Tell me what you know about animal assisted therapy!

Such therapy dogs aren't cheap -- because getting one that is already trained usually requires a certain amount of intervention -- particularly if it's a dog who is trained for seizures, or physical disablities, etc.

typically such a dog is highly trained and by the time some agency becomes involved it winds up being something very specific.  Those dogs are usually easy to work into an apartment situation but those dogs would be 'certified' and therefore that paperwork generally satisfies any conditions that an apartment complex or condo (which may have covenants and restrictions in it's paperwork that actually prohibit dogs).  Usually it's not just that "management decided" -- but it's an underlying decision that may involve insurance and a whole lot of things.

 So just being able to go to the pound to get a dog "for your problem" -- honestly that's likely not to be a starter.  Because it's usually that specialized training and certification that makes them acceptable in the "no pets" situation.

Now, everything I just said would have to be filtered thru your own state/local laws and whatever actual rules and regulations (and depending on what governing body your apartment complex is accountable to) are in place.

However -- if this is something that may be diagnosed by a doctor, and if the doctor thinks this is something you *Must* have then you go from there. 

Another thought for you -- depending on how strongly the doctor feels about this, the doctor might be able to write you a letter that would enable you to break your lease if that's what is keeping you where you are living.  Often allowing you to break a lease might be easier to work around than allowing you to have an animal where it's not allowed. 

The thing most folks don't realize is that often when apartments or condos have "no pet" rules it's because they've elected to come under certain state laws and it's incorporated into their operating rules.  But asking to get out of your lease with a GOOD REFERENCE can make a big difference.

But don't do this unless you intend to commit to a dog FOREVER.  I remember you but don't know you well -- so I'm not trying to be ratty.  But be realistic about your limitations ... don't talk yourself into something that you won't be able to sustain.  If you get into a situation where you CAN have a dog, be majorly careful.  Make sure it's small enough so that it will fit in with most any apartment complex's rules and regulations about having a dog.  It can be tough in most any place to have a 70 pound dog.  Many places cut off the weight limit at 20 pounds simply because that way they can exclude the "dangerous dogs" category without having to say it.  Unfair?  maybe -- but it's reality out there.

Make sure you can support a dog -- with all the vet bills and time for exercise it requires.  Don't take a dog for a while and then let yourself get into a situation where you decide to move in with someone and well gee -- they live where I can't have the dog sooooooooooooo -- in other words, make sure you know yourself well enough and your limitiations with your challenges so that you are fair to both you **and** the dog.

Like I said -- I'm not trying to be ratty -- just realistic.

One more thought -- you might ask the doctor if there ARE assistance dogs specifically that may help with your problem and what sort of certification there IS available.   See how difficult it may be to GET that certification.  Then you can go about finding out if there's already a dog in your family that could perhaps qualify. 

It all depends on what sort of certification the apartment complex would require -- and the doctor might know that better before you make the wrong inquiries that get someone looking at you sideways.

Does that make sense?

Thanks for your reply! I do realize that there is a huge cost associated with highly trained therapy dogs, depending on insurance/other issues, and the legal caveats in apartment areas. The idea was brought up because someone mentioned someone else with a dog who lived in the complex for similar reasons, although I don't really know anything about her specific case. I don't know even whether a note from my doctor saying it would be beneficial for me to have a dog living in my home would be enough, or if it has to be a medically necessary ADA approved sort of situation, which I would probably not qualify for based on the severity of my issues.

 And thank you for reminding me of the lifelong commitment to a dog. It would definitely take a lot of consideration when it comes right down to it. Luckily, I have owned animals my whole life and, unluckily, I know the bills can get up there especially in an emergency. My orignal thought was to just wait until I have a salaried job out of college (fingers crossed!) and buy some property and get a dog then, but who knows how those things ever turn out anyway. All I can do is hope and plan, right? Heh. I want to get out of apartment living as soon as I am financially able to do so. Because of my concern with my mental health and looking at the possibility of medications, I was hoping this might be a happier alternative to drugs. I'm just not sure at which point it becomes unreasonable to ask, or at which point someone might turn me down for getting an animal to help me.

