I do customer service for Service Dog Tags. Today I spoke with someone who was not aware of the changes in rules about service dogs. The new one that took affect March 15th of this year. The one that includes anxiety and PTSD as a disability and any dog that is used to control that is now a service dog.
I actually kinda felt sorry for this man as he was under the impression that, even though his dog helped him, since he could hold down a job, he was not disabled even though he was formally diagnosed with PTSD. I politely told him that he was wrong.
There are many many disabled people that can hold down a job. The presence of the service dog makes them able to do so. I am one of those. I work full time for Service Dog Tags. However I honestly feel that if I did not have my service dogs (my retired one, my current one, and my one in training) that I probably would not be able to work. Or, even worse, not even be able to function or maybe not even be in existence.
This gentleman that I spoke with had pretty much limited his lifestyle due to the fact that he felt he was not disabled. This was due to misinformation on his part. Since speaking with me he now understands and will probably be doing a few more enjoyable things in his life now that he can take his “service dog” with him.
Please be aware of the new ruling change. Be aware that anxiety and PTSD, correctly diagnosed by someone in the medical field, IS a disability. And any dog that is used to prevent or control the symptoms of such IS a Service Dog according to ADA.
Sussie and the Y Team
(Gunny, Rainy and Lucy)
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
THANK YOU for this information Sussie. Since shortly after purchasing my tags for Mia a year ago from you I had also been under the same understanding that her “Service Dog” for my Anxiety and PTSD no longer qualified her and could be questioned. Would you be so kind as to include the link that would allow us to “print” this new law to carry with us incase we are questioned. Thanks a bunch in advance. Myself and many others would appreciate it. Anna and Mia
I don’t know how I could survive without my Mario. I probably would never leave my house. He keeps my anxiety down to a very low level.I thank my doctor from the VA healthcare for caring enough to help me discover having a dog would cure me of the stress and anxiety I could not control alone.
I’m happy about the new law change
I have PTSD, AND MY DOG HELPS A GREAT DEAL
Thanks
Pam & Ringo
Hi Sussie,
This “Service Dog” blog is a good forum for many people with disabilities to share information about the Federal Laws regarding “Service Dogs”. This latest article touches on many important topics. 1. What is a Service Dog? 2. What is a Disability? 3. Is the definition used by SSA (The Social Security Administration) when determining eligibility for benefits the same as the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act – 1990)?
I am a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, M.S., C.R.C. I’ve had a disability for 28yrs. I’ve had my “Service Dog”, Gracie for about 4yrs.
I encourage everyone to do a ‘Google” search on the following terms; ADA, Disability, Service Dog, ADL (Activities of Daily Living), Psychiatric Disability, Employment of people with disabilities and MOST importantly, Civil Rights of people with disabilities.
Keep it comin’…This is a great blog…Dave
This is soooo awesome. My husband has cancer and we travel from florida to New York for his treatments.
This gives us another special reason to have our little service dog now for him.
This is soooo awesome. My husband has cancer and we travel from florida to New York for his treatments.
This gives us another special reason to have our little service dog now for him.
I am afflicted with anxiety and PTSD. My service dog Bella and I travel and enjoy life with the help of her service. Service dogs travel free on SouthWest Airlines. This airline is wonderful to service animals and the disabled. The animal travels with you in the passenger section, not the cargo hold. You do need a letter from your psychiatrist treating you for symptoms, their tag and jacket representing them as a service animal. Having Bella in my life and her service to me has changed my life. I am disabled, but I have the security and most of all constant companionship of my girl.
Such wonderful news! I have both up to a point, and my Chacha has been God’s gift to relieve my sympthoms. Most places that we go they already KNOW HER! She is appreciated and adored everywhare I go. This past Chrstmas my husband and I went to a pageant in a very large church in our area, and of course she was with me; no one complained, some of the actors peted her, and she even barked at the lambs that took part on the pagent! Every one thought she was part of the show!
Isn’t that sweet? God is sooooo good!
thanks for letting those of us who were not aware of this law, I have known about it for sometime now being a disabled veteran and it has already helped me with a problem with my landlord accepting pets in my rental house, but all I had to do was show them a copy of the law and they agreed instantly,allowing me to avoid paying a pet deposit or not allowing the service animal in training on the premises, I have one for my physical disabilities,thats sniffs out infections and has saved my life 2 times even though I lost one of my toes last year he was able to tell me to get checked in time to save my foot and my life after MRSA and osteomylitis had set in, and now I have our second one for my anxiety and PTSD, and I thank so many people and God for allowing this to become law.
Special thanks go out to Spot and the service dog blog for all their support and help with this very important matter.
Sincerely,
Col. Jonathan Willard
USA Retired
I was looking at AMTRAK’s site, only service dogs recognized by them for travel with an owner is your typical service dogs, blind or physically handicapped. Guess it doesn’t matter to them if a person has an anxiety attack on a train with out their service dog present also local animal control would not let me keep my dog with me while I was getting tags for my cat. The supervisor said my doc did not have a service vest they don’t recognize the tags I have from this site. Made me stand out in the area where they bring all the strays in, also treated me like I was dirt.
