YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Does anyone on here have experience with therapy dogs? I am newly diagnosed with ptsd and bipolar disorder and I feel like getting a dog would help me immeasurably but I don't know where to start. I read a few pages that made me worry about finding a reputable business that trains and I don't trust anyone. I really appreciate any input on this, thanks.

Hello MVS,

No direct experience with therapy dogs per se, but have always had dogs in my life, and they're great on so many levels. Lots of posters here have said the same.

Quick search shows lots of stuff on the American Kennel Club site, maybe that's a place to start?

What have you found so far?

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/train ... g-therapy/

https://www.akc.org/products-services/t ... g-program/

Well I finally came up with a solution here. I'm gonna register my next dog as an Emotional Support Animal. I think that will fit for me quite well. Thanks for those links. My main concern is accessibility at my apartment and future places of residence and this will eliminate those issues.

Hello MVS,

Did you find one? I understand that there are quite a few well-trained dogs who didn't quite make the cut to be Seeing Eye, but are wonderful and available.

Good luck!

SD

I haven't yet. I am waiting for my apartment to approve my ESA paperwork before I can adopt

I found a dog! I got a 9 month old German Shepherd, Lab mix. I've had him for about five months now. He isn't trained for therapy at all and has been quite a challenge. He is my first dog on my own as an adult and I'm learning quite a lot about training in general. I have to say some days he drives me nuts and I wish I didn't have such a strong personality animal but I love him very much and I know it will all be worth it.

Mosesvampslayer, that is simply the very best news! Best of luck to both of you, on the path you have started!

Dogs can be challenging but they are also full of love. Try your best at training him but realize that really you are learning his behaviors and he is learning yours and eventually the two of you will figure it out.