sigh(s) of relief. My lower confidence has grown because of the listserv and the education the website has for each little thing that I may come across rn or at a later time but the reassurance and getting out of the house when I do have my trained service dog will give me a sense of security because being stuck in the house when a sd will help me going out. Looking forward to training my sd, at this time I'm finding a prospect.
I've been involved with PSDP since the beginning and it's an amazing organization! It's entirely peer led and peer focused. Almost every cent that gets donated to PSDP goes to programming and advocacy work. It's entirely run by disabled volunteers, most of whom have service dogs. I couldn't be prouder to be a part of this organization
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Psychiatric Service Dog Partners is a peer directed group that supports and educates about psychiatric service dogs. The free online support group (listserv) is awesome, with lots of helpful people guiding others through the psychiatric service dog journey. The website is outstanding! Pretty much anything you ever wanted to know about psychiatric service dogs is covered on the website. PSDP also is heavily involved in legislation and education of others about psychiatric service dogs. If you want to stay up to date with the latest legislation, PSDP always posts about opportunities to make your voice heard with respect to proposed legislation.
I'm new to the service dog world, and I am waiting for my first dog, well puppy that I hope will be my service dog, and I have learned SO much! The experiences, advice, sharing of feelings has all helped me so much. I know so much more than I started out with. I know more about the laws governing service dogs, more about training and possible work and tasks, more about stages that the dogs go through, how to cope with those stages. I've heard and seen wonderful experiences that give me so much hope in what a service dog can do for me. And there is so much more to learn, but I think this is the place for me to be! I would highly recommend this site to anyone who is thinking of getting a dog or has a dog. I can't wait to begin my journey! - Kendall Stewart
I first published a review in 2021, but it wasn't very detailed, so I wanted to update my review.
I've been around Psychiatric Service Dog Partners for many years, as a trainer and a service dog partner myself. Not only do they have very thorough FREE resources that are useful to so many people, but they provide immense support through their Peer Guidance Group and have for many years. They also advocate on behalf of psychiatric service dog partners everywhere and encourage others to advocate, as well.
Life has managed to get in the way every time, so I haven't been able to make it to any of the conventions yet, but I've heard such great things about the support that is provided at them that I highly recommend that anyone who is eligible and able to go go to it.
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I joined this group less than a year ago but during that time I've learned an incredible amount of information about how to utilize my service dog more effectively. The group is very supportive and knowledgeable. They're willing to share information freely and are non-judgmental. If you have a disability and require or would benefit from using a service dog this is a great place to be.
PSDP is an amazing resource for people with psychiatric disabilities who are looking into a service dog to help them. It has been really helpful to have a community of people who understand what I’m going through. They have helped me through the process of looking at and training my service dog. They continue to help with advice on new things that we encounter whether it’s laws and access issues or new environments like airports and airplanes. They are also some of the most supportive and understanding people when it comes to the process of learning about service dogs and what a service dog is and is not. PSDP is truly an incredible organization.
Psychiatric Service Dog Partners is the best non-profit I have even been a part of!
The education and support offered to those of us with psychiatric disorders, who choose to use a service dog to help us live our lives is, quite literally, life changing and life saving!
PSDP is an awesome support for those who deal with mental health issues and choose to have a psychiatric service dog. They are extremely supportive and have lot of resources for individuals and clinicians. I am currently working on my doctorate and centering my Capstone project around occupational therapy and the utilization of psychiatric service dogs with adults with PTSD. There is no way I’d be this far in my life without PSDPs support and encouragement. Thank you, PSDP!
I found this organization about 4 years ago, and I’m so glad I did! When I was just starting out on my journey training my service dog, they were a wealth of information, from choosing your dog, training advice, laws, access issues, work accommodations, and most of all, support. Connecting with others who also have small SDs was wonderful. I have found lifelong friends and a sense of belonging. I look forward to their peer convention every year. Thank you PSDP!
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PSDP is a wonderful organization and community. I have benefited so much from their knowledge, advice, and support. I found them while I was researching whether a service dog could help me, and am so glad I did! Anytime I have a question about my service dog, they are quick to offer help. The volunteers who run this group have so much knowledge of service dog laws and helping their members navigate in a world that is not so kind to service dog users. Thank you PSDP!
