I read you can get a service dog for horrible panic attacks that change your life. Is this true? If it is; how would one go about doing it?
Service dog?: I read you can get a... - Anxiety and Depre...
Service dog?
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DustinS85
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47 Replies
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I never had a proper service dog but I would take my Lhasa with me in the car as I was going out. We would sit in the back and she would sit on my lap. She hated when the car turned and would lean into me. She was a great comfort and distraction. If you can get one I would recommend it. They are great companions.
DustinS85• in reply to
Yeah; I live in apartment that won’t allow dogs. That’s why I ask about service dogs, because they legally have to let me have one.
An emotional support dog is also covered under the ADA regarding housing. However, only a service dog is permitted elsewhere. Mine died last June. A properly selected dog and trainer with 120 hours or more, of training costs about $30,000 and a great deal of time searching for the correct pup or dog for the job required.
No dog can stop an attack, but can anticipate and try to calm you. And a service dog is a huge responsibility, requiring on going training, play, diets, grooming, etc. They are working "stars" in my experience and worth every single bit of maintenance required.
I am seaching now; found a trainer I trust, but the search for the dog is probably going to be actually a puppy that will require a great deal of time, effort, accommodation, medical care before the specialized job training begins. Mst dogs do not have bladder control until 6 months. The success of adopted mature dogs to be trained as service dog has very mixed results reported.
A service dog is a dog actually trained to do certain "jobs"; it is not a pet. But the bond is so very strong. It has taken me almost 9 months just to get over the death of my service dog to even consider the search for another.
There are companies that will pick a dog, train the dog for a year, you get several weks to finally even see and "bond" with the dog to take home...after a $15,000-30,000 "contribution" is paid by you.
Unless you are going to able to be home I would not recommend an emotional support dog, which requires documentation by the proper psychiatric doctor or psychologist usually that you actually need the dog......but I would never do that to a dog who would be left home most of time if you wanted to travel, work, or just go out.
Wow! You are incredible, HearYou! First, let me express my most sincere regrets on the passing of your beloved companion & loyal "star".
I appreciate your knowledgeable reply & am impressed that you look at all angles, focusing on the well-being of the animal. I absolutely love all animals. I myself have a dog & cat.
Good luck with your search. I truly pray that you are blessed with another one soon.
PS - I personally would not be able to devote the time and money it takes to have a service or support animal.
Take care,
Kook
• in reply toImakook
Does your dog and cat get along?
Imakook• in reply to
I think in private they do. Wish I had a Nanny cam. But, just like in the cartoons, the dog chases the cat; the cat eggs on the dog. They don't hurt each other, though - so I think it's all a game.
HearYou• in reply to
My service dog and my husband's 10lb cat got along well. The cat would wait around the corner knowing the dog was coming down the hall, and just leap over him and then walk away. Dog paid no attention. And we never had to have a kitty litter box. The cat uses the doggie door as though it was made for him. 
If you really needed a true service dog, I believe you would have the determination to find a way. And believe you would treat it very well. We are going to find the way somehow. I have two chronic physical problems that are not going to go away. And for 17 years I have nightmares every night like the type PTSD soldiers have. Horrible, sometimes bloody, reliving something that seriously injured me.
Scooter slept at the foot of the bed and woke me when I was going into one. Now my husband wakes me as much as 4 times a night. I don't remember it; he has to tell me in the morning. He never realized Scooter had been doing that quietly for over 12 years. Some nights I just go to another bedroom so he gets a decent night's sleep.
Changing channels: a more curious note: The only two animals recognized in the US as service animals are dogs and miniature horses. Figure that one out.
Wow! That must be 'cuz dogs & miniature horses are the awesomest of animals!
My prayers & good vibes go out to you, brave woman! Lord, that must be so horrible. I lived in a bad part of a large City for over 20 years. I used to have bloody & graphic nightmares a LOT! Based on pure fear and paranoia. When we moved to a smaller city, I was still having them but then we moved to a tiny Town. I finally quit having them.
Again, I am so sorry that you have to live with them for all these years. I wish you the very best of luck for a speedy, but prit'near perfect resolution in getting a pup.
I wish you a peaceful night. One can only hope, right?
$30,000? I guess I will never get one.
Honestly Dustin, I don't really think you need a service dog or the responsibilities and life adjustment that comes from having a service dog. The $30,000 sounds like a lot, and it is. But if you needed a service dog, you wouldn't worry about the money, you'd get a bank loan if you had to, and the dog would go to work with you.
