Yorkie Service Dogs

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by Miss_Sara

Well idk if this has been mentioned
but some close friends of mine have a cat
and the cat is trained to tell them when to take their medication
(one has lupus, the other aids, it's traumatic)
the cat has been in the newpaper and stuff

but they need to bring the cat with them places
because if they forget to take medication it's dangerous
So there's NOTHING wrong with that.
and there's nothing wrong with wanting your dog to sit on your lap during a plane ride!
I mean seriously, how could people be upset about that
(I never liked locking ANY of my dogs up in cages for plane rides anyways, if we were bringing the animals, we'd drive.)

As for the dogs being able to sit on your lap in the plane, I have a couple reasons as to why they probably don't and won't allow that. Number 1 is the take off and landing for obvious reasons. Number 2 is that while you know your dog might sit their camly the whole plane and do nothing, the crew does not know that. They don't know if your dog will bite someone or get up and run around and cause a commotion. Then if they let someone w/ a calm, chilled dog outside of a kennel on a plane, they have to let EVERY dog outside of a kennel on a plane, no matter what it's temperment.

As for people being upset, you have to remember not everyone is a fan of dogs.

[Miss_Sara]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

Miss Sara --- There are a lot of facilities for you to stay at in Vegas (as well as most other places) that allow pets....but don't expect to be able to take them all over town with you.

There are web sites with "pet friendly hotels and motels" all over the country. Check them out.

I'm not sure even a doctor's note will let you run around casino's, attend shows, and do anything you want in Vegas -- and take your dog with you. But, I do know as I said that there are many places that will allow your pet to stay with you (Hotels/motels etc.).

Unfortunately - I think that your having to have your pet with you all the time - is just going to limited some of the things you can do. (You already mentioned possibly staying at home because you might not be able to take your dog with you.) But even with this "have-to-have" in your life - you can still do a lot of things and go a lot of places --and more all the time.

Good luck!


Carol Jean

thanks I looked at some websites
I wouldn't need to take her everywhere with me
but would like to have her at the hotel mainly
I don't expect to take my dog into casinos and shows, of course not!

I even think I would feel uncomfortable with my dog in a restaurant,
I mean could you imagine even seeing another dog in a restaurant?
Just the possibility of them getting into the kitchen or something
I understand the reasoning for the restaurant thing,
but I don't think it's a big deal to take a job shopping with you

[iheartyorkies]

I just want to say thank you to those who have so eloquently contributed to this thread in regards to the requirements and info on therapy dogs and certification. I'm printing it. I've been a stay at home mom for 20 years and my kids are about ready to leave the nest and I'm wondering where the next phase of my life will take me. I lost 3 of my grandparents who I loved dearly all in about a year and I miss them. I have such empathy for elderly folks who are in nursing homes, many who rarely have visitors. I love to volunteer and have plenty of time to see about getting Bo certified. The info in this thread will give me a good start. Thanks!

[RLC12345678]

My sister's yorkie and my parents' yorkie both participate in a program through our church called P.A.W.S., or Pets Are Working Saints. Through the PAWS program, pets go through a test to be certified as "therapy" animals. They can go visit nursing homes, hospitals, handicapped children's facilities, etc. However, this does NOT give them a free pass to go to restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Like someone said earlier, they have to be "invited" to come into the establishment to give "therapy." Now, I know the PAWS program is probably different than being certified by some other program, which may allow these "therapy" dogs to enter restaurants, grocery stores, etc.

I think that sharing our pets with others is very rewarding, but not everyone likes dogs or animals as much as we do. Certifying your pet as a "therapy" dog just to be able to take them into restaurants is simply wrong. If your animal does provide you with some sort of therapy and the pet has gone through series of tests and has been certified, then obviously the therapy dog is ligit and should be able to accompany you for therapy.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by iheartyorkies

I just want to say thank you to those who have so eloquently contributed to this thread in regards to the requirements and info on therapy dogs and certification. I'm printing it. I've been a stay at home mom for 20 years and my kids are about ready to leave the nest and I'm wondering where the next phase of my life will take me. I lost 3 of my grandparents who I loved dearly all in about a year and I miss them. I have such empathy for elderly folks who are in nursing homes, many who rarely have visitors. I love to volunteer and have plenty of time to see about getting Bo certified. The info in this thread will give me a good start. Thanks!

