Emotional Support Dogs for ADHD | ADHD | Episode 76

Dog, and other animals, can qualify as service animals or emotional support animals for individuals with ADHD, and can provide a multitude of benefits.
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[@dogdontlisten]

Hi, I enjoy your videos and wanted to share my experience. I can often find myself not wanting my pup around me when my emotions get out of control. Even to the point where at times I have found myself almost neglecting her. She’s a well taken care of pup but I can’t help but feel as though my conditions detract from my ability to give her the love and care she deserves. I feel like this must be a common issue? Is there anyway to help me put my selfish thoughts aside and do what needs to be done regardless of my current emotion? Thank you so much Dr, keep the videos coming.

[@dr.johnkruse6708]

Many of the people I work with who have ADHD find visual reminders compelling, so maybe having a chart or board on display where you can readily see it, that reminds you that your pup needs to eat/walk/pee X number of times each day might help redirect your focus. Also, I have also seen it be helpful to remind people that one aspect of ADHD is to make the event that is front of your face/mind right now all encompassing. By reminding yourself that your ADHD can contribute to losing context or perspective can actually help you take a step back and remember that there is more to life than the way it feels right in this moment. And these tools take a lot of practice, because at some level you are working against the tendencies of your own brain.