UNC program to train shelter dogs as support animals in jeopardy :: WRAL.com
Tag: therapy dogs
fysw:
Carrie Fisher and Gary – Star Wars: The Force Awakens Premiere at Leicester Square on December 16, 2015 in London.
So, this is important. Carrie Fisher has an invisible illness and disability – severe mental illness – and she’s been really open about it. Open to the point where she has her service animal Gary out on the press tours.
Yeah, a service animal. Not a guide dog, a therapy dog. Fisher has almost died because of her illness – and the reason she could DO Star Wars is because she has accommodations that work for her.
Everyone is talking about how Gary has stolen the show – but he is *important*. He is working. He is what she needs to go out and do this shit.
Next time someone with a disability asks for you to do something simple to accommodate them I want you to think of this. This is Princess Leia and this is her accommodation for her illness.
There was a split second there where his like, “wait, what? bro what are you doing?”
On more serious note, PTSD dogs for veterans are so fucking therapeutic. They’re like the one person you can spill your guts to and never worry about ever being judged or have that secret divulged. There are times when I definitely prefer the company of a dog over a human.
Therapy animals save lives.
These dogs are even still so much more amazing. They check rooms before their handler enters, so they can clear it to help the person feel safe. Like in the gif, they are there when panic attacks or nightmares occur, to be something for the person to help ground themselves on, or yes just to turn on the lights. Even more amazing, many people are able to reduce their medication when they have a PTSD service dog there to help them. These dogs are useful for not just veterans, but also victims of abuse, accident trauma, natural disasters, and others. Their training allows them to be useful in situations where medical assistance is needed, as well. Some PTSD dogs are trained to recognize repetitive behaviours in handlers, and signal the handler to break the repetition and stopping the behaviour and possibly injury.
Service dogs in general are just awesome. Remember to respect any that you see out in public. They are not there for you to walk up to and play with, even the puppies!
Holding the Bowl 