 You do not need to get a dog from an agency, if you are capable of training the dog yourself, or can afford private training.  You also do not need to disclose the nature of your disability to anyone.  If asked, you need only say that you have a disability and that your animal is a service dog.  That said, if challenged legally, you would need to prove that your dog performs definite tasks associated with your disability.  The dog may not be a nuisance in public - for example, a service dog automatically has a right to be in a movie theater with his disabled partner, but that does not mean that they cannot be asked to leave if the dog barks throughout the movie;-)  For information on service dogs and public access, go to www.iaadp.org and start reading!

paperflowers11

Because of my concern with my mental health and looking at the possibility of medications, I was hoping this might be a happier alternative to drugs. I'm just not sure at which point it becomes unreasonable to ask, or at which point someone might turn me down for getting an animal to help me.

A teacher of mine had this sign up in his room "He who asks a question may seem a fool for 5 minutes.  But he who never bothers TO ask the question, remains the fool forever."

It's never stupid to ask a question and no doctor could *ever* fault you with inquiring about some self-help means (that has reduced your problem in the past at home) like this -- it's ALWAYS smart to raise the question.  And that's the point of asking the professional -- so they can give you some direction, and maybe help facilitate such a thing.

As far as reminding you of the commitment - that's kinda what we do on here.  But given that I *don't* know you well, it's just smart to urge someone to think their way thru the entirety of such a decision.

An animal assisted therapy dog is not the same as a service dog or a service dog in training and is not given the same rights or legal protection under the law.  I have an "animal assisted therapy dog" that has completed training and testing with two different organizations (West Michigan Therapy Dogs and TDI) but she is not a service dog and has no rights to go anywhere that pets are not allowed.

In order to have a service dog your doctor needs to approve that your dog assists you in a way where you could not function or live your life normally without the dog.

Can you clarify which type of training you are looking for?

If you do not need or are not eligble for a service dog, I think it would be great if you find companionship in a dog and move to a place that allows dogs.  Your dog may not even need any training if the dog is there to support *you*.  My dog was trained do to a variety of tasks to support other people (listen to children read or tell her their secrets, jump through hoops held up by people doing physical therapy, etc) but I think as an owner I get emotional satisfaction out of owning dogs regardles of how they are trained.  In fact my "heart dog" is not really trained to do anything other than sit, down, stay, and shake.

 It is not true that your doctor has to "prescribe" a service dog, although it certainly does add credence to your need if you are presented with a legal challenge.  Any disabled person is entitled to use a service dog so long as the dog addresses specific needs related to the disability.  I believe that the OP is inquiring about a psychiatric service dog, and not a therapy dog.  Therapy dogs, as Liesje correctly points out, are only given public access *by permission* - while service, or assistance, dogs have a right to accompany their disabled owners in public, with the exception of a few places, such as certain areas in hospitals.  Psychiatric service dogs are service dogs, but emotional support animals are considered therapy dogs (hence no automatic public access or exemption from "no pet" rules), so it pays to become knowledgeable about the tasks and disorders that psychiatric service dogs commonly address, so that, in the event of a challenge, the disabled person can show that the dog is properly trained to assist them, and will not lose their dog. 

More on service animals:

http://www.equipforequality.org/resourcecenter/ada_serviceanimals.pdf

http://psychiatricservicedogs.pbworks.com/ESA-vs-PSD

http://www.psychdog.org/lifestyle_behavioral_healthcare.html

Having a service dog is a huge commitment, because the training must be extensive both in terms of general manners and disability-specific tasks, which the dog must be able to replicate on command.  Wanting a pet for comfort is not the same as needing a service dog to function as a non-disabled person might.  But, the law does allow you to train your own, and the only criteria is that the dog specifically address your disability with tasks that you would not be able to complete without the assistance of the animal.  That does extend to tasks such as dialing a phone for someone who has panic attacks, or turning on light switches so the person can enter their home without fear.  The IAADP site lists tasks appropriate for PSD's related to some of the more common psychiatric disorders.

