PSYCHIATRIC ASSISTANCE DOGS
ABOUT OUR PSYCHIATRIC ASSISTANCE DOG PROGRAM
In early 2024, Lions Assistance Dogs commenced development of the Psychiatric Assistance Dog program, making a life-changing impact on Veterans diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a psychiatric condition that affects people who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event. (1) As of 2024 it is estimated that the rate of PTSD affecting current ADF personal is 8%, with that number rising to 17.6% for ex-serving members. PTSD symptoms often start many years after the event and cause symptoms such as:
- reliving the event/s, sometimes in the form of flashbacks
- avoiding anything that reminds a person of the event/s
- having more negative thoughts and feelings than before the event/s, including anger, fear, shame and guilt
- feeling on edge or keyed up (2)
During training, Psychiatric Assistance Dogs must undergo and learn certain tasks to help their future recipients in dealing with their responses to PTSD. These tasks include placing a paw or two on their handler when they display a particular tic, pressing an emergency button in case of a dire situation where outside help is needed, when appropriate, jumping onto the lap of the handler for comfort in moments of distress, and retrieving dropped items—such as keys—and items of comfort placing them in their handler’s hands. These skills all come hand in hand with each other for the goal of interrupting anxious or anti-social behaviour where the Veteran may need a distraction to help regroup themselves back into the moment.
The second part of their training is public access; all Lions Assistance Dogs must pass a Public Access Test (PAT) prior to delivery, as well as an accreditation 3 months after delivery, and subsequently every two years. Each dog’s behaviour is closely assessed and monitored to ensure it is well-behaved and represented in all public environments.
Each Psychiatric Assistance Dog is provided to their recipient free of charge.
These specially trained dogs provide life-changing support by helping veterans manage symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. They provide emotional and psychological support, increased independence, improved sleep and routine, can reduce medication dependence and can assist their owners in distressing or dissociation crises. Our Psychiatric Assistance Dogs also go beyond this, through helping Veterans they help families, communities and even healthcare systems by reducing hospital visits and ultimately improving the quality of life.
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about the Psychiatric Assistance Dog program, please feel free to contact us.
Do you want to learn more about PTSD?
Department of Veteran Affairs – PTSD
Enquire about our program.
