The Benefits Of Service Dogs For Schizophrenia: A Unique Support Option

Various interventions may be supportive for people living with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. Since one singular approach may not be effective for everyone, alternative options are often available. One of these options may be service dogs, which can serve as companions and perform specific tasks to help with schizophrenia symptoms. Before adopting a service dog, you can complete research and consider whether friends or loved ones may be able to help you care for the dog during times when symptoms are severe. While having a service dog can be a helpful form of support, professional treatment for schizophrenia is often necessary to improve symptoms.

What are service dogs? 

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog can be defined as a “dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Emotional support is not considered an eligible task. For a service dog to be able to enter public spaces, they must be trained to complete specific physical tasks, such as medication retrieval, as well as be trained in obedience and public access.

Service dogs can support people with various disabilities, including physical disabilities like mobility challenges and psychological disabilities like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia. In general, psychiatric service dogs are trained by a trainer, service dog program, or their owner. A psychiatric service dog can support an individual with a mental illness, as opposed to a physical assistance dog, such as a guide dog. 

People with mental illnesses might also benefit from having an emotional support animal (ESA). This is generally a pet for which a person has been provided with a doctor's or therapist’s note so that they can live in non-pet-friendly housing. 

Emotional support animals usually differ from service animals. They can provide emotional support to someone with a disability, but they are not trained in specific tasks and are not permitted in public spaces like grocery stores without permission from the store owner. A psychiatric service animal is considered distinct from an ESA or therapy dog. 

How can service dogs benefit people with schizophrenia? 

A trained service dog can be a helpful companion for people with any mental illness. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 86% of pet owners report that their pets positively impact their mental health. Pets can offer companionship, a calming presence, and a reason to get up and do daily chores. Service dogs can offer similar benefits, as they typically live as pets while at home. However, they can also perform specialized tasks to further support people with mental illness. 

Individuals with schizophrenia often experience episodes of psychosis, which may involve symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. A service animal can support a person experiencing negative symptoms like social withdrawal, a lack of response to one’s environment, and difficulty practicing self-care. 

Service dog tasks for schizophrenia 

Each service dog and how they are trained tends to be unique to the handler. Dogs are normally trained on tasks based on what will most support the owner. For example, someone with severe hallucinations may require different forms of support than someone with disorganized behavior and anhedonia (a lack of positive emotion). Below are some potential service dog tasks for people with schizophrenia: 

• Medication reminders
• Medication retrieval 
• Reality testing (alerting to hallucinations) 
• Social interaction support
• Searching the room
• Finding support in an emergency 
• Interrupting hallucinations 
• Deep pressure therapy (DPT) 
• Guiding a handler to a safe person or location
• Grounding 

How to get a service dog

In the US, any dog can become a service dog, regardless of breed and size. Owners, trainers, or programs can offer psychiatric service dog training. Individuals can get a dog from a shelter, breeder, or program breeder. However, a specific type of temperament can be necessary when selecting a dog, as calm and easily trainable dogs are typically preferred.

Service dog programs

Service dog programs can be defined as programs and organizations that breed and train service dogs for individuals with disabilities. These programs generally train the dog for you and may include you in training sessions. 

Programs often come with a higher price tag, but scholarships may be available for some people, depending on the program chosen. After the dog has reached a year of age, is trained, and has practiced with the handler, they may be released to go home together. The program may check in to ensure the dog continues to follow training and is a good fit for the handler. 

Service dog trainers 

A service dog trainer usually offers training to a dog that the handler has adopted or purchased themselves. In general, a trainer does not provide intensive care, but may complete weekly sessions with the individual. As a dog is training, the dog typically wears a “Service Dog in Training” vest, which can identify the animal to the public. States often have different laws on how service dogs in training can access public spaces, so make sure to review these laws before going out alone or with a trainer. 

Owner training

An owner can train their own service dog as long as they can independently train obedience, public access, and tasks. Some individuals learn how to train these tasks via online videos, or they may take a class on service dog training. 

Individuals with schizophrenia may have difficulty training their own service dogs, as symptoms could interfere with the process. However, working with a caregiver, family member, or friend may be helpful. Some people prefer owner training for affordability, as the training tools are often low-cost. 

Important considerations 

Schizophrenia can be a severe mental illness. Therefore, some individuals living with this disorder may have difficulty caring for an animal. During active episodes, someone with schizophrenia may need to designate another person to check in and ensure the dog is receiving proper care. 

In some cases, a caregiver may handle the dog when the animal is off duty. People with schizophrenia may find themselves more capable of taking on the care of a dog when ensuring they have other resources available, such as medication and therapy.  

Medication is often considered the primary treatment for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Antipsychotic medications can reduce hallucinations and delusions to help people with schizophrenia focus on self-care and caring for a pet. 

Consult a medical doctor before starting, changing, or stopping a medication for any condition. The information in this article is not a replacement for medical advice or diagnosis.

Alternative support options 

A service dog can be beneficial alongside other treatment options, but this isn’t the only option available. Individuals may also benefit from speaking to a licensed therapist about their experiences with schizophrenia to learn coping techniques and receive advice for daily living. 

However, some people with schizophrenia may have difficulty reaching these services due to distance, financial struggles, or symptom severity. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be beneficial. Online platforms generally allow individuals to connect with therapists from home via phone, video, or live chat. Please note that individuals experiencing acute psychotic symptoms may require in-person support. 

Studies typically back up the effectiveness of online therapy for individuals with schizophrenia. One study published in 2015 found that individuals with schizophrenia who tried an online intervention group with their family members tended to have lower perceived stress and a higher perceived level of social support after three months of treatment.