There are other ways to deal with panic and anxiety. You just need some help to find the right ones that work with your body chemistry and/or thinking. Panic attacks I understand well. Not fun, not glamorous, not always anticipated. Ugly as hell.
Why don't you post again asking for help and methods and ideas and leave the service dog out. Mention some details, if you're on meds or not, how often they come, etc.. The answer is out there; we just have to find it for you. So start the search with a post, ok?
I think you will be amazed at the number of responses you get.
What works for me is not going to work for you....sometimes it doesn't work for me. And squeezing a cat is really going to upset a cat you don't own.
Dustin, glad you "liked" my last reply. Maybe practice what you are going to post and then put it up tonight when people in the US are still awake. Ok?
I posted that a few days ago lol. So I was way ahead of you.
Oh I'm so glad you saw Dustin's post "HearYou". I don't think, including myself that people realize the cost behind these dogs plus the time required behind it. But as I know through you, the comfort and support Scooter gave you was priceless. x
Thank you Agora1. The comfort and support Scooter gave me was the BONUS that comes with the bond with a working dog. Also demonstrated he wasn't a pet, but something much more rare....he was working as a partner, a "sidekick" with a job.
I really do think he had a sense of humor. Once, when scooping out the oak leaves, I slipped and slid down the outside fountain to a reflection pool in front of our house and landed on my bottom. He stood up prepared to get help When he saw I was actually able to get up, with the shorts around my ankles, covered in muck and water, he just sighed and laid back down. Swear he was laughing at me.
One way or another, I will have another "partner", as I need one. Never be another Scooter, but maybe a "Henry" or Joe". The doctors are helping load the legal shotgun needed to "motivate" my insurance to help me. We have a good trainer ready and seaching for the proper pup or young dog now.
Thank you for understanding. Been trying to explain to the cat that another dog will be in our lives. He just doesn't understand the need. xx
The bond sounds incredible. I hope you get that "Henry" or "Joe" soon. xx
Hi, Dustin!
It must be so hard having horrible panic attacks. I have only had mild ones, but they really take the wind out of my sails!
I wish they'd let you have a pet where you live. I have a dog & cat. They are such a comfort when life is kickin' my ass. Other than that (which is not what you were asking), I know nothing about service animals.
Hang in there! Have you ever checked into therapy that teaches you how to "train your brain" to focus on your senses, breathing, etc. This allows you to calm yourself.
I have not tried it yet, but will be going through biofeedback in a week or so for many issues including ADHD, lumbar pain, depression & anxiety
The only other suggestion I would have is finding another place to live, possibly with a roommate (if that is even an option).
Take care, Dustin. I hope you are able to find a solution to your attacks.
i heard it's true, landlord have to allow them, it's not like their a regular dog? Their apart of adults with disabilities act. Just like stores n planes allow them.
Don't know where to find these at. Check adults with disabilies website. Or google service animals? Good luck
I don’t know anything about service dogs, but I do know about anxiety and depression, and you have to find ways of dealing with the panic, there’s so much good stuff out there, I would find a dog an extra burden, as I have to work full time, I don’t have a choice, but that’s just me. I know having any animal is a huge commitment.
Ask your dr for a referal and it gets set up. My Dr did a referral in Canada my dog is my best friend she never leaves my side and is very protective. She litterally wraps herself around me when I'm having attacks.
UIS law are not the same as Canada. what gets set up? Have no idea what designation your dog has, such as service dog or emotional support dog or therapy dog or what. Substantial legal fines in US if anyone claims their dog is a service dog and it doesn't meet the requirements.
The referral allows you to either bring your own dog or to purchase a service dog from an authorized trainer or bring your dog to an authorized trainer. Its about a six month training. In Canada you can claim your dog but you have to keep all medical and traing up to date. Which many pet owners do anyway here. My dog is very protective and I couldn't ask for a better proctector from my PTSD and anxiety.
