Hi. This is my first post here; I don't have a dog at the moment, but I hope that within the next couple years I'll be ready to adopt one and yes, I do see myself ending up with a Lab or Lab mix :)

I am clinically depressed, which is a condition I'm never going to be "well" of. I also have anxiety issues and agoraphobia. My life is limited and isolated in many ways by these conditions.

I was really fascinated by this information (http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html). I hadn't even considered that a service dog would be able to do so many helpful tasks for someone with depression and anxiety. I can't help imagining how different my life would be with a dog trained to insist that I get out of bed, bring me my meds, insist on a walk at a certain time each day so I have to leave the house daily rain or shine, provide stimulus to avoid sensory overload panic and so on.

Can anyone share personal experience of self-selecting and training a service dog? Is is completely unrealistic to think that as a novice at dog training I would be able to work with my own dog and teach it these behaviors (along with the CGC standard)? Can anyone point me towards more information about the subject?

Thanks in advance.

I hadn't even considered that a service dog would be able to do so many helpful tasks for someone with depression and anxiety.

I can't help imagining how different my life would be with a dog trained to insist that I get out of bed, bring me my meds, insist on a walk at a certain time each day so I have to leave the house daily rain or shine...

Your situation reminds me of a Dog Whisperer episode I saw... there was a woman with severe anxiety issues and she had a service dog who basically kept her anxiety levels low just by being there. She definitely took medications, as well, but she said she saw a noticeable difference between taking meds alone and taking meds + being with the dog.

So I think a dog could potentially be of great help to you.

Aside from the "bringing you your meds" part... which I think a general non-service dog could be trained to do... I think a general non-service dog in itself could be of great motivation to you. All dogs will insist you take them out; all dogs will need daily walks! :)

Oh and about that woman on tv with the "proper" service dog... she had an official therapy dog so that he could be with her 24/7 no matter where she went - stores, shopping, etc. Otherwise, restrictions might not allow him to go with her.

Plus I know htat I've read somewhere about studies that have shown just petting something soft like an animal can immediately relax an anxious, aggitated, irritated, flustered person.

Good luck with your search for information!!!!

Oh and about that woman on tv with the "proper" service dog... she had an official therapy dog so that he could be with her 24/7 no matter where she went - stores, shopping, etc. Otherwise, restrictions might not allow him to go with her. Yes, this is one reason I was interested in a service dog. I wouldn't need it to be with me in every situation, but there are a lot that are anxiety inducing for me, so I avoid them right now and it makes my life more difficult.

Another factor would be that having a service dog might (would?) protect my right to have that dog live with me in rental housing -- and our financial situation means that we'll be living in rental housing for some time.

I do know how therapeutic the love of pets can be. I've never not had pets, and right now my special baby is my cat :)

You have beautiful puppies. (Oh hell, if I say that to everybody here who has them I'll never stop saying it!)

Another factor would be that having a service dog might (would?) protect my right to have that dog live with me in rental housing -- and our financial situation means that we'll be living in rental housing for some time.

I would think so, although rental companies can always find loopholes somewhere, right!? Perhaps you wouldn't even have to cross that bridge if you found a suitable rental property that allowed pets to the general public??? That is my housing situation right now - I rent from a company (one of the only, to be honest) that allows pets provided I pay additional monthly rent.

I would think that it could be considered discrimination for a rental company to turn you down based on the fact that you have an illness... however, their argument might be that having a service dog is not the only option you have and that you would have to stick to medications, etc. alone in order to live with them. That they're not turning YOU down specifically, they're turning down the DOG.

But who knows unless you ask!?

I've only done minimal research so far, so I'm by no means an expert, but it does seem to be that service animals in rentals are covered under the ADA.

The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act protect the right of people with disabilities to keep emotional support animals, even when a landlord's policy explicitly prohibits pets. Because emotional support and service animals are not "pets," but rather are considered to be more like assistive aids such as wheelchairs, the law will generally require the landlord to make an exception to its "no pet" policy so that a tenant with a disability can fully use and enjoy his or her dwelling. In most housing complexes, so long as the tenant has a letter or prescription from an appropriate professional, such as a therapist or physician, and meets the definition of a person with a disability, he or she is entitled to a reasonable accommodation that would allow an emotional support animal in the apartment.
http://www.bazelon.org/issues/housing/infosheets/fhinfosheet6.html

It's hard to find landlords that accept large dogs around here. The last tenants in the house we now rent apparently had large, destructive, badly socialized Rotties and I would bet they ruined the chances of this landlord in particular allowing large dogs again. :(

The last tenants in the house we now rent apparently had large, destructive, badly socialized Rotties and I would bet they ruined the chances of this landlord in particular allowing large dogs again. :(

There's always one bad seed right?