I joined this group at a very hard time of my life - when I had been scammed by a "service dog program" that wasn't legitimate. I received so much love and support from so many members of this group, and it really helped me get through everything! Since then, I've found the group to be an excellent and diverse way to ask questions and receive support, learn information from blogs and other member experiences, and even make new friends. I love this nonprofit and have gained so much from it! I refer people to this group all the time, it has been a truly amazing resource for me.
Words can’t express how grateful I am to this wonderful group of people. The support and knowledge I have received has helped me overcome many different challenges.
Navigating my disability while training my second Service Dog, felt insurmountable before I joined PSDP. With their individualized help and guidance, I have been able to build a support system that will help me succeed.
Always reliable and trustworthy information about legal issues, training, and support. The President of the organization seems to be available on a moments notice for a question. There is a list available for members of the organization to provide support and friendship. A peer conference is offered yearly.
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All concerns and questions are answered almost instantly with a caring, professional manner. Exchange of information done in a friendly manner without opinions and put downs. Many friendships and support formed as a result of the list. Conventions are offered, articles provided, updates given, the site is manageable, pleasing to see and easy to navigate. I am not one for clubs or lists but one cannot help being drawn in by this friendly, caring, professional community.
They have really empowered me during my first year with my service dog. Wonderful supportive patient group of people.
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PSDP has been a wealth of compassionate expert knowledge on my journey to get a service dog. I would wholeheartedly recommend their resources!
If you use a service dog or want to get a service dog for psych issues this non profit is a big help! Not only do they keep you up to date on the latest laws, they help lawmakers make the laws. The free to use listserve they run is a real gem! If you want support on your service dog journey this is the place to go. You can get truthful advice on finding, training and using a psych service dog as well as any of the issues you may have.
Attended 2023 PSDP conversation. What a nice group of people. Felt like I was in the company of old friends(not that everyone was old like me). Very educational and informative. PAT and ME given. Was great to see others with their dogs performing. and realizing your dog is not the only one who isn’t always acting perfect all the time. what a great pack of dogs. Brad and Veronica are selfless ambassadors of the service dog world. Looking forward to the next convention.
The support I receive from PSDP is one of the reasons my dog and I were able to pass the public access test taken at PSDP convention this year. I was going through a hard time training my dog and wanted to give up, but the PSDP community helped encourage me and gave me guidance. I also got to meet new friends through this organization and I don't feel so alone navigating the world with my service dog anymore. I am very grateful to be a part of this wonderful community.
What an amazing opportunity the yearly convention was! This was my first and I was apprehensive, but I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and went. It was so empowering to be able to go out into public spaces with a group of friends and share meals together. This organization is so generous with their time. I can't wait till next year.
This is a fantastic organization! They have helped my wife and I a lot with their guidance. We look forward for the next yearly convention! We went from knowing nothing about service dog to finishing my wife service dog public access test. They helped us on daily basis with their resources, answers and time.
We have been to 2021 and 2023 convention and we really appreciate the level of commitment they have towards helping others. I can see how this community has impacted our life in a positive way.
I have many chronic illnesses and psychiatric that have lead me to this time. Family has a hard time recognizing me as I am and have little interest. I have been impacted in many ways to learn ways to cope with my health- medical and psychiatric. Local meet ups and regular training opportunities. But STOP!, the convention I found my tribe. I can’t imagine waiting for a whole year to be back with the people of my tribe. So very thankful for PSDP and all the wonderful things it has brought to my life.
A healthcare provider recommended that we look into a psychiatric service dog for a family member. We came across PSDP in our research and were able to attend their annual convention. The group was warm, welcoming, and had a tremendous amount of thoughtful, well-researched, positive and affirming information for psychiatric service dog teams. It is an outstanding resource for individuals who have a psychiatric service dog, as well as those that are thinking of training their own service dogs, which for some people is the only reasonable path (program-trained dogs can be hard to find and are often very expensive!).
Members of the group also provide excellent advocacy for service dog handlers and disabled folx in general, and the resources on the website are extensive and accurate. This is a great organization!
This is a very supportive group that has been of great assistance. They provide a wealth of information and support for those training their own service dog, as well as strong advocacy for service dog users. I very much appreciate their efforts and having a team that I can bounce training ideas, etc. off, and the general support.
