Psychiatric Service Dogs
Specialized Training for Anxiety, Depression, Panic Disorders & Complex Mental Health Needs More Than Comfort — True Psychiatric Support
Living with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, or dissociative disorders can make everyday life unpredictable and exhausting. A psychiatric service dog goes beyond emotional comfort — it becomes a reliable, task-trained partner who can detect early signs of mental health crises, interrupt harmful patterns, and help you navigate life safely and independently.
At Canine Evolutions, Bart de Gols combines neuroscience-based training with deep understanding of human psychology and canine cognition. The result is a dog that’s not just obedient — it’s attuned to your mental state and ready to intervene when you need help the most.
What a Psychiatric Service Dog Can Do
Depending on your diagnosis and triggers, your dog can be trained to:
Early Anxiety & Panic Alert — Recognize rising heart rate, breathing changes, or scent shifts and signal you before an episode peaks.
Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) — Apply calming weight during panic attacks or dissociation.
Interrupt Harmful Behaviors — Gently stop self-harm actions, repetitive movements, or emotional spirals.
Medication Reminders & Retrieval — Nudge or fetch medication at scheduled times or during episodes.
Crowd Navigation & Safe Exits — Guide you through public spaces or help you leave when overstimulated.
Wake & Ground During Nightmares — Bring you back to reality after night terrors or dissociative episodes.
Create Space in Crowds — Act as a physical and emotional buffer when overstimulated.
Your program is always tailored — no two psychiatric service dogs are identical, because no two mental health journeys are the same.
Our Training Philosophy
Neuroscience-Informed: Mental health conditions involve complex brain-body responses. We train dogs to respond to subtle physiological changes before crises escalate.
Relationship-Based: Dogs need more than commands; they need trust and clarity. We cultivate a strong emotional bond so your dog is reliable under stress.
Public Access Ready: Your dog will practice in real environments — grocery stores, offices, restaurants, transit — to remain calm and focused in any setting.
Handler Empowerment: You’ll learn to read your dog’s signals, maintain tasks, and reinforce stability long-term.
Program Roadmap
Consultation & Assessment — We discuss your mental health challenges, triggers, daily life, and evaluate your dog or help select a candidate.
Foundation Skills — Focus, resilience, impulse control, and secure attachment.
Task Training — Tailored to your psychiatric needs: DPT, alerting, interruptions, safe exit behaviors, and more.
Generalization — Proofing in real-world environments with distractions and stressors.
Handler Transition — Training you to maintain skills and deepen the bond for a lifetime.
Most programs require 12–18 months of structured work, with continued lifetime support after graduation.
Investment & Tax Advantages
Training a psychiatric service dog is a life-changing investment. Programs at Canine Evolutions typically range from $30,000 to $60,000+, depending on starting level and complexity of tasks. According to IRS Publication 502, psychiatric service dog costs are generally tax deductible when the dog is prescribed to assist with a diagnosed disability.
Why Canine Evolutions?
Decades of Experience: Led by Bart de Gols — internationally recognized cynologist and neuroscience-based trainer.
Tailored Approach: Every program is unique — we don’t force dogs or handlers into a template.
Long-Term Success: Lifetime access to our training resources, support, and advanced handler coaching.
Trusted by Professionals: Many mental health providers and disability advocates refer their patients to us.
Take the First Step
You don’t have to fight your battles alone. A psychiatric service dog can be a partner who understands — silently, reliably, and without judgment.
📞 Call 360-469-3171