r/service_dogs

Hi! I don’t know what to flair this…

As someone who has been applying for a grant for a service dog or for the services that do not cost 15k as I’m abt to move to college, I have been rejected a couple of times and though they don’t tell me why, I’m assuming that it is because at the time of my application I was having upwards of 10 seizures in a day.

I assume this would stress a service dog out needing to do an emergency response so often, and the number has actually gone down (maybe 5 in a day?) and so I’m wondering if that is likely a factor in my rejection? My cousin is telling me that because that’s part of their training, it shouldn’t be a factor, but I’m assuming that’s what it is 😭

Let me know if you know anything about the selection process that I should know or shouldn’t worry about? I need to start applying again…

Edit for clarity: The seizures in question present similar to tonic clonics but mostly a mixture of the stages ❤️

I also applied more than six months before this transition, which is what most people are saying is the likely reason, so I don’t think that’s the case.

Hello!!
I’m a sophomore in college and recently been struggling pretty bad with my panic disorder, anxiety disorder + depression. While I’m taking the necessary steps to overcome this as much as I can, being in an elite university while struggling with my health has been very difficult for me. As much as I want to devote all my time towards focusing on my career and getting good grades + connections, I can’t help but to panic nearly daily and it affects me pretty often during the day.

I tend to get panic attacks out of nowhere and at times I start to faint. I also tend to scratch my arms pretty bad when I am panicking and pace around in circles. I have 3 guinea pigs I absolutely adore to take care of and they help with my anxiety but as much as they are emotional support pets, they cannot come out of their cage or in public with me yk what I mean?

Anyways, I was just wondering if it’s a good idea to get a working dog for psychiatric decompression for when I panic as It can happen anywhere at any time and I don’t really have control over it/ over triggers.

I’m on medication, therapy, talking to doctors, psychiatrists, and still nothing explains why I’m having such bad physical responses to my anxiety.

Edit: yes I am aware of how much training is needed. I’ve fostered over 11+ dogs growing up and am no stranger to training multiple dogs/puppies. I have lots of time on my hands and need a distractions from schooling (at least 1 hr a day) so I do not burn myself out + I have all summer to do research :) (I also know what tasks I would like to teach it) :)

I was matched with a program dog in February. We have had our first really hot days in New York City this week. I was wondering if any NYC handlers had suggestions for where they vested exercise their dogs when it is hot. I live fairly central in Brooklyn, but willing to go a ways or to another borough over the summer when it gets hot for long stretches. For outside Brooklyn, I prefer options near accessible subway stations. I’m also regularly in LIC.

My first thought was someplace like Target but the one near me is usually barely air conditioned and sometimes feels worse than outside.

Inside, we do mental stimulation, training, play fetch, etc, and I try to get up early or go out late to beat the heat, but would still love to hear your creative suggestions. My dog is black and seems to start to feel the heat a lot in mid-70s weather, so it’s not sustainable to stick to inside things all summer. For myself, I would usually go into Prospect Park as it’s usually coolest in deeper parts of the park, but the hours that it’s coolest are off-leash hours. It’s a mess of off-leash dogs even when it’s not off-leash hours/locations and doesn’t feel relaxing for either of us.

My dog is for mobility (dropped objects, taking off my jacket, etc, nothing weight bearing). I’m not great with stairs or standing but when I’m having a good day I can walk for a while.

(Also open to any other local suggestions that I might not have come across or thought of, such as free or deeply discounted vet care or grooming services, or other perks for service dog teams in the NYC area.)

Thank you!

I'm loosing my mind, my state has decided to rain nearly nonstop for weeks, the ground barely dries before the next round starts, my dogs paws are stained brown from the mud and im worried she looks too dirty for PA. I can't get the stains out! Any advice is welcome. I've thankfully kept her body looking halfway nice by wiping her down when she comes in but the bottom fourth of her legs are just varying shades of earth that won't come out completely.

I live in the us and am in the process of getting a service dog, I’m worried that the money I save for medical emergencies will interfere with my disability payments and status. Specifically, for my states Medicaid and a form of ssdi that I am currently applying for. I also have another dog and a horse that I need an even larger emergency vet fund for (if you have horses you know they love to get themselves hurt lol). I’ll be getting pet insurance but I’d like to have money saved too. I know there are certain resources I can use to save up money without effecting my status, is that necessary for this? Or do i just need a specific account allocated to funding for this as it pertains to my disability?

