Emotional Support Dogs-have I asked this before?
 

I am hoping to get Jenna registered as an emotional support dog so that she can go more places with me, as I have bad anxiety disorder and she helps calm me in public places. Does anyone have any tips on how to properly go about doing this? I've found some online places that say you don't even have to have a current mental health professional, either they will certify you online or your regular doctor can vouch for you. The dogs require no training, just the designation and papers stating the same.
Just looking for information on the procedure at present if anyone has any idea where to begin. Many thanks in advance. :)
Hope I haven't asked this question before, if I have, apologies. :)

This is a very interesting topic and there are knowledgable people on here that will be able to assist you with this! I will be anxious to learn how to do this so I can answer this question with people I run across daily.

There have been one or more extensive threads on this before I can't recall the titles. One might have had something to do with flying with a dog/Yorkie but I'm just blank as to the titles. But those were filled with post after post and I think there were even links. You might even do a Search on YT for "support" for all posts about that subject and look at the titles of threads those posts were in going back a year or more. Geez, that's another problem as I can't remember how long ago but seems it was 9 mos. to 18 mos. or so? I'll try searching for you too and hoping we can find that longest thread. Course it could have been one of those that started out about one subject and title and took a turn about emotional support dogs, etc. I hope you get the information you need. I'll see if I can help find those threads.

Here's a start. Still looking for the two I talked about.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sea...archid=6495287

And here's something.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/agi...yorkies-3.html

Was this on any of the other listings?

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/agi...-question.html

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. :)

I don't know if this was part of one of the earlier posts, but I did find this discussion and it pretty much tells me that there is no such thing as an emotional support dog as far as the ADA is concerned. It's the second page of the thread.
http://servicedogcentral.org/forum/i...?topic=5857.15

I'll look into getting notes from my doctor and my veterinarian regarding Jenna's status in this matter. Perhaps they can be of more help.

Maybe its something you can start by getting a local rep to sponser a bill. I imagine there would be a lot of people who would benefit from that type of care dog. Its monumental in task but it can be done. I would do online searches as I imagine there are already people out there who are working on it....

Well, there is the very real possibility we are leaving Alaska before year's end...I wonder how seriously any campaign I put forth would be taken as we have our foot out the door. :(
I am very fortunate that certain places like Petco and Barnes and Noble and some of our mom & pop places don't mind you bringing a pup in with you, no matter if it's a pet or otherwise, but my OH keeps telling me if I just put Jenna in her carry satchel and keep her off the floor no one will care if I take her through the supermarket. :eek: I disagree and don't relish the telling off I will get if I try. (He claims he's seen wee dogs sitting in the cart basket with older ladies pushing them about there before, but that not only sounds unsafe it is unsanitary!)
As it is our WalMart said absolutely not when I tried taking Jenna in with me once and I wound up deciding nothing in that store was worth going through 'just leaving my dog in the car.' Their loss, I really needed some pants. :(

We are likely going to wind up in California somewhere. You can live a relatively isolated life in Alaska and it's no big deal, I don't have to deal with my phobias as much here but then I don't leave the house hardly at all. (That causes it's own problems.) It's being a place like the Golden State where your presence is required more in the outside world that has me very concerned about how often my triggers will be set off and how well I can function. I know Jenna helps me in that regard and perhaps being an example would go a long way in showing the need for access like this for ESAs being more acceptable and even a foundation for it established.

I will have to give this a long think. :scratchhe

I haven't read the previous threads, but do know that one of my friends was able to get a letter from her doctor stating that she had anxiety and that her dog helped her not have anxiety attacks. So she got the service dog status and was able to have her dog fly with her in-cabin from California to Europe and back.

She also said that due to the American Disabilties Act that people are not allowed to ask her what "service" the dog performs, or what condition she has that warrants it. She did get a red service dog vest and ID on the internet, and has not been denied any access with her dog.

That being said, as much as I would like to take one of my dogs with me to many places, I would not seek such status, just because "I want to". If too many people abuse the system and privilege it is not going to be good. When stores, restaurants, etc. post a sign no pets allowed, I respect it.

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 :).

I agree with Wylies Mom. It can be done! And Ca is I believe one of the most dog friendly states in the USA.

My situation is different I need a physical assist dog - and well geesh he is a big bruiser and I only need this when I have flares but boy does he come in handy when I do!

I wish you luck and get cracking on this project!

My MIL(to be) got her poodle registered as an emotional support dog. She went to her regular doctor and he gave her the information on who to contact. It was relatively easy, he needed no training and she made him a laminated label on his harness that says 'emotional support dog' and a little card in her wallet but technically no one is allowed to ask why you have the service dog, only if it is one. He was also able to sit on the seat next to her on the airplane.

I have a yorkie as my emotional support dog. I am a veteran with ptsd and deppression. All I had to do is get a service dog vest and keep my doctors note with me. As far as I have seen there is no place that you have to register your dog with. All you need is a doctors note to fly with your service dog.

Agree with everyone here, in most places you only need to have a doctors note and to fill out a few papers. You can find ESA tags online with your dogs picture and your rights as an ESA holder on the back. :) Do not give up, my sister takes her ESA with her to college (sits quietly on her lap), gas stations, and many other places. If you do get an ESA please be aware of your rights.

