Is there a difference between Mental Health Service Dogs (MHSDs) and Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs)?
A. MHSDs and PSDs are fundamentally and functionally very similar. Both are dogs specially trained to assist individuals with psychological impairments/psychiatric disabilities. Assistance Dogs are covered under the ADA and other state statutes. Darcie Boltz, founder of Heeling Allies, coined the terms Mental Health Service Dog and Mental Health Assistance Dog. She chose the phrase “mental health” over the word “psychiatric”, as it pertains to service dogs, because the definition of “mental health” captures the essence of Heeling Allies’ training program. “Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community” (World Health Organization, Retrieved May 5, 2009, from http://www.who.int/mental_health/en/). Additionally, some individuals prefer the term “Mental Health” Service Dog over “Psychiatr
