Latest Posts
- Why Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Should Not Be Fed Raw Diets
Why Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Should Not Be Fed Raw Diets Adapted from an original article by Mike Davies BVetMed CertVR CertSAO FRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. Reproduced and adapted with permission. At the Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Foundation (PADs), the health and welfare of our assistance dogs, handlers …Continue reading “Why Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Should Not Be Fed Raw Diets”
- Living with Long-Term Mental Health Challenges: Why Support Systems Matter
In May 2024 Rethink Mental Illness used social media to ask what people wanted the world to know about living with mental illness, below are some of the comments they received: These comments illustrate the complexities of living with long-term mental health challenges. They also reflect the varied and individual …Continue reading “Living with Long-Term Mental Health Challenges: Why Support Systems Matter”
- Pain and Performance: How discomfort impacts an Assistance Dog’s work
Understanding, Recognising, and Managing Pain in Assistance Dogs Assistance Dogs are amazing they bridge the gap between emotional need and daily independence. But even the most well-trained, devoted dog can struggle when something hurts. Pain changes how a dog moves, behaves, and even how they connect with their handler. When …Continue reading “Pain and Performance: How discomfort impacts an Assistance Dog’s work”
- Understanding Pain in Dogs
Foundations: Understanding Pain in Dogs Pain is not simply a sore paw or an “ouch” moment – it’s a complex experience involving sensory input, emotional processing, and behavioural expression. Because dogs can’t verbalise pain, it often lurks under the surface, disguised in subtle ways. Professor Daniel Mills (University of Lincoln) has highlighted …