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Originally Posted by Jenna AK  Thank you, yorkietalkjilly, I appreciate you finding those links for me. The first one is not working but I now have a better idea as to what is required and why.
I'm also a bit discouraged. I don't see any way to get Jenna certified as an emotional support dog. There doesn't even seem to be a legal site for it. It seems unless she performs a specific and obvious service, she is just seen as a pet. I can't show people my mental disability, (so much for being able to maybe even try flying again which seriously aggravates my anxiety), all I can say is she helps me with it. I don't even understand how it really works. I could get a letter from my doctor but I doubt it will achieve the desired result. It's too bad because I think a lot of people would benefit from the kind of assistance that a dog with such natural abilities can provide.  Perhaps there is just not enough proof that there are dogs out there who can help people with things like agoraphobia, claustrophobia and panic attacks.
I'm also suspecting she has an ability to sense blood sugar spikes and drops but that would have to be verified with training and there's no way I'm sending her away for that.
Looks like a lost cause. Thank you anyway.  |
Don't get discouraged....ESDs are starting to be much better known, and I know a lot of people who've flown with them. When you fly w/ an ESD, you have to get a letter from your Psychiatrist (not your regular doc) and then the dog can fly w/ you in cabin. There was a gal on YT who did this and it all went well. Btw, some people call ESD dogs "Therapy Dogs" as well, and sometimes that name is better understood by the general public as compared to ESD.
As far as going into public places, you could carry a little ADA wallet size card (I made one for my Mother in Law...and I'm attaching it to this post). It reminds you and the business you're entering what they can and cannot do. They CAN ask you what service your dog performs, however, they CANNOT ask you anything about your disability.
There is really no reason you shouldn't try using your dog as a Therapy Dog if it helps you cope in public. If anyone asks, you can say "Yes, her service is as a Therapy Dog (or ESD), she helps me function in public places" or whatnot. You can obtain a little ID for her if you want or even better - just get her a little patch...this is the one I got for my MIL and she pins to the back of the harness:
Amazon.com: SERVICE DOG ADA Assistance Animal... . Or you could get her a little vest. And even though she may not *officially* be a Service Dog, you have little choice but to use those standards as a guide when using ESDs or Therapy Dogs, that's pretty much what everyone does (I researched this for my MIL and there are forums just about Service and Therapy Dogs - and that's what I found to be the norm).
If you reallllly want this to be a reality for you though, I'd highly recommend you see a Psychiatrist - they're the ones you need for flying, and they also will be more familiar with how to write the letters correctly. They would be very understanding to your situation too, and I bet that'd be very validating for you, and give you some hope
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