With summer upon us, you might be thinking about fun summer activities for your psychiatric service dog (or PSD).
After all, your service dog works hard, and they deserve time to rest and enjoy some fun in the sun!
If you’re looking for inspiration for activities and adventures that will give your service dog some well-deserved downtime, look no further.
I’ve compiled a list of 5 ideas for fun summer activities for psychiatric service dogs that will have them wagging their tail all the way home!
DISCLAIMER
This post may contain paid affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
With Love, Me shares personal experience and educational information. It is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or legal advice.
See more in our affiliate disclaimer & general disclaimer.
Why Psychiatric Service Dogs NEED Downtime
Before I get into the meat and potatoes (that sounds good right now, actually) of summer fun activities, let me start by explaining why it’s so important to ensure your service dog has some downtime.
If you currently have a psychiatric service dog (PSD), you know just how hard your dog has trained for their role and how hard they work every day.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are trained to mitigate the disability of their handler.
Whether you adopt a trained service dog, train your service dog yourself, or opt for a trainer, the training process is often very long and tedious for both dog and handler.
Psychiatric service dogs are trained to help their handlers with a variety of mental health conditions including, but not limited to, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
This requires the dog to be in tune with their handler, act accordingly when needed, and assist with specific activities.
And a tired and stressed dog cannot do the job. It is vital that you provide your psychiatric service dog with plenty of rest, downtime, and fun activities.
What better time to plan some fun activities than in the summer? Keep reading for the best summer activities and adventures for you and your service dog!
5 Summer Activities for Psychiatric Service Dogs
Okay, now that we’ve established why it’s so important to plan some fun downtime for your service dog, let’s get into how you can make that happen this summer!
PRO TIP: Before you bring your service dog anywhere, make sure you equip them with right attire. Some places may require a service dog vest (government buildings) and it’s always wise to invest in a good pair of dog booties.
Go For a Walk in the Park
Perhaps the easiest and most accessible place to bring your psychiatric service dog in the summer is the park.
Nothing beats a walk through nature on a sunny day!
Your service dog will enjoy the various sights and sounds that nature offers, and you will reap the benefits as well.
Nature’s calming effects have the added benefit of reducing anxiety, relieving stress, and boosting your mood, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Related Reading: 5 Benefits of Walking In Nature For Anxiety Suffers
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Taking a long walk in the park on a warm day can lead to your service dog becoming dehydrated. Help them by bringing plenty of fresh water and a collapsible water bowl. It’s crucial to keep in mind that dogs who overheat because of being out in the sun too long or being overworked in the heat are at risk of heat stroke.
- Be sure to bring some doggy waste bags along. Your dog will most likely have to relieve themselves after being outside for a while.
Sit Outside at a Dog Friendly Cafe
Search for some dog friendly restaurants or cafes in your area with shaded outdoor seating areas.
This is the perfect opportunity for you and your service dog to relax in the summer sun and enjoy a treat or two.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Service dogs are allowed at restaurants even if they don’t allow pets, according to the ADA. However, dog friendly cafes or restaurants provide water and treats for your furry friend!
- Keep in mind that there will most likely be other dogs present, and it’s important to consider your individual service dog’s socialization level. Remember that this is a relaxing outing for your furry friend, so you don’t want to stress them out unnecessarily if the other dogs are too excited.
Take a Beach Trip
The best part about summer is the opportunity for plenty of beach days!
Your psychiatric service dog may appreciate a trip down to the shore where they can enjoy the salty air and ocean waves.
But… are service dogs allowed on beaches?
Beaches are a public place where service dogs are legally allowed to accompany their handler, per the ADA.
Things to Keep in mind:
- Dogs need to be provided ample shade and water, especially at the beach. Collapsable pet bowls or dog water bottles are perfect for giving pups water.
- It’s also important to remember that your service dog’s feet get hot walking on the sand or boardwalk. Dog shoes, as well as dog pad products, will help protect your dog’s delicate feet.
- According to the ADA Title III Regulations, service dogs must be on a leash in public places, unless the handler is unable due to a disability or it would impede the service dog from performing their duties. The beach is no different from other public places, so bring a leash!