Good luck if you decide to do it!

[elegntorchid]

No, actually I did not miss the point. I just think that people get so fired up about the wrong stuff. How bout instead of caring about why a person wants to carry a dog with them you light a fire under real problems.
As far as paying a fine, again too many real problems that should be fined than someone paying for and taking them time to have a dog registered as a "service" or therapy dog for what ever the persons reason may be. Please I would pay fine when we make a dent in drunk drivers, or our schools are properly funded, or orphaned children are cared for, the list could go on.......
And as someone else said you do not really know the reason behind a persons need or want to carry their pet with them. I just feel that many people on this site are critical of others for no real reason. I am never dishonest about why I carry my yorkies out. I like them, they like to go, so I take them.
As far as eating in petsmart or a restaurant, honey if you knew some of the things I know, you would prefer petsmart.......Anyway, I do not believe in being PC, I just say it. We all need to push for better understanding of our relationships with our pets.....

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by elegntorchid

No, actually I did not miss the point. I just think that people get so fired up about the wrong stuff. How bout instead of caring about why a person wants to carry a dog with them you light a fire under real problems.
As far as paying a fine, again too many real problems that should be fined than someone paying for and taking them time to have a dog registered as a "service" or therapy dog for what ever the persons reason may be. Please I would pay fine when we make a dent in drunk drivers, or our schools are properly funded, or orphaned children are cared for, the list could go on.......
And as someone else said you do not really know the reason behind a persons need or want to carry their pet with them. I just feel that many people on this site are critical of others for no real reason. I am never dishonest about why I carry my yorkies out. I like them, they like to go, so I take them.
As far as eating in petsmart or a restaurant, honey if you knew some of the things I know, you would prefer petsmart.......Anyway, I do not believe in being PC, I just say it. We all need to push for better understanding of our relationships with our pets.....

Isn't it common sense though, you break a rule you pay for it? I mean that goes for all laws, not just pet laws. Tell that to a judge and see how they feel about that. And I'm sure that places have valid reasons as to why they dont allow pets there. Just like some people don't want pets in their house, it's the same thing.

But just wondering, what are you reasons for wanting to take your dog everywhere with you?

[topknot]

My Charolette is a therapy certified dog now. I ended up selling her because a girl (teenager) and her mom were looking for a yorkie to buy to help her. The teenager had multiple problems due to her disease and we felt that Charoltte would do more good for the girl than just being a house doggie, so we sold her. The girl and her mom had Charolette go through the training and now goes everywhere with her, hospital for treatments, school when she has to go in for a test (she is home-schooled by a school county person, since she cannot attend school on a regular bases due to her illness), and goes to resturants and everywhere with her. The only service Charolette performs is to help keep the girl comforted and to detect siezures. I heard that Charolette does very well and the girl has shown an improvement since she got Charolette.

[elegntorchid]

Originally Posted by Rae Rae

Isn't it common sense though, you break a rule you pay for it? I mean that goes for all laws, not just pet laws. Tell that to a judge and see how they feel about that. And I'm sure that places have valid reasons as to why they dont allow pets there. Just like some people don't want pets in their house, it's the same thing.

But just wondering, what are you reasons for wanting to take your dog everywhere with you?

As a matter of fact I do not take my dogs everyplace with me.I do not recall saying that at all. But I have taken them out many times. They have been to the mall, to the outlets, to the sports store. When I do take them it is because they enjoy it.
: Please, lets not get into common sense and law breaking verses paying for breaking them. That could turn into a huge debate that has no place here. Because as a society we pick and choose who must follow what "laws" are in place for "all". And further more someone taking a dog into a dang store does not constitute as "breaking a law", not following a rule maybe. Many business are not posted "no pets" so many people just take the chance. Personally, as I have stated before as long as a pet is not vicious and the owner is responsible when they have them out, I have no issue. As far as making someone else uncomfortable, there are worse things. (we will just leave those alone also).
I applaud you for being such a model citizen and never breaking any "laws" or tiniest rule, maybe you could share your wealth of common sense with the common folk, then we could all be better for it.