Liesje

An animal assisted therapy dog is not the same as a service dog or a service dog in training and is not given the same rights or legal protection under the law.  I have an "animal assisted therapy dog" that has completed training and testing with two different organizations (West Michigan Therapy Dogs and TDI) but she is not a service dog and has no rights to go anywhere that pets are not allowed.

In order to have a service dog your doctor needs to approve that your dog assists you in a way where you could not function or live your life normally without the dog.

Can you clarify which type of training you are looking for?

I *think* according to her original post and her response to mine she gets that -- I *think* she's mostly concerned about the housing issue.  Individual states perceive all this differently -- but her doctor *should* know the difference and specifically what she needs and what legal things she needs to walk thru to accomplish it. 

It also depends completely on the rules where she lives (and where those rules come from) as to how bendable they may be.  If she lives in a community whose rules are based on "set in stone" legally recorded covenants and restrictions, then the *ONLY* way she could get an assistance dog would be if it were legally prescribed by a doctor and met her state's criteria.  But if she lives in aa apartment community that's more loosely organized and who has a history of making exceptions, that would be a different story.

Rules for pet-therapy dogs (like those dogs certified by TDI and such organizations) are only meant to VISIT a facility on a temporary basis.  Not live there.  But companion/assistance dogs are a whole separate thing and it completely depends on your state's laws, and what sort of assistance certification the dog has as to whether or not it qualifies for ADA type assistance or such again can be hugely impacted by state and local laws.  There are times/places when personal assistance dogs merely have to apply for a local license to be allowed into public places. 

But again -- truly her doctor should know and be able to navigate her thru all this or at least put her in touch with people who can.

Unless something has changed...

The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.(Department of Justice, 1996)

And...

To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered. (Department of Justice, 2002).

The "relationship or association" part protects service dog trainers who take dogs into public venues to assist in their training.

spiritdogs

The "relationship or association" part protects service dog trainers who take dogs into public venues to assist in their training.

EXACTLY -- in fact, getting a dog certified under the auspices of an association usually gives the access to liability insurance (and a similar thing is available to those who get their pet therapy dogs "certified" thru a qualified agency).

The local laws, etc. that you have to wade thru are not always fun to navigate -- but that's why I keep referring back to the op's doctor.  That doctor should know for sure exactly whether this person qualifies ... *and* if they qualify for some sort of exemption under the ADA and what sort of training, etc. (if any) the dog may need and how easy (or not) it may be to bring the animal into her living situation.

Most everyone knows I'm a legal secretary and one of my bosses areas of expertise is mobile home parks.  Parks that are restricted to people "over 55" have to jump thru all sorts of hoops to maintain their status under the law, and some parks are adamantly opposed to animals IN parks.  So it all depends on the doctor usually to provide proof to the individual that the dog is necessary.  That's just ONE example.  In some places it's easier and not contested -- in others it's miserable.

spiritdogs

To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.

That's what I meant by the Dr's approval.  The Dr. helps define whether or not you have a physical or mental impairment that limits major life activities, otherwise anyone can take their pet around as a service dog and say it does this or that.  One cannot diagnose themselves with a mental disability.  

Callie, I asked for the OP to clarify because of she does not need a "service dog" as it seems she was stating originally, then a pet therapy dog would not qualify to live in housing where pets are not allowed, and personally I am not OK with people passing off dogs as service dogs just so they can go where they are not allowed.  But like the OP says, only a medical professional can help determine whether she has a disability and whether a service dog is appropriate.  I have nothing against psychiatric service dogs but want to make sure the distinction between a therapy dog and a service dog is clear.  Even a service dog "in training" is not always protected by the ADA.  If I am not mistaken, states have their own laws as to whether a SDIT is protected.  I think most business would allow a SDIT on their own but they are not necessarily protected.

It is a touchy subject for me because I have seen people buying "service dog" tags and vests for their German shepherds fully intended to be a fake just so they can take their dogs more places.  Then the dogs act up and the public and the local businesses have a jaded view of what a service dog really is.

