Research Outline

Faith Wahlers

Professor Patillo

INLS 151

October 27, 2014

The Benefits of Psychiatric Service Dogs

            Brief introduction explaining the basic definition of a Psychiatric service dog and PTSD.  Limitations because of the lack of research.  http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/PSD

Topic 1:  What it is that service dogs do. 

-        "What Is the Difference between a Psychiatric Service Dog and an Emotional Support Animal?" What Is the Difference between a Psychiatric Service Dog and an Emotional Support Animal? Service Dogs Central, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.

Topic 2: what is PTSD? 

-        Weiner, Irving B., and W. Edward. Craighead. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology. Fourth ed. Vol. 3. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2010. 1273. Print.

Topic 3:  personal stories from those with PTSD and how their dogs benefitted them. 

-        Fake and Lakota http://search.proquest.com/docview/918981765?accountid=14244#

-        Montalvan and Tuesday Montalván, Luis Carlos, and Bret Witter. Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him. New York: Hyperion, 2011. Print.

-        Charleson, Susannah. The Possibility Dogs: What a Handful of "unadoptable" Taught Me about Service, Hope, and Healing. Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Print.

Topic 4:  Charities and Groups that train the service dogs. 

-        Stiggy’s dogs http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/16/ptsd-therapy-dogs_n_3607535.html

-        Charleson, Susannah. The Possibility Dogs: What a Handful of "unadoptable" Taught Me about Service, Hope, and Healing. Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Print.

-        "Psychiatric Service Dogs, PTSD Service Dogs, Psychiatric Service Dog Training." Psychiatric Service Dogs, PTSD Service Dogs, Psychiatric Service Dog Training. Canines for Hope, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.

Conclusion: Psychiatric Services dogs are any breed and size of dog.  PTSD is a mental illness.  Many people who have PTSD have said that owning a Psychiatric service dog has alleviated some of their symptoms.  All types of dogs are used.  There are many organizations that help those who want a PSD.