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Can I Leave My Service Dog at Home?
Service Dogs work to provide assistance to their owners both inside and outside the house. Many handlers like to keep them close by in case they need the help their Service Dog has been trained for. But, while there are no rules that a Service Dog must accompany their handlers 24/7, it is up to […]
How to Get a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD)
A Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) is a Service Animal specifically trained to support individuals diagnosed with a mental illness. A well trained PSD is able to ease symptoms caused by the mental disability and can comfort their handler in times of distress. In this article, we’ll cover how to be approved for a PSD, what […]
Should I Vaccinate My Service Dog?
Like all canines, Service Dogs will need to be vaccinated. In fact, they may need these immunity-building aids even more so than the average pet. Find out why and other relevant information on vaccines and Service Dogs within this article. The Service Dog Under the definition stated by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Service […]
I have a chihuahua who is less than three pounds. He is also 3years of age. I work as a caregiver at my job and i would like to take him with me to work. He is a companion animal but I need him to be trained as a service animal. I want him to be able to access my needs as a disabled person. I have bi polar and I barely know how to see my moods myself. Is there any way you can train my dog to do just that? Katharine E Thomas
I too have a chihuahua and have BiPolar Disorder and Anxiety Disorder. My chi is young. I adopted her 7 months ago, at 4 months old. I immediately got her into obedience training with an outstanding local trainer. She has now completed two rounds of beginner obedience. The trainer explained that she needs to be very competent with basic training long before we begin more advanced training. She is now ready for the Good Citizen’s Class. If needed, I will repeat that as well. I’ve learned that clicker training is such a positive and consistent way to train her. Two books that I have found quite helpful are “Clicking With Your Dog” By Peggy Tillman and “How to Train a Service Dog” by John Maxton. There are also some good videos on training a service dog on You Tube. Just be sure you choose one training method and be consistent, patient, and positive with your dog. The ONLY negative reinforcement I was taught to use was for her growling and barking at people. Any aggressive behavior must be extinguished as quickly as possible. Our trainer impressed my pup with what are called “throw chains”. Used sparingly, and thrown on the floor for the aggressive behavior, my chi learned within days to stop growling and barking. The chains do the work, so be sure not to yell or be angry. Your Dog will need to be impressioned and you trained by a professional trainer to do this correctly. It can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to successfully train a service dog. And we have to decide that we are okay with them becoming a “working dog” with their focus on us and our needs,unless we release them for short times when they can interact with other people. If you don’t want to be that strict with your dog, then I’d recommend helping them to simply be an emotional support dog, which requires much less training and doesn’t require the restrictions and undivided attention on you that a service dog requires. The ADA requires that a Service Dogmust perform very specific tasks to assist a person with a disability. Good luck!
Im sick and i need my dog as a sevice dog. Need help
Hi Leslie,
Did you get the help you were seeking?
Hello, I am deaf, I had Dr note say disability dog support for deaf,and emontional, I was trained pup grow up 4 old , she is very smart guard side by me everyday , When door knock, or theif try break in, she growl loud bark make me wake up and she ready guard side me like block off people not touch us , ,,, now she is stay farm sad of me because,
I tired asked landlord say no , must 25 lbs and not over lbs , 250.00 fee dog , than 25.00 month live apartment SASKATOON, I say ok landlord I don’t want fight deal landlord , I say nothing do it ,, I know dog is best for me safe guad safe life , but sad, story, one Rottweiler cross passed away 9 old , she is illness where best trained myself teach her rott, so now she’s daughter dog is tick blue coonhound cross very smart and huge that best young 4 old now , I cant get certification dog for support dog deaf for DISABILITY,,landlord say me must cerfication, very rude , I say nothing do with landlord , my patient , I skills about dogs , I was worked paws with under spca , best know me good worked with dogs skilled, but still landlord say no , they want me have prove it where Dr note , I did once Dr note paper to landlord accepted for my dog was Rottweiler name Molly passed away, now next Shelly, but landlord say have new Dr note paper for Shelly if new dog , I make sick of thing again , I am ready nothing no morenasking question for them
Well worded….Thanks
This is a very helpful replay. Thank you.
Yes
You need to decide if you want a service dog or a therapy dog then can talk further
Hey, to the person with the small dog , do you know where is Manitoba I can get my dog serviced 🙂 thank you !
