Mental Health Assistance Dogs

Very worthwhile!

I am signing this as I believe strongly in the need to recognise, maintain and create appropriate and beneficial human-companion animal relationships...however I am passionate that 'emotional support dogs' ie not only trained assistance dogs for mental health should be recognised.

I had to give up my beloved dog who was my emotional assistance dog when I was being made homeless. I had a nervous break down and have never been the same since. It really affects people and some people could really benefit from an emotional assistance dog.

pepsi gives me a reason to get up in the morning, i would love not be so dependent on family. Friends don't come into it as they all disappeared Janet Rankin

I had never thought of an assistance dog before then when she was 8 months old, our whippetcrossed with border collie came and sat on my lap and wouldnt leave me as i was having a panic attack. i am ashamed to say I screamed at my daughter to get rid of that bloody dog so many times but she hasnt held it against me. i dont know what i would do without her. All the doggy kisses when I am crying no one knows how it feels someone loves you unconditionally.

I have a dog and since having her I have found that if I have her with me I can leave the house without having to have my sister or husband with me, I have also been able to review and reduce my medication with my GP. If my dog was to be given the opportunity to be trained and registered so she can accompany me on holiday and family trips as well as shopping it would enable me to be more independent and less dependent on my family. Please recognise that she is a resource as part of my treatment plan thus saving the NHS resources.

I'm amazed this isn't already affiliated with Assistance Dogs UK! The sooner the better!!

I've had depression and social anxiety since around 14, got my first dog at 17 and the various dogs in my life have helped me more than I can ever express. If it wasn't for my dogs I probably wouldn't get out of bed let alone leave the house, if I could take them shopping or other places I can't now, it would improve life for me and many other people with hidden unseen health problems. Others have said how I feel so much more eloquently.

I've had depression and social anxiety since around 14, got my first dog at 17 and the various dogs in my life have helped me more than I can ever express. If it wasn't for my dogs I probably wouldn't get out of bed let alone leave the house, if I could take them shopping or other places I can't now, it would improve life for me and many other people with hidden unseen health problems. Others have said how I feel so much more eloquently.

This service is badly needed in uk

Only just found this web site I give it 100% support we have Had to train our own labradoodle for my partner who has post traumatic stress disorder with help from a army dog trainer who also suffers from the same problem our problem is how to get the dog recognised as a trained assistance dog

I am seventeen years old and have suffered with severe anxiety for about 2 years, I dropped out of school and have missed out on so much things that my friends are doing that I cannot, I rarely leave my house, probably about once a month at the most, I refuse to turn 18, such a huge time of my life, and still be stuck in this small flat not living everyday as I should be doing, I'm miserable, and there is nothing that would help me more than my own dog who would walk by my side and keep me strong, as at the moment, for the past year I have not been able to leave the house without my mum. Will be wishing everyday that one day i will have my mental health service dog by my side walking with confidence.

this service needs to be set up as so many ppl including myself would benefit from it..ive been trying for years to get my dog registered with no joy yet...i cant leave my home alone without my dog or someone with me & i cant go.in to public areas with my dog so im stuck & left to struggle alone...

Assistance dogs could transform the life of many mentally ill people. Why is it that the needs of the mentally disabled always the last to be recognised.

I have type 2 bi polar disorder and paranoid personality disorder also have borderline personality disorder and struggle with daily trip to town and even to the shop around the corner. I have no friends and even struggle meeting with family.i think this would be a great idea to help with my problem as I don't have anyone I can turn to in a crisis which is most days.

right now I am in a dark place I have a 2yr old bichon daisy were it not for her I would have finished this misery.she is the light of my life and I would attempt to take her out but she is not allowed the places I need help from

I myself suffer with mental health and would benifit greatly from such a programme

This is a really great idea that would benefit many.

When I found out that Psychiatric Assistance dogs existed I finally thought there was something that might help me, I had hope that I could get support. Sadly, living in the UK I cannot get this support, maybe this would be less bad if there was any replacement service that worked!

Iv got bad mental health problems if it wasn't for my dog lucy I don't no what I would do