The advantages/disadvantages of service dogs.

[Barberian]

Emergency shelters - ADA access for disabled and service dogs <-- link. Service dogs mentioned in section D. Section F. also interesting for PTSD low stress areas. I suggest contacting local government agencies to see which shelters have accommodations that meet your needs, and/or encourage them to provide services you might need in an emergency.

Link Removed <--- link. Section 4.2 relates to those with disabilities. Section 4.2.2 relates to service animals. Section 4.2.5 - Quiet areas. Section 4.2.6 - Mental health services.

 

[Olivia Felton]

You can train your own Service Dog.

No, I can't. That requires me to have a higher level of concentration than I am capable of. My issues also occur way too often to allow me to provide the consistency needed in training a dog from scratch. I am confident that I can keep up the remedial training, but to train one from scratch is not fair to the dog or to the perception of the public regarding service animals.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad that you were able to accomplish that, because it is not an easy thing. I was a K9 officer early in my career, so I do have an insight on what is needful to properly train a dog to perform work and not act out in public. My personal preference would be to find an organization that specializes in training dogs for psychiatric work.

 

[JustBe]

You're right, it does take a high level of control and concentration, 24/7 consistency and long term responsibility. I have always had a special connection with dogs. Somehow I am able to do for my dog what I cannot do for myself. I am a better and more complete person with a dog in my life.

I do hope you are able to find a training facility that will pair you with the perfect partner.

 

[DharmaGirl]

And I'd be a little concerned if I'd be able to handle a bigger dog on a leash

I have chronic back pain and I walk my 2 mastiffs every day. They heel next to each other and don't pull on the leash at all.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

They heel next to each other and don't pull on the leash at all.

That's encouraging to hear. I like the idea of a German Shepard. I think I'd feel safe. Although since I've started considering a service dog a small breed appeals to me too now. I like the idea of being able to hold the dog or have it on my lap.

The other thing I've been thinking about and not to be gross either is the issue of crouching down to pick up after the dog while on a walk. Bending is hard for me. Are there scoopers with handles that are long enough? That sounds like such a silly question but it would be a real issue for me.

 

[Olivia Felton]

The other thing I've been thinking about and not to be gross either is the issue of crouching down to pick up after the dog while on a walk. Bending is hard for me. Are there scoopers with handles that are long enough? That sounds like such a silly question but it would be a real issue for me.

Yes, you can find long handles poop scoops at most pet stores, or online.

 

[Barberian]

My wife just got a Boston terrier pup today from the same lady I got mine from (the dog lady REALLY needs to get her dogs fixed. She has way too many, and none are fixed. She and her family do try to keep them separated, but dogs will be dogs). My wife's pup is 8 weeks old, and male. He is colored almost the same as mine, but instead of black and white, he's brown and white same pattern. My wife will use him more for physical disabilities, but also as a psychiatric service dog. My wife has small seizures occasionally, and could use the help picking up dropped objects among other tasks.

My pup is doing well. She is 6 months old now. She is usually more behaved when I take her out and about. I've slowed down with her training, and I try to play with her more. I've been putting too much stress on myself to have a "perfect" dog. I wasn't pushing the dog so much as pushing myself with high expectations. When Sequoia failed I felt it was all my fault, which for the most part, it was. I was expecting too much from too young of a dog. My statement in an above post about having a 5 yr old child do taxes on the long form is what helped me realize what I was doing. That and I had been doing some research around the same time, and I realized most service dogs are "puppy homed" for a year or more then trained as service dogs.

I'll post some pics of my wife's dog and mine soon.

 

[Barberian]

This vid is about Veterans, but it could apply to anybody with PTSD. It's 26 min long, kinda slow at times, but well worth it to watch all of it in my opinion.

 

[Barberian]

 

[aka]

I took my young SDIT to a rabbit show this weekend thinking since I know most of the people and have seen other species of animals brought before it wouldn’t be a problem. I thought it would be a good intro to public access training for him. I had him there for about two hours before anyone complained. I think they finally saw him when I took him outside to go potty. He had been lying next to my chair most of the time so if they didn’t come over near me they would have not known he was there.

One of the people who runs the show came over to tell me they had complaints about my dog and if I could not show a card that identifying him as a service dog I was going to have to kennel him (I brought a portable kennel just in case I needed to do something that would be too difficult to do with the pup). So I put him in it and he wasn’t thrilled about it so he gave a few soft barks to get my attention. Immediately after doing this they told me I had to remove him because of the rules saying no dogs or cats could be in the show room. Pointing to the fact that the rabbits aren’t use to having them around. I can understand there argument but those rabbits aren’t use to screaming kids and loud speakers either and it’s a common occurrence at these events. I wasn’t prepared to have this happen and since I don’t consider him a full SDIT just yet I decide it was best to end the training on a good note instead of a possible bad one.

So I took him to the car where I waited for my mother to come pick him up. I needed to get out of there and calm down before having a full on panic attack anyways. Sorry if I am ranting I needed to vent.

 

[JustBe]

They cannot ask you for an ID or documentation. The ADA says:

"Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task."

 

[Barberian]

Service Dogs in Training unfortunately are not covered under Federal Law. Each state can set their own laws for SDIT's. California, where I live pretty much echo the Federal Law for SDIT's. Some states do not recognize SDIT's except by professional trainers and/or other restrictions.

aka, I tried to look up Nebraska Law where your profile says you reside. It does look like a SDIT friendly state though. I couldn't find wither or not documentation is required for SDIT's, but I did find this.

Nebraska State ADA Law: <---- link

Section 20-129
Denying or interfering with admittance to public facilities; penalty.

(1) Any person or agent of such person who denies or interferes with admittance to or enjoyment of the public facilities enumerated in section 20-127 or otherwise interferes with the rights of a totally or partially blind, deaf or hard of hearing, or physically disabled person under section 20-127 or sections 20-131.01 to 20-131.04 is guilty of a Class III misdemeanor.

(2) Any person or agent of such person who denies or interferes with admittance to or enjoyment of the public facilities enumerated in section 20-127 or otherwise interferes with the rights of a bona fide trainer of a dog guide, hearing dog, or service dog when training such dog under section 20-127 is guilty of a Class III misdemeanor.

I don't read legalizes very well, and I have a difficult time concentrating long enough to effectively read the whole section. Maybe someone else can maybe find the applicable section of law regarding asking about paperwork.