OK, you are on the right track. If a good service dog is the goal you are seeking, remember a service dog is not a pet per se and needs to be treated with authority and not act like a guard dog. It deserves respect because it has a job to do, but not because it will respond with violence. In other words, what your dog will not do is as important as what it will do. I do wish you the best and hope you get to travel the world wit yur dog. Oh, I also included photos of my dog included in the documents required to travel to prove I had the actual dog described. the world with your properly trained dog. I had that opportunity with mine. Oh, always found it very helpful to have printed photos of my dog included in the paperwork. xx You may have a problem with separation anxiety by your dog if it is that attached to you. Work with a trainer to address that issue if your dog whines or barks, when you leave it at home. That behavior can interfere with traveling. XX
Sorry for my late reply. Seems I can no longer get this site via my phone. I have an emotional support dog, he is not a service dog. He has a tag and is allowed to go in all stores with me and also on airplanes. Carrie Fisher also had one. He brings me great comfort and I no longer have panic attacks when I go out. He is only 8 1/2lbs and believe me that he will bite anyone that comes near me. hmmm we have to work on that.
DustinS85• in reply to
Is it like 30,000 dollars?
No, emotional support dogs don't have the training required of a service dog. Have no idea how she is taking an emotional support dog in stores. PLanes have different guidelines that regular ADA laws and Depart. of Justice, and they will permit some types of emotional support animals on board. However the dog she has bites, and it only takes one bite to have that dog reported to authoritiesi in some states, removed from her and place in quarantine until the authorities to decide what to do with the matter....and a lawsuit may very likely be filed by the person bitten. The dog may actually be destroyed by authorities as a dangerous animal posing as a service dog
No he is just a dog that I rescued. Your doctor can give you a note that you need your dog with you or you can just google emotional support dog and you can buy a coat or a tag for your dog to wear when you go into places
DustinS85• in reply to
Hmmmmm...I will look into that.
Be very careful DustinS85. Even if in her wildest dreams she thinks she legally taking an untrained emotional support dog into stores, etc......that is not the law in the US; the fines are steep if reported to the authorities. And if the dog is biting it is dead give away the dog is not even a legal support dog. That type of behavior puts that dog at risk of being removed and destroyed if it bites another person in the US.
Any replies to your post yet? I'm waiting, don't see it yet and asked the administrators how posts are directed. They didn't know and told me to ask HU. Well, I'm trying. In the meanwhile, would you like to talk to me about the panic attacks? I get them, but not as bad as years ago. Still have to watch how long I am in a closed area like a grocery store. I have never been in grocery store long enough to fill a grocery cart....so that's one way I don't allow a severe panic attack happen.
There is a such thing as Emotional Support Animal, and there are 2 federal laws protecting them. Now Support animals (the $30,000 animals) are protected under 3 federal laws (the 2 that protect ESA's and a 3rd one [Americans with Disabilities Act] the ADA makes the service animals able to be taken anywhere; whereas a ESA can not go ANYWHERE, but it can go in many places. I researched it for the past couple days. As for if your dog bites people; that would be the same charge regardless of where it happens. It gives me an option for the attacks. I will take as many options as I can.
Glad you are taking a positive move in your research and you are correct. But think states have some leeway in the right to add restrictions to the emotional support dogs. The state does that where I live and provides extra benefits to service dogs in training...allows them by statute to go anywhere that a fully trained service dog goes if in the hands of a trainer-owner. The federal law per se says no.
HearYou• in reply to
Where are you that a tag stating the dog is an emotional support dog permits you to take it into stores ? Not n the US. And if any dog bites anyone, and is reported, the standard is the removal of the dog from the owner, placed in quarantine and possibly destroyed as a dangerous animal Why would you take your dog anywhere if it bites people?
Those tags and coats on Google are simply helping frauds to pass their dogs off as emotional support or service dog. There IS NO FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED US TAG OR DOCUMENT THAT I AM AWARE OF THAT IS USED ON SERVICE OR SUPPORT DOGS.
• in reply toHearYou
I live in the US and know others with Emotional Support dogs. He goes food shopping with me,, I put a blanket inside, his tag and a lease. Even spoke to the managers of the different stores and he welcomed anytime. I feel you are very rude cause I would never do anything against the law. Even my doctor let's me bring him to the office in fact she asks me to. Oh, and he is allowed to fly in is carrier when I fly. My son plus his wife both work high profile jobs for the federal government. Hope this puts an end to your rude remarks.
HearYou• in reply to
Excuse me, where was I rude? Are you just having a bad day? This is a forum for support, not calling people names because you get away with interpreting the law differently than the government.
Since when is a former ADA, Social Security, workers comp attorney being rude by explaining the law she practiced for years? Think it's great your family has good jobs in the Federal Government. So does President Trump...but he's not going to change this law and has to follow it also. So please don't threaten or try to impress me.
