Kini Coyne :
To clarify: my dog is a trained service dog that helps me manage CPTSD. I am medicated and work closely with my therapist, and she is one part of the tools I use to stay regulated.
I don’t usually talk about my condition because it’s personal, but I do think it’s important to advocate for invisible disabilities and the ways service dogs can help people who struggle with them.
She is not an ESA. She is task-trained to help interrupt overwhelm by pawing or nudging me, grounding me when I’m dissociating, and helping redirect me when I get distracted or disoriented in busy environments.
Because of her size, the type of guidance she provides is appropriate for her. I would never expect her to support my body weight or perform mobility work like larger guide dogs do. Her tasks are focused on grounding, awareness, and redirecting.
Smaller service dogs are actually very common for psychiatric and neurological conditions. Many people with autism, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and other invisible disabilities benefit from dogs trained for grounding, alerting, and redirection.
Not all disabilities are visible, and not all service dogs need to be large breeds to do their jobs well.
She’s incredibly intelligent and has been trained specifically to help me manage my condition.
2026-03-12 16:36:48