Are German Shepherds Good Psychiatric Service Dogs
Yes, German Shepherds can be good psychiatric service dogs. In fact, many people rely on this breed for a variety of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
However, not all GSDs are equally suitable. Every dog must be evaluated, selected, and trained to ensure they can meet the specific needs of their handler.
What Are Service Dogs
The Americans with Disabilities Act gives dogs used in support of people with disabilities protections not offered to other pets. Trainers teach service animals to assist individuals with physical disabilities, while a psychiatric service animal helps those with mental health conditions. As of 2011, the only animals approved as service animals under the ADA are dogs.
German Shepherd Rescue Of The Rockies
- Location: Colorado
This non-profit organization in Colorado rescues homeless and abandoned German shepherds. They use foster homes to house the dogs while they are checked by vets and coaxed back to health. Then they are adopted by loving families across the state!
If you are located in Colorado, you must go check out the dogs available on their website. You can also donate to GSROR to help support costs for feeding, vet checks, placement, transportation and more for the German shepherds.
If you want to volunteer, were sure theyd be happy to hear from you too!
Petfinder is kind of like a Facebook for shelter dogs its where you can find dogs up for adoption from all over the USA. Different shelters and organizations list German shepherds on the site, for you to search through. You can select age, location, and filter down the list until you find your perfect pooch.
But just because Petfinder makes it easy to discover dogs in your area, doesnt mean you can skip the research. Youll need to thoroughly research and go through the adoption process with the shelter that advertises through Petfinder, not with Petfinder themselves.
If you havent seen a shelter on our list that serves your state, Petfinder is a great place to start researching who is up for adoption in your local area!
German shepherds are loyal and energetic, but theres more to them than just days filled with walkies.
Recommended Reading: How Much Should My German Shepherd Eat A Day
Are German Shepherds Suitable For Psychiatric Assistance
As mentioned, doctors and psychiatrists are focusing on how service dogs can help individuals suffering from mental health issues.
It is still a relatively new field, and dogs have been found to help with specific disorders.
Since research is still being conducted in this area, such service dogs aren’t all that common.
In some circumstances, people may have to face a few more barriers before they can be approved for a service dog for their mental health.
Despite this hesitance, the dogs have been found to help. They can reduce symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks.
As with physical disabilities, psychiatric assistance pups are trained to perform tasks according to their owner’s diagnosis.
So, what exactly is it that these service dogs are supposed to do? And are German Shepherds suitable for such tasks?
Well, one of their main tasks is to provide their owners with tactile stimulation and reduce anxiety.
The dogs can also be trained to nudge or paw their human when they have disassociated.
Or when they need to be brought back to the present. They can also help to reduce undesirable or harmful behaviors.
And for individuals suffering from PTSD or anxiety, their service dogs can act as a barrier they will prevent other individuals from making unwanted contact.
As this is still a somewhat new area for service dogs, there are some mixed opinions about how German Shepherds will fare with psychiatric assistance.
Obtaining Your Fernbrook German Shepherd
In addition to sending in an application request, you can call us to consult and let us know what you are looking for in a German Shepherd Service dog or puppy.
We provide generous discounts to American Veterans, Emergency First Responders, disabled persons needing German Shepherd Service dogs, and other persons in need that may have a special circumstance.
Follow Us
Read Also: How To Train German Shepherd To Heel
Our Favorite German Shepherd Dog Names
Weve browsed through hundreds of shelter German shepherds and here are some of the most popular names. If you get to rename the dog you adopt, consider these options.
- Teddy, Joey, Ollie, Nala great puppy names! For those sweet, furry German shepherd pups, these cute names are perfect.
- Max, Boomer, Katya, Tanner, Ella popular names for adult German shepherds at the moment. Pick a name that shows their energetic and loyal nature.
- Bruno, Josie, Archie, Ralphie, Mason even the most mature German shepherd shelter dogs need a loving and adorable name! We love these choices.
There are also many different German shepherd cross breeds. Weve seen huskie, corgi, terrier, and great pyrenees mixes, just to name a few! This gives you a wide range of doggie personalities to choose from, so many more names will be suitable.
Just dont forget that some shelter dogs may already be attached to a name, especially if theyre senior.
What name would you pick for an excited German shepherd pup? Let us know in the comments below!
Also Read:
Therapy Dog Training And Certification
Some places require official certification before you and your dog can volunteer together. Organizations such as the Alliance of Therapy Dogs provide training and certification. Typically these programs involve a training course, test, and monitoring during the first few volunteer visits.
Once your German Shepherd has therapy dog certification, you may be able to access opportunities to volunteer with national organizations such as the Red Cross. You may be able to find a local organization that offers therapy dog training and certification. If youre interested in volunteering at a specific facility, try asking them if they work with a particular therapy dog organization.
