Dogs make wonderful companions. They can lift your spirits with a wag of their tail or a tilt of their head. My dog, Sunny (pictured) is affectionate and playful and he brings so much joy to my family. He is also an excellent addition to my home office, keeping my feet warm and making regular appearances in Zoom conferences!
Some dogs have been trained as assistance animals for people suffering from PTSD, helping to calm panic attacks and provide comfort and security when out in public.
In a recent decision (State of New South Wales (Central Coast Local Health District) v Bunce [2020] NSWWCCPD 48) Deputy President Snell of the Workers Compensation Commission accepted an assistance dog was "therapeutic treatment" for a worker who suffered panic attacks due to work related post traumatic stress disorder.
The provision of the assistance dog in that case had enabled the worker to return to the workplace.
The treatment must be given at the direction of a medical practitioner for compensation to be payable. While the Arbitrator at first instance accepted the worker's treating psychologist was a "medical practitioner", the Deputy President did not endorse that approach. To avoid disputes the worker's nominated treating doctor or psychiatrist should direct this form of treatment.
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