Who We Serve

Rescuing dogs... To rescue people

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WHO WE SERVE

While we train Service Dogs for a wide spectrum of invisible disabilities, our primary areas of concentration include (but are not limited to) providing Service Dogs to:

  • Those on the Autism Spectrum
  • Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Individuals with Depression
  • Individuals with Anxiety
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Schizophrenia
  • Agoraphobia

WE HONOR OUR VETERANS

Many of our young men and women returning from the Middle East struggle with adjusting to their pre-combat lives. For some, the trauma they experienced while serving our country does not fully go away, and they suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD symptoms are similar to other mental or emotional disability symptoms, but are triggered by exposure to actual or threatened death or serious injury. To be diagnosed as PTSD, symptoms must be present for longer than one month and may include the following:

  • Recurrent distressing memories of the traumatic event(s)
  • Recurrent distressing dreams related to the traumatic event(s)
  • Flashbacks in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were recurring (may include complete loss of awareness of surroundings)
  • Intense physical or psychological response to cues that symbolize or resemble the traumatic event(s)
  • Avoidance of distressing memories or external reminders that trigger memories of the traumatic event(s)
  • Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event(s) (dissociative amnesia)
  • Persistent, exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world
  • Persistent, distorted thoughts about the cause or consequences of the event, including blaming oneself
  • Persistent negative emotional state (may include irritability or angry outbursts)
  • Markedly diminished interest in significant activities
  • Feelings of detachment from others
  • Reckless or self-destructive behavior
  • Hypervigilance (always being on one’s guard)
  • Easily startled
  • Problems concentrating
  • Persistent inability to experience positive emotions

If you or someone you know is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, please contact our office to learn the benefits of having a Psychological Service Dog. We are so grateful to you for serving our country!

Support for other military family members is available through the Center for the Healing Arts. Please visit our staff page or contact us to find a therapist that is right for you.

DO I QUALIFY FOR A SERVICE DOG?

The psychotherapists at Center for the Healing Arts are exceedingly qualified to perform a psychological evaluation to determine if you qualify. If you are interested in including a Psychological Service Dog in your life, please call 407-657-8555 ext. 1 for more information on this process.

SERVICE DOG ABILITIES

Our dogs are trained to alert, assist and respond to a variety of disabilities.

DISABILITY

PRESENTING SYMPTOMS

ABILITIES

Panic Attacks

Feeling of terror; Chest pains;
racing heart
Soothe handler with nudges
Lead handler to safe place

Social Phobia

Nervousness in public; startled
response;
Shortness of breath
Lean into handler reassuringly
Assess danger
Attention on handler with soothing nudges and
forced petting

Clinical Depression

Feelings of suicide; sadness;
feelings of isolation
Soothing nudges, forced petting
Nudging face, leaning into handler
Offering affection

Agoraphobia

Fear of leaving house; shortness
of breath; fear of being in public
Inspects public surroundings and
offers reassurance to handler

Attention
on handler by seeking touch
Stays with handler and encourages attention

Obsessive Compulsive

Repetitive compulsive behavior;
repetitive thoughts; anxiety
Interruption of behavior and
thoughts by forcing the handler to focus on dog; encouraged petting

Autism

Pacing; disassociating; anxiety Interruption of pacing by
encouragement of affection and reassurance

Psychological Service Dogs, Inc. offers assistance with all of the above challenges. If you do not see your specific condition listed, please call our office at 407-657-8555 ext. 1 for further assistance to explore all options.