Don’t Miss: German Shepherd Puppies For Sale Buffalo Ny
Why Choose A German Shepherd As A Service Dog
A German Shepherd is a hard-working breed that loves pleasing their owner and is so smart they can problem-solve on their own. These qualities and more make them outstanding service dogs for anyone that may need some extra assistance to lead a normal life.
Whether you want one for yourself or your child, or simply looking for a way to make a difference in the world by training service dogs, the German Shepherd wont disappoint.
What Traits Make A Good Emotional Support Dog
Not all dogs make good emotional support dogs. There are certain traits that make a dog more suitable for the role than others.
To be an effective emotional support dog, the following traits are must haves:
- Calm and gentle: If youre suffering from low energy, a dog with a more calm temperament might be more suitable for you than one who is always excitable and running around.
- Loyal: A loyal dog who sticks with and is willing to please you is an ideal emotional support companion.
- Friendly: A friendly dog is just a joy to be with. Since you will be taking her to places with you, its essential that shes also friendly to strangers and other animals, too.
- Obedient: An emotional support dog must know how to obey basic commands.
- Consistent: Your dog must be consistently well-behaved especially when youre out in public and on flights. Unpredictable behavior may indicate that you probably cannot rely on your companion in adverse situations.
- Attentive: An attentive dog will be more attuned to your needs than one who has the tendency to be aloof.
- Patient and affectionate: Some dogs just dont like being showered with too much attention. If you think youd want to cuddle your dog for hours, she must be okay with receiving affection! It will also be more rewarding for you if your dog is the type who gives affection in return.
Recommended Reading: Can A Chihuahua And A German Shepherd Mate
Fernbrook German Shepherds Always Welcome Home
If you are displeased with you Fernbrook German Shepherd or later unable to care for him/her, you can return the German Shepherd to Fernbrook German Shepherds, LLC.
All of our German Shepherds are welcome back to Fernbrook German Shepherds LLC at any time for any reason.
When purchasing a German Shepherd from Fernbrook German Shepherds LLC, Buyer agrees they will not sell, give or release the GSD to pet shops, retail stores, dog dealers, animal testing facilities, research facilities, or an agent for any such business or facility.
If you have an AKC German Shepherd that you wish to donate to Fernbrook German Shepherds LLC for any reason, please contact us to consult. We often house, care for and provide for other German Shepherds in the event of misfortunes that have occurred in others lives.
Do Emotional Support Dogs Require Special Training For Qualification
Unlike psychiatric service dogs, emotional support dogs do not require specialized training to be qualified as such. Its important, however, that your emotional support dog is well-trained to know basic commands, so that youre equipped to handle her well especially in public settings. In the end, an emotional support dog is there to help you cope with lifes problems, not create them.
Don’t Miss: How Much Should A Female German Shepherd Weight
Types Of Work German Shepherds Can Perform
» 5 Types of Work German Shepherds Can Perform
The German Shepherd is a highly versatile working dog which is capable of being very successful with various different jobs, sports and activities. As a working dog, the German Shepherd is always happiest whenever its given some work to do. Whether its sport, service work or family activity this breed mainly thrives whenever its provided with proper mental and physical stimulation.
German Shepherd As Physical Therapy Service Dogs
GSDs are very obedient and if trained properly, they can be very sociable.
As PT service dogs, they can help patients needing physical therapy to recover quickly by simply engaging in a play.
A simple catch and fetch game can improve a patients mobility and regaining muscle strength. They can also help console people stricken by disasters or even liven up moods.
Read Also: When Do German Shepherds Start Shedding
Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue
- Location: Bay Area, California
This is a wonderful German shepherd rescue service on the west coast. They serve the Bay Area and surrounding areas in California, and they help rehome both German shepherds and Belgian Malinois dog breeds. They are look for adopters and foster homes at the moment. You can also donate to support this 100% volunteer organization.
If you do decide to foster with Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue, make sure your home is free of cats and small children to qualify. On average, each dog is adopted within 15 days!
- Location: Washington state, greater Pacific Northwest region
Located in Washington state and serving the entire greater Pacific Northwest region in the US, the Washington German Shepherd Rescue service is awesome! Besides rehoming loving pups that are in need, this rescue service also aims to reduce population overflow in existing shelters and educate pet owners on the importance of sterilizing pets and providing the best care possible.
If you arent ready to adopt or use your home as a foster home for dogs, you can also donate food and supplies as well as cash donations!
Americans With Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 and has helped people with disabilities obtain more rights, especially when referring to service animals. The act covers what service animals are, how they have to be trained, and more.
While diving into the laws can seem intimidating, knowing a little bit about how each one protects you or a loved one makes the process of registering a service dog easier. Additionally, youll be better equipped to handle situations or questions anyone asks you.
Also Check: German Shepherd Beagle Mix For Sale
What Is A Service Dog Vest And How Do I Get One
A certified service dog has gone through proper training and can, therefore, wear a vest that identifies them as such. This vest allows them to have access to nearly anywhere their human can go, even places like restaurants or plain cabin where animals are not normally allowed.