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PSDP provides more online information regarding all aspects of service dog use and handling than any other I have found on the Web.
Laws about housing, current opportunities to advocate, training articles for owner-handlers, information for support professionals with so much more is available on the PSDP website for all.
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Psychiatric Service Dog Partners (PSDP) has been the backbone of my continuing use of an owner-trained service dog for psychiatric disabilities. I am able to stay in touch about applicable laws and practices, obtain training ideas if needed and refer the general public to the very informative web site for information.
PSDP also works to reach out to people who might benefit from using a service dog to mitigate psychiatric disabilities by making public presentations. I am interested in advocacy and PSDP keeps me in touch with current issues.
This is the best service dog advocate group not only for psychiatric service dogs but for service dog handler in general. They are instrumental in getting policies changed to make it easier for disabled people that use service dogs to live their lives with less hassle and stress.
Thank you PSDP for all you do, Tami
This organization is a great resource for anyone who has a psychiatric service dog, needs a psychiatric service dog, or just wants to learn more about psychiatric service dogs. The community they foster is so supportive, and they are constantly adding and improving resources of all kinds. If you are in any way connected to the world of psychiatric service dogs, or are just curious about them, check out Psychiatric Service Dog Partners!
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Suffering from debilitating mental illness is a lonely experience. When you struggle with things everyone else takes for granted, it can feel like you are the only one, and that things will never get better.
That's how I was feeling when I found Psychiatric Service Dog Partners. Connecting with their community has been so helpful for me as I weigh the pros and cons of getting a service dog. Everyone is so supportive, and having so many people be able to relate to my experiences and feelings has given me more confidence about prioritizing my own needs.
There are also people in all different stages of the service dog journey, from those just starting to think about getting their first service dog (like me), to those preparing for their 3rd or even 4th service dog. Despite this, no one ever makes you feel stupid for asking a "basic" question, and when a question comes up enough, they end up making a resource to post to the website addressing the issue.
Psychiatric service dog handlers are not a well-understood community, so having so many people to turn to get help or guidance provides a support that simply can't be gotten anywhere else.
Being disabled is challenging for me to find a new friends. I was very lost before I found the Psychiatric Service Dog Partner. They helped me train my first service dog with ease. They care about you and your service dog on a personal level. Unlike a private trainer assistant to your service dog, they treat you like their friend or even a family member.
As the days went by, I learned many things about how to train my service dog. I feel very fortunate to be part of PSDP in the peer Guidance support group. This non-profit organization brings many people together, and collaboration as a team is invaluable. By engaging in the group, you will also find friendship. Thank you for making owner-trained service-dog possible and affordable for everyone.
I was kinda lost til stumbled across PSDP . They have helped me fill in some blanks in my life. This is an awesome program with a ton of awesome people. There is alot of valuable information and knowledge in this group and no pressure, when you ask a question everyone tells what works best for them and you can pick and choose what works best for you. They are doing wonderful things for the service dog community and our disability rights. I'm so lucky to have found them.
I am so grateful to have found this wonderful organization! Everyone has been very kind and helpful. I feel more confident living my life with my service dog because I know I can always go to PSDP for advice and support. Knowledge is power, and I've learned so much from everyone in this organization.
This organization has helped me tremendously in my journey from first becoming disabled and isolated to now a fully-independent service dog user. They provide information pertaining to service dogs that is current, thorough, and accurate. This is crucial when there is so much conflicting and false information coming from other sources online. PSDP helped me navigate the murky confusion of service dog access laws, supported me as I was training my own service dog for the first time, and provided a great community of other disabled peers to help me feel less alone. I would not be where I am today if not for Psychiatric Service Dog Partners.
I found PSDP because I was looking for information and resources while on a waiting list for a psychiatric service dog. I figured, since I had to wait, I might as well use the time to educate myself. Wow, did I get more than I bargained for! I have learned more than I ever expected, and I have also found an amazing supportive community community of people who are not only willing, but eager, to share their knowledge and experiences. PSDP not only educates, it advocates on all levels from local to international - making the "outside world" a better place for all service dog partners. I am deeply grateful to the volunteers who keep PSDP functioning, and I hope to meet many of them at one of the annual conventions once I have my dog. Amazing organization!
because of the sipper of psdp, and the excellent information, i gained the courage to go for my second service dog.
i have relied on their information about laws, training articles, and the support of the email list to work with my now 2 year old. labradoodle.