It's hard to find landlords that accept large dogs around here.

The rental company I'm with has a weight limit as well as a breed limit (no GSD, Pitt, Rott, Chow, Dobie, Wolf Hybrid...).

But remember... he cannot descriminate. A service dog is a service dog is a service dog! ;)

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Separate f

The last tenants in the house we now rent apparently had large, destructive, badly socialized Rotties and I would bet they ruined the chances of this landlord in particular allowing large dogs again. :(

There's always one bad seed right?

It's hard to find landlords that accept large dogs around here.

The rental company I'm with has a weight limit as well as a breed limit (no GSD, Pitt, Rott, Chow, Dobie, Wolf Hybrid...).

But remember... he cannot descriminate. A service dog is a service dog is a service dog! ;)

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Separate from the service dog issue... do you now have a physician or a therapist that has officially deemed you "disabled"? I only ask because my mother is physically disabled - she has Multiple Sclerosis, has been in a wheelchair since mid 1980's, and has been completely paraplegic since about 1996... yet the Supreme Court still did not deem her disabled enough to receive Social Security disability!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

I just know how hard a road it is to be formally recognized as having a disability and didn't want that to be too huge a thorn in your side with the landlord issues and such down the road.

But remember... he cannot descriminate. A service dog is a service dog is a service dog! ;)
Exactly right! "the Act recognizes that service animals are necessary for the individuals with disabilities who have them, and as such does not categorize service animals as "pets." Service animals, then, cannot be subjected to "pet rules" that may be applied by housing providers to companion (non service) animals. Housing providers cannot, for example, impose upon service animals the size or weight restrictions of a pet rule"
http://www.deltasociety.org/ServiceAccessHousing.htm

do you now have a physician or a therapist that has officially deemed you "disabled"? (snip)I just know how hard a road it is to be formally recognized as having a disability and didn't want that to be too huge a thorn in your side
I don't, although I'm sure my doc would be supportive. I've never felt the need for SSI, and up until now haven't thought in terms of being "officially" recognized as disabled being able to improve my life, so it's not something I've pursued. My sister is disabled (seizure disorders and partial paralysis) and received SSI for some time and I know whereof you speak with the idiot bureaucracy.

Emily (Beau's Momma) has a self-trained service dog. You might shoot her off a PM and ask her about it. She's a great resource for that kind of thing and she could give you a lot of really great information. :) Good luck.

Sorry I never got back to you. My office keeps me very, very busy these days.

In order to be protected by the ADA you have to be a qualified person under the ADA first. Which means that you have to have a disability that affects one or more activities of daily living. Walking, transferring, feeding oneself, ect. Driving a car does not count, for example. This is considered an "extra" even though most people would consider it to be quite necessary.

In order to be considered a service dog and protected under the ADA, the dog must assist you in performing this ADL (activity of daily living.)

So before we can even discuss training the dog, we have to identify the affected ADL and how the dog can assist you with it. Simply because if it is not an ADL if you have a problem down the road your dog will not be protected and it will be a moot point.

Unfortunately, dogs for anxiety and related disorders are not protected under the ADA under many circumstances. Check your state law because some states are more progressive than federal laws. More conservative states, however, are behind the times. Michigan, for one, is WAY behind and my seizure alert dog as a seizure alert dog only is not protected under michigan law but is protected for his physical assistance abilities for my Todd's paralysis. (I never thought that I would ever say that I was lucky to have Todd's Paralysis.)

I only point this out to save you heart ache later. I have been in federal court for two years now and have to go home to Indiana next month to give my deposition in an EEOC/employment discrimination case related to my service dog. I have truly been to hell and back with my dog and gotten a world of an education in the process.

In addition...

People are cruel, vile creatures. I assume that you look "normal."

If you walk into a Walmart or a restaurant with a vested service dog and you look normal, you WILL have a problem. And some point somenoe will yell at you and throw you out of the store/restaurant/whatever. Trust me. It happens to me ALL THE TIME.

This is NOT good for someone with an anxiety disorder. Whether you have the right to be there or not there are ignorant people in the world who think that SD's are only for the blind. At one Walmart, I was forced to get a police escort. Not even kidding.