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE BOTH/WERE VETERANS, MY HUSBAND PASSED LAST JAN OF MS AND A BRAIN TUMOR, THREE MONTHS LATER KIMO WAS GIVEN TO ME BY SOME DEAR FRIENDS, NOT EVER HAVING A PET BEFORE I SAID NO WAY, BUT ONE LOOK INTO HIS EYES AND I WAS/AM HOOKED. KIMO IS A GOD SEND, HE HAS NOT LEFT MY SIDE SINCE THAT DAY, HE GOES TO WORK WITH ME EVERYDAY, I AM THE FORTUNATE ONE, KIMO IS ALWAYS WITH ME, HE GIVES ME AND THOSE AROUND HIM UNCONDITIONAL LOVE NO MATTER WHAT. I FIND THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOUR PET AND THEY ARE WELCOME ANYWHERE, MOVIES, RESTAURANTS, YOU NAME IT. WITHOUT MY KIMO I TRUELY DO NOT KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE TO DAY OR IN WHAT STATE. ANIMALS ARE TRUELY YOUR BEST FRIEND, COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO NEVER WANTED A PET. I MAY HAVE LOST MY HUSBAND OF 16 YEARS AND I AM SAD FOR THAT, BUT HAVING KIMO IN MY LIFE MEANS NEW MEANING. DON’T GIVE UP HOPE.
DJ
I justed came back from a trip to the Philippines with Pudgy a service dog.
It was not easy but we managed the trip to four islands by air boat and tricyle.
It is difficult enough inside the US, outside they never heard of a service dog.
But we managed it anyway.
Jim
I am interedted in training for my dog to become a service dog. Thanks. Jean
Does this include dogs that are for Emotional Support?
I was told by someone last year, that I could get my own personal dog certified as an Emotional Support Service Dog. This has happened. I am so thankful that I could get this, as he makes my life more comfortable, and easier, when dealing with stressful situations!
Can you give me a site where I can find out about getting SERVICE DOG trainning for my dog? Thank you!
Dear Sussie, I have read your blog for a long time and it’s wonderful and interesting. My son who is now 21 was born with anomalies however is high functioning. He has had a lot of trouble finding a job. He doesn’t have great vision and he has PTSD from being assaulted in middle school. Because he doesn’t have one exact problem I can’t figure out where to apply for a dog. He loves animals and takes great care of our pets. Any suggestions on a service dog or even a job? Thanks in advance. Happy New Year!
To Pat, don’t know what state you live in but I’m sure the local Humane society would like to hear from you also the National Transp-ortation Safety Board about Amtrax as we seen other service dogs on trains when we have been on trips
I need a service dog jacket for my small service dog . Where can I get one? We r planning to go see my fighter in Hawaii and I hope I will not need anything else. I have the emotional support tags but need the jacket. Thanks!0
Hi sussie. I just wanted to let you know that your tags work great! We recently moved to France and I really thought I was going to have a problem. My dog isn’t the average size dog of most. His breed Alaskan Malamute are around 95 pounds. Well apparently the breeders who have seen him say he is a giant from the past. He weighs 212. But he is healthy and all muscle as the vet would say. There is no way to get a vest for him so I just had to depend on the tags. And it went perfect! He only fit in first class but I would have paid anything to have him with me. So if I can get my dog on a plane with out any problems . Your tags are golden!
I use my dog for hearing assistance. I have your service dog tags on her and in my wallet and this has worked in most instances. How important is it that I get medical documentation of my disability to carry with me? I have a hearing implant that protudes from the the back of my headand holds a Cocklear BAHa hearing aid and if asked I usually point this out. I need my dog most when I am alone as my hearing is comprised and she helps with direction and location of sounds. This lowers my anxiety level whne alone. Should I make sure I carry documentation od my hearing disibility? Sould I supplement this with emotional support documantaton?
Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
Hi,
You may order a jacket from a great company that we highly recommend.
http://www.servicedogjackets.com
Im sorry but there is no such thing as an Emotional Support Service Dog. There are only Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals.
There is also no such thing as a certified Emotional Support Animal. And though there are websites out there that claim to certify your service dog, they are only out for your money. ADA states…
ADA will not impose any type of formal training requirements, registration or certification process. While some groups have urged the Department to modify this position, the Department has determined that such a modification would not serve the full array of individuals with disabilities who use service animals, since individuals with disabilities may be capable of training, and some have trained, their service animal to perform tasks or do work to accommodate their disability. A training, registration or certification requirement would increase the expense of acquiring a service animal and might limit access to service animals. Especially individuals who may have limited financial resources.
Keep in mind that a cat cannot be a service animal. The rules state…
Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.
They are breaking the law. ADA rules state…
Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, have identification. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal.
Yes. This is the link…
http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
Keep in mind that American Airlines is now refusing Service Dogs and ESA in many many cases. We are getting word about this from our customers. They are not being allowed to board with their service animals and ESA despite doctors documentation that the animal is needed. Other airlines are just fine. As a matter of fact, we have two airlines that actually refer people to us.
Hi,
We are currently working on a site that lists trainers in each state. We will keep you posted.
Thank you for letting me know.
212 pounds! That IS huge!
By law you really don’t have to show a letter from your Doctor to a business. But I would think it might be a nice thing to have handy. It seems that it would reduce conflicts.
You can’t take an ESA to Hawaii. They will be treated as a pet and put in quarantine. Can’t provide a link while on mobile device but do some thorough research on SDs and ESAs (I suggest Service Dog Central) and you’ll find all the correct information.
What so many of you are not understanding is this, there is a difference between an ESA and a psychiatric service dogs. The ADA Final Rule did not change anything in this regard. It just clarified that Emotional Support Animals are not service dogs and do not have public access rights. The difference between an ESA and a PSD is that PSDs are task/work trained and ESAs are not.
As for HI….Hawaii apparently doesn’t think its part of the US as far as the ADA and service animals are concerned. To take any service dog into HI, you must prove both your disability status and the dog’s training. You must also jump through vaccination and testing hoops. ESAs are not service dogs and must travel as pets to HI. No tag is going to help you.
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