Yes, I am disabled from a severe stroke and have a Chihuahua that is friendly toward everyone but stays close to me. She can be trained to get things like meds for me, be supportive for emotional, sense if not feeling good, ect.. Warns me if people are around at home. But she is 3 years old and about 4 lbs.. Took to store the other day, and she did not bark at no one. That could be a good quality in a service dog. I also have right side neglect, meaning I forget sometimes what I am holding in right hand due to stroke. So letting her tug a bit with the leash reminds me of my right side.
I have a dog I adopted from SAFE He’s intellegent,socalized and small,would like to train him to be service dog . I am disabled and need help who can I get in St.Augustine florida to help me.
There are some things a dog can be trained to do that help bipolar. Breed is not relevant. Any dog of the right intelligence can be trained to do it. My dog can tell when i have been triggered by my body language and tone of voice. Bipolar triggers are not something dogs can detect by smell typically so your dog doesnt need the scenting ability. The dog can alert you that you are triggered and then provide you with an outlet to shift your focus. The dog can also be trained to encourage you to leave triggering situations. The dog can be trained to help you with depression when you struggle to get out of bed and is a deterrent by its presence from some manic reactions like gambling overspending and risky behavior. In short the dog itself is a constant reminder of your condition. You can seek a trainer or train yourself.
Hi I have a shitzu 10 years old. My husband and I are both disabled. How do I go about getting my dog as an emotional service dog. I have anxiety and other and my husband has nerve damage in his legs.
I would consider getting a younger dog, or a pup to train.
I have a 1 year old female mix, but I have a border line PTSD and she will get in my lap along with my other 3 dogs, one full blooded min pin, and the rest a mixed! But my girl helps more than Antone can help me. It is sure funny how now one wants to help a Vet!!!!!
I want to train a service dog dog for someone else, a Vet most likely, I need to wait a few years for schooling though.
Where can I get the public access test done for service dogs? Thank you so much!!!!
Why does everyone have a chihuahua!! I’m
Lol… I was thinking the same thing.I have a brain aneurysm, with high blood pressure, and multiple psychological / emotional issues.i have ischemic strokes and seizures,often brought on by stress or anything else that can make my blood pressure go up quickly, oh and flashing lights! I don’t understand why but that will bring on a seizure faster than most anything else I think… I have a 13 month old staffy (aka Staffordshire Pitbull terrier). Get name is Sadie. She was being trained by Jake, my pitbull Chow mix that was my service dog for 16 and 1/2 years he just died about a month ago… He didn’t get to finish training Sadie. It’s amazing how she can alert me long before I have a clue that’s I’m going to have one of my spells- she guards me while I’m down, often in Walmart( I can’t figure that one out)… She helps me get up… But I think two things are most important to me -one -she will dive under me to make sure that never again will I need another 17 Staples and 32 stitches in my head from one of my spells and -2- when I wake up confused, stuttering too bad make sense to anyone, and I don’t know where I’m at… as long as she’s there I know I’m okay because I don’t even stress about where I am because I know as long as she’s with me, I’m safe. I’m not retarded by any means but I’m not understanding where do I bring Sadie to have her certified legally so that no landlords can give me a hard time. I honestly feel I would die without her.
Hello,
I do not have any disabilities, however I have a cousin who’s is low functioning autistic. I wanted my dog to become a service dog so that I could voulnteer and bring him around kids with disability like my cousin to help calm them down and make them happy. Is there any way I could do this if it’s not for my own needs? Please help in confirming.
Best,
Nicole Aiello
You could train your dog to be a Therapy Dog! A TD provides comfort and support to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or any other communities that require calming, psychological, and physiological healing. That’s a very noble cause. You may find this article on Therapy Dogs interesting – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/guide-to-therapy-dogs/
That is something I would be interested to know myself.
I have a Labrador golden retriever one to two uear old a male. Trying to get him to be a service dog for my daughter and me. My daughter is three and Tourette syndrome and autistic. And i have ptsd and anxiety. I was trying to find somewhere to get him certified for us as a service dog.
A service dog can only assist 1 person legally
Generally, as I’ve been aware, a service dog can’t provide service for 2 people. If the child goes to school then who does the dog go to serve? It’s confusing for the pup and may be too much too handle.
How do I get help to afford to train my puppy as a anxiety panic depression emotional support dog. I’m currently not working and suffer a lot and I love animals so my roommate got me a puppy but I need help to train him and for him to be an emotional support dog? I can’t find anything but service dogs you can apply for I already have a puppy just need help training.
The help with the expense to train the puppy we have is what I’m trying to find out as well.
My daughter has type one diabetes, she has and is self training or one year and half border collie, from you tube.
