Service Dogs for Emotional Support
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Hey everyone, i was diagnosed with PTSD last year by my doctor, I have a lot of issues being in public places around people i don’t know, and being around men in general. I have been training my dog to become a psychiatric service dog for the last couple months and she’s doing great! But i just haven’t met anyone else who has had, or has a psych dog. So far just the few things we’ve worked on has helped me out but i guess i was just wondering if anybody else here has had one and how much it has helped them regain some control over their life? And have there been issues with bringing the pup in public places? I know it’s against the ADA to refuse a service dog except for certain circumstances but i have also ready stories about businesses not caring. I guess i just want to know what to expect once she graduates from training
@bpanon0510 Hi I don't have a service dog. But I met a veteran on line at the grocery store with one. He told me that the dog makes a big difference in his life. He said he wasn;t able to leave his house due to PTSD before he had the dog. I hope that your dog will make a big difference in your life too.
I have CPTSD, I don't have a dog but my brother and good friend have service dogs. My brother is much better with his dog going every where with him. His dog is certified a disability dog so he has no restrictions. My good friend has her therapy support dog for anxiety support and she got her workplace to allow the dog to come with her to the job. It's working out good for her with some restrictions. I probably qualify for a disability dog but I haven't looked into it yet. Hope my post helps , good luck 💜 ABB
My dog trained with me and a trainer for ptsd for 2.5 years he goes everywhere with me. He helps with my night terrors and he knows when my stress level is rising and he immediately goes into action to start calming me down. He also picks up on other people's stress. He does not bark unless there is a serious problem and he is very calm he is off leashed trained and does not leave my side but being a dog I keep him on a leash. I think he believes the leash is for him to keep me attached . I do travel with work and have had some issues at hotels so now I basically make my life easier by looking for pet friendly hotels. I know we have rights but I don't have the time or need the extra added stress of the endless questioning. Resturants I do not take him at all I just get it to go. He does go to work with me but most people don't even know he is there he is trained to stay on his bed under my desk or he is right at my side. I guess my point is it can be stressful but if you try to do things that will make it easier then I would suggest it. I am not looking for a fight so I just try to avoid it. I did not train him for airplanes so I have not tried that. I just drive everywhere. As far as him helping me....more than you know I have to speak in public and to large groups. I have a confidence that I lost a long time ago. I am safe with him. We are a team. I do fine in public. I will say it does not take your trauma away but it gives a security and a confidence and it lessons the duration of a trigger. But remember to do things that will lesson the discrimination. Don't get mad. Basically if you do not have a physical handicap that can be seen you will have discrimination.so many people have tried to just register their dogs as therapy dogs and they bark and bite at people in hotels that I believe it has hurt people that really need them. Dogs bark at him when we go places and he just ignores them. Also people cannot read. I have please do not pet tags on him and his leash and I have ignore me I am working and people still run up to him all the time so make sure your dog is trained for that remember they are animals that work on instinct and have to be taught to control that instinct because you do not want someone to get bit because as people they have no self control. It will be bad for you and your dog. Your trainer should be able to work on that with you.
@Nevermore1845
I really appreciated all you wrote. That is very informative and gives us all a lot of information. Thanks.
I would love to get a servie dog and live in the US, in Florida. Do you know of anywhere that I could start to look to find a place to work with a dog and train with them, as you have done?
I did find what seemed to be a very good place up somewhere in the mid west area, in a state right below the Canadian border; but, I can not remember that site or state. From what I read on their website, I mostly concluded that because I also have DID that I could not qualify wtih them.
I appreciate so much all that you have said about you and your dog. If you do know of anywhere that would be a good place for me to start to contact, please, would you mind letting me know?
If you are wanting to live in Florida there are a few places for you to start with Canines 4 Hope would be a good group to contact. They may be able to help you in the area of Florida you are looking to live.
@bpanon0510
I have a psych service dog, but im not in the USA so laws are different. we are allowed to bring or dogs into public places right from when we get the dog.
