Service Dogs for Anxiety

It is hard to fight feelings of anxiety, and they can blossom into a full-blown, debilitating panic attack. A professionally trained service dog can be a helpful partner for a person who suffers from anxiety.

  1. Significance

    • Service dogs for anxiety are recognized under the American Disabilities Act, allowing them to go into any public situation with a partner, including an airplane.

    Identification

    • Service dogs are trained to recognize symptoms of anxiety and respond to the situation. The dog will focus on his human partner and lead the person away from a stressful situation.

    Function

    • A service dog for anxiety is a working companion that is trained to distract a person during an anxiety attack. The dog can turn on a light, give a calming touch, remind the person to take medication and check a room when entering it.

    Protection

    • Observant companion

      A service dog will stand between the partner and another person to diminish any feeling of threat, which is especially effective for those with post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

    Expense

    • The first year of veterinarian service and intense training with a handler for a service dog for anxiety will cost in the area of $3,000 to $4,000. Yearly expenses will be in the $2,000 range.