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Originally posted by fenway:
Hey Everyone,
I am curious, does anyone in this community use a service dog? If so, I would be very interested to learn about it and share information as I myself have a psychiatric service dog due to my lovely lyme neuropsychiatric problems.
Thanks,
Fenway

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I am really looking forward to it.

Am fighting & doing everything I can to extend my time living alone.

Never thought of service dog for myself.

Only problem I have these condo`s do not allow dogs, as my fog is clearing, just remembered.

Hope doe`s not come to that, but have lost due to death or move close fam. & friends.

It sure would have been a help for me this week. Just would need to teach it to go pick up my meds & grocery,lol.....

Good Idea for some of us who have numerous illnesses, & alone...

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Originally posted by fenway:
I think that puts her in the category of a service animal because she assists you with your anxiety... has she had any training??
fenway

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And yes, a trained parrot can be designated a service animal. Service animals are not limited to dogs, though traditionally, dogs serve in that role. The two main keys are that the person has a disability that affects major life activities, and that the animal is trained both for public access and specific tasks that specifically mitigate the disability.

There is no such thing under ADA law that service dogs must have any specific certification, though programs do provide their own certification. The behaviors that dogs must have to be in public, however, would mean that the dog should have something equivalent to a Canine Good Citizen certificate (see AKC website) at a minimum to even start training.

Unless you are a dog trainer, or have extensive experience training a dog, you would likely need to get a program-trained dog, or attend group classes and obtain additional ongoing training from a private trainer experienced with service dogs. Service dog training for the team is ongoing for life. Both you, the handler, and the service dog constitute the team.

Among the trained tasks that a service dog might do for a person with neurological Lyme disease (mind you, the actual tasks depend on your specific and individual needs): helping with mobility for joint, muscle, pain, and balance difficulties; awakening the handler; reminding the handler to take medication at specific times; leading the handler back home when handler is disoriented or overwhelmed; helping the handler distinguish between hallucinations and real events; stopping at curbs until cued with special words to prevent handlers with seizures from stepping into traffic unaware; responding to seizures in handler by seeking assistance from others, pushing button on emergency phone, or staying next to the handler; helping to pull off clothes; bringing the phone when the handler is unable to move. For another example list of tasks, see IAADP's section on psychiatric disabilities.

Though depression is a condition that is disabling, the mere presence of a well behaved dog does not qualify that dog as "trained" to be a service dog. The dog must be able to perform a reproducible, trained physical task.

To begin working with a service dog, it would help to have a letter from a doctor or psychiatrist citing that the handler is disabled and a service dog is recommended. You need to start a paperwork trail and documentation of all that you have done to ensure you and your dog qualify. This is important if you are ever challenged over whether you dog is a service dog or merely a nice pet providing emotional support. Therapy dog teams do not have the same rights as service dog teams as far as access is concerned.

But if you and your dog are indeed a qualified team, you have certain rights that enable you to go in public with your service dog (or animal), for example, restaurants and even hospitals. You can also travel with your service animal on board airplanes. And a service animal is allowed in housing even when there is a "no pet" rule. The service dog is an extension of you, as vital as a wheelchair, for instance.

Even so, regardless of rights, a service dog team tends to encounter many confrontations, since many people do not know the laws that apply to service dogs. Thus, if you choose to work a dog in public, you should expect a lot of confrontation and be absolutely up to date and accurate about the ADA laws as they apply to service dog teams.

Most service dogs are "dressed" when in public, that is, they wear vests identifying them as service animals. Some cities provide state dog license dogs that indicate the dog is a service dog. But as I said, there is no specific requirement on certification. Often, however, it helps to have some visual identification and or documentation.

Hope this helps. And yes, I have a service dog, which is how I know about all this.

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Originally posted by fenway:
The Delta Society is a great place to look for info. There is also another site www.psychodog.com this is a great site with lot's of info, and a more realistic list of tasks a pychiatric service dog should perform.

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Fenway,
I think you meant to write www.Psychdog.org --though we all feel psycho on some days!

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Originally posted by once bitten:
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And speaking of condo and all, I wonder if the ADA laws will help a condo association to include a companion pet.

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