Paperflowers, even if you don't have a German Shepherd there is a service dog forum on the GSD board and several members who are very knowledgeable about state laws, what qualifies, which dogs are protected, etc.  Since the breed of dog is not relevant, you might want to check it out:

http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=22&page=1

We need Cait/Pwca, she knows a lot about this stuff...

Liesje

It is a touchy subject for me because I have seen people buying "service dog" tags and vests for their German shepherds fully intended to be a fake just so they can take their dogs more places.  Then the dogs act up and the public and the local businesses have a jaded view of what a service dog really is.

We're both kinda preaching to the choir here -- it's the same with my experience at work (as well as having pet therapy dogs and gone thru all the training to ensure they are "safe" and paying for the insurance I'm right with you).  People will move into a place and NEVER MENTION that they have a dog they claim is an assistance dog and then they try to hand you a very general non-specific letter saying "Mrs. Schmuckatella" needs "Tiny" (their ill-mannered any-size/breed dog sitting there growling & snapping at everyone) for her mental health. 

From what she says, Paper Flowers seems not to even want to take her dog in restricted places (except the housing) and I want to be clear we're not trying to make HER feel uncomfortable.

But Spiritdogs, Liesje and I have all been around long enough that we know there are a TON of people who "lurk" and will half-read something and then walk away with one sentence they'll try to justify getting away with something with.  And I think we're all just trying to leave a clear impression on anyone who reads what the correct information is and how it can be obtained.

It's the age old story that now that we have laws that DO help people, there seems to be people lined up around the block to try to take unfair advantage of those laws

calliecritturs

From what she says, Paper Flowers seems not to even want to take her dog in restricted places (except the housing) and I want to be clear we're not trying to make HER feel uncomfortable.

But Spiritdogs, Liesje and I have all been around long enough that we know there are a TON of people who "lurk" and will half-read something and then walk away with one sentence they'll try to justify getting away with something with.  And I think we're all just trying to leave a clear impression on anyone who reads what the correct information is and how it can be obtained.

You're exactly right, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable but I also don't want lurkers to get the wrong impression.  Under the law and ADA, there *is* a clear distinction.  A therapy dog (or pet assisted therapy dog as they are now called) is not the same as a service dog.  A service dog in training is not the same as a service dog.

If the housing is restricted to service dogs, then a pet assisted therapy dog does not qualify.  I would even check with the property management and ask for clarification.  I've seen them also lump therapy and service dogs together, saying they allow therapy dogs when they mean service dogs.

OP , if you just want special consideration for a dog in housing, you might want to look into "Emotional Support Animals" - there are some legal aspects that afford more access to housing but restrict public access for dogs not specifically trained as service animals but who do mitigate a disability by their presence. 

eta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_support_animal

 Our OP came here to get information, not to disclose the nature of her disability or try to pass off an existing pet as a service dog.  Frankly, I have tried to provide her with information in a clear, dispassionate, and respectful way, and cannot understand the tone of the posts that suggest she should not try to avail herself of a service animal.  You all sound like the boss who tells the female applicant that she should just go home and have babies...

Anyone with a disability that affects their activities of daily living should be able to consider the legitimate acquisition of a service dog without an inquisition!  With the information available on the links which I provided, she should be able to make an intelligent decision whether she feels she could train, qualify for, or need a service animal.  The disability is in the eyes of the beholder and her physician, not a dog message board. Please have a bit more compassion - if the person had told you they were blind, would you be having the same discussion???  Her disability may be "invisible", but it is a disability nevertheless, and under ADA she has as much right to have a service animal as someone who is blind, deaf, mobility impaired or affected by a seizure disorder, so long as the rest of the criteria are met.  It is not our decision, and the literature she was directed to does discuss the difference between service animals, therapy dogs and pets rather explicitly.

I cannot help what lurkers, or even our OP think (and she may be under some misconceptions that education will help clear up) but the law is the law, and it is not up to us to determine who does or does not qualify for a service animal.  That is the job of the law - and it is against federal law to pass a pet off as a service dog.