By Akani Nkuna
A University of Cape Town (UCT) study has found that specially trained psychiatric service dogs may help adults living with mental health conditions overcome loneliness, rebuild social connections and regain confidence in everyday life.
UCT said this week that the dogs offered benefits beyond companionship, helping individuals establish daily routines and participate more fully in everyday activities.
The qualitative study, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, explored the experiences of 22 participants, comprising 19 psychiatric service dog handlers and three leaders of South African dog-training organisations.
Researchers Professor Jackie Hoare and Dr Fulufhelo Netshifhefhe, from UCT’s Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, examined how the dogs influenced loneliness, social functioning and participation in everyday life.
The findings suggested that psychiatric service dogs provided handlers with consistent companionship, emotional reassurance and opportunities to reconnect with their communities.
Participants described how their dogs helped them feel less alone, particularly when mental health challenges made social interaction difficult.
One participant said the dog had significantly reduced feelings of loneliness and disconnection, while another described how its presence helped them remain calm during moments of emotional distress.
Hoare, who heads the Division of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry at UCT and Groote Schuur Hospital, said one of the key themes emerging from the interviews was the value of having a dependable, non-judgemental companion.
“The findings suggest that this steady companionship may help handlers feel more secure when managing difficult emotions and navigating situations that would otherwise be stressful,” Hoare said.
The study also found that psychiatric service dogs could help handlers establish social connections by encouraging conversations with strangers.
These interactions sometimes developed into friendships, allowing participants to expand their support networks and become more involved in their communities.
According to Hoare, the dogs could act as social catalysts, helping people who had withdrawn from social situations gradually rebuild their confidence.
The researchers also found that caring for the dogs encouraged handlers to maintain daily routines.
Responsibilities such as feeding, walking and caring for their animals provided structure and purpose, particularly when mental health challenges made everyday tasks difficult.
Participants reported feeling more confident about leaving their homes and entering public spaces.
One handler described being able to visit a shopping centre alone for the first time in four to five years after their psychiatric service dog qualified.
But the study also highlighted significant challenges faced by handlers in public spaces.
Some participants reported being refused entry to shops and other public places, facing scrutiny and having to repeatedly explain why they needed their dogs.
These experiences could cause additional distress for individuals already managing mental health conditions.
Hoare said greater awareness among mental health professionals was needed about psychiatric service dogs and the psychosocial benefits and challenges associated with their use.
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