It was my understanding that emotional support animals are NOT service dogs, much like therapy dogs are not service dogs, though people often use the terms interchangeably incorrectly. For this reason, they do not have to be trained to do a specific task like a service dog does. Also, they are NOT permitted everywhere like service dogs are, with the main exceptions being flying on planes or perhaps living in an apartment that does not allow pets. If flying is your biggest concern, you may be in luck, because that is one of the places ESAs are most commonly used.

There are psychiatric service dogs, but they are not the same as ESAs. Here is a good link with a little more info: What is the difference between a psychiatric service dog and an emotional support animal? | Service Dog Central

I hope that helps a little, and you can figure out if Jenna is an ESA or PSD, as the law is written. No matter the title you put on her, I know how our pups can be our biggest supporters. Good luck! :)

^^ This.

An ESA is NOT a service dog nor a therapy dog.

A therapy dog must pass a TDI Test. These dogs are allowed in certain hospitals, nursing homes, etc, to help make people happy. They are not allowed on planes, or anywhere else that doesn't normally allow dogs.

A Service Dog is trained for a specific task and trained extensively. Typically, they go through 2 years of training before even being titled a 'service' dog. They are allowed pretty much anywhere.

Thanks everyone! :) I've been reading the responses, sorry I haven't posted till now.

Lots of good info out there and many thanks for all the links, especially Wylie's Mom, I did have a look at those items on Amazon. I've read the articles specifically speaking about what a service/therapy dog is and isn't. I at least am relieved that I have a plan of action for flying, since there will likely be some of that in my future.

I was deeply touched by an article regarding how service dogs are getting a bad rap because an untrained dog with a badge will have access to an area where it will actually cause trouble for the registered service dog...that is definitely not cool.

My primary concern is going to remain for Jenna's safety. I will manage better with her in public but I won't be going anywhere with her that her well being is compromised or she will disturb the rights of access of others. She is the best behaved dog I've ever encountered, but I did not train her. Somebody else did. And that is what gives me hope that she can be accepted in public areas that she will be properly allowed in.

Thanks again for all the input. Have a much better idea of what I'm dealing with now. :) I will update everyone when I know a little better how my doctors assess my situation.

what is every ones thoughts on this site?NSAR Service Dog Certification - Emotional Support Animals

go to physchatric dog.org, chester is my service dog for ptsd, they have training you can do your self for your dog. I ordered a service vest for him at active dogs. Businesses can ask you if they are a service dog and what tasks they perform for you, they cannot ask for paper work, unless you are flying and legally, you do not need a vest but you will get less hassle that way. I get comments all the time about how well behave chester is, when I go to the movies, he lays between my legs and sleeps, the way the seats are in this one theatre

My Guinness is an ESD, he has an ID card and vest but It has only been used for flying. I just got a Dr's note and I can not remember the wedsite right now but I ordered his ID card and vest from there. Around here I can take Guinney pretty much anywhere as long as they do not sell food.

An esa is not a service dog. They are pets except for flying on your lap on airplanes and living in housing that restricts animals. In order to have a service dog, they need to do a task. Esa dogs do not have the same freedom as service dogs. If you have a disability that makes it impossible for you to do daily tasks whether physical or mental then under the American disabilities act you would be considered disabled and qualify for a service dog. Your service dog needs to do tasks to assist in your disability and you can train these tasks your self.

An ESA has 2 "rights" - a right to fly in the cabin (in an approved carrier, under the seat in front of you, NOT on your lap) of a plane with no additional cost and a right to live with you in an apt (either one that does or does not allow pets) with no additional monthly fee or security deposit.

For both, you need a letter from a mental health professional stating that the animal is an ESA and that you have a mental disability with a need for an ESA.

AND -- the letters are generally only good for a year, so every year you need to get a new one from your therapist/psychiatrist/mental health professional.

As an fyi, anyone can fly with a small dog on a plane (in an approved carrier, under the seat in front of you) by notifying the airline and paying their stated fee. We have found that the airlines we use charge around $100 each way for the pet fee.

That's great!

dog
 

I am in California and we have great respect for therapy dogs. I work with hospice patients and we have quite a few therapy dogs for the patients. I hope you can get your dog into the therapy dog program. Also there are certain meds you can take for your anxiety. If you need them, get them. My daughter is a nurse and she tells me that it puts a lot of stress on your heart if you have anxiety issues. I hope and pray you will have guidance in this area.

I don't have much to add to this, but I want to THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, I BOW TO YOU WITH LOVE AND ADMIRATION FOR THE SACRIFICE YOU HAVE MADE FOR ME AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS COUNTRY...I TRULY HOPE THAT YOU FIND THE PEACE OF HEART SOUL AND MIND THAT YOU DESERVE...THANK YOU, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, YOU ARE A TRUE AMERICAN HERO.

:thumbup::thumbup: Lynzy! I don't think enough of us (can there ever be too many??) stop and say thank you.

Thank you!

Did you see this site?

Chilhowee Psychological Services

I have a friend who has an emotional support dog. It's a small dachshund. He spends his time in between Michigan and California and he flies back and forth every 2 weeks, sometimes more often. He also takes the dog out to eat, to work and several other places. He sits in a little doggie backpack under the table at dinner and you'd never know he was there.