I honestly would not do this again without this educating and emotional support organization.
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After my 1st service dog passed, I had a hard time deciding to obtain a second service dog. When I did a search this group came up and had all the information I was looking for in the realm of a psychiatric service dog.
I decided to join the list serv group and found a community that is informative, supportive, compassionate, and full of experiences that helped me to decide on my 2nd service dog.
I attended the learning convention in April of 2019, I made friends as well as coming away knowing that I would be successful with my 2nd dog.
Without them, I don't think I could have made this journey from grief to gratefulness.
Psychiatric Service Dog Partners has been an incredible resource to me in my search for information about owner-training a service dog. They are a wonderfully supportive community with many knowledgeable and experienced members from all walks of life. I am fairly new and still preparing for my service animal, but already I have received so much helpful information from accepting people who are becoming my friends. I am ready to start taking my life back with encouragement from people who seem to really "get" me! I am so grateful to be a part of this community and am grateful that Psychiatric Service Dog Partners exists!
PSDP has been an amazing resource and support for my mom and I. I got my first service dog this year and I have learned so much about owner training, gotten so much support, and I love the positivity!
PSDP has been a great support during my journey with Sophie(PSDT). so may questions answered. The support with training and what steps to take for bringing your service dog to work with you etc. The community of knowledge is unbelievable. Thank you for all you do.
Just an update. PSDP is still going strong, and I'm still a joyful volunteer.
This nonprofit has been involved in court cases before the US Supreme Court and other federal courts, has had a tremendously outsized effect on the new flying laws, led a coalition fight internationally on behalf of human rights against a harmful standardization push, and continues to create a treasury of free resources for everyone who wants to know about service dogs.
Beyond this, the Peer Guidance Group is a beloved community that is unmatched in service dog knowledge exchange and team development. If you have or are thinking of getting a service dog from a program or training your own, there's no better resource to be part of early on.
Image description: A fashionably dressed white man smiles happily in an elevated power wheelchair near a paved trail surrounded by grass and trees. A post near him reads "Carolina Thread Trail".
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PSDP helps swaths of society and deserves your support! I am a vigorous volunteer, totally unabashed in asking you to please join me in leaving a legacy of investing in the public good.
I am among many who love this group and its mission. I do not have a psychiatric disability (merely physical), but I dedicate all my volunteer abilities to making sure this group has fantastically accurate and helpful resources that are available to all with a potential interest in psychiatric service dogs, or even just in service dog use in general.
I so often hear stories of the very real impact PSDP has in people's lives that it's easy to stay motivated to keep this group helping more and more. This is the stuff that inspires passionate kindheartedness. Feel good giving, indeed—no other group compares!
This group is a life saver. I’ve had my first service dogs 11 years and he’s now in retirement and my second dog is in training. This group is so full of great true information for all levels of those who chose to use a psychiatric service dog. I get to meet and talk with others in the same boat and I know I always have a very special place to turn too. Thank you PSDP!!!
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A wonderful group of people with mental illness in some form that choose to work with a service dog to assist them. I’ve been partnered with my pup for 11 years because this wonderful group has stayed supportive through thick and thin!!!!
PSDP has helped me in so many ways. They have provided amazing support, information and have helped me decide if a psychiatric service dog is the right fit for me. Everyone has been so very kind and supportive. I feel so lucky to have found PSDP.
This group has helped me feel so much less alone. Because I'm relatively young and appear healthy many people judge me for my disabilities or don't understand how hard every day things are for me. This group gets it and they are always quick to be an encouragement. The support and valuable service dog information I've received is truly a gift!
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I have been a member of PSDP since they began. PSDP helps people learn about advocacy for themselves & where the public is concerned with service dogs all the legalities people might run into. They also have help with things I need to learn on the training my dog, a peer group, & they get together yearly for a conference with all others with mental disabilities.
My daughter has received much from this group. It has given her a positive outlook on life, purpose, goals in life and has improved her social life quite a bit. She is a stronger person because of her service dog and this great group of people.