Some stores my SDiT does great and others he doesn’t and I don’t know why. He does great in stores like Cabela’s, Target, Kohl’s, Hobby Lobby. He even does good in Dollar General and UPS. But some stores he’s more weary and nervous like Goodwill. He is VERY nervous in gas stations. I think he may be scared of smaller, crowded stores. I took him to a fast food place today but we had to leave because he was shaking(!!) and couldn’t task properly. I’ll tell him to sit (and he does, every time) but sometimes he’ll keep standing up and looking around more than focusing on me. I don’t know how to get over his fear (or what he’s nervous about) because he does great in less crowded stores. Do I just keep taking him and praising him and go slow? Or do I need to go back to some basic training?

(Also he is not licking his lips or shaking when we leave the store. He’s just looking around like he’s nervous about his surroundings and like I said one time he was shaking)

I've had my PTSD service animal for six years now. I'm looking to start a CDL program at the local college. Currently I'm running into some difficulty finding a place to have an evaluation to allow her onto campus. My previous evaluation is five years old at this point and my college needs a recent one.

I'm currently homeless with no insurance. I've called a couple places so far. One wanted a series of consultations before they would consider handing me the paperwork. The other wants somewhere between $300-$500 which is just not feasible for me. My cheapest option won't pick up the phone or call me back.

I appreciate any and all advice on how to navigate this situation.

Hello, I’m new to this subreddit and have finally gotten my first ever service dog prospect.

For some context, he’s a 12 week old male German shepherd puppy (which I got from a reputable breeder with his papers and a temperament test) and I’ve had him since 8 weeks.

He has picked up quickly on basic commands and learns quick and is a very confident puppy, which I like.

However I need help since I’m still new to all of this, even with 3 years of research on everything.

I’m mostly owner training him to be a PSD and a medical response service dog, and I live in central Florida, I’m looking for a good training facility to help me give him the best start that I can especially for service work. (That isn’t insanely expensive and within reason, as I’m 23)

In the future, also wanting to do sports with him on weekends. (Dock diving, fast cat, etc.)

I’m currently working with Beyond the Leash for day-camp and their puppy class and basic obedience, but was recently referred to Dog Training Elite Orlando and have started with them.

I am aware of the recent TikTok video about them, and wasn’t sure what to think, and I did consider cancelling but I went back to them on account that I have no personal resources, as well as the fact that usually when people point out something bad, they never actually offer alternatives.

I’m just looking to see if anyone has actually had good experiences with their SD with DTE for some mental reassurance, and if they really are that bad can someone give me some recommendations on training facilities or trainers that specialize in working with service dogs and specifically starting him out while he’s a puppy to give him the best start for when he starts task training later on.

Please let me know! And advice is always appreciated as long as it is respectful! Thank you all!

I am diagnosed with PTSD, Bipolar II disorder, and GAD. I already own two Chihuahuas, and I love those little guys, so I know the breed well.

I am now looking into getting a third dog that would be professionally trained as a psychiatric service dog. I want to be clear that I am not looking for an emotional support animal. I am looking for a service dog that is specifically trained to recognize when I am going into a mental health crisis and respond with trained tasks or steps to help me stabilize. I would also need the dog to be able to accompany me safely in daily life.

Because of my conditions and lifestyle, a large dog would not be a good fit for me and would likely create more stress rather than help. A small dog, especially a Chihuahua, fits my daily life much better.

I am wondering if anyone here has experience with a service Chihuahua for psychiatric or mental health-related tasks. How has it worked for you? What tasks has your dog been trained to do? Were there any challenges with public access, training, or people not taking a small service dog seriously?

I would really appreciate hearing from people who have actual experience with psychiatric service dogs, especially small breeds or Chihuahuas.

Does anyone know if Alaska and British airlines allow you to purchase an additional seat for your service animal and put the carrier on the seat with your SD in it? I have a new situation I haven’t encountered yet. My SD had an accident that requires surgery. We have a cross country move that requires a flight and due to the surgery, she will not be able to sit at my feet.

I’d really like to get a dog. I have PTSD. My mom and her boyfriend psychologically abused me growing up, I once had 2 separate girlfriends who would be physically abusive (punching me in the face/ slap me)… (obviously I’d never have gone back to that… but I had low self esteem and did NOT leave).

