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Disabilities that Qualify you for a Service Dog
If you have a physical, emotional, or mental disorder, then you will most likely qualify for a service dog. Below are the laws and a list of mental, emotional, and physical disabilities that may qualify you for a service dog.
Can a Landlord Reject a Service Dog or ESA Based on Breed?
Why are there issues with dog breeds and housing? According to an article published by NIMH, younger adults tend to believe that landlords and property managers discriminate against their animals, specifically if they have large dogs or dogs of a specific breed. Many would also speak of how properties that did accept pets would be […]
How to Register a Dog as a Service Dog in Texas
The State of Texas has enacted their own laws to protect service dogs and their owners from discrimination and exclusion. Learn how to fight for your rights a service dog owner in Texas.
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!
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.
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.
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!!!
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
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?
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
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?