Tell me what you know about animal assisted therapy!

spiritdogs

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...

Who is saying this?   If it was me then that's not my intent.  I think service animals (psychological or otherwise) are a great thing and hope she pursues this with her doctor as it sounds like she will.  But it seemed like she was the one saying she did not need a service dog....now I am confused!

I too am a bit confused by your response Anne - the OP did refer to the dog as an AAT animal in her post which brings up the whole issue of what exactly she's looking for and then further along it sounded like this might be a situation where a public access dog is not desired, so the ESA suggestion was offered to provide more info on options. 

No where did anyone seem to be saying that they didn't believe that she had a legit need, just that you have to be careful about making sure you follow the legal guidelines.

spiritdogs

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. 

None of us have asked, nor do we want to know what her disability is -- my original assumption, if I was correct, is that where she lives animals aren't allowed, and she's trying to feel her way towards how she goes about getting permission for such an animal.

I *think* she already knows she needs/wants one - an no one is debating that, just trying to post cautiously.  The issue, I think, is trying to work thru how she goes about getting approval for an animal where she lives.  That's where the "prescription" or letter comes in -- she doesn't need the validation, but if her apartment complex has said no dogs, then generally they want some sort of proof it's a "medical necessity" (that's usually the term, at least in Florida). 

Not sure what led to the questions about an assisance vs. therapy dog, and I don't need that answered.  But I still think if she's wanting to have a dog where dogs aren't allowed she's probably going to have to get paper from her physician and also help navigating thru whatever the legal requirements are where she lives.

Thanks Callie, that was my interpretation as well. 

Under ADA no one can ask what a person's disability is and it is none of our business (someone like a store employee can only ask what tasks the dog performs, they cannot ask what one's disability is or they can be in big trouble).  We probably brought up psychiatric service dogs and the emotional support animal only based on what the OP has already disclosed.  Beyond that it is really up to her and her Dr. (but there are plenty here who will "listen" if the OP does like to talk about it).

Thank you all for your replies. I did some reading before posting here, and yes, it seems I googled the wrong terms regarding animal assisted therapy versus service dogs. I did read a task that pyschological service dogs can perform that are considered legitimate in the eyes of the law and some of them WOULD be beneficial for my life.

I do not think I have the skills nor the time necessary to fully train a service dog on my own, but definitely could with help. Having raised and trained several puppies, I have some experience in training but such specific tasks that I'm not familiar with is a totally different ball game.  I do not really think I need to have an animal that I can take in public, however just today I had a problem in a resteraunt and it got me thinking about it again, so...I think I mostly just need to talk to my doctor! Thanks for all the links, I'll check them out. =) I didn't feel attacked by anyone, so no worries there.

paperflowers11

Thank you all for your replies. I did some reading before posting here, and yes, it seems I googled the wrong terms regarding animal assisted therapy versus service dogs. I did read a task that pyschological service dogs can perform that are considered legitimate in the eyes of the law and some of them WOULD be beneficial for my life.

I do not think I have the skills nor the time necessary to fully train a service dog on my own, but definitely could with help. Having raised and trained several puppies, I have some experience in training but such specific tasks that I'm not familiar with is a totally different ball game.  I do not really think I need to have an animal that I can take in public, however just today I had a problem in a resteraunt and it got me thinking about it again, so...I think I mostly just need to talk to my doctor! Thanks for all the links, I'll check them out. =) I didn't feel attacked by anyone, so no worries there.

That's good - I was worried that you would think that some of the posters references to the differences between pets and service dogs would make you feel as thought they thought you were just trying to find a way to have a dog in a no pet situation.  I'm also glad that our discussion got you thinking about the possible difference that a service dog could make in your day to day life.  The problem is that the courts have held that if you only use your dog at home, then it may not qualify as a service dog.  So, the question of public access is an important one.  Only you can decide if your disability is severe enough that you need a dog in circumstances both public and private.  In any case, if you come to the conclusion that you do, you may want to enlist the help of a good clicker trainer in your area to help train your dog, and maybe even to help you choose a suitable dog.  Good luck, and I hope you get what you need.

The exemption for ESA's in "no-pet" housing are only for Federally owned facilities. Private or corporate landlords do not have to allow ESA's. Certain States may also have laws in regards to ESA's in housing, but for the most part, only Fed properties are covered.

Under the ADA, no business may ask what the disability of the service dog handler is, but in no way prohibits private parties from asking. Is it rude to do so? Of course. But the ADA does not say "no one" can ask-----just places of public accommodation.

 Also, the determination of "disabled" is not a medical issue, it is a legal issue. A simple "doctors note" is not legal qualification of or determination of a disability, it is simply the doctor's opinion. An informed opinion, yes. But only an opinion. Only a court of law can determine the legal status of ones disability. A "doctors note", however, is sufficient for an ESA to live in Federal "no-pet" housing, but does not allow for public venue access with the animal.

Just some clarifications.

Dogleadme

Under the ADA, no business may ask what the disability of the service dog handler is, but in no way prohibits private parties from asking. Is it rude to do so? Of course. But the ADA does not say "no one" can ask-----just places of public accommodation.

Thanks for clarifying!  I think the example I had in my mind would fall under a business, b/c a store greeter asked someone coming in with a dog.  HUGE no no!!

Liesje

Dogleadme

Under the ADA, no business may ask what the disability of the service dog handler is, but in no way prohibits private parties from asking. Is it rude to do so? Of course. But the ADA does not say "no one" can ask-----just places of public accommodation.

 

Thanks for clarifying!  I think the example I had in my mind would fall under a business, b/c a store greeter asked someone coming in with a dog.  HUGE no no!!

My wife gets asked all the time what the dog is for, and when she replies "This is my guide dog", she usually gets the "Oh. You dont LOOK blind". She has been known to ask "Really? Just what exactly DOES "blind" look like, anyway?" After about 10 seconds of stunned silence, she just tells them to have a nice day.