Support dogs for mental health sufferers
Dogs have long been used to help the blind, but they may now start being used to help those with mental health problems, reports the Guardian.
Called, ‘assistance’ or ‘support’ dogs, studies have shown they can help create a feeling of security and help with social contact, encouraging interaction and helping with agoraphobia.
In America, a Psychiatric Service Dog Society exists to help support those with mental health issues. However, as well as providing companionship, the dogs must also be trained to perform tasks like fetching their owner a drink, or recognising symptoms of things like panic attacks.
Currently, however, there are no plans to introduce this kind of scheme in the UK, as mental health sufferers who have a support dog believe that the dogs need to provide companionship rather than other extra tasks.