Noel's Puppy Power

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I always do a great deal of research with any book and I'd like to share some of what I found here courtesy of Psychiatric Service Dog Society

Tasks Psychiatric Service Dogs can be trained to do for their handler.

• Assist handler within their home.
• Assist handler in places of public accommodation (e.g. grocery stores, shopping malls, public transportation, and etc.).
• Remind their handler to take medication.
• Wake handler for school or work.
• Assist in coping with emotional overload by bringing handler into the “here and now.”
• Provide a buffer or a shield for the handler in crowded areas by creating a physical boundary.
• Extinguish flashbacks by bringing handler into the here and now.
• Orient during panic/anxiety attack.
• Stand behind handler to increase feelings of safety, reduce hyper-vigilance, and decrease the likelihood of the handler being startled by another person coming up behind them.
• Search dwelling
  
  
  Such benefits are inherent in the human-canine relationship and often include:

• Relief from feelings of isolation.
• An increased sense of well-being.
• Daily structure and healthy habits.
• An increased sense of security.
• An increased sense of self-efficacy.
• An increased sense of self-esteem.
• An increased sense of purpose.
• Mood improvement, and increased optimism.
• A secure and uncomplicated relationship.
• A dependable and predictable love, affection and nonjudgmental companionship.
• Motivation to exercise.
• Encouragement for social interactions.
• Reduction in debilitating symptoms.
• Greater access to the world.
• Around the clock suppo