This group has really been there for my wife. They are supportive and kind people. All year long they are working on making life better for folks who xhoose yo use service dogs in their lives to deal with mental health issues they are dealing with. I recommend this group highly.
I am exceptionally grateful to have happened across Psychiatric Service Dog Partners. I recently suffered the unexpected passing of my service dog and the grieving of her death has caused me to slide backwards from the progress I had made. Having others who have experienced such a loss to help you through your grief makes the process more bearable. And now, when I begin the process of training a pup to take up the duties and tasks that are so essential to not only my mental health but also my ability to function in public, I have a reliable resource for helping me get over the humps that are inevitable when training a new Service Canine. Thank you for being here.
The support and advice from this group has been tremendously helpful to me. No matter where you are located or where you are in your journey to get or train a service dog, everyone is more than willing to lend an ear or offer suggestions without judgement.
I’m so grateful for PDSP. I attended the convention last year and it was life changing. I also love communicating with my friends on the listserv daily. This organization has provided me with so much knowledge and support.
This group has been so helpful I can't begin to tell you the changes I have made in my life! Not only have I been able to train my service dog, but with my dog by my side and the support of this group, my whole world is better! I can do things that before I could only dream of doing - like standing up for myself and others!
This group has a wealth of knowledge and a big heart. They are not judgemental and really want what is best for each individual!
David Cockrell, city manager of Atlanta, Texas came to the airport KATA and ordered our service dog out of the terminal. He stated that we would be placed in jail if we returned. He made the statement in the presence of the chief of police Robin Betts and one of the city council men (I don't care what federal laws or Texas state laws are We will not allow service animals in the terminal)
I felt so hopeless in this journey until I got the return phone call from Veronica and she told me what PSDP has to offer. Thank you for changing my life!
Being on the PSDP listserv has been really transformative for me. I have learned so much and I really feel like I’m not alone with my day to day experiences. Those experiences that come with having a service dog for your mental illness can be isolating in so many ways. PSDP has really helped me through some things and has taught me so much about service dogs.
I gain so much valuable information from PDSP. I just recently began basic obedience training with my puppy. I hope to soon have her do work and tasks to help me cope with anxiety about being in large groups of people and she also cheers me up when my mood dips to a dangerous place mentally.
Caring, knowledgeable, and sympathetic to psychiatric needs. A true community of people who are working to better themselves, other people coping with psychiatric symptoms, and to promote wellness with real kindness and understanding.
I would not have been able to get through this year without the help of this organization. I owe Veronica my life for her amazing work and her caring personality.
Genuinely caring group of people whose collective knowledge is invaluable in the service dog world. Volunteers give freely of their time to help newcomers. PSDP maintains a fantastically helpful website, full of information.
PSDP has been an amazing ressource for me. Not only to educate myself and my family/friends about psychiatric service dogs, but also to help me realize that a psychiatric SD is the right choice for me. PSDP has also helped me explain to my psychiatrist how and why this would help me in my treatment plan. All in all, it's a wonderful organization, with a goal to help, support, and educate people with mental illness and their loved ones, as well as anyone curious about psychiatric service dogs.
I found this group online and have found them to be both a supportive community and host to a wealth of information. Before finding PSDP I had no idea A psychiatric service dog existed. Now I’m better educated on my rights and have a community of peers to assist me. Thanks PSDP
My name is Olivia and I have only amazing things to say about PSDP. They have provided so many resources and have the most caring community. PSDP helped me with recommendations for my service dog breeder and helped me obtain accurate information about service dog law.
As someone who has been working toward getting a PSD for quite awhile now, I can truly say that without PSDP, I would not be nearly as confident in choosing breeds and breeders, deciding what I need in a trainer, and knowing the applicable laws where I live.
The learning and companionship I have gotten from the listserv are unforgettable. The volunteer board goes all out to advocate for PSDs in whatever capacity they are able.
I love PSDP.
I have been a member of PDSP's listserv for about a year. The members have all been so nice about answering my questions and giving advice. I would not have been able to take my Service Dog in Training from the beginning stages to SDiT(Service Dog in Training) without the kind people that answer my questions through their listserv.
Psychiatric Service Dog Partners is a great resource for the community as well as people with Service Animals. I don't know where I would be without them.