[elegntorchid]

Originally Posted by topknot

My Charolette is a therapy certified dog now. I ended up selling her because a girl (teenager) and her mom were looking for a yorkie to buy to help her. The teenager had multiple problems due to her disease and we felt that Charoltte would do more good for the girl than just being a house doggie, so we sold her. The girl and her mom had Charolette go through the training and now goes everywhere with her, hospital for treatments, school when she has to go in for a test (she is home-schooled by a school county person, since she cannot attend school on a regular bases due to her illness), and goes to resturants and everywhere with her. The only service Charolette performs is to help keep the girl comforted and to detect siezures. I heard that Charolette does very well and the girl has shown an improvement since she got Charolette.

I am glad that your baby made such a difference in someone's life, they have a way these little dogs.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by elegntorchid

And as someone else said you do not really know the reason behind a persons need or want to carry their pet with them. I just feel that many people on this site are critical of others for no real reason.

This is true and I for one don't judge people because you are absolutely right., But if I'm not mistaken, I believe the OP stated from the beginning that she has NO NEED for a service/therapy animal, she just wanted to be able to take the dog everywhere. I think the dishonesty of the situation is what got people up in arms.

[elegntorchid]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

This is true and I for one don't judge people because you are absolutely right., But if I'm not mistaken, I believe the OP stated from the beginning that she has NO NEED for a service/therapy animal, she just wanted to be able to take the dog everywhere. I think the dishonesty of the situation is what got people up in arms.

You are right, but maybe that person didn't really see anything wrong with what they were doing. Persons who have never been exposed to persons with handicaps can be oblivious to aspects of difficulties faced by those people. I guess it just goes back to "we never really know".

[kirstin]

i don't see how registering your pet as a therapy dog can hurt anyone. it wouldn't affect anything concerning real service dogs for the handicapped. i do take Eloise everywhere with me [well, almost everywhere], and when she is old enough I plan on training her to become a little therapy dog. i don't care what anyone's negative opinion is about this... i can do it, so i will. besides, you have to do numerous community service things anyway.. and i do think i would enjoy it. i love sharing her with everyone. and the plus: taking her anywhere. win-win situation to me.

[daisysis]

Originally Posted by red98vett

and PS...Our yorkies ARE cute and small - but it shouldn't give them special treatment - how would you guys like to walk into a restaurant and see nothing but small dogs at the tables ? I personally would LOVE it - but most people would NOT love it.

There should be a VALID REASON someone has a Service / Therapy Dog - and being able to take them in restaurants is not one of them.

Sorry to the original poster of this Thread - but we all need to do our part with our small dogs ...and trying to beat the system shouldn't be a priority.

Besides.....Due to their size - we already ARE able to take them plenty of places if we choose ....no need for certification unless there is a reason for it.

I have to say I agree with this statement..I would not feel very good eating in a restaurant with a large pitbull in there becuase it was a thearpy dog
I clean up after them where ever I go. But some people just won't..
I would love to take my girls in while a shop..and sometimes I do sneak them in in there stroller.. But if every one did this ???

[Dianezz]

Originally Posted by Natsky

What some of you are referring to is an Emotional Support Animal. Not a therapy dog.

Legislation has been put in place that would allow some people with an emotional need or mental illness the right to house an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in “no pet” housing. In other words, if my landlord doesn’t allow pets in my building but I have an emotional need for the animal, be it a dog, cat, gerbil…if I can provide the proper documentation he has to let me have the animal.

This has also been a saving grace for many college students who deal with Mental Illness and would not otherwise be able to live on their own in a college setting. These ESA’s are being allowed to accompany their owners when they go other places as well. Sometimes something as small as a gerbil makes all the difference in the world.