The above issues contributed to a lot of things, once I had a corticosteroids shot for a health issue.. I had a RARE reaction that created extreme behavior (mania/ psychosis) where I temporarily went off the deep end… it was very traumatizing and I humiliated myself. (I also had panic attacks which I had not had before)

Anyone, I still deal with ptsd, depression, etc.. how are you getting a letter? I don’t want to spend $150 for an online letter for my apartment to say they don’t accept it… I feel like esa/ service animals are 100% for people like me…

Lately I’ve noticed my service dog seems mentally exhausted and it’s honestly breaking my heart a little. He’s still doing his tasks, but he’s become more withdrawn at home, sleeps way more than usual, and sometimes seems less enthusiastic about gearing up to go out.I think all the constant public stress has been getting to him too people distracting him,strangers invading his space constantly, etc. I’ve been trying to give him more decompression time, longer breaks, enrichment activities,but I still feel guilty.Has anyone else experienced this?

I know the ADA says at least 1 task that helps your disability. But how many tasks does your SD do? I’m still doing my research. I feel like if you have a lot of tasks the dog can get overwhelmed with remembering everything and too little the dog would become bored. Maybe I’m just overthinking it.

As the title suggests, I’m moving and need to get a new lease, when should I tell my perspective landlord/leasing office that I have a service dog?

I’m moving from university housing that had very clear service dog policies/notification procedures and this is my first independent lease, which is further complicated by needing a place quickly and not being able to see places myself prior to signing as I’m over 2,400 miles away.

The building and HOA is not pet-friendly and the place I am most interested in has an independent landlord and not apart of a huge leasing office—although if this doesn’t work out, I’ll likely have to go to a huge leasing company based on the Seattle, WA housing market. I’m at the point where I need to submit a credit and background check with a $50 non-refundable fee, but prior to doing so, should I tell the landlord that I have a service dog or should I wait until after signing a lease? Any advice about how to navigate this situation is greatly appreciated!!

I am starting to go to more intensive classes that would have me be there all day and move around campus and would like to be able to bring my service dog in training. He has been out in public and can behave as expected, (potty trained, doesn't spook/settles quickly, does not react to other animals or people, focuses on me and not other stimuli) and has been performing mobility support, DPT, and I'm working on picking up objects from the ground and delivering them to me. He does down-stay but I am going to really drill it this summer anyways, just in case. I would have chem lab, from my understanding he needs to be able to have the same standard protection that the humans would have for his own safety - a coat, boots, and eye gear to be allowed in the lab which I can definitely get him to wear. I am going to contact my adviser a few months in advance just to make sure we're prepared. Is there anything else I am missing? I've secured some minor accomodations at this school without issue, but I've had a lot of trouble in elementary through high school with so I'm quite nervous and want to be prepared and at least seem competent. I'm in the USA btw.

edit: Thank you for the input so much! I'm a lot more confident now. The only concern seems to be with lab safety with I have to agree with. I'm going to try avoiding bringing him on lab days and if I do have to bring him for whatever reason, see if I can place him in a side room, or off area. I'm going to talk to the person in charge accomodations and figure it out. Again, thanks so much, I was really worried I was freaking out for nothing or was being entitled here. I really needed some level headed advice lol

Hi guys, flying with my SD for the first time (American airlines). The DOT form doesn't ask what task he's trained to perform, is this correct? I googled and everywhere it says its supposed to ask what task. Just checking that i'm not missing something (I got the form from the AA website). Any other tips for first time flyers much appreciated, thanks

I have to visit the Dominican Republic and Barbados for a family heath emergency. My service animal was just microchipped a week ago and got his rabies and yearly renewed at the same time. The vet said something about a $1000 certificate for each country for him to come with me! Is this actually true I’ve been reading and researching all day I keep getting told different things. He’s registered with all airlines. He is 10lbs and fits under my seat. He had a fecal test done as well during that time and it came back clear.

I’m 21 yrs old and have an invisible disability. I have been considering a service dog for some time but am seriously looking around and doing some research to see if it’s the right fit for me. I have ptsd and chronic pain and I am hoping to have a service dog to help ground me and alert. Information I’ve been seeing online seems to be the same few things about starting the process of getting a service dog, but I feel like nothing has shown what life is ACTUALLY like and how much training I can do, if I need an sd trainer, how to make sure a dog can reliably and consistently alert, and generally other tips.

Can anyone tell me their experiences have been like? Any advice, resources, communities etc, would be greatly appreciated!