My service dog, Jackie Chan, and I were so fortunate to find psdp to help with advanced training cetificates and general advice from caring people who experience many of the same difficult situations in public with our service dogs. It is a wonderful, supportive group.
This is an awesome group. I have learned many things from this group. It is a great source of support. The members are always there to help you in any way possible.
This place has helped others & myself not only learn how to train our service dog, but also to advocate for yourself when needed. PSDP has been a great support to me.
It doesn't matter if you have been training dogs for years or are trying to figure out where to begin, this group will support you the entire way. Not only are they supportive with advice on everything service dog related, including advocacy, they are also supportive of any and all health issues. You don't have to be worried about being judged for your mental health, everyone in the group has mental heath struggles, which also means someone will be able to relate to your struggles. The moderators make sure it stays a supportive environment, something difficult to find in the service dog community at times.
I had been looking for years into getting a PSD,while researching PSDP answered any questions i had and pointed me twords their great library of info. They supported me thru a great let down of a breeder who changed their mind based on my meds. And the joy of another breeder who said yes. Thru the im not ready panic when i got the word that my pup was born to his name change cause the one i wanted was taken. They guided me as the time for him to come home drew nearer to training questions I have. they offer advice for the serious and laugh with me at the funny things new puppies do. They were there when Jasper was just a thought brought up by my doctor and they are still here to support as I muddle thru training Jasper. I don't know if I would have Jasper or where I'd be without PDSP...Thank You guys.
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This group is awesome not only do they have really great info on their website but they have an awesome list serve community. They talk to you personally and are really helping me on my journey to getting my PSD. Also when you can talk to each other it's sometimes comforting to know others are going thru the same and similar things and we can lift each other up.
Great resource for anyone needing help understanding the service dog laws. This group is on the front line of changing things for the betterment of the Disabled service dog handlers life.
PSDP combines an incredible plethora of resources from training to legalities to advocacy like no other group. Because of PSDP, I have brought service dogs into my recovery and made giant strides where none would have been made. My current SD, Tao, makes it possible for me to survive cardiac events and manage multiple psychiatric disorders, as have my past SD's and SDiT's, while helping me to train our newest SD prospect, Deja!
Team Blue values every facet of this amazing tireless organization and encourages everyone to use PSDP as a resource for ANYTHING regarding service dogs!!
Hi there! I am a small psychiatric service dog handler at the moment. I found out about this organizations email list for training and help and it's been a great blessing to my life. The people of this organization are supportive, kind, and very open minded. They have helped me when I have ran into road bumps with my service dog's ongoing training (as a dog's training never stops, even as a full service dog!). They are amazing and I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to have access to their resources. Thanks psychdogpartners!
PSDP has a wealth of information on Service Dogs and their training from A- Z; and it's all up to the minute too! Their primary focus is all about psych SDs and how they fit into the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act). I am still at the research stage , but am now moving forward towards my first SD pup. I'm very excited, and a little scared of the awesome responsibility, which brings me to the other major offering of PSDPs ListServ: emotional support and a sharing, caring community! Kudos to Veronica and all the staff for starting the Group and keeping its mission formost and intact. Richard and soon to be, Hereford.
This family is amazing! Most everyone has or is training their own service dog. Any issue you encounter, someone has been through something similar. They are very supportive and about as non judgmental as you can be. I highly recommend if you are thinking of training your own service dog for mental heath reasons.
Amazing resource & advocates for individuals & families seeking knowledge and support using service dogs to live fuller lives - this group is available 24/7 & 365 days a year - life saving tireless advocates !! Changed my life & enables me to give back to my community!
If you are trying to navigate the confusing world of service dogs, the ADA , training your dog, and disabilities you need Psychiatric Service Dog Partners as your guide ! PSDP has been an amazing source of support for both myself and my child. In my search for help in understanding my child's rights and my own, PSDP was the only organization that gave me straightforward answers ! PSDP has been there for us. PSDP works to shape policies that help to better our lives. They understand that knowledge is power and the website is packed with free printables and information guides . For someone on a fixed income that is important ! PSDP community is the most friendly & supportive. Giving no nonsense advice ! Plus they even have a convention! Thank you PSDP !
