Deep pressure therapy dogs are unique companions that are trained to help calm and comfort their owners with the use of deep pressure therapy. These dogs are highly trained, and they may be regarded as service dogs.
In many cases, performing deep pressure therapy is only one part of what a service dog is trained to do in order to help their owner. Our article gives you more information about deep pressure therapy dogs.
What Is Deep Pressure Therapy?
Deep pressure therapy, also sometimes called deep pressure stimulation, is a type of therapy that relies on touch and tactile sensation to calm the nervous system.
Deep pressure therapy can include hugs, firm squeezing, compression, or even hand holding, and the touch involved in deep pressure therapy is firm, yet gentle. Weighted blankets that are used for calming anxiety symptoms are an example of at-home deep-pressure therapy tools.
Who Can Benefit from Deep Pressure Therapy?
Deep pressure therapy can benefit a number of different individuals, with individuals who have anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit disorders being shown to feel the most relief from this type of therapy.
Deep pressure therapy can be used to safely calm a child or stop a panic attack, and it can even be used to help encourage good sleep and communication, in addition to improving overall mood symptoms.
How Are Deep Pressure Therapy Dogs Trained?
When deep pressure therapy is performed by a dog, the dog will accompany the person who may experience bouts of unrest or sensory issues. When given the command by a handler, or when the dog senses that the person is in need of calm, the dog will put their body, head, or paws somewhere on the owner.
This provides the firm, yet gentle, pressure that is a key part of deep pressure therapy, and it allows the owner to ground themselves and experience relief from their symptoms.
Deep pressure therapy dogs tend to be larger dogs, as they have the size and strength to apply pressure needed to calm their owner as part of the deep pressure therapy routine.
How Do I Get a Deep Pressure Therapy Dog?
You can obtain deep-pressure therapy dogs in a few ways: by looking for a service dog that is trained with deep-pressure therapy or by adopting a dedicated therapy dog. You may need to work with your medical provider or a licensed mental healthcare provider to be evaluated and ensure that adding a service dog or dedicated therapy dog to your healthcare plan is a good fit for you.
Once you have been approved for a deep-pressure therapy dog, you can look into local or national organizations that train therapy dogs and service dogs for individuals in need. If you can’t afford to purchase a service dog, many organizations will work with you to provide financial aid and grants so you can access the help you need.
Alternatively, you can adopt a larger breed dog from a local shelter and train them yourself to provide you with deep pressure therapy when needed.
Can I Take My Deep Pressure Therapy Dog Anywhere?
If your deep-pressure therapy dog is a service dog, then you are able to take them anywhere. These rights are federally protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To qualify as a service dog, your deep-pressure therapy dog will need to be trained to perform tasks specifically related to a disability.
For instance, if you have an anxiety disorder that impacts you when you are in public, and your dog is trained to provide deep pressure therapy and grounding during a panic attack, they qualify as a service dog under the ADA.
Are Therapy Dogs the Same as Emotional Support Animals?
Therapy dogs are not the same as emotional support animals, though both of these animals provide comfort and companionship to their owners.
In the case of therapy dogs, these dogs are trained to perform deep pressure therapy and other service dog tasks, while emotional support animals only provide symptom relief and comfort with their presence. Emotional support animals are also not limited to dogs.
Benefiting from Your Deep Pressure Therapy Dog
Deep-pressure therapy dogs are valuable companions to many, and these pups are well-trained to provide deep-pressure therapy when needed to calm and comfort their owners. If you think you can benefit from a deep-pressure therapy dog in your life, speak to your medical provider about adding this type of service animal to your care plan.
