Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disabilities that can affect daily life in a variety of ways. Individuals struggling with depression can find it more difficult to manage routines, maintain focus, and handle certain situations.
While a wide range of treatment options are available for depression, many wonder about the use of service animals for this common psychiatric disability. After all, service dogs can help individuals with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative disorders, and many other mental disabilities; why not depression? This makes many seek an answer to the question, can you get a service dog for depression.
In this article, we will provide a clear answer to this frequently asked question about the use of service dogs for different psychiatric disabilities. Continue reading to the end to learn if you can use a service dog to treat or manage depression.
Can You Get a Service Dog for Depression?
Depression is one of the covered psychiatric disabilities for assistance animals, according to this US Service Animals guide, as well as the federal Americans with Disabilities guidelines.
Therefore, yes, you can get a service dog for depression. Although the use of service dogs for this condition isn’t as widespread as it is for other mental disabilities, they play an important role in the lives of thousands who rely on their service dogs for depression to live a better life.
Service Dog for Depression Tasks
Below is an overview of tasks that service dogs trained for depression can perform to benefit their handlers struggling with the symptoms of depression.
Task Initiation
A service dog for depression can be trained to recognize instances where the handler isn’t doing anything and initiate them to begin a task like going out by repeatedly nudging them or other means like pawing. This task, although very simple, can help the handler get out of bed and initiate their daily routine.
Medication Reminders
People diagnosed with depression often take medication to manage their condition. However, it is also common for people with depression to be forgetful about their medication, which is what a service dog for depression can help with. A service dog can remind the handler to take medication after an alarm goes off or at a specific part of the day, like after waking up, during breakfast, or after dinner.
Interrupting and Redirecting Harmful Behaviors
People with depression may engage in harmful behaviors, such as staying in bed for long periods or not leaving home, which a service dog can recognize. Upon recognizing such behaviors, a service dog for depression can then redirect their behavior by nudging, pawing, or bringing their harness until they go for a walk.
How to Get a Service Dog for Depression
The process of getting a service dog isn’t the same as for emotional support animals. You don’t need to obtain a document from your provider that states your need for a service animal. Anyone with a diagnosed disability can start using a service dog. This not only applies to depression and other psychiatric disabilities but also to any type of disability.
Without any documentation requirement, you can work with a professional dog trainer to have a service dog trained for your disability. It is also perfectly legal to train your own service dog for depression, which can be easier compared to a mobility assistance service dog or a PTSD service dog. If you choose to do this, however, work with a professional trainer to guide you or use training resources from reputable organizations.
Can You Get a Service Dog for Depression Without a Diagnosis?
The above refers to individuals who have been diagnosed by a mental health professional, but what about those who think that they have depression, but don’t have a formal diagnosis? Since the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that an individual have a disability, and you can’t legally have one without a formal diagnosis, you technically cannot get a service dog for depression.
Sure, you can “get” a service dog that’s trained for depression tasks, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get the full legal protections given to service animals. In the event that you’re asked to demonstrate your need for a service dog, you will require a diagnosis. If you can’t prove this, it can lead to facing legal consequences.
Understanding if a Service Dog Depression Is for You Before Getting One
Service dogs can help individuals with depression by performing a variety of tasks and being loyal, loving companions. While there’s no doubt that they are highly effective in managing and treating depression, it is essential to understand if a service dog is for you before investing your time, effort, and money into getting one.
After all, they are dogs that require care like any other dog, which can be difficult for someone diagnosed with depression to meet at times, especially without a good support system around. Before taking steps to get a service dog for depression, speak to your mental health provider about this. After evaluating your symptoms and circumstances, they can help you determine if adding a service dog to your treatment plan would be a beneficial move.
