Wish I Could Get An Emotional Support Dog.

[asadafagahajakal]

Would it be beneficial enough to have a dog or other pet as a supportive companion, just assuming you can't get a regestered support animal? I know depending where you live it might be difficult to get an ESA or SD. But would simply having an obedience trained animal be sufficient to your needs or do you need them in more places than home and on the street?

Depending on where you live you may be able to get one of your pets trained to be certified, but idk how one goes about doing that.

 

[Sideways]

Do you need the dog to do things that you cannot for yourself or do you just need a dog to pet and love on and be there with you at night?

This is a bit misleading for the situation in Australia. Assistance Dogs here are becoming increasingly common for PTSD sufferers in particular, because they seem to have a huge impact on a lot of purely psychological symptoms in particular, especially things like staying grounded (no special training required), and feeling safe in public.

Again, I'd recommend Mind Dogs. The fact is that training an Assistance Dog here in Aus has become a fairly steamlined process if you use the right organisation. And organisations like Mind Dogs have enough experience now with helping PTSD sufferers in particular that they come to the party with additional tasks & symptoms that you don't necessarily realise a dog can help you with, as well as how to train them to do those tasks. They have forums for people who have Assistance Dogs to also share tips, which many people find helpful.

@lostforgottensoul - I appreciate you're trying to help and I know that you're working your arse off to get Chopper trained and have an abudance of knowledge about that process. But the process (as well as the laws) here in Aus seems to be really quite different here in Aus because of the sheer number of people now using Assistance Dogs.

Not having a go at you, just heads up so the OP doesn't get the wrong idea about what it's like here in Aus:)

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Assistance Dogs here are becoming increasingly common for PTSD sufferers in particular, because they seem to have a huge impact on a lot of purely psychological symptoms in particular, especially things like staying grounded

That's not misleading. That grounding technique, I am assuming, would be something you cannot do on your own.

Different laws but same situation. Assistence dogs assit. ESAs are different. I'd advise (and I think I did already) to research everything massively, including the laws and assistence groups (like this Mind Dogs you are refering to).

Everything I advised would apply to figure out what you need. And laws aside, if the dog is going to go every place you go then they really better have training to behave properly. Reguardless if laws say you have to or not. Thats only respectful to everyone else there.

 

[joeylittle]

Different countries means different laws, different terms.

Different laws but same situation. Assistence dogs assit. ESAs are different.

No. Not same.

Everything I advised would apply to figure out what you need.

No, it wouldn't.

It's not helpful for someone to get extensive advice on regulations that are not relevant to their country. Period.

Let the people who know, take the lead.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

What happened with take what helps and leave the rest? Why do I always have to feel jumped on for just trying to help?

 

[Sideways]

Why do I always have to feel jumped on for just trying to help?

You "feel" jumped on.

quite a bit of your info above is not really correct for Aus (as an example, we have Assistance Dogs, maybe they're called Service Dogs in the US, idk, the OP asked about different names & she's right that it can be confusing but researching from Aus because there's a couple of bogus organisations that have been circulating US info as though it applies here; and it doesn't and ARGHHH!!! It can be hard to know up from down!.)

When advice involves local laws, it's probably not helpful to be giving factuality incorrect advice, and people giving the heads up where info provided is factually incorrect (as opposed to opinion) is, IMO, helpfull for the OP. It's okay for others to point that out, it doesn't need to be taken personally if someone just points out where facts aren't correct:)

 

[XvanoraX]

Oh I had no idea.
That explains why I can't find any info on emotional support animals in Aus, such as the laws on them.
Most information I come across is either American or talks about ptsd for those who were defence members.
I kinda thought with my ptsd I'd be unlikely to get a service dog. I just don't want to get my hopes up, so I tend to tell myself things won't happen just to be safe. But I'm looking at going to my dr very soon, then I can get 10 free counselling sesssions and then go from there. I just have a few things on first, so it will be a week or so away.

Anxiety is a big one for me.
And ever since I can remember I've needed to have a blanket on when I'm sleeping. I love the heavy feeling, doesn't matter how hot it is, I just can't sleep without a blanket or something.

I figured if I got an ESA, I could train it to do those things mentioned above- checking a room before I enter, standing infront of me to put distance between certain people etc etc.

I will continue to keep my eye out for any new rental listings in my area, but there really isn't much in this area, especially at this time and in my budget.
And yes, I'm pretty certain the landlords said no to a dog because my neighbour apparently hates dogs because they bark. She can't hear anything, she's 80+ and can't hear her phone ring even standing by her back door. Lol she doesn't seem to hear the neighbourhood dogs anymore either.
I'm pretty sure they called her and asked what she thought and she said no way. Makes sense, I remember getting the email back denying my request and for a solid week she was going on about hating dogs and dogs barking.
She's been here for over 20 years, so they will do anything for her.

 

[Sideways]

I got really lucky the last time I used the free psych sessions and had 10 sessions with a lady who was ace, so hopefully you'll be able to get referred to someone that can help you out with the anxiety.

 

[XvanoraX]

Yeah I hope I'll get someone good. I saw an awesome lady after I split with my ex and went through massive issue with my parents. Wish I could go back to her, but don't think I can as she was given to me for specific reasons and through a certain agency thing.
I've gone to counsellors before but I just don't ever open up and I'm so good at pretending to be fine, normal and happy. The last counsellor i saw, the one I mentioned above, I got the all clear from her when I really shouldn't have.

 

[joeylittle]

@XvanoraX - I looked up these links for you, in case you hadn't been able to. This one is from the minddogs site, and outlines the federal law in Australia. Federal Law | mindDog Australia


And this one is another organization, A.W.A.R.E. DOGS AUSTRALIA INC - they also provide help. Looking around their site, they've got good links to the laws, the language, and all that.

Compared to the US, Australia is rather progressive in their recognition of mental health as a 'legitimate' disability, not only related to PTSD.

 

[Sideways]

@joeylittle - thank you for that, I haven't figured out links yet!

@XvanoraX - IMO it's best to steer clear of AWARE. Very very dodgy.

 

[Deleted member 28740]

Puppy love. A puppy gains one week of continence per month. Most pups are weaned about 8 weeks. That is EVERY 2 hours needing to go pee poo Potty. One year old has 12 hours of continence, but how was it trained? A pup should begin training 8-12 weeks from adoption. Was the pup trained? Puppy mill (no socialization)? Mixed mutts from rescue organizations in the one year+ range are both somewhat a known as to temperament and still malleable to specific training for your needs.

Just rescued (again). Mutual.