I went to my 1st convention this year. The people were so wonderful, I knew I was "HOME".
PSDP does so much for the disability community members that depend on service dogs to live their lives. One weekend with them has given the strength to continue fighting for my rights.
I can not think of a better cause. I can't thank them enough for what they do.
Tami & Chili
I stumbled on PSDP when I was looking for information and their site has heaps of usable well worded information. I also joined their free Listserv which has been a great help in all manners of training, connecting with others, and general fun. Without PSDP I would be alienated and less of myself.
PSDP exceeds expectations. From it's owners, board members, volunteers, down to it's members, it's a selfless, open-hearted group of people who've become a steady support system for each other and each others canine teams. Everyone possesses such a wealth of knowledge it's hard not to get the answers you need or at the very least pointed in the right direction. The very best part is, they present you with the legal facts to help us be knowledgeable and support our rights 100 % and have come a long way legally in fighting and maintaining clarity for our rights. It's been a great experience to be a part of this and I'm really grateful to have met everyone in the group, they keep me going and have become much more than just a group.
PSDP has helped me significantly in getting and training my service day. They have an amazing convention and if it wasn't for them I would not have been able to have my independence.
PSDP helped my find my way back to being on track to get healthy. Not only is the community supportive of MI and PSDs but they are genuinely supportive of me even when it's not directly related. I have made so many friends that have helped me overcome both training and life challenges. The knowledge PSDP and its members have is invaluable, I would be so lost without it.
This group is very knowledgeable and helpful for those just learning to live with their disabilities or even for those wanting to learn new things available
I am on my second owner trained service dog and this group has helped me, encouraged me and supported me thru my decision to do so.
I started with " just" mental disabilities, which include Depression, GAD and PTSD. I can now add Chronic Migraines, Fibromyalgia and unspecified nerve issues
This group focuses on psychiatric issues but is a great resource for the entire disabled community
I found this group when I realized I was going to have to train my own service dog. They have been extremely helpful with training tips and discussion about unexpected things that happen when out. There is no way I could train a service dog on my own. But with the help of this group and a trainer, my dog and I have really come a long way!
PSDP and my SD(s) have saved my life. I am on my third service dog and have been with The organization since its beginning. I love being a part of the PSDP community. Even as an experienced handler, I still learn and grow more everyday. It's hard for me to make friends, but I consider everyone on the Listserv my friend, and that's a lot of wonderful people! Before my SD, I couldn't even go to the grocery store. Now I travel and go on wonderful adventures with my SD by my side. Thank you PSDP for helping me get my life back!
I found this group through(of all places) Facebook. The information they give is amazing. I have also been having ups & down & participating in the email list has been extremely helpful. I also went to their convention(a major win for me). The people were wonderful, understanding & I had a great time. It is nice to be with friends that understand the issues that I have.
I don't remember exactly how I stumbled across Psychiatric Service Dog Partners, but I'm sure it while I was researching stuff about connecting the dots between a T.B.I, P.T.S.D., and training my own Service-dog, in 2014.
Suffice it to say P.S.D.P. was, and continues to be, a great resource on educating myself about what the American's with Disabilities Act has to say about Psychiatric Service-Dogs, the law both federal and in my home state, and just as important MY responsibilities as the leader of my Service-Dog team.
Veronica was also helpful pointing me towards some YouTube videos that were indispensable in helping me to train Tanka, and to dispel some unreasonable expectations I had, about exactly how a Service-Dog should do it's job.
In my mind Tanka would have to just about be able to balance on a beach-ball, while juggling my car-keys and cell-phone, AND be able to tell me when a cyclone was about to hit! (I know, I'm a bit nuts in my expectations!)
Tanka has become a very well trained, and useful tool in alleviating some of my P.T.S.D. symptoms while out in public, especially shopping.......or going to bok-kai festival, hiking, the fair, post office.......and he does his job void of a beach-ball!
That's it!
Thanks Veronica, and everyone over at P.S.D.P. for working on my behalf, to improve the standard of living for those of us suffering psychiatric-illness, and using a Service-Dog as a healing tool.
Hugs.....