You have to be emotionally prepared for those kinds of situations because they are inevitable no matter what your legal rights are. Are you really suited for a full blown working SD or would you be better off with a theraputic dog that stayed at home and was a companion with special skills? I don't have anxiety issues but I have struggled at times to go places with my dog because of past situations and it has deterred me from doing many things. I would not want the dog to affect you in a negative way after you put so much time and money into training it.

Thank you so much for your input.

In order to be protected by the ADA you have to be a qualified person under the ADA first. Which means that you have to have a disability that affects one or more activities of daily living.
I can see how panic attacks/anxiety/agoraphobia might not fall under this category (although personally I think they should).

I don't know if I mentioned my clinical depression but when I am at a low depressive point I don't get out of bed. I don't eat; I don't shower. One of the important tasks my husband and I want to train Zoe to do is to get me out of bed with barking, nudging, pawing and so on when needed.

I'm not physically unable to do these things (like, I'm not forced to take medications that give me the violent shakes or something).

Unfortunately, dogs for anxiety and related disorders are not protected under the ADA under many circumstances. Check your state law because some states are more progressive than federal laws.
I believe this is the case in WA. To qualify as a person with a disability you have to have a disabling condition, have had one in the past or be perceived as having one. I haven't found anything that explicitly recognizes (or fails to recognize) specific kinds of service dogs.

Don't you get the greater protection of the two, if state and Federal law conflict? In other words if your state law doesn't protect the rights of Beau as a seizure alert dog, but Federal law does, doesn't Federal trump state?

People are cruel, vile creatures. I assume that you look "normal."

If you walk into a Walmart or a restaurant with a vested service dog and you look normal, you WILL have a problem. And some point somenoe will yell at you and throw you out of the store/restaurant/whatever. Trust me. It happens to me ALL THE TIME.

This is NOT good for someone with an anxiety disorder.
Actually someone was really rude to me last night when I asked to bring Zoe into a store (I have brought her in several places for practice, explaining that she's "learning to be a service dog" and other people have been very nice). The funny thing was that usually it would have been enough to get me panicky and make me avoid going into stores for several days, but instead I just feel p*ssed that he was such a jerk. It's as if having her there provides a substitute focus for me and prevents me from getting anxious on my own behalf.

Are you really suited for a full blown working SD or would you be better off with a theraputic dog that stayed at home and was a companion with special skills?
Good question and one I'm considering hard these days because I want to be sure to do the right thing. My right to have Zoe in my rental home is protected by her status as an "emotional support animal" even if she doesn't legally meet the definition of a service dog.

There are many places I can go without panic or anxiety issues (barring some event that triggers anxiety). There are other places I have trouble with, especially places with lots and lots of sensory stimulus.

In addition I have a plane trip with my inlaws coming up next summer that promises to trigger all kinds of anxiety; my last trip away from home was really hard. I'd really like to have Zoe by my side to alleviate the stress and anxiety of this upcoming trip.

I don't know if I mentioned my clinical depression but when I am at a low depressive point I don't get out of bed. I don't eat; I don't shower. One of the important tasks my husband and I want to train Zoe to do is to get me out of bed with barking, nudging, pawing and so on when needed.

I'm not physically unable to do these things (like, I'm not forced to take medications that give me the violent shakes or something).

I am really not qualified to help you here....I have basically no experience with psychiatric service dogs or the laws that surround them although I know that there is much debate and that the laws are very wishy washy.



I believe this is the case in WA. To qualify as a person with a disability you have to have a disabling condition, have had one in the past or be perceived as having one. I haven't found anything that explicitly recognizes (or fails to recognize) specific kinds of service dogs.

Don't you get the greater protection of the two, if state and Federal law conflict? In other words if your state law doesn't protect the rights of Beau as a seizure alert dog, but Federal law does, doesn't Federal trump state?

Don't count on being perceived as having one saving you. Modern case law has basically mooted that part of the law. You will have to PROVE that you have one in order to have protection, plain and simple. Don't like it? Join us and fight like HELL to restore the ADA. There is a growing movement to do so, and if we don't do it soon the ADA as we know it will not exist and we will have no protection, period. OK, Emily, off your soap box. Case law has ruined the ADA. Basically, it all comes down to case law and that is where your research needs to be and where you need to focus.

Yes, the greater protection of the two will apply, which will generally be state law IF state law applies to you. But if state law does not protect you and federal law does, you are still protected.


