Ewart W. Sanders Center for First Responders PSD Program

Medical Alert
Just as a dog can be trained to alert to seizures and other medical conditions, a dog can also be trained
to sense the changes in a person's body when they are beginning to have a panic attack, flash back,
anxiety attack, or other psychiatric condition. The dog is able to paw at the leg of their disabled recipient
and interrupt what would otherwise be a debilitating and destructive behavior for the individual. This
helps the handler to refocus on their dog and work through the problem.

Deep Pressure Therapy
Just as medical wraps are used to alleviate anxiety in persons with psychiatric conditions, dogs can be
trained to put the pressure of their body weight on their handler's lap and domen to physically, and
then mentally relieve anxiety and induce a sense of calm.

Boundary Control
When the individual suffers from anxiety due to the close proximity of others, or due to claustrophobia in
a crowded room, the dog can be trained to stand in between their handler and others to gain more
personal space. The dog is not being protective, but is simply following a simple cue from their handler to
move their body into the space surrounding their handler.

Corners
A frequent problem for those suffering from PTSD is to negotiate corners without the fear of what is
waiting on the other side. Our dogs can be trained to go around corners in front of their handler and
then alert their handler if there is someone waiting on the other side. Over time this form of therapy can
assist the disabled recipient when becoming more comfortable with going into public.

Signal Alert
There are many situations when a recipient will need to excuse themselves from a classroom or meeting
due to personal psychiatric concerns. With a discrete signal to the dog the handler can command his
dog to paw at the leg, making it look like the dog is seeking attention. The handler is then able to
comfortably leave the situation with the excuse that his dog needs to relieve itself.

Companionship
It goes without saying that any service dog's greatest assistance is the emotional support they can offer
their handler. Most disabilities present trials than can be relieved on a mental level simply by the dog's
presence. A well behaved dog can help to lower blood pressure and give a sense of ease to anyone who
is near.


What We Don't Do
We do not create unnecessary tasks for dogs to complete simply because we are looking for a way for
dogs to 'assist with a specific disability'. Public Access laws state that a dog cannot be granted public
access simply for emotional support, and that the dog must be trained in specific tasks to assist their
disabled partner. Because of this many are 'looking' for tasks to train to their dogs. We will not train a
dog to remind you to take medication - a cell phone with an alarm can do that. We will not train a dog to
protect you - it is not safe. We WILL train a dog to assist you with actual tasks for actual needs.