a specific situation or future event. Panic attacks, on the other hand, are sudden and intense episodes of fear that can come on without warning. Symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can include:

• Racing heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Sweating

• Nausea

• Trembling or shaking

• Feeling of impending doom or danger

Anxiety and panic attacks can have a significant impact on an individual's life. These conditions can affect their ability to work, socialize, and perform daily tasks. The constant fear of having a panic attack can lead to avoidance behaviors, which can further limit their daily activities.

How Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Help with Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Psychiatric assistance dogs are trained to perform tasks that help individuals cope with their anxiety and panic attacks. These dogs are trained to recognize the signs of an impending anxiety or panic attack and provide comfort and support to their handler. Here are some of the ways that psychiatric assistance dogs can help calm the storm of anxiety and panic attacks:

1. Alerting

Psychiatric assistance dogs can be trained to alert their handler when they sense an impending anxiety or panic attack. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and can detect changes in their handler's body odor or breathing patterns. When the dog senses these changes, they can alert their handler by nudging them, pawing at them, or licking their face. This alert can give their handler time to take preventive measures to avoid or mitigate the attack.

2. Deep Pressure Therapy

Deep pressure therapy is a technique that involves the dog applying pressure to their handler's body. The pressure can be applied by leaning or laying against their handler, providing a calming and reassuring presence. This pressure can help regulate the handler's breathing and heart rate, which can help them feel more relaxed and calm.

3. Tactile Stimulation

Tactile stimulation is another technique that can help calm individuals experiencing anxiety or panic attacks. Psychiatric assistance dogs can provide tactile stimulation by nudging or licking their handler's hand. This stimulation can be soothing and can help the handler feel more grounded and connected to the present moment.

4. Retrieving Medication

For individuals who require medication to manage their anxiety or panic attacks, psychiatric assistance dogs can be trained to retrieve their medication. When the dog senses that their handler is experiencing an attack, they can retrieve the medication and bring it to their handler. This task can be especially helpful for individuals who may have difficulty locating or reaching their medication during an attack.

5. Providing a Sense of Security

Psychiatric assistance dogs can also provide a sense of security for their handler. Dogs are naturally protective animals, and their presence can help their handler feel more secure and protected in public spaces. This sense of security can be especially beneficial for individuals who may feel vulnerable or anxious in public places.

Training Psychiatric Assistance Dogs for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Training psychiatric assistance dogs to help individuals with anxiety and panic attacks requires specialized training methods. The training process involves teaching the dog to recognize the signs of an impending attack and to perform specific tasks to help their handler cope with the attack. Here are some of the steps involved in training psychiatric assistance dogs for anxiety and panic attacks:

1. Acclimating the dog to the handler’s environment: The first step of training involves getting the dog used to being around the handler and their environment. This includes familiarizing them with their living space, introducing them to new people and places, and teaching them how to respond to various cues.

2. Teaching basic obedience: Once the dog is comfortable in their handler’s environment, it’s time to teach them basic obedience. This includes commands such as “sit”, “down”, and “come”.

3. Training for specific tasks: Next, the handler works with the dog to train them to fulfill specific tasks related to their anxiety and panic attacks. These can include alerting the handler to an oncoming attack, providing comfort by snuggling up close, or pawing the handler when they sense a rise in stress levels.

4. Reinforcing positive behaviors: Finally, it’s important to reinforce positive behaviors through rewards and praise. This helps to solidify the behaviors in the dog’s mind, so they can call on them when needed. A reward system of treats and verbal praise go a long way in communicating that good behavior will be rewarded. With this kind of positive reinforcement, support dogs are able to respond more quickly and accurately to their handler’s needs. Support dogs can even be trained to recognize and respond to a variety of commands, which can make living with anxiety more manageable. 

5. Regular check-ins: In addition to the training mentioned above, regular check-ins with a certified dog trainer or animal behaviorist can help ensure that the support dog is making progress in the right direction. Whether it’s a one-time consultation or regular check-ups, these professionals can help to ensure that the dog is meeting their handler’s needs and receiving the proper training as needed. This can greatly reduce the time it takes for a support dog to reach its full potential. 

Conclusion

The right support dog, with the proper training and regular check-ins can be an invaluable tool to help people living with anxiety. By providing companionship, physical comfort, and a sense of security, these animals can make life more manageable for those that need it most. With the right guidance and resources, anyone who is looking for a four-legged friend can find the perfect companion in a support dog. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to learn more about support dogs, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to help you achieve your goals and unlock the full potential of your new companion.