Service Dog Life > Is a Service Dog for You? (publicly viewable board)
Mental health
gpstracker:
Please allow me to explain my situation. I suffer from severe anxiety, agoraphobia and severe depression; this is documented by the Veteran's Affairs Hospital and Mental Health Department. Even though I have not been diagnosed with PTSD, my quality of life along with my mental and physical health has severely declined since I was discharged from the Army. I have been training my dog to use as a service animal and have used her many times to help me engage in everyday life. The more I am reading about the qualifications I am realizing that my mental conditions don't allow me to use a service dog, though I may be misunderstanding the information. I have seen both psychiatrists and psychologists since 2002. I have been prescribed Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and Lorazepam. Prozac was the only medication that had a slight positive outcome until the side effects kicked in. Due to the information I have read, suffering from these illnesses does not allow me to use a service dog. I have never once refused to answer a question about why I use a service animal nor have I ever demanded any special accommodations. I obey the laws which apply to the use of service animals and my service dog has helped me greatly, even though my state of mind is a work in progress. Fortunately I now have a job where they don't mind that I bring my animal with me, but I work alone. I have quit or lost jobs over the years and have been unemployed for 2 consecutive years due to these issues. I have had my body filled with all sorts of poisons to help my chemical imbalance, but those have failed to correct this and I was pulled off from medications. The VA had suggested using a service animal to replace the medication, but what's the point if I am not allowed one.
latopla:
I don't understand why you think you cannot use a service dog. The ADA clearly states that psychiatric service dogs are just as valid as other types of service dogs...guide dogs, mobility dogs, seizure alert dogs, etc.
To use a service dog, you must simply meet two qualifications. You must be considered disabled by your doctors. And, your dog must be trained to perform tasks that mitigate your disability. If you meet both of those qualifications, you are free to use your dog as a service dog in public.
Roxie:
A diagnosis does not = a disability. No matter who gives the diagosis or how many one has.
Tracker - can you post the quote that makes you believe you can't use a SD?
Latopla is correct.
Welcome - if I haven't said that already. I no longer have internet at home and use my little cell phone to read posts - but posting from my cell is a killer. So, I have to wait until I get to a WiFi spot! :biggrin:
labs4ever:
Welcome, well, just from reading your opening post, it SOUNDS like you are diabled (although docs are the only ones that can say that according to ADA definitions) and it sounds like your dog does help you as a PSD should... I am confused too. as the others are. At any rate welcome and do provide more info as maybe we can help you and us or (me anyway) be less confused!
DeeDee:
--- Quote from: labs4ever on December 04, 2011, 06:48:31 PM ---it SOUNDS like you are diabled (although docs are the only ones that can say that according to ADA definitions)
--- End quote ---
Please tell me where in the ADA that is said. I sure haven't been able to find that statement in it.
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