The Emotional Support Animal legislation has not been put into place so that people who are miffed over not being able to bring their doggie’s into cafes now have some sort of “legit” reason to bend the rules.

I am one crazy chick. My formal diagnosis is: Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Psychosis NOS, Acute Anxiety…and a couple of other personality disorders that like to tag along. I struggle everyday of my life with many medications and side effects from those drugs, the effects of intensive weekly talk therapy and the endless fear of not knowing what tomorrow will bring. I have a wonderful support system and my life has been stable now (without hospitalization) for three years. But it is not easy. I work so hard to live a “normal” life, to not have hallucinations, to remember to take my meds…even when they make me gain 50 pounds and cause my hair to fall out. It’s HARD.

Dog have always been wonderful support to me and help more than I could possibly express with my anxiety. I would love to have an ESA, but I cannot. I could probably drop one of my medications entirely if I had an animal at home with me all the time. But, I cannot. Because people think it is a joke. I have been waiting and waiting to move for months now. Why am I moving…because I want to have my little Yorkie. Because I love dogs, but also because they reduce the quantity and severity of panic attacks that I have when I am home alone. My landlord does not “buy into” the “whole Emotional Animal Support thing” because he knows of people who pretend to have “therapy animals” for the sole purpose of sneaking them into cafes and boutiques in our areas. He will bring me to court if I try to have an ESA in my house.

I consider it a slap on the face to people like me, who suffer from severe and debilitating mental illness every day, who could really benefit from an Emotional Support Animal…who can’t have one or are laughed at because it’s basically a joke due to the abuse of this new legislation. It’s horrible that someone would pretend to have an emotional/mental disorder because they think that it’s not fair that they can’t bring their Yorkie everywhere with them. That is like pretending to be handicapped so that you can park closer to the mall because it’s more convenient for you.

When I had my little doggie a few years back, she came everywhere with me that I could possibly take her. I did get kicked out of a Wal-Mart once, but I honestly thought I could take her there. I understand that these animals are like our children…but there are people out there with a legitimate need for support from their animals. Just think about it. The more people abuse the ESA, the less people with a legitimate need can benefit from Emotional Support Animals. I’m not trying to make anyone feel bad, I’m just trying to shed some light on the fact that there are some people who need there animals…not just because it’s super annoying to have to leave them home sometimes...but because they simply fall apart sometimes when they are alone. Think about the person who, out of nowhere, thinks there house is about to burn down or starts to have trouble breathing and panics…this person could really use the presence of an animal. Just, be nice. Find another way. Don’t abuse this…it really could make it hard for other people.

Thank you. And, again, I love it here. I love all the people here, I think you are all the sweetest people around and the love that you all obviously have for your animals makes me smile every time I come here. I’m not trying to make anyone mad, I’m just trying to show you the flip-side to this coin.



Edit to add:

I realize that some of yo uare talking about certifying your dogs as therapy dogs...I assure you, ceritfying your dog as a "therapy dog" when he really is not does the same thing when it comes to making it harder for people with a legitimate need. It all ends up under the same catigory.

I could hvae written this same story. I have been disabled for about ten years...still able to function okay before that. All my docs have wantd mem to get a "therapy " dog for years, but i so feared I could not take care of one.
My youngest child is 14 and i am finally ready and we got one. HE keeps me out of bed...gives me courage to go to stores and to socialize even if jsut for a short time. The unconditions support i receive is a blessing..amazing.
I dont quite understand what would make him a Legal assist dog????
I volunteer in the community when I am able ....my last job was to take therapy dogs to the hospital and also to visit with patients and lend them relaxation CDs and projects to work on to keep busy. I work with elderly now.
They dont have therpay dog programs anyhere in my new city!Amazing.

I have severa; medical conditions too and liitle Kirby keep smy mind off them and i can focus on him. My husband pick up any slack adn helps out with our pup. I call him my therpay therapy dog because he is...I dont call him a therapy dog....I never heard of emotinal support dog fo r menatl illness dissabilty.