Psychiatric service dogs make great companions for people who struggle with mental health disabilities. They’re trained to assist a specific person with a specific task, which can make them one of the most effective support options available.
That said, not every dog makes a good psychiatric service dog. This is because these dogs need to have high levels of emotional intelligence along with general intelligence to calm people down, deliver medications, and guide them to safety.
The good news is that we’re here to help. This article helps you find the best breeds for psychiatric service dogs.
What Is a Psychiatrist Service Dog?
A psychiatric service dog is a unique type of service dog that’s trained to assist people with specific mental health disabilities. For example, they may help someone who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) avoid triggers and get to safety if they have a panic attack.
These dogs can also help people who forget when it’s time to take medication, and some dogs are trained to apply deep pressure therapy (DPT) during panic attacks.
Unlike your average canine companion, psychiatric service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act allows them to enter most public spaces without question. They’re also protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The FHA allows them to live in otherwise non-pet-friendly housing, and the ACAA allows them to board most types of aircraft.
For service dog registration Myserviceanimal provides resources and assistance for those seeking proper documentation.
The 5 Best Breeds for Psychiatric Service Dogs
While every dog can be a great dog, not all dogs can be great psychiatric service dogs. For example, you don’t want an independent or difficult-to-train dog, like a husky, to be a psychiatric service dog.
What’s more, if someone needs a psychiatric service dog to help with some physical tasks, a stronger breed may be a better fit. To help you narrow your options, we cover the five best breeds for psychiatric service dogs below.
1. Golden Retriever
The golden retriever is a fan favorite in just about every category. These dogs are easy to train, kind, gentle, and emotionally intelligent. In fact, just having them around can ease some tension. What makes them great psychiatric service dogs is the fact that they can be trained to do just about anything.
Whether you need some physical assistance or help escaping from a crowd during a panic attack, golden retrievers are there to help.
2. Labrador Retriever
Like the golden retriever, the Labrador retriever is a great choice if you need a psychiatric service dog. These dogs work well because they’re big enough to handle most tasks and smart enough to learn a wide range of commands.
They’re also calm, gentle, and eager to please their human companions, which is the perfect temperament for a service dog. Labrador retrievers are also emotionally intelligent.
3. Poodles
Poodles have a reputation for being one of the smartest dog breeds around; don’t let their cute curls fool you. They can learn a wide variety of complex commands, and they have enough emotional intelligence to know when something is wrong.
Poodles also come in several different sizes, so they can fit in small apartments or be large enough to push your wheelchair.
4. Havanese
The Havanese is the perfect psychiatric service dog if you don’t have a lot of space or don’t need a big dog. While they’re only about 13 pounds when fully grown, they have big personalities and can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety just by being around you.
Plus, they’re able to learn deep pressure therapy and can assist with a wide range of tasks. For example, they’re smart and trainable enough to remind you when it’s time to take medication, or they can help you avoid triggers for some conditions.
5. Border Collie
The border collie is one of the most trainable dogs you can find. You can teach them just about anything, and they’re the perfect size to fit in just about any living situation. This is the perfect combination for someone who needs a service dog, especially if they rent from a landlord.
You’ll also find that border collies have advanced reasoning capabilities to help them jump in and assist you when necessary without being prompted.
Adopt the Best Breeds for Psychiatric Service Dogs Today
We only covered a handful of the best psychiatric service dogs, and you’ll find that dozens of breeds can be a good fit. While our list is a good place to start, feel free to branch out and consider other breeds that may better suit your needs. Overall, the main common denominators you want to look for include intelligence, emotional intelligence, and a calm temperament.
