WHAT IS A PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOG?
A psychiatric service dog is trained to perform specific tasks that help manage a mental health disability, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
Psychiatric service dogs are not emotional support animals. They are trained to perform specific tasks and are legally allowed in public spaces.
WHAT CAN A PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOG DO?
Interrupt & Ground
-
Interrupt panic attacks
-
Provide grounding during dissociation
Alert & Support
-
Alert to rising anxiety
-
Interrupt harmful behaviors
Safety & Independence
-
Create space in public
-
Retrieve help or medication
HOW ARE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOGS TRAINED?
At Medical Mutts, training focuses on:
-
Task-based support (not just comfort)
-
Public-access reliability
-
Positive reinforcement methods
-
Individualized training for each handler
-
Scent-based detection of rising anxiety and physiological changes
Our psychiatric service dogs are trained to detect early physiological changes, such as rising anxiety, using scent detection, allowing them to respond before symptoms escalate.
ARE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOGS RIGHT FOR EVERYONE?
Psychiatric service dogs can be life-changing, but they require:
Daily consistency
Active handling
Long-term commitment
They are not the right fit for everyone.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?
Psychiatric service dogs may be a good fit for individuals who:
Have a condition that impacts daily life
Would benefit from task-based support
Are able to actively participate in training and handling
WHY WORK WITH MEDICAL MUTTS
Specialized expertise
We focus exclusively on medical and psychiatric service dog training,
not pet training.
Scent-based detection
Our dogs are trained to detect early physiological changes, including rising anxiety
Rescue-based program
All of our dogs are selected from shelters and rescues, giving them a second chance.
Individualized training
Each dog is trained specifically for the needs of their handler.
Ongoing support
We continue supporting our clients long after placement
Replacement guarantee
If a match doesn't work out, we provide a replacement at no additional cost.
COST AND AVAILABILITY
You will not pay the full cost of your psychiatric service dog.
As a nonprofit, we cover a significant portion of the $30,000+ required to raise and train each dog through donor and grant support.
Cost
$15,000-$25,000
Every Client receives a scholarship
Wait time
6-24 months
Careful matching & training
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
-
Specialized task training tailored to your needs
-
Full public-access preparation
-
Veterinary care and daily handling
-
11 days of on-site team training
-
Ongoing support after placement
-
Replacement guarantee if the match does not work out
“I am an extremely grateful recipient of my second service dog from Medical Mutts. Every staff member has been incredibly helpful, kind, and dedicated to making sure my needs were met. The entire team works together to ensure the dogs are truly prepared for the people they serve. The trainers and staff are experts in their field.”
