Service Dog??

[mscat]

Yes, i do believe that it differs from state to state. And yes, Psych. disabilities are recognized by the ADA. Every State has to follow the law under the ADA, that does not change. When asking a "service dog" it is typically reffered to as seeking resonable accomadations. It is all a matter of terminalogy .
A therapist does NOT have the qualifications to write a letter for a service animal legally. He or she can reccomend one, however, a Psychatrist is the one who does specialize in menatl health disabilites and is trained to treat them accordingly.. Has more authority and say so in what kind of treatment A patient needs. There is not a fee for a written letter from your Psych Doctor, however they need to approve of the treatment, and support the helpfullness of a Animal. Without that then it will be difficult for a person to have one. The person needs to be recieving treatment and under a Doctors care, AND the disability needs to be severe enough to warraent a service animal.
The animal can be trained by a professional of the individual. When it comes to the law, it is very specific , and it falls under the ADA. Anxiety can be quite serious in some people, which also may include panic attacks or panic disorder .
A lot of mental disorders have overlap into other disorders too. A person can have one, then many other things going on too. LIke i mentioned before the disorder needs to be severe enough to be treated and a Psychatrist needs to support the treatment.
It is a process , and it is something that just does not happen overnight , meaning a person can claim they have such and such, however, it is The Psychatrist to decide and what type of treatment the person needs. SUch as the Doctor needs to agree and diagnose.
Sometimes a person does not need a service dog because the disorder can be treated quicky or is not that serious. Not everybody needs a service animal and sometimes someone may think they do but don't.
the service animal vests and badges are nice because it idenifys the dog as working and therefore allowed in stores, and other establishments. Even getting those things you need to show proof that the animal is a service dog. It is against the law not to say the dog is one, and is not.
I'd reccomend the first thing for a person to do is to be in treatment by a Psychatrist for any mental health concern, establish an ongoing treatment plan, seeing the doctor regularly , following the plan, and let the psych doctor be the one to decide if a service animal is helpful. It is all a process.
I never even thought of a service animal until years later from treatment. Then was placed on perm. Disability through Social Security /getting SSDI. ANd in an out of Hospitals, Surgeries , medications , and even 5150'ed . The Psych doctor did not hesitate to write a professional letter for a service animal. i've had Suzi for 9 months now.

[megansmomma]

I just happened to look at this thread and up on the top in the ads was a link for Service Dogs......

U.S. Service Dogs

Interesting.............

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

I just happened to look at this thread and up on the top in the ads was a link for Service Dogs......

U.S. Service Dogs

Interesting.............

i think they did a horrible job on their home page- they make it seem like something everyone can do "are you tired of not being able to bring your companion everywhere"- which is not what a service dog is about. However, the link to WHAT is a service dog says:

It is defined by the ADA as any physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity. Activities such as walking, bathing, caring for oneself (mentally and physically), and hearing are some examples of major life disabilities. Some disabilities may not be visible such as deafness, epilepsy, or psychological conditions. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996, an individual is not required to disclose any information about their health status or medical history.

which is also good to know.... very interesting website... they need to re think some of their wording i think...

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

i think they did a horrible job on their home page- they make it seem like something everyone can do "are you tired of not being able to bring your companion everywhere"- which is not what a service dog is about. However, the link to WHAT is a service dog says:

It is defined by the ADA as any physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity. Activities such as walking, bathing, caring for oneself (mentally and physically), and hearing are some examples of major life disabilities. Some disabilities may not be visible such as deafness, epilepsy, or psychological conditions. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996, an individual is not required to disclose any information about their health status or medical history.

which is also good to know.... very interesting website... they need to re think some of their wording i think...

What caught my attention was that same as you. It almost made it sound like you could buy the certifcate and be able to take your dog with you anywhere. Almost like if you spend $395 you can bring fluffy with you everywhere you go. I started to look at it a little more but makes me wonder what they are really trying to promote.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

What caught my attention was that same as you. It almost made it sound like you could buy the certifcate and be able to take your dog with you anywhere. Almost like if you spend $395 you can bring fluffy with you everywhere you go. I started to look at it a little more but makes me wonder what they are really trying to promote.

I totally agree- however if you pay that money you do get a consult with a doctor- psychiatrist maybe? which is good i guess- but i think they are out for the money for sure. AND when you try to "certify my dog" the only options are non visible disabiltie-s which are fine- but what if you have MS or are epileptic- that is not an option on this website apparently. I get the feeling like they are trying to tell you to "find" a mental issue and certify your dog for it... which is so mind baffling i'm shaking my head as i write this.....

[jeanm1963]

My x husband was a property manager for 20 years, the paperwork the lady may require is called a reasonable accomodation, you can not establish a limit in size and or weight. Alot of people have won these cases in court due to descrimination acts. I believe if the woman with the large dog took you to court she would win, we were not even allowed to charge the normal pet fee of 25 dollars per month required by others who have pets.

[veggienut]

Originally Posted by jeanm1963

My x husband was a property manager for 20 years, the paperwork the lady may require is called a reasonable accomodation, you can not establish a limit in size and or weight. Alot of people have won these cases in court due to descrimination acts. I believe if the woman with the large dog took you to court she would win, we were not even allowed to charge the normal pet fee of 25 dollars per month required by others who have pets.

Thank You~! This is the answer I was looking for~! I am aware that if you have the proper documentation (whatever it is since I have never seen it), that you need to allow that person with their dog of whatever size and/or breed. But all that depends on "if she is screened and has no outstanding credit, loans, etc that would exempt her". We charge more for pet fees than $25. You should see what a dog does when it tore the hardwood floors up and the cost to pay someone to refinish them again~!