She has done fantastic. He fetches her blood kids her testing strips with his teeth gently from.her sensor/metre.
She is sending for her certificate and card,
She has all the service dog gear and badges etc.
She has to go to hospital for monitoring for a week in a ward with me, but thinks her dog is allowed with her and to school if she has just these, she will not listen to me that its just for shops and travel.etc.
She is so adamament,
She also suffer s from anxiety and feels she needs him.
What other requirements does she need for hospital and school?
I am starting the process of getting a service dog. I am planning on training it myself. The trainer I talked to does service dog training with k9 good citizen and AKC. Is there any other classes that are required?
I am completely unable to walk. I have been bed-ridden for over 4 years. I am getting a power chair which will allow me to get out of bed & go places. I have an AWESOME long-haired dachshund who is 15 years old. I have had him since he was 3 months old. Is there anyway I can register him as a Service Dog? He has truly gotten me through so many hard times, & even stopped me twice when I tried to kill myself!! I want to be able to take him with me wherever I go. Please, can you PLEASE tell me what I can do? Thank you so very much for your time!!!
Most legitimate service dog handlers would not use a 15 year old dog to work because it’s not fair to the dog. He would need to perform a task such as interrupting self harm behaviors or alerting to panic attacks to qualify as a service animal. Simply being present and aiding you that way would qualify him to be a ESA, which do not have public access rights.
I didn’t intend to post my comment as a reply. I thought it was being posted as a separate comment, not under someone’s.
I didn’t intend to post my comment as a reply. I thought it was being posted as a separate comment, not under someone’s.
Sherryl, just have him made a emotional support animal. Typically anywhere other than medical facilities will allow him to be with you:m. At 15 he is most likely too old to be trained. I can’t see a dog that old being willing to completely change the way the react socially and with others.
Get him as a emotional support dog. It’s basically the same. Very little work or training.
Hello, I suffer from anxiety and was thinking about getting a service dog for myself. Can I train my dog at home, and will she have to be tested by someone else to confirm that she meets the requirements? Thank you
hi, i also have an anxiety disorder, and depression and it has been limiting my life, i cant go in public places anymore because of my disorder. i was looking into registering my 6 year old dog as an esa but later realized i can only have her on the aircraft and not in public places which is where i need her the most. I do believe you need a doctors note that you need a service dog. You can train your dog at home but it is extremely hard and requires a lot of patience! I would recommend hiring a professional
Hi!
I also suffer from social anxiety, agoraphobia, and depression. My doctor asked if I had ever considered getting a service dog. All she had to do was write me a prescription (I know it sounds weird!) and that should be enough to get your medical need certificate/letter. Then you get to pick a dog and either have it trained or train it yourself. I’ve been doing some Internet research and there’s a lot of info out there on requirements and training, etc. As far as I understand, you can choose any dog (adopt/rescue or buy) and train them according to what works best for you. I hope that helps!
You only need a letter from your Dr. for a ESA not a service dog . ESA do not have public Access rights like a service dog has
I am currently trying to register my American Bully as a service dog for my mother. She is a diabetic with occasional bell palsy and vertigo. I primarily want to get Coco registered as a service animal to help with her vertigo, as she sometimes gets overwhelmingly dizzy and collapses without warning when no one is home. Is this the type of medical condition that could qualify Coco as a service dog?
My golden doodle is 10 years old, but he has the disposition to be a wonderful service dog. I have MS and balance is difficult. He is also a large dog that is big enough to help me.
Is he too old to train?
I also have Panic Disorder..My niece bought me a German Shepard pup…I started his training at 8 wks..I had a little background in Obedience Training…German Shepherd dogs are highly intelligent which makes it easy for you to train..George Bush passed a law that you can train your own dog to be a Service Dog…It takes lots of time & patience but you can do it…There are guidelines the dog MUST follow in public, you can goggle those guidelines, example: No jumping on ppl r smelling of ppl, no sniffing things in the store, no barking, peeing, pooping etc…When u train your dog DO NOT LET ANYONE outside of the Immediate family touch your dog…This comes n handy lately bc you do not want anyone to touch your dog n public…I have heard the only time you need a letter from your doctor is if your going to fly on a plane…I am happy to say I have a well-rounded trained dog with a very good temperament but NEVER LET YOUR GUARD DOWN bc dogs of all breeds have a 6th sense for bad ppl…Hope I was of some help!
