[mscat]

My son autism with intellecual delays, His psychatrsit wrote a letter to make accomadations for him to have a service dog in a no pet policy where lived, A few years later our yorkie Suzi has been his service dog. My son says she is his "baby" Suzi obeys him better then she does me. We do have service dog vest and these buisness sized cards thathstates the ADA rules and regulations , to be given out to anyone who questions that she is a service dog. Legally a service animal can be trained by the person , and does not have to go through extensive training, which can cos into the thousands. Suzi is now 4 years old and my son will soon be 19. A year later, I was officially granted legal permission to have my own service dog for mental health issiues. I brought home a tiny shh tzu 3 years ago. She is very calm and her temperment is perfect for this type of work and training. Both service dogs have assisted us daily, When I was very ill Suzi stayed at my side 24/7 when I was bedridden and trying to recoupe after severe 3rd degree burns.
The issue we face now is we have moved now, and were charged a "pet depoist" which is against CA law ADA. So I have been trying to get the leasing agency to refund that money. I've given them the DR.'s letters, researched the internet, and then printed out paperwork about service dogs and the law and sent it certified mail to them, then I also sent the agency a list of service dog tasks they perform , it was very specific, and wrote two letters regarding what specific tasks the service dogs perform. My other place I lived did not even question it, but this place is, and we still have not been refunded, we only have lived here less then two months, and it is going through a change of ownership. I am at a loss now, what else to do to get refunded. Hopefully they will honor the law and will refund the charge Service dogs are not considered pets, therefore cannot be charged a "pet deposit"
their a few things I am aware of is that if your service dog is creating a nucience in a estabilied place, they can ask you to leave. Example if the dog is barking, or defacating on the premisis, they can be asked to leave, and that is al legal.
From personal experience, I do know that a trained therapy dog is allowed to visit hospital patients. I was in the critical care burn unit for several weeks at a time, and a older woman would bring her therapy dog , a jack russel terrier to visit patients. Now this was a burn unit where many people are very ill, and infection is a big risk, however, It woulf make me feel so much better to have this dog visit. the dog could lay right on my bed so I could pet him, and he was amazing. The owner had little dog treats and let me give the dog the treats, it really made my day, and the lady was so kind.