Easy advocacy how-to


Three service dogs, two small and one medium-sized, wait in a restaurant line with their handlers.

Welcome to Psychiatric Service Dog Partners’ “Easy advocacy how-to”. Don’t be scared! We designed this guide to make it easier for you to use your strengths when you want to improve the world.

Click to expand the answers on the page.

Am I already an advocate?

Your idea of advocates may be picket-waving, shouting protesters held back by the police. Let’s update that idea!

An advocate is someone who tries to advance a cause. There are so many ways to do this that you might already be an advocate.

 
 
I’d like to be a better advocate—but could you make it all easier?

Whether you think you’re an advocate or not, this how-to guide makes it easier to help whatever causes you believe in by providing you with easy instructions, pointers, and action menus to “order” from. Find what kind of advocacy suits you and it’ll be easier than you think!

 
 
How do I start?

• Be aware of what’s happening. This includes getting familiar with existing laws or the context of the discussion.
• Learn how to contact people in power.
• Find your advocacy fit.
• Follow through!

We make it easy for you with step-by-step breakdowns to suit your interests. Each step is easy. There aren’t really that many steps. By the end, you’re awesome! 😉

 
 
What exactly have you put together for me?

Well, it’s up to you to “Follow through”, but we simplify the other three bullet points above with three targeted sections that set you down the right path. The “Easy advocacy how-to” sections are:

 

How to keep track of issues

Getting in touch with your elected representatives

What to do when an advocacy issue comes up

Check out whichever parts of whichever section you want. Look around in all three sections to “level-up” toward the best advocate version of yourself—in line with your unique interests and abilities.

Side notes: This how-to is geared a little toward PSDP’s advocacy interests, but you can fill in the blanks with any issue that’s close to your heart. The resources are also mainly oriented toward those in the United States. However, most of the information can be generalized.

A woman wearing glasses gestures at her chest as she speaks to others off-camera. Behind her is a green backdrop with a PSDP banner attached, which contains a logo, mission statement, and slogan "Dogs Saving Lives".