The advantages/disadvantages of service dogs.

[Deleted member 28740]

Training is constant, and as living situations change, the training has also. An abusive neighbor. He is verbally aggressive and stalking. We ignore. Love this gal. Today she continued beside and yawned and yawned, then with finger motions a down and stay. Good girl. Working on my cert also. Hard as I we used to walk miles and now a continually undefined by the landlord common use of property. I love that she is herself and so darn smart to instant adjust to aggressive from others. Yawns.

For me, the nudge, face lick, or paws and more for flash backs. and other. perfect in a store around food.

 

[desiderata310]

Boredom or anxiety?

 

[Deleted member 28740]

Boredom or anxiety?

In this case with neighbor, as it is ongoing BOTH! She looks at me, bite his ass or yawn. Yawn. But it is anxiety as he is escalating constantly. Land lord will not sort. Police willing when I say to intercede.

 

[Deleted member 28740]

bite his ass or yawn.

Bella is non aggressive by nature and training. Figure of speech - Her stance and attitude can be protective when and if appropriate.

 

[joeylittle]

An ESA does NOT HAVE ANY TRAINING. They are just there to be a companion. They also do not have ANY PUBLIC ACCESS

Thank you for being so perfectly clear in this sentence. ESA's are companions; they are there so the person does not have to be alone during emotional stress. But all they need to do is exist.

I remember following how tough this journey was for you, in threads and diary. You and charlie have come a long way on a long road, and it's pretty great.

@lostforgottensoul - it's pretty much all in desi's post #142 - here

So far, what you are describing wanting to do is have your dog be an ESA, and you don't technically need to train him, but you should (since right now he pulls on-leash, gets hyper with new people, just stuff that in general would be good to clear up, since you have a physical condition that impacts your strength when walking.

[ESAs] also do not have ANY PUBLIC ACCESS.

Except for -

• Air Carrier Access Act makes provision for emotional support animals for flights. There are paperwork requirements, and seating restrictions if the animal is not small enough to fit under a seat for take-off and landing. I've done it a number of times. It's a ton of hoops, and the hoops just keep coming at you (you're pretty much questioned every step of the way) - but, it's legit. The big upside is that you don't pay the pet fee, and if you have a large animal, they don't ride cargo.
• Fair Housing Act says that landlords should make 'reasonable accommodation' - which I believe means they do not have to make accommodation for an animal that is destructive or dangerous, that's their way out of that. Also, the owner is liable for damages, though they may not be charged for a pet deposit, since the animal is not wholly a pet.

 

[desiderata310]

Except for -

Exactly. Just didn't want to muddy waters right off the bat.
ESA's are allowed on airlines and in pet restricted housing with a letter from your therapist or doctor.

I remember following how tough this journey was for you...

Charlie and I still have a long way to go but I can't deny how much better things are than three years ago before I had him. I'm grateful my therapist encouraged me to go down this road.
Today I forced myself to go to work. sat down at my desk when I got there and started crying. Charlie popped up between my legs like he's want to do and stood there in my face, invading my personal space (he's a close talker) wagging his tail and pulled me out of it. This evening he and I went for a long run. On the road. I couldn't have done that today without him by my side. I would have either snuck over to the gym and ran on a treadmill or I would have skipped my run altogether.
He still has tasks i am desperate for him to learn but we're getting there.

 

[Kefira]

I think it's also an important distinction that "public access" is based on places of public accommodation, which is determined by the ADA and state definitions of such.

Service dogs and ESAs both are granted access to rental housing and aircrafts under the appropriate laws since neither of those environments are ADA covered. It's also why more can be asked when you fly of service dog teams and it can become very confused, because you're transitioning between ADA and DOT regulations from airport to in flight.

So the statement that only service dog handlers have public access rights is correct. And that's really important legally, because there are few exceptions to public accommodation laws, and no incidents where an inclusion of any other working animal must legally be made under ADA jurisdiction.

Sorry- I may have been teaching service dog education workshops for too long.

 

[joeylittle]

So the statement that only service dog handlers have public access rights is correct. And that's really important legally, because there are few exceptions to public accommodation laws, and no incidents where an inclusion of any other working animal must legally be made under ADA jurisdiction.

Thanks - that's very clear. I'd not wrapped my head around it that way.

 

[Hope's mom]

Nope. The Americans With Disabilities (ADA) says that legally they can ask if it's a Service Dog and Wha...

I have a service dog in training for PTSD. You actually only have to verify IF your service dog is trained to do a task. You are not required to say what they are trained to do or to demonstrate the task. To detail what the dog is trained to do requires you to say what your disability is in many cases, and is therefore illegal. Many choose to say what their disability is anyway, but it is by no means required.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

but it is by no means required

Patrons (stores, restraunts, etc) can only ask 2 questions by US ADA law. If the dog is a service dog and what the dog does for you (say alerts me to anxiety. Or just alerts me), no registration for service does & doesn't have to wear a vest or any indentifying items, and the patrons can kick you out of the dog is misbehaving, shows a danger, or is in any way not under the control of the handler. This is why people that have actual service dogs run into issues.

My dog is also a PTSD service dog in training.

 

[Kefira]

You actually only have to verify IF your service dog is trained to do a task.

This is incorrect. From the ADA Service Dog FAQ:

"Q7. What questions can a covered entity's employees ask to determine if a dog is a service animal?

A. In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific 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 are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person's disability."

So the way you identify the task can be generalized to avoid disclosing exact disability, such as medical alert. And they cannot require demonstration, documentation or ask about your disability. But under the law employees of ADA compliant entities absolutely are permitted to ask what tasks the dog has been trained to perform in order to help them determine that the dog is a service animal rather than a pet.

 

[Barberian]

Just checking in about my service dog. I haven't been to this site in a while. I've had my SD for 3 1/2'ish years now. Most places I go to are used to me and my SD now. I've had two incidents/confrontations in the last month. One I am looking for a lawyer because I was forced to leave after a confrontation about the legality of my SD. The manager refused to acknowledge my SD without paperwork. I called the police, but the local police will not get involved in civil matters, so they say. This is the worst incident in the time I have had her. The second incident was resolved after talking with a manager.

Original use: As for my dog - I initially got her so she could help me determine if the person(s) I saw on my late night walks were real or imagined. She would alert on real things of concern including people. I also trained her to sit at the front, side or back points to keep strangers at a distance. One of the most difficult things I do in public is using a checkout register. Being wedged into a line with people close in front and behind me can terrify me. I can manage the distance in front of me to a degree, but far too many people want to stand RIGHT BEHIND me. Needless to say, I can't handle that very well at all. When I get in line, I have my SD sit behind me a foot or two back. Most people can tell it is there for some reason and stay back.

Since then she helps more with keeping people at a distance and my sense of balance which is deteriorating. I use her as a counterweight. I don't lean on her because she is a small dog. My PTSD has gotten much better, but.... PTSD never goes away completely.