I’m trying to get my 4 year old dog American Bull , certified as a service dog but not sure which category he would fall in I have daughters 10 and 4 my 10 year old suffers from ADHD depression and anxiety my 4 is having behavioral problem due to our current situation and separation from their dad I had to enroll both of them to see a licensed therapist! My dog is very well trained listens on command! He is great with both of my girls etc. Do I qualify for any of the categories?
If your dog does not provide a service for their depression or anxiety, he may qualify as an emotional support dog.
My boyfriend has a in training service dog and a doctors letter but his apartment complex is not allowing him to have his dog with him because she’s a American pitbull terrier. They said they don’t allow that breed at all. But he has a doctor letter and everything can they do that to him or does my boyfriend has rights? He is training her for his seizures brain damage and depression. He is disabled. Please help!
Technically, a service dog is allowed in any apartment or complex, no matter the breed. They should not be allowed to refuse the dog if it is helping a person.
Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) both service and emotional support dogs are protected under the Fair Housing Act, regardless of breed. So if he has a letter from a treating medical provider expressing need for the dog, he is allowed to have it at any housing complex available to others (apartments, condos, etc). I would recommend informing them of his rights, and if they continue to fight it, you may want to pursue legal retribution because he is indeed allowed to have his dog regardless of any breed restrictions.
I have a Labrador retriever and I have a 3 year old who is legally deaf and may be autistic. Could I train my dog to be a service dog for her?
Yes, you could have your dog trained to be a guide dog/hearing assistance. I recommend getting a trainer because guide dog tasks aren’t the easiest to train, but do what’s comfortable for you! I hope everything works out for you. -Alyssa
Yes, you could have your dog trained to be a guide dog/hearing assistance. I recommend getting a trainer because guide dog tasks aren’t the easiest to train, but do what’s comfortable for you! Training can be a little hard at times, but never give up, it’s worth it. (:
How old is your dog? Labs are very trainable. I would consider it very much.
https://www.google.com/search?q=hearing+dog+training&rlz=1CAOLTF_enUS874&oq=hearing+dog+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l4j69i65.3422j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on
Hello. I’m mainly interested in getting my dog licensed how to do that. I have promision from my dr that my dog is a service dog but I’m just learning that I will need her lisenced.
I have endometriosis and ovarian cysts…I have very hard days and sometimes cannot even get out of bed. and days that I am very weak and have fainting spells…Would I cover for a service dog or just a therapy dog
Yes, you qualify for a service dog. If any, you would probably need a Medical Alert service animal.
It’s completely up to your medical specialist, but it sounds like you most likely qualify for medical alert.
My Husband has had two major back surgeries which has left him with debilitating muscle spasms which cause him to fall or drop, chronic pain, cannot straighten up, and has a difficult time try to look up at people when he is talking to them. If he sits to long, he has a very difficult time standing up and usually needs someone to help him walk if he is able to at all at that time. Our shiz-tzu- Chin alerts and barks when he has these attacks or falls and helps keep my husbands panic levels down. Does this qualify as a service dog?
Me and my fiance have a service dog in training. Can a renter deny her just because shes still in training?
If a renter denies, that’s considered breaking the law. Although, you may want to get a doctors note until your dog is fully trained.
I would like to start the process of working with my son as the handler to train our dog as a service dog we can get a letter from his dr no problems as he is in a wheelchair and would benefit greatly from the help of a service dog. I would like to find out how we go about it legally. Thank you in advance for your help
Look Into your state’s laws and regulations each state is different in the SDIT. You could claim her as an ESA until she is fully trained, Due to the Fair housing act and ADA renters cannot deny ESA’S.
Not if you provide documentation stated that you need her
I have a gentle american Staffordshire Terrier. He has been wilh us since we foung him in crown point. Approximately 6 moth old. I swear he can hear everythinh we say but he cant sayanthing bach to. I must be verry frustrating. I eant to get him certified so he can go into stores with Austin.
Austin is emotionally disabled and he and I boyh feel he would beiffit for a emotional support dog. If you send and info you may have.
Hi, I suffer from depression and was wondering about an emotional support dog. Is there a form my doctor needs to fill out in order for the process to begin by getting a dog?
To get an ESA you need a mental health specialist to give you a doctors note.
I have sleep apnea and my German Shepherd wakes me when I have an attack. How would I get her certified?
Look Into your state’s laws and regulations beforehand. You can owner train but it can be a lot harder than usual. Please make sure you are consulting with your doctor and other doctors to see if the Service dog is going to be the right fit for you. I already have an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) but my medical issues have worsened to the point where a service dog is my only option.
