Possible service dog!

[FindingMyself88]

Thank you @Britt.f7 I really needed the encouragement. Just calmed myself down from having a panic attack. The manager of our apartment is trying to deny me having her since she will be in training. I even contacted a disability advocate lawyer and she is still trying to fight it. I have to wait until the actual owner gets back Monday, but if me and Cady fit together tomorrow, I will go ahead and get her and spend the weekend out of town. Even if Cady isn't the one, It is going to happen eventually and I am legally clear. I called my T, she is proud of me for standing up for myself even though I broke down afterwards… :(.

I am just trying to focus on seeing her tomorrow!

 

[ghotiff]

She looks beautiful.

I have been looking into getting a future pet legally recognized as a service animal but I have struggled to understand the laws and rules. I know it's different country to country but are there any links that might help me understand if I could ever qualify.

 

[FindingMyself88]

Thank you @ghotiff!

Now there are 3 different kinds of legal animals: a Service animal, an Emotional Support Animal, and a Therapy Dog. The 2 for personal use are the Service Dogs(SDs) and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). A SD is a dog that you have because you have been diagnosed with a disability and it impairs some of your Activities of Daily Living (bathing, taking care of yourself, going into public, etc). The dog is trained to perform certain tasks to accommodate your disability. For instance, my SD will perform tasks to help with my PTSD flashbacks, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, and also my physical mobility issue of random onset dizziness. And SD is allowed access to all public facilities aside from certain parts of the hospital.

An ESA is a dog prescribed by your mental health professional stating that you have a psychiatric disability that the dog would benefit you with. In some cases, ESAs are also prescribed for the elderly as companions. The difference between an ESA and a SD is that ESAs don't have to be trained to perform tasks and they only have rights to fair housing and airplanes.

As far as sites go, I've looked up too many and haven't saved them. You can google the rules that apply to your country or state. I know in the United States trained SDs are covered under the ADA for all states, but SDs in training vary according to state. If you wish to know certain tasks, you can google that as well. Like PTSD is covered under psychiatric SDs so you can google Psychiatric SD tasks. If I come across a helpful site while looking for videos, I will post here and tag you @ghotiff

 

[Jezanna]

I trained my own service dog here's what I wished I would have done. Hired a behaviorist to evaluate for me as they are unbiased. Also being a shepherd this dogs hips need a ofa clearance as well as the parents. I'm a dog groomer and can tell you how sad it is to see a stunning shepherd needing to be put down from bad hips. It is so common in the states it's a damn disgrace.

 

[Jezanna]

Forgot to add to make sure this dog has zero food aggression issues it's expensive to untrained and believe me it takes one kid with a I scream cone or snack to make a food aggressive dog bite. Kids come into public access area all the time with food and the dog has to be 100 percent reliable. Had several kids feed my well behaved dog food while shopping. Kids are quick. So a dog who can't take food super gentle is a potential problem. Good luck and remember this could be your partner so view the dog with a critical eye. I didn't and I regret as mines adequate but not ideal. Now I'm attached.

 

[ghotiff]

Thanks @FindingMyself88 What I want is an emotional support animal and the fair housing rights. Now I know that language my google search will be much more productive.

 

[FindingMyself88]

@Jezanna Thank you for the advice, it is greatly appreciated! I do know that she has a health certificate, I will be asking about hips. I will also be asking about food aggression and some other things.

I am glad I could help @ghotiff I hope you can get an ESD, mine help me while I am at home. But I am to the edge of developing agoraphobia and social anxiety, so my need has extended beyond the house!

 

[FindingMyself88]

Today is the day I go meet her! I am nervously excited!! I will try to post here when I can updating. I will be heading straight to my dad's after getting her until the whole apartment thing is straightened out.

 

[Britt.f7]

I have a dog who doesn't seem to have food aggression, but takes treats horribly. You have to watch out for your fingers! I've never had a dog like that until Tess. I've been working with her to take food gentle. That's my word for her. But I have to warn other people to say that or she will take it aggressively. Funny, she doesn't do anything like growl or snap when you are by her dish, but she just takes treats horribly. I hope your dog is gentle.

 

[FindingMyself88]

That is odd @Britt.f7. I hope so too, I will be leaving in about 2.5 hours to go see her. They say she is good with kids, so hopefully that is a good sign! I will be taking her to some parks and shopping centers just to see how she does today.

 

[FindingMyself88]

So Cady came home with me! She is doing AMAZING! We have some things to work on, but she is already sticking to me like glue and is listening to me when I tell her to do something. She also woke me up last night from a nightmare on her own!! She has no food aggression and lays quietly at my feet while I eat without begging. We are going to the park and to try going to a grocery store today :). She is already helping me so much and I am SO glad I decided to try her out! Pictures will come later :)

 

[Justmehere]

yay!!!