I'm Registering Codie & Tia As Service Dogs
 

I have decided to register Codie and Tia as service dogs. I have been training them at home for some time. I am going to register them with Service Animal Registry of America (SARA).

http://www.affluent.net/sara/index.htm

If anyone has any further information on service dogs, I'd love to hear it. Does anyone have a service dog? :) I was surprised to learn that even rabbits and monkeys can be service animals!!

good luck Jen! :)

Thank you for all your help!! You're a gem!! :p

Thats great!! I think that is awsome....:)

thats wonderful jen,,, good luck

Without starting a bad discussion here, Can I ask what services these dog provide?

We've had several good discussions on this board about service dogs and hopefully you have done a search on this website and have seen these discussions.

I think it is wonderful what service animals can do; however, too many people just want to take their dogs into restaurants or shopping and it makes it more difficult for those who have professionally trained and certified and licensed their service dogs......

I really do not have to answer to anyone about MY personal decisions but they are for emotional support ... therapy dogs. Since I lost my mom and Katie almost 1 year ago, I suffer from panic attacks and other personal things that I will not mention.

wow, I thought those dogs had to have a physicians statement that you need one to be registered as one and also sent to some special school to be one. Guess we learn something new everyday. I know nothing about those kind of dogs or what you have to do to get one registered that way. I was just curious if you had to have that?

they don't have to be spent to a special school. If the owner has the ability to train them themself, then they don't need any special classes. as long as they do their job right, it doesn't matter who teaches them. :)

I have to go through training required by my employer regarding the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). There is no required training for service dogs and the owner does not have to prove they have a disability. IN FACT, it is AGAINST THE LAW to ask why someone needs a service dog---if you walk into a restaurant and they tell you no dogs allowed, all you have to say is "this is a service dog" and that is the end of the discussion according to ADA.

Do people take advantage of this? Of course.
Is there any recourse under the law? NO--Service animals (even fraudulent ones) are strictly hands off.

Will people who take advantage of this law to take their pets into restaurants cause the law to be changed? Maybe, time will tell.

I was told by my employer if anyone comes in with any animal and claims it as a service animal to just let them be. This is kind of scary because I hear there is someone in town with a boa constrictor that is a service animal. :eek: My employer told me to just say that "I am sorry, but I am uncomfortable around snakes....I will get someone else who can help you."

By the way, JCarlson, I am in no way suggesting that you should not have therapy dogs. I just saw the way the discussion was heading, and I thought I would add what I had learned at the ADA seminar. I think it is great that your little Yorkies are a comfort to you.:)

You're right you don't have to answer but this is a forum where we are supposed to share experiences and learning. Please try not to be defensive.

I understand "emotional support" but what does the dog do for you as a service dog?

Again, there is a big difference between "therapy" dog and "service" dog which is why I am trying to clarify this. My 1 dog is a therapy AND service dog. I have a 2nd dog who is still working on his hours to be a licensed therapy dog but he is already trained and licensed as a service dog.

In order to be a service dog, the dog must perform a service and that includes emotional support so that you can leave the house, drive, etc. Therapy dogs don't get the same rights under ADA; it is important to use the right terms. Therapy dogs don't get to go into grocery stores or restaurants.

I believe SARA is a good organization but if you misrepresent yourself or the dog it makes it more difficult for others. In California, you must have a licensed service dog trainer sign off forms or a physician for disability; for therapy you must get your hours signed off by the organization your dog is providing therapy at (i.e., the library, the children's hospital, school, etc.) and trainer.

None of this is to be confrontational but informative. I spent 9 months in training with my dog to be a service and therapy dog; I don't think you can just self declare them as service dogs. Just my opinion.

I agree that service dogs and therapy dogs are not the same. I was speaking of service dogs in my first post, since I believe that is how JCarlson said she was registering her dogs. A therapy dog can be a service dog and visa versa, as you noted.....

The tone of your first post made me feel like I had to defend my decision. If you were asking in a kind way and I misunderstood, then I apologize. :)

I was hoping everyone would respect my privacy but I guess not. I did not want to discuss my problem but I will now because I don't want this thread to turn into a debate about service dogs.

I have dizzy spells/imblanace which is known as vertigo. I have fallen SEVERAL times and once I really got hurt. I woke up and stood up from my bed, then I got a severe wave of dizziness and fell but as I fell, I hit my face on the ledge of my window. I was alone in the house (hubby was already at work) and I passed out from the blow to my head and woke up with blood all over my mouth and face. After that last episode, I realized I had to do something.

For example, I have trained my dogs to retrieve my bag (which I always leave on a kitchen chair so that they can reach it) and in my bag are my anti-vert pills (to stop the vertigo). Vertigo is an illness that NEVER goes away and it only gets worse over time and it can attack without warning. I have to be careful and always carry my anti-vert pills on me. Once I fell in the bathroom and I was unable to move for hours because I was too dizzy to move, let alone stand. This is embarassing for me because I am a person who likes to always be in control and the worst part about vertigo is that you really have NO control.

I want to train my dogs to do more but I think I will need a more experienced trainer to come and help me. I have trained them so far but I'm limited in my knowledge. I hope this explains my situatin a little bit to you all.

Technically my dogs are both because they do provide a service and help me with my vertigo. But they are also for my emotional support after losing my mom.