I would love to have my puppy training, I need a service dog! Please can you call me? I have disabilities. How much is the traing cost?
My daughter has different sensory disabilities that fall under the guidelines for eligibility and receives therapy. She has a Labrador Retriever that she considers her companion and helps her considerably with her coping. He just passed the CGC test. What else do we need to do in order for the dog to be a certified service animal, not just an ESD?
I have a 9 year old Husky mix that I’ve had since he was 1. Since I got him I’ve exposed him a lot to large group settings such as town fests/fairs, farmers markets, shopping centers (that allow behaved pets) and so forth. Having him near me helps my anxiety immensely (I get horrible anxiety in crowds). He stays by my side. Does not seek attention or pay mind to others. He sits and lays patiently when I stop to talk or look at something. His only flaw is sudden loud noises spook him momentarily but his only reaction is to stand up and watch whatever made the noise. He does not bark or growl at it or show any sort of hostility.
I’ve tried training this out of him but I think it’s due to whatever happened to him before I adopted him. But I really want to do what I can to get him registered as a Service dog for my anxiety so I can go out and shop for food without getting overwhelmed and rushing through the store, or go out with friends without worrying about not being able to take him with because he’s not a service dog (which often leads to me opting not going on outings
I had wonderful lunch with training at petsmart. Your dog goes through an 8-12 week program and then tests for a good citizenship, from there you can test for service dog, but those are the rules on Colorado. Good luck!
Hi my son works all the time an I lost my dog he was put to sleep she helps me with my freaking Of the loss of my dog so take care of her mostly well my son at work all the time I told him I as going to keep her with me he said okay she’s not used to people yet so I have been introducing hr out to the public I do keep a mussel on her so she dosent get scared and bite someone why she is in traning. She is going to be my service and support dog for my depression of the loss of my dog whom I miss deeply I told myself I wasn’t ever going to get a nother animal but my son dosent really have the time for her and she has a lot of potential she dose
So far she is doing great on her service traning it’s only been a month though but she’s start g to get used to people .stikl work in prowess though
I have PTSD and bad social anxiety at school it gets really bad I want my dog to come to school with me because she makes me feel a lot better but I don’t know if she can if she’s not service dog so now I’m trying to get her to be a service dog by training her and everything but I don’t know what requirements she needs to meet to just come to school with me be there with me because she makes me feel better
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/
My dog is about 7 months old he is very close to me he listens to me but when I’m gone he does listen to other people like my husband and my son my mom but when I’m around he does not go outside for anybody else he follows me around he stays in bed till I get out of bed I have PTSD have cancer when I cry either fix me but he is you know a little bit hyper so I don’t know how to go about this do I need a hire trainer 2 help me with him so I can make him a service dog. I’m in those days I feel like I’m overwhelmed. Make my anxiety is over the roof and I was like that it don’t matter what time or whatever he’s between my legs if I’m home or buy me walking by my side sitting next to me.I’ve tried them to put them on at least one time and he like freaked out so I don’t know if I need to keep putting it on elation walking him to get him used to me and the leash I’m not sure what to do I’m lost please help.
The AKA is not required but helpful to have.. the public access test is also helpful to have done.
i have a service dog who is certified and i cannot take her into stores and hotels even when i show them her paperwork me and my family are a little confused Please help?
What is my apartment going to require for a service dog if there is no Dr. Letter required?
Your service dog is protected by the ADA. Therefore your landlord cannot deny your service dog. If you feel more confident, you can register your service dog and get an ID along with a vest to identify your dog as a working dog. You may find this article on landlords and registrations interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/landlords-service-dog/
I have a service dog, she’s around 1 year old now, she’s a Kelpie x Border collie (aka wants the play always) but she knows that once her vest is on, it’s time to work, she does do her tasks at home without the vest but at home she’s being a DOG.
Service dogs are considered medical equipment by law they have access everywhere other then private owned property that’s not open to the public, service dogs are LEAGLLY allowed anywhere the public can go, from shops to no pet housing, if the owner of the establishment (Walmart, Restaurants, Gas stations etc) harasses you or makes you leave it is a misdemeanour could get a fine for $10,000 and possibly one-year term of imprisonment as well as the fine.
Saying this is does seem convenient to have a id card or verification explaining this, but not every handler will carry them and you legally don’t have to have them, but when handlers DO have them and show them it makes it seem like you legally have them or for this store etc that will make access issues for handlers who don’t have them all the more harder.