[mscat]

Originally Posted by veggienut

Thank You~! This is the answer I was looking for~! I am aware that if you have the proper documentation (whatever it is since I have never seen it), that you need to allow that person with their dog of whatever size and/or breed. But all that depends on "if she is screened and has no outstanding credit, loans, etc that would exempt her". We charge more for pet fees than $25. You should see what a dog does when it tore the hardwood floors up and the cost to pay someone to refinish them again~!

"reasonable accomadation" is exactly what A tenant with an estabished disabilty is requesting. It is against the law for any manager/property owner to charge fee a tenantwho has a disabilty , to have a service animal... No Deposit, or a rent hike. ALso, it needs to be an established disabilty and proven docuements apply.
Also, the persmission is typically granted as long as the insurance is not affected , and the property does not have to make changes to the structure of the building.
If the requiremnents are met then , under the ADA , A service dog is granted in a no pet apartment complex.

[veggienut]

Thanks for the info. I doubt she has a disability, but then again you can't see some disabilities. She does work and drive a car without the dog. I do know someone whom has a disability of which she needs to have the service dog at her side driving and etc all the time.

[mscat]

I have also heard that it is the right of the owner or manager not to allow A Pitbull, or Dobie, Rotie, in due to the animal being a possible danger to other tenants / which would make their insurance premiums go up. They can exclude those breeds.

[mscat]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

I just happened to look at this thread and up on the top in the ads was a link for Service Dogs......

U.S. Service Dogs

Interesting.............

I just saw this too, and was unimpressed The disabilities were few and the price was outrageous. I've seen better.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

they make it seem like something everyone can do "are you tired of not being able to bring your companion everywhere"- which is not what a service dog is about.

Unfortunately, a lot of people do that. I've even seen it suggested on here several times. All protected under the guise of course that 'the establishements cannot ask you any details.'. That kind of thing really just gets my blood boiling. There are people who depend on service animals and those who don't but take advantage of the situation will only make it worse for those REALLY in need.

[mscat]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Unfortunately, a lot of people do that. I've even seen it suggested on here several times. All protected under the guise of course that 'the establishements cannot ask you any details.'. That kind of thing really just gets my blood boiling. There are people who depend on service animals and those who don't but take advantage of the situation will only make it worse for those REALLY in need.

Yes, it upsets , me too! Establishments can ask about the animal , and can request "proof" What they can't ask is the nature of the individuals disabilty.
I've seen it suggested on YT too. THere are a few people on YT who have Sevice animals and trained therapy Yorkies. I have gone through the propper channels and followed the law under the ADA to have one. It is a process and is is not to be taken lightly.
It is a little sad for me to admit that the disabilites I have are severe enough to require the assistance of a Service animal. Without A doubt I love Suzi with all my heart. It just was not like I was able to go out and buy a "dog" becasue I wanted one as a pet.

[Bravo916]

Originally Posted by mscat

Without A doubt I love Suzi with all my heart. It just was not like I was able to go out and buy a "dog" becasue I wanted one as a pet.

Actually a lot of service dogs start out as pets. They are loving family members who one day out of pure coincidence become life savers. I know of several situations of this both in the Yorkie and Doberman worlds that I am involved with.

In one instance the woman who was previously in perfect health suddenly developed epilepsy. Her Doberman, who was never trained for any kind of service work, sensed the seisure coming on and instinctively jumped on her and pinned her down. She said at first she was scared not understanding what her dog was trying to do but when she started to convulse she understood. Her dog stayed there on top of her holding her down until the convulsions stopped and then started nudging her and kissing her to wake her up. Everytime the dog senses a seizure coming on (usually about 2 minutes before they hit) she starts poking and prodding her owner so that her owner can prepare for the seizure.

I also have a friend who's Yorkie alerts her when her blood sugar is low.

I am absolutely amazed by how intuitive our furkids really are!

[mscat]

Originally Posted by Bravo916

Actually a lot of service dogs start out as pets. They are loving family members who one day out of pure coincidence become life savers. I know of several situations of this both in the Yorkie and Doberman worlds that I am involved with.

In one instance the woman who was previously in perfect health suddenly developed epilepsy. Her Doberman, who was never trained for any kind of service work, sensed the seisure coming on and instinctively jumped on her and pinned her down. She said at first she was scared not understanding what her dog was trying to do but when she started to convulse she understood. Her dog stayed there on top of her holding her down until the convulsions stopped and then started nudging her and kissing her to wake her up. Everytime the dog senses a seizure coming on (usually about 2 minutes before they hit) she starts poking and prodding her owner so that her owner can prepare for the seizure.

I also have a friend who's Yorkie alerts her when her blood sugar is low.

I am absolutely amazed by how intuitive our furkids really are!

WOW, that is very neat! A family pet is intuned with it's owner and can sense when something is wrong.
In my case i was not as lucky to have had a service animal before requesting one. Due the place i live / A no Pet policy, I could not bring one home until I followed the ADA law and the rules of the complex.
i've seen in the news where dogs alerted their owners of fires in the middle of night, saving lives. Or Barking like crazy when their master has passed out, and even coming back home after A walk , without the owner , alerting to others something is wrong. THEN taking people to where the owner is. MAny breeds are able to find missing or lost people in the snow, or mountains.
Referring to Strict apartment rules or condos it is the owners rights to deny a tenant who may have a known "agressive" breed to live in their building. Mainly, due to insurances going up.
Are you familar with the case in S.F. where a DOG killed a woman in the apartment complex? that was several years ago.