Emotional support animals have been in the spotlight for several years, but they aren’t the only ones that can assist with mental and emotional disorders and disabilities. Psychiatric service dogs can help, too.

Psychiatric service dogs help their handlers with emotional or psychiatric disabilities, including depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or schizophrenia.

People love dogs for their calm and loving nature, and many of us find these pets soothing to be around all the time. The empathy we feel from these companions is more than just a myth. Dogs are proven to be emotionally attuned to people in need.

While it would be a stretch to say that all dogs have outstanding intellect, several breeds are pretty remarkable in their abilities. These intelligent creatures can do everything from herding animals to detecting explosives and narcotics and searching for survivors after natural disasters.

We are living in the age of anxiety. With over 18% of the adult population in the United States suffering from anxiety disorders every year, they are the most rampant mental health issue facing our nation.