Service dogs help millions of people around the world. Whether it’s pushing a wheelchair, guiding the blind, or alerting someone to danger, service dogs are trained to assist people who struggle with disabilities. While this may be the case, some service dogs help people who have mental disabilities, and deep pressure therapy, or DPT, is one of many ways they can help.
So, what is a DPT service dog? DPT service dogs are trained to help people with mental health disabilities by providing deep pressure therapy when it’s necessary. However, there’s a lot more to it than that, and it’s important to understand the costs, disabilities that qualify, and the training that’s necessary.
What Is DPT? Deep Pressure Therapy Explained
DPT, or deep pressure therapy, is a unique therapy method that involves physical touch. The warmth and pressure that a person or dog provides can regulate the nervous system to reduce the intensity of a panic attack, general anxiety, and even depression. Essentially, it helps by counteracting the body’s fight-or-flight response system.
While it’s not always a dog that provides DPT, deep pressure therapy dogs continue to rise in popularity. This is because dogs can be trained to provide this therapy without any issues. Plus, who doesn’t love a snuggle with a cuddly dog?
What Is DPT Service Dog?
DPT service dogs help by providing people with deep pressure therapy. Instead of going to a therapist or having someone around to help you relax, the dog does it for you.
It’s also important to note that a DPT service dog is a psychiatric service dog (PSD). This is a unique type of service dog that helps people who have mental health disabilities, so they’re not your average physical service dogs who guide people, help the deaf, or push wheelchairs.
Instead, they’re trained to provide pressure to someone to assist with a panic attack or something similar. For example, a DPT service dog may place their body across someone’s chest to help them feel safe and secure during a panic attack.
That said, PSDs still have protections outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), and Fair Housing Act (FHA). Therefore, you don’t have to worry about missing out on the benefits that come from handling a service dog.
Disabilities That Qualify for DPT Service Dogs
DPT service dogs are great canine companions, but that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone. After all, you don’t need a small DPT service dog if you need a service dog to push your wheelchair. Below, we take you through a handful of disabilities that qualify for DPT service dogs and how DPT service dogs can help.
Autism
Autism is a spectrum, and everyone’s situation is unique. However, you’ll find that many cases of autism come with additional mental health issues. For example, autistic people may have panic attacks or anxiety, and a deep pressure therapy dog can help by applying pressure during these situations.
Anxiety Disorders
Whether it’s social anxiety, general anxiety disorders, or localized panic attacks, DPT service dogs can reduce and improve symptoms. You’ll find that DPT service dogs accomplish this by lying across someone’s chest or by putting their paw on someone’s back.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts veterans and other people who have experienced trauma. DPT service dogs can help by keeping people away from triggers that may trigger panic attacks or other health issues that come with PTSD. Typically, this is done by guiding someone away from potential triggers. However, DPT service dogs can also apply pressure to help someone manage a panic attack.
Chronic Depression
Chronic depression is another condition that qualifies for service dog work. While the treatment may not always be deep pressure therapy (DPT), this therapy can help people who have depression feel a lot better. These dogs can also encourage people to get out of bed due to their care needs. For example, it’s pretty hard to ignore a canine companion when they want to go for a walk.
What Is DPT Service Dog? Our Final Thoughts
So, what is a DPT service dog? Overall, DPT service dogs are psychiatric service dogs who are trained to apply pressure to specific areas on someone’s body. The goal is to help someone realize that they’re safe, which can alleviate symptoms of mental health disabilities.
While we covered how a DPT service dog can help with some disabilities, everyone’s situation is unique. For this reason, we always recommend speaking with a licensed mental health professional if you believe you have a disability that qualifies for a service dog.