However, some people, who dont own a service dog, want to take their pet dog with them everywhere, too. So, they purchase a service dog vest for them and take them wherever they want. This is illegal and can cause some huge problems.
First and foremost, a dog that is not legitimately trained as a service dog could be a danger to other people or animals. Secondly, when a fake service dog misbehaves badly, it can cause store owners to ban all animals from their businesses, including legitimate service dogs.
Source: www.af.mil
As important as it is to not put a vest on a dog that isnt a service dog, you also need to identify a service dog as such. Putting your dogs vest on signals to them its time to work and lets others know the dog is working.
A working dog needs to stay focused. When your dog is wearing their vest, avoid:
- Allowing other people to pet, hug, or otherwise touch the dog
- Dogs or other animals interacting with the dog
- Encouraging the dog to play
It may be difficult, but youll need to be prepared to ask other people to not distract your dog while theyre wearing their vest. This will allow your service dog to do their job, and could even save your life.
How To Train Your Service Dog Gsd Service Dog Training Tips
- /ByShepped Team
Service animals help us in many ways during our daily lives.
Dogs are natural helpers and love to be of service and with the proper training, they can accomplish some pretty impressive feats from rescuing people from burning buildings to helping manage PTSD and depression.
Whether you want to do it for yourself or you want to give back to your community by training your GSD to become a service dog, its a wonderful and worthwhile thing to do.
In this article, youll learn more about what kinds of service animals are out there, why the German Shepherd is a particularly good breed to train to become a service dog and finally, youll get some tips for how you can start training your pooch to be a hero!
Contents
Also Check: How To Stop A German Shepherd From Barking
Types Of Service Dogs
Service dog: A service dog is the most common type and is the broadest category. A service animal can help with many things, so this category is dogs that provide support to someone who needs some form of physical assistance.
Psychiatric service dog: This special service dog assists people with mental disabilities. They have all the same rights as all the above mentioned service dogs, but undergo specialized service dog training to perform tasks their owner needs assistance with. These service dogs help with mental health issues rather than mobility issues. Someone who suffers from depression, anxiety attacks, PTSD, and more would likely benefit from a psychiatric service dog.
Therapy dog: A therapy dog is not a service dog, but instead a loyal pet that helps provide comfort to children or elderly people in a hospital or nursing home. They undergo some specialized training, including passing an American Kennel Club Good Citizen test, then visit sick children, adults, or people of any age to provide comfort.
Emotional support animal: An emotional support animal is a companion animal that provides emotional support to their owner. An emotional support dog does not undergo any specialized training and is not a service dog. Service dogs are ADA recognized, while emotional support dogs are just friendly pets that help their owner feel comfortable.
German Shepherds As Service Dogs: 7 Things You Should Know
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get compensated if you buy through these links this is at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclosure here.
Service dogs are back in the spotlight. This is because people are beginning to understand just how important these dogs can be for individuals with medical conditions or disabilities.
These days, service pups help out more than just people with visual impairments or physical ailments.
They are also increasingly being used to aid people diagnosed with psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more.
Now, how does this tie in with German Shepherds as service dogs?
While GSDs are best known for their roles as police and military dogs, they are actually one of the top picks for service breeds.
They can perform a wide variety of tasks for individuals who have been diagnosed with visual and hearing impairments, seizures, and a whole lot more.
Needless to say, service dogs have to be pretty special to help individuals in all areas of their lives.
In case you are wondering about what makes German Shepherds such good service dogs, this isnt a straightforward answer.
First, not all German Shepherds make good service dogs there is a myriad of factors that will determine whether or not a particular dog is cut out for this line of work.
Fortunately for you, you can delve deeper into this subject, below
Also Check: Best Canned Dog Food For German Shepherds
Program Training Vs Owner Training
Program training is when you get a professionally trained service dog assigned to you. Alternatively, you can sometimes request that your own dog is trained through the program. The benefits of this include:
- Higher success rate: Professional trainers literally do this for a living.
- Better understanding of whats needed: A professional will quickly realize if a dog is simply not suited to being a service dog. They will also better recognize when the dog is finished training or still learning .
Essentially, its easier to get a better-trained animal out of program training than it is out of owner training .
But that doesnt mean owner training is no good. If youve got the dedication and the willingness to spend a lot of time and effort not just training your dog but researching the techniques to train them well, you can get a very well trained dog out of it.
Here are some benefits of owner training:
If you arent sure which route you want to take, here are our basic recommendations:
- If you have no experience to train a dog any kind of tasks, we suggest program training if you really want to make sure you get results. Training is not easy and not everyone is suited to it. Its nothing to be ashamed of. It just means program training is probably better for you.
- If you have experience and you have the time and ability to dedicate yourself to training your own dog, we recommend doing it yourself. This lets you get the kind of customized results you want.