Although we mostly list Las Vegas-based resources, we hope there are those of you who will find solutions in these pages that will help you and/or your loved ones (re)discover the positive force of coping creatively.
MENTAL HEALTH
After thirty years of crisis living with Carl's (my son) disappearance and murder, single parenting
two very challenging children and Ava's passing, my therapist diagnosed me with Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD). I was very surprised as I thought that was a condition diagnosed for
military personnel. She assured me that I had been in my own war trying to keep my
children alive (literally) and told I should get a Service Dog.
After reviewing the American's With Disabilities Act of 1990, I realized I had been training my own dog, Montana, for this very day without even realizing it. My greatest challenge of that day to leave my home...something I never would have dreamt would be my greatest fear.
Most Service Dog providers charge any where from $10,000 to $30,000. There are, however, some organizations I've come across who will sponsor benefits to raise the money to buy the type of dog needed for one of their own. I have yet to find one that would help in my circumstance as ignorance in mental health issues is still rampant.
Montana, my lifeline is with Ava, Carl and Mom now.
SERVICE DOGS:
- How Service Dogs Help Treat Depression & Anxiety -ROVER BLOG
https://www.rover.com/blog/service-dogs-depression-anxiety/
- Article: Service Dogs for Depression
https://www.cuteness.com/article/service-dogs-depression
- Article: Service Dog Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities
http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html
- Psychiatric Service Dogs
http://www.pawsitivityservicedogs.com/psychiatric
- Wilderwood Service Dogs (Maryville, TN)
http://www.wilderwood.org/psychological/index.html
- Blog: Attitudes in Reverse
"How Can You Help Prevent Suicide?
A Mother Shares The Story Of Her Son’s Death To Save Lives
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-alice-stephenson/sucide-prevention_b_5792536.html