Service Dogs for Autism, Depression, and Anxiety

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Welcome to the grown up world, after 18 you're not worth anything. And there is hardly any research on grown ups with autism since it is not "cute" to do research on adults.

I have a service dog.

I was having a terrible period last winter where my depression and anxiety was so bad that I almost dropped out of school. Then I found an organisation that trained so-called "psychiatric service-dogs", so not only autism but PTSD, bipolar etc. I still live at home and have wanted a dog before I even knew I had autism, but because this dog would be trained and then be allowed to live in student housing/apartments, my mum agreed, since I could take it with me when I moved away from home. Especially because when I was feeling really bad, I had a hard time even imagining moving out. The thought of a dog by my side helped tremendously.

Then a few months later I got Milo, a 15 month old shih tzu. It was very important that, since he was going to be a service dog, that he was very calm, friendly, no obvious fears, not very barky etc. And he is. Absolutely perfect. He is also very small, which is convenient since I live in a big city.

The organisation (Trinitas), doesn't offer you a dog that is fully trained. That is something you have to do yourself together with an assigned trainer. So Milo and I started at a normal dog school and then in August we're going to start working more with our trainer. Thankfully, he is very obedient and not much further training is needed. To become a psychiatric service dog that has the same 'rights' as other service dogs he has to pass a 'public test' which basically means that he has to be well behaving in public. Around loud noises, in trains, around other dogs, in shops, supermarkets (something we still need to train), restaurants and always be close to me and do as I tell him to. He has to be 2 years old, so we have to wait till january for him to pass the test. The test costs money, as does the training, at about 300 dkk (about 30 pounds/45 dollars) an hour. You can get a grant, but getting that, especially since I'm relatively high functioning, was just too complicated.

Milo has significantly improved my life. I can't imagine life without him, even though its only been 3 months. Before I got him, I never went outside if I didn't have to. Now I'm outside 3 times a day and walking so much each day. I sleep better and it has been so much easier to be around friends, because I'll just bring him and then we have something easy and fun to talk about. I have always had a difficult time shopping, and even though you do get some glances when he is wearing his vest, it is definetly going to be worth it.

If it is somehow avaliable in your country, as it is in Denmark, I highly highly recommend a service dog. I wouldn't even be surprised if I'm off my SRRI meds in a few month. He is the only medicine I need

Hi guys, I'm so sorry for the late reply. Life/ work/ trying to be a productive member of society got in the way.... *cue eyeroll here*

As for were I work, I do work in a classroom setting and getting my credential... but it's mostly to support myself as a writer / medical benefits and to keep a roof over my head. And strange as it is, people say I'm good at teaching/ working with kids. Maybe it's because I know school is a breeding ground for hate/ drama/ having your soul ripped into small pieces and stomped on over and over again. Point is, yes my job is stressful but being able to have an service dog there to help manage the stress (cause sorry sometimes calm breathing doesn't work and I can not leave my student or I will be in violation of his IEP, which means I can get fired) seems much better than being doped up to function. My goal eventually, if I'm able to get my writing off the ground, is to move over to maybe only teaching part time and focus on writing or support myself with writing alone. The state I work in, California, I think is a right to work state, but I do know of several teachers in my district who a) bring the dogs they train for Canine Companions to work or b) have their service dogs with them. (Made a boo boo and tried to pet the service dog... didn't realize it was a service dog until my mother told me after/ his handler didn't say anything >.< )

Considering I've suffered with depression for thirteen years now, I've learned how to function, much like some alcoholics do. It's not an ideal situation but I am working on becoming more balanced and whole without the use of medications. There's a lot more I could say to you for saying that without trying to understand / just making a blanket statement but yeah.... moving on

As for therapy... I wish I could get it. The insurance I have doesn't cover a lot of s**t/ therapist through them have at least.... 4 months in between appointments. As for training, I actually enjoy training. Much like teaching kids, I find training dogs or trying to in some cases, rather rewarding/ puts my aspie tendancies for research all the things like a good Ravenclaw to use.

Screenager, I really would love to have a service dog/ I am looking into it. The problem is figuring out how to bring it up to my family. We recently lost one of our two dogs ( I was walking them and he protected me/ got in the way of a rattle snake I didn't see and would've bitten me if it hadn't have been for the one who died) and are looking into getting a new dog. The only problem with this is, I fear, even if I try to start to train the dog for some service tasks, it will end up being my father's dog and I will get in trouble for doing so.

He is bipolar and physically disabled and is at home all day so our dogs are/ were close to him cause they always are/ were around him. The issue then becomes, how do I explain to my parents (who have been supportive with me trying to figure out getting diagnosed and stuff) that I think this is the best course of action for me? Granted, it'll take awhile as yes, I will have to get the dog, have at least 3,000 dollars for emergency vet care / emergencies, and money for what it needs / training. And reading your post about sleeping better, going out, being around people more = exactly what I want/ I want the freedom to not feel like I'm being judged for walking around a store like a normal human being / actually not cancel at the last minute due to anxiety, etc. So again, the question comes how do I explain that to my family?

Again y'all sorry for late reply.

I think if you're still guilt prone, the dog is going to rouse you, to make you do things.

But, it's possible to be past that point.

Preach. And let's be clear, there have been testimonies of people who have moderate - severe depression who have gotten animals who have helped them and made them a better person/ help get better.

Also your dog is very cute. I can tell it's a sport/ hunter breed but I can't guess the exact breed >.<

Thanks very much. He's a British Springer (as in jumping) Spaniel. As a hunting breed, he likes to jump in sticker bushes and ponds, with that long hair, and I do have to interact with people, in public -- usually, in a positive way. This dog will prod, motivate, and pull you up a hill, when you thought you'd be watching tv.

(Breeder won't know my username.)
http://www.puppyfind.com/view_listing/? ... &adv_id=31

Awww I thought he was a type of Spaniel! Go me and my obsessive need to know animal breeds XD And I imagine it's soooo much fun getting those stickers out. One of our dogs had ears like yours and the stuff that would get caught in the hair, it was not fun. Ended up snipping a few mats out. And I can image he's a love bug/ a sweetie. And I will give them a look.


This is my family's little Jackhuahau (Jack Russell/ Chihuahua mix) and she is a spitfire. She will let you know when she wants something and you better get it for her now. She's the diva of the house. I know for sure, I'm looking into the Spaniel family for a possible service dog. Personally I was thinking of going with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as they go up to people and would make me be social/ help me work on the social anxiety aspect.

I read that Chihuahuas were considered therapeutic, because of their extra warm body temp (in the right climate). They would be held against the body.

Springers are used, in Britain, as police dogs, probably because of their friendly temperament. He hides, behind me, when there are children, he doesn't know. When he knows them, there is no fear of bites. He doesn't hurt the little, aggressive, terrier mix, where we live. They play, energetically, and he lets her win.

Their energy can be a driving force in your life, or it can be destructive, if you don't provide an outlet. They're going to make you do something, if you're borderline sedentary. If you can't cope, at all, or are immobile, a working breed's going to get neurotic and possibly cause property damage.

I definitely do hold her like my baby sometimes/ make her lay on my chest to give me some deep pressure.

And that's actually good to know. I thought they used Shepherds like we do in the states. And he sounds like a sweetie. And even though my mix doesn't have as much energy as yours, she does use it for destruction if I don't pay attention to her or love on her/ give her what she needs.