PSDP is a life saver. Without the help in understanding the laws, training, etiquette and more, about owner trained service dogs there would be many many people who would be completely alone in the process. Luckily PSDP can help all of these people through the whole process of learning and training and becoming not only a successful service dog user but also help them become healthier and happier and more successful human beings because of the work our dogs do for us!
Psychiatric Service Dog Partners is a wonderful, grassroots, organization dedicate to advocacy, education and support of those of us living with mental illness and using a service dog to mitigate our disabilities.
One thing I most respect about this organization is their dedication to accuracy and knowing the laws that support the use of psychiatric service dogs. There are a lot of websites out there that tell people what they want to hear, simply to make a sale. In many instances, the items they sell ARE NOT REQUIRED in any way. PSDP stands above the rest and I always know that the information I get from their site is factual.
I reviewed these guys last year, but since I am now only a few weeks away from picking up my first ever service dog in training wanted to rave on them again. Everyone has been so wonderfully supportive, caring and giving of their time as I anxiously walk through the process. From training tips to input on suitable vests, collars, leashes, and patches they have been extremely patient and more than helpful in allaying my fears. I highly recommend them as the go to site for support and accurate up to date information regarding psychiatric service dogs.
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I found PSDP when I was in a very dark place. I had lost my career, my home and much of my hope. I had decided that I would pursue using a service dog to help me in my recovery. I found PSDP by accident and am extremely glad I did so. I have been a member of the online support group since this spring and have found the level of wisdom, courage and support shared among members invaluable. I also serve on the board of our local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and recently gave a talk on psychiatric service dogs at our monthly meeting. I drew heavily from the information on the PSDP webpage as well as the stories of hope and recovery members of the support group were willing to share. To me PSDP is an integral part of the light that brings me hope especially during my darkest days.
My service dog partner has been an incredible assistance to my life. I'm in my 30's and had not been able to live alone since my diagnosis at 21. I wanted to do a masters program, but I had to go away alone, and I knew I'd need more help to live independently, so I started looking for a service dog. I found absolutely no support in my local region, and all training agencies told me specifically that due to capacity reasons, they don't train for mental health conditions.
I found an independent trainer who was willing to work with us on this project, and we did our best.
When I found psych service dog partners, a lot changed for me. I have learned about how to fine tune my training, how to be respectful of others in public spaces, and many other dog related issues.
I have also found a community of people, for the first time in my life, that understands and supports me. Through the listserv, there are always people available to share my frustrations at being disabled, to listen to, to talk to. This has meant more to me than I can say.
I volunteer to help this extremely worthwhile non-profit, PSDP, because, as a handler trainer of my third psychiatric service dog (SD), I get the opportunity to pay back to the community all that I have learned. As a mental health consumer, I value finding and sharing correct information about service dog law, and tips on dealing with the issues arising from use of a SD. Using my PSD has allowed me to heal from my PTSD to the extent that I have a fairly normal life, as long as I have my dog with me to mitigate my symptoms. The support and shared knowledge of this group is amazing!
PSDP is a 'great nonprofit.' They are a small organization, yet very active and focused on serving their community in many ways. My experience with them has made me a fan and proponent for their support. I would encourage others to lend their support to PSDP, too, and to be confident it's a wise choice. Thanks.
This group was instrumental in getting me the help I needed. I now am in the process of training a valuable service dog that I would have never even considered otherwise. My life has significantly improved and PDSP facilitated my healing process.
I have had a psychiatric service dog for 5 years now. I wouldn't be able to hold a job without one. Psychiatric Service Dog Partners is a tremendous support to me. I don't know if I would have been able to get through some of the difficulties of having a service dog without the group to support me with their encouragement and information. I have chosen to donate to them financially. This organization does save lives.
Having a Service Dog has changed my life completely. Agoraphobia kept me trapped inside my home for 4 years until I discovered how a Psychiatric Service Dog could help me. Training a Service Dog is not an easy task but with an organization like PSDP to provide education and support it can be much easier. PSDP has a very comprehensive website with information about everything related to service dogs. Articles such as Selecting a Service Dog Prospect, to info about the ADA laws, that protect our rights to have our dogs are all available on the website. There is also a listserv that is like an email support group for people who are partnered with Psychiatric Service Dogs. I have not come across another organization that offers so much information and assistance to people who are often taking their very first steps toward having a fuller life, by having a Service Dog by their side.