Go For a Swim
What better way to allow your psychiatric service dog to cool off, have fun, and also get exercise than to take your pup swimming?
If you have a swimming pool of your own, great!
If not, there are dog water parks, dog friendly pools, lakes, rivers, and even backyard splash pads for your pup.
And best of all, you can also cool off and swim with your pup!
Things to keep in mind:
- While the ADA mandates service dogs are allowed on the pool deck at public pools, public health rules prohibit service dogs (and pets) from entering the water, except if the pool has allowed a dog-only swim day, as it is a health and safety risk.
- Check ahead with the facility about their requirements for dog swims.
- Take your dog’s individual personality, needs and training levels into consideration when choosing where to take them swimming.
- Keep a close eye on your pup, and use a doggie life vest, to ensure they aren’t becoming exhausted from swimming. Know when to wrap it up and dry off for a day.
Make Frozen Dog Treats
Making some pupsicles is the perfect way to give your service dog a fun, cool treat on a hot summer day. The possibilities are endless for dog friendly popsicles.
PRO TIP: The Dog Bakery has a list of 9 tasty pupsicle recipes that you can try, ranging from cantaloupe to watermelon pupsicles. There’s even a recipe for making maple bacon dog ice cream if you’re looking for an alternative to pupsicles. Yum!
Things to keep in mind:
- It’s crucial to make sure the ingredients you’re including in your pupsicles are dog-safe, as many human foods can be extremely toxic to dogs. Check out the ASPCA’s website for a comprehensive list of human foods to avoid feeding your pet.
- While pupsicles are a great way to cool your service dog off in the hot summer sun, it’s important to recognize signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in dogs. Bring your dog to a cool area with shade, give them some water, and contact a veterinarian right away if you notice any of these signs.
The Importance of Breaks for Dogs During Summer Fun Activities
It’s easy to get lost in the fun of it all when partaking in summer fun activities with your psychiatric service dog.
These activities provide an outlet and bonding time for you and your dog. However, it’s important to ensure you are taking breaks during these activities.
As mentioned earlier, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and burning paw pads are a concern when dogs are out in the sun too long.
Make sure that wherever you decide to bring your service dog, you have access to lots of water, paw protection, and shade!
Make the Most of Summer Fun with Your Psychiatric Service Dog
Your psychiatric service dog works hard, so they deserve some summer fun activities!
These adventures and treats will provide your dog with much-needed downtime and rest.
In addition, they will provide you with an opportunity to bond even more with your pup.
Remember to keep the safety tips I mentioned in mind, and I know your service dog will be living their best life this summer!
Tell me your favorite summer activity for your dog in the comments!
WLM would like to thank Caitlyn for her contribution to the blog. To see more of her writing, visit her blog.
such an informative article! thanks for this!
Thanks for reading, Maddie! Glad this post was helpful 🙂
What a wonderful roundup! I especially love the simple idea of taking PSDs to the park, it’s an easy, fun way to help them stay engaged and cool during summer months.
Thanks for reading! Exactly, parks are a great (and free!) way to get your psychiatric service dog out in nature and get some much-needed relaxation time. 🙂
How sweet! I love these ideas. They deserve to have some fun and enjoy summer, too.
I’m so glad you like the ideas! Thanks for reading, Catherine 🙂
I do some of these things with my dog too. She doesn’t like swimming though for some reason. She’s a 5lb toy poodle and she rides on my back like a bird riding an alligator in the pool. Haha!
Awwww! That’s so sweet. You’re creating fun memories with your fur baby. 🙂
These are great tips! I especially love the frozen treats suggestion. Do you know if they can be made for cats as well?
Some of them could be. Cats will enjoy watermelon frozen treats just like dogs.
Agreed with Krystian – cats would love watermelon frozen treats! Not all ingredients in the list provided are safe for cats, though. There are a lot of foods that are safe for dogs to eat that can be incredibly toxic and even fatal for kitties. Always best to do research before giving your cats anything new!