And doubt if your family or President Trump are going to beat me up because you think I'm rude. On the otherhand, if they are that influential and harm me, I could become a wealthy woman. Just let me know when they are coming so I have the coffee ready.
If you manage to get your emotional support dog carried into a store, hey, great for you. But federal law is very clear that only service animals have the legal right to be where the handler needs them. If your neighborhood stores do not choose to enforce that, that's their privilege....until someone complains about it. And emotional support dogs are allowed to ride on some airlines, but the airlines have their own animal regulations separate from the ADA and the Department of Justice.
And if you are putting a blanket and your dog inside a grocery cart, that is not be considered sanitary, as food is placed there. Even service dogs are not permitted to do that due to sanitary reasons....have seen the manager in a store near me quietly explain that to a nice woman who had her service dog riding in the child seat of a cart. It was a pleasant exchange, the dog was placed on the floor and the manager took sanitary wipes to where the dog had been riding.
There is a very informative Federal info sheet online to read and explains all this.
I can't change the law and I am not going to enforce it either. But I am going to follow it. Think maybe you are the rude person here who just doesn't want to believe what the law actually is as no one has stopped you.
This is a forum for support, not calling names simply because you think I am wrong. And I caution you that you have announced to the world you carry a dog around as an "emotional support" dog that's purpose is to protect you by biting people who come near you. There is NO law that permits that for an emotional support or trained service dog. One bite and that dog's future is at risk.
• in reply toHearYou
Yes a forum for support! Don't think you are very supportive. I am having a great day since tomorrow I will be going on vacation, on a plane, with my emotional support dog with me. God bless you and I wish you well. Please just don't comment on anything I say.
HearYou• in reply to
So, now you want to restrict speech too....you're not flyng to the tropics are you? Have a good life, and pray your dog never bites anyone. (Why do I feel have just been beating my head against the wall?) Sigh......
• in reply toHearYou
He has never bitten anyone. Speak all you want but just not to me. I only want positive people in my life. Last remark you'll hear from me.
HearYou• in reply to
Mamam, not trying to argue...had a life in a trial practice that provided all the debate I will ever need in my life and did not want to upset or debate you. But I had to even go through HUD filing a lawsuit against my own homeowners' association board when they would not approve my service dog. The board would not allow any dog, which is against the HUD and Department of Justice enforcement of the ADA. It was time consuming and expensive lesson for the board of directors who simply would not listen.
The government hired attorneys sued the board for not permitting my service dog or emotional support dogs...and made it very clear the difference between the two. The board members had to personally pay for the cost of the litigation, and a $30,000 punitive fee personally for the anxiety and retaliation against me....but my case was a "block busting case" and four other owners were finally allowed to have emotional support dogs IF the dogs didn't cause a barking or biting problem and were not allowed to walk on the condo's grounds. Only my trained service dog was ruled to be allowed anywhere I went and permitted to walk the condo grounds because I fall frequently from injuries by a semitruck hitting me. The government was very clear in it's written decision about all that.
I am very glad you have an emotional support dog who has bonded with you so much. It's a blessing. But in my position, and because I am a member of the bar association, I need to state the law as it is, even if I and you wish it were different. I am sincere when I write that you are fortunate that your neighborhood permits you to bend the rules. Have a good vacation. (but don't tell people your wonderful little dog keeps people away from you,ok? )
kenster1• in reply to
I know someone else on here who has a support dog and allowed to take it most places.im sure its a great dog for your needs.and I don't think you meant literally that your dog would attack at random.i think you meant if your dog saw you being threatened or something she would defend you like all dogs would.
• in reply tokenster1
Thank you for understanding. I have not had a panic attack since I've had him.
kenster1• in reply to
no worries don't really matter what kind of dog it is guide dog/support dog/service dog as long as its making your life better that's great.i understood what you tried to say.im sure its never attacked anyone or likely to do so.ive had dogs all my 45 years and hopefully the next 45.
I am purposefully searching for a Doberman that has not had it's ears cropped and sculpted into the desired "flame tip"shape, so people will not be as afraid of him. I need a low maintenance strong dog that can "freeze" in place if I fall and can act as support so I can pull myself up. Many people are afraid of Dobies, and I am purposely trying to minimize that. Those dogs have big gentle and kind dispositions if trained and raised right. One challenge we face in our neighborhood is there are so many cute small dogs around not trained to heel and will go up and bark at any dog they see. Training a Doberman not to respond to that "aggression" is a challenge, as Dobies really do like to play...well you get the picture....
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