User:SoulCooke/sandbox

Deep Pressure Therapy also known as Deep Pressure Touch or Deep Touch Pressure, is a task where a service dog of sufficient size lays across a handler's chest, lap, or legs; lays its head on the handler; or leans against its handler. There are other methods to receive this stimulation, including weighted blankets, vests, or "hug machines" however none are as portable as a dog or provide warmth which can possibly increase the effectiveness of the therapy.

The impact of DPT has been strongly contested by some service dog critics. Here are a few studies regarding the benefits and easing of symptoms DPT can provide. [Source 1] [Source 2] [Source 3] [Source 4]

DPT is a task often utilized by psychiatric service dogs to prevent or assist a handler who is experiencing a panic attack, flash back, dissociation, or other episodes, as well as autism service dogs where they assist or prevent sensory overload, shutdown, or meltdown. In some circumstances the task can also be used to mitigate pain, such as phantom limb pain where the task stands in for massage of the residual limb.

Those with seizure disorders (especially psychiatric non epileptic seizures) or heart conditions may also experience a quicker recovery thanks to Deep Pressure Therapy. The task of a dog lying across a person can also keep a person having a seizure from hurting themselves due to the convolutions; prevent a person who is unconscious from being stepped on or having their valuables stolen; and prevent a person who is not alert and oriented after a seizure, pre syncope event, or faint from rising too soon and risking a fall and injury.

DPT can allow those suffering from a variety of debilitating condition to leave their home unaccompanied and experience a greater level confidence and independence. It allows those who require DPT to recover from events to receive the therapy they need outside of the home environment allowing the disabled person to continue their excursion outside of the home instead of needing to return to use another application of deep pressure therapy.