[QUOTE=Erin;1108192]The problem with "kinking" the system is that you downplay the "service" part of true service animals.

this was my thoughts exactly

I suffer from a seizure disorder; and it was recommended by my doctors for me to get a dog to help with the traumatic experience of seizures; plus coming out of them alone ( I live alone). However I could not afford the 25K to 50K that the one other member had mentioned in a previous post for a seizure disorder dog. So I figured; ANY dog that lives with you long enough will pick up on your behaviors. And even though Bella is only 4.6 pounds she does. When I have a seizure and am on the floor she lays next to me; licking my face till I awaken, barking to bring me to reality.

Now I don't know your situation..but as another poster mentioned would you really want your baby laying on the floor in restaurants or stores? You don't need to "kink" the system to get your dog to be trained well enough to go places with you, that they are allowed. And if they aren't allowed either quick go in and out, or don't go. Like an amusement park...would you really want to bring your dog in?? I wouldn't want all the people touching Bella and grabbing for her. I prefer to take her to outdoor malls; and outdoor restaurants...they allow her there.

My dogs are registered service animals. I have very bad vertigo and my dogs can sense when I'm going to have an attack before it occurs. That gives me enough time to sit or lay down and grab my meds (which I always have handy). I trained them at home and they're certified/registered. I would like someone to give them additional training because I think it's beneficial but it's not required by law. Nor is it reguired by law to have your dog registered as a service animal.

That being said, I personally don't think it's right to register yoyr dog as a service animal when you don't really have a disability that requires a service animal. But everyone must make their own decisions in life and it's not my life to judge anyone regardless of what they do.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/svcanimb.htm

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm

I had a friend i worked with whos wife had diabetes and her dog could tell when her blood sugar was getting low. It was a bigger dog and she didnt take the dog everywhere she went. She just used its services while she was at home although she didnt get out much she didnt work.
I think that if everyone just started taking their dogs every where this might be a disaster and if everyone started getting their dogs trained as service dogs without really needing them. then the goverment might jsut get more strict and it could hurt those who really need them. also i think that their are alot of people in this world who would want to take their pets in to stores they are not allowed but if everyone did that we might end up with alot of problems. yes yorkies are easy to go into stores with but what about joe schmo who wants to take his pit bull into the store or his huge wild lab puppy. would you want that while you were shopping at say like walmart. I know i wouldnt. i know their a big difference between the yorkie and the lab but its unfair to say yorkies are allowed but these bigger dogs arent.
Ive taken my yorkie places with me but for the most part its been because it was the day i got her or she was at the vet and i had just picked her up. shes been to walmart like 2 times, best buy once, mcdonalds once, etc.

JCarlson and BellasMommy bring up very good points about service dogs not being just for seeing and hearing. All of us love animals and can only imagine the wonderful things they can do to help us. Personally, I think the stereotypical "service" dog is a guide dog, but I know that people who have service dogs for other purposes, like the ones they mentioned, want those dogs to be just as recognized as service animals. And THAT is why we can't all just get our dogs registered. Because if people start to abuse the system then it will become even more difficult for those less obvious dogs to be recognized. Not everyone can afford to pay for a $25,000 professionally trained animal, but that doesn't mean that those dogs perform less of a service. The seizure dogs are the best example of that.

Max loves children and would be great at working with them. He's only a year old and very easily distracted, but I would think he'd be happy working with children. He's got a sweet disposition. Do you have any idea who I might contact in NYC to check it out?

I agree that it's wrong to "kink" the system. I have two yorkies and one of them,Abbie, is a certified therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International. I think alot of us love to take our babies with us whenever we can, but there is a huge difference even between a therapy dog and a service dog. Abbie is a great comfort and Lord knows she keeps me in good spirits, but that's not the same as a service dog.

Selfish, wrong, denigrating to true service animals - I'm definitely in agreement with all points previously made. Service animals are granted their rights and access because they perform a necessary service to their owners.

You made no mention that having Buddah with you reduces the symptoms of your mental condition, only that the condition may be used as an avenue to get him service dog training. You said you don't NEED to take Buddah everywhere with you and are fine without him. So what "necessary service" is he performing for you then? But what irks me most is that you've admitted to wanting to "kink" the system and involving your doctor in order to do so - that's not something you want to proudly announce, and I'm wording it as lightly as I can. Please re-think.

:animal-pa

you're right. I didnt mention that because I am being honest. I don't need Buddah with me, but I do think it would improve his life dramatically if he could come with me all the time. I am a very busy person and am constantly running around. I like to take him with me so he isnt lonely. He is a very good boy when out in public and I don't see the problem with him coming with me.

I appreciate your opinion however I did not ask anyone in this thread to judge me or force an opinion on me. So I would appreciate if you did not. Also I do not think I am downplaying the role other service dogs provide. I would go thru all the training that is needed. I respect the service the dogs can provide and the discipline they protray.

Hi Judy,

There is one place I know of off the top of my head that accepts dogs as donations, and that's Freedom Service Dogs (http://www.freedomservicedogs.org/apply/dogdonate.htm)
They're in Colorado- but I'll check and let you know if there's anyone in NY. I'm sure there must be.

To others- Yes, service dogs can be expensive, but many of the organizations like The Seeing Eye require only a $150 fee because they are non-profit and really all about the people. This is why donations to all these orgs are greatly appreciated. Many service centers don't even ask a charge; the only reason TSE does is because they want the owner to feel like they "own" the dog, and they weren't given any charity. If they can't even afford the $150, financial aid is given. Most organizations either don't charge or charge a minimal fee. The hardest part sometimes is actually being qualified to own a service dog. For example, TSE doesn't give their guide dogs to people who just stay at home all day. They give their dogs to people who are active- single moms with full time jobs, the works. They must be walking the dog a certain time during the day, etc. There are also requirements for your disability. For guide dogs, the person must basically be completely blind because if they can even remotely see just a little bit, there is a chance that their instincts of that minimal sight will kick in and they won't trust the dog's judgment. I hope I'm not being confusing... but your disability has to be very severe like that. It takes applications and screenings just to be qualified. Then a dog is matched with you personally. This can also take a while to ensure the dog you're getting is a near perfect match with you and your lifestyle. Tons of stuff goes into this, as you can see.

Based on this statement there would be no need to make him a service dog but you may need a vest identifying you as a service human. The needs of the human are taken into consideration when training/registering a service dog...not the needs of the dog.