Disconnect & Reconnect.

Dissociation can appear across various diagnoses and disabilities.

The word "dissociation" can be broken down as follows:

• Prefix "dis-"
This prefix means "apart," "away," or "separation," suggesting a reversal or undoing. In this context, it indicates a separation from something.
• Root "associate"
The root word "associate" comes from the Latin associare, meaning "to unite with" or "join together," referring to being connected or linked with someone or something.
• Suffix "ion"
This suffix turns a verb into a noun, indicating the action or process of something.

So, "dissociation" literally means the process of separating or disconnecting from a relationship, idea, or experience. It can be a protective mechanism and varies from person to person. When the brain uses dissociation to protect itself from stress, it alters the neurochemical balances to create a sense of distance from reality.

How Can Dogs (ADs) Help with This?

Dogs can help in several ways.
Today, we're focusing on awareness and reconnection.
An Assistance Dog (AD) can often alert to different levels of dissociation based on their sensitivity to changes in the neurochemical balances.

By alerting the person-through specific behaviours when an alteration begins-the dog can bring awareness to the human at that critical moment.

The person can then engage with the dog, helping them return to the present moment.
This interaction provides first an interruption and then proceeds with grounding techniques through tactile contact like petting, pressure, or licking, helping the person move from the early stages of disconnection to reconnection.

We coach our handlers to notice these subtle changes within their dog's behaviour and within themselves.

Together, we create strategies that work best for each team, so when a dog begins to alert to dissociation, the handler can use the tools they've developed to stay present, grounded, and more regulated.