Actually someone was really rude to me last night when I asked to bring Zoe into a store (I have brought her in several places for practice, explaining that she's "learning to be a service dog" and other people have been very nice). The funny thing was that usually it would have been enough to get me panicky and make me avoid going into stores for several days, but instead I just feel p*ssed that he was such a jerk. It's as if having her there provides a substitute focus for me and prevents me from getting anxious on my own behalf.


Good question and one I'm considering hard these days because I want to be sure to do the right thing. My right to have Zoe in my rental home is protected by her status as an "emotional support animal" even if she doesn't legally meet the definition of a service dog.

There are many places I can go without panic or anxiety issues (barring some event that triggers anxiety). There are other places I have trouble with, especially places with lots and lots of sensory stimulus.

In addition I have a plane trip with my inlaws coming up next summer that promises to trigger all kinds of anxiety; my last trip away from home was really hard. I'd really like to have Zoe by my side to alleviate the stress and anxiety of this upcoming trip.

This is all a very personal decision, I just want you to recognize what you are up against. But raelize you have to do it right and have documentation and blah blah blah and you have to be really dedicated to fighting the fight should you come up against it. If you let "them" win it will only make it harder for the next team that comes along. But it is not worth sacrificing your emotional well being especially since that is your real issue.

If they are just being rude, you have not seen anything yet. If you have not lost a job because of your dog, missed a flight and been stranded somewhere, had to get a police escort and left out in the cold while its below zero, been threatened to be arrested by an "officer of the law" (yeah, whatever dip weed), been kicked out of your housing, been barked at in a crowded restaurant, verbally assaulted in church because your dog brushed up against someone's skirt, oh the list is endless and much of it I have lived MYSELF.

Your waitress takes one look at your dog and throws her arms up in the air and runs away screaming bloody murder, and the hostess tells the people at the table next to you that they need to move them because "your waitress won't come back because she is afraid of that lady's dog." Classy, huh? And embarassing as hell.

There are good moments, like being allowed in the cardiac care unit with your dying grandmother....and then hospice....and being treated with kindness and respect and having your dog called by name as you both nap in the chair next to her.

The kids at church who adore you and who fill your pew every sunday and bounce transformers off your dog's head and give you hugs and kisses and scream both of your names at first sight.

Your secretary that greets your dog every morning with doggie cookies.

The good waitresses that come to know you by name and who always bring him special goodies and offer a bowl of water.

Two years of federal court while you battle for some sort of justice after being thrown out of your office and being forced to work a minimum wage job until your contract expired because yuo REFUSED to quit just because they wouldn't let you in with your dog...the financial strain, the emotional strain...ugh. UGH! Depositions. Paperwork. Worry. Dread. Attorney fees.

Lots of good things. Tons. More than I could ever say. But the bad is often easier to remember. Some of my experiences have been so bad I have been close to anxxiety attacks...no kidding. And stress is a huge seizure trigger = not good. Its a tough thing.

Really really consider this carefully. If there is anything I can do let me know.

Emily, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I appreciate it more than I can say.

Right now all this is in the future as Zoe is polishing basic obedience -- right now she's an emotional support animal who's already made a difference in my life, and I have no doubt that no matter what she'll continue to make that difference.

I'm in no hurry and I have time to research and think about it. I'll do those things carefully.

Do you know of any service dog partner lists or forums that would be a good/appropriate place for me to read and learn?

Emily, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I appreciate it more than I can say.

Right now all this is in the future as Zoe is polishing basic obedience -- right now she's an emotional support animal who's already made a difference in my life, and I have no doubt that no matter what she'll continue to make that difference.

I'm in no hurry and I have time to research and think about it. I'll do those things carefully.

Do you know of any service dog partner lists or forums that would be a good/appropriate place for me to read and learn?


Hey, any time babe! Its a tough, tough thing. Beau got stung by a bee on lunch yesterday. Threw three benadryll down his throat and took him to the emergency vet. He is on anti inflamatories and continues to have anti hisimines. He's at home. I'm alone. Its weird. Hard. I started to go to the park for lunch...so weird. Reality check. We become so dependent on our dogs, what happens when thy become sick, injured, or one day retire or die?

Outside of our disabilities, it is a HUGE emotional strain. Its like leaving your left arm at home. He wanted to work today, even though he was in pain and feeling so poorly. He inspires me to keep fighting my disease.....

Service Dog Central used to be good but they have closed most of it to only "exclusive members." If you have the time to become part of the exclusive club, it has some good info.

Note: Emily is NOT an exclusive member. :floor