Wondering if anyone can recommend any vids on YouTube etc for my family members to watch about service dogs? It’s not my preferred learning style but it’s theirs, and so I want to help educate them about the basics but don’t want them to get misinformation. They’re on board with the process but have lots of questions. I recognize this is a slightly different lens, so they probably don’t need super detailed training videos, but more day-in-the-life stuff. I think basic canine science and puppy info that isn’t necessarily SD specific would also be helpful to them. They don’t have social media so TikTok and Instagram videos are out. Thanks so much in advance!

2 months, 3 emails to ODO, 2 complaints to British Airways and a complaint to ECC (because I happen to be a citizen in a country part of the EU)

Well somewhat positive ending to my problem with ODO. After 2 months they allegedly made an attempt to get in touch with my program. Allegedly because they called after work hours, they didn’t introduce themselves and the people working were the dog caretakers who don’t have the authority to answer their questions.

My dog got approved and I’m currently waiting on the feedback from the report to ECC.

Thursday I called my program to find out there has been 2 unknown American calls after work hours. To say I lost it at that moment would be an understatement. So I emailed ECC with all the proof I had (emails, calls transcripts, dog’s documentation from the program and my complaint case number). Saturday I got email from BA that my dog is cleared to fly but haven’t gotten the ID reference number ODO are promising, yet.

Would that have worked if I had a booked flight? No, because my original plans were for last month.

My original case with BA got closed without them letting me know. I had to re-open that. All documented and reported.

I can only hope this would be the last interaction I have with ODO but I know it’s not. My dog isn’t immortal or as long living as I’d like her to be. Hopefully, they learned their lesson that if they fück around they’ll found out.

On other note, I think I was good and patient enough before escalating and forcing them to take me seriously. Many people would wait not more than a week, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and waited for two months.

Additionally, I got aware that IGDF isn’t happy with ODO. They have violated European Union legislations and are yet to face the consequences.

If you’re in a country part of the EU don’t hesitate to contact your local ECC. Their job is customer protection in terms of travel. Initially I was gonna go to the CAA but they required 2 months after contacting the airline and nothing gets done.

Is anyone aware of assistance dogs being trained to detect pressure sores along with their other training - for example assistance dogs working with people with MS or quadriplegia? It would be super helpful as an early warning system along with other illnesses like UTIs etc.

TIL, my service dog prospect can often walk on two legs better than I can and I’m going to have to learn more about being an able-bodied biped so she can have the stuff she’ll need as an able-bodied biped 😂

Oh lord, sometimes we’re going to be a human walking on 4 points (my mobility scooter’s tires) and a dog walking on 2 points. 😂

So, from what I've gotten so far, at home training is okay, and safe as long as I do actually train him properly and don't just throw him into a vest, and take him to target (WHICH IS NOT MY PLAN LOL)....so what are good resources (YouTube videos, blogs, websites) that I can use to learn good ways to train my dog at home for service work, I have 2 months to collect up resources and such. Also, what is good LARGE breed gear, he's a great dane, who is already the same height of me (I'm 5 ft even), and he only 4 and a half months old....so he's gonna be a BIG BIG boy, and I can't afford expensive gear, my price range is about 130 USD stopping point, he already is on a head halter, and used to a harness but not walked on one, I've only ever gotten a vest on Amazon, similar to a service vest but bright red with "reactive dog" on the side for my reactive dog, and thankfully I was able to throw it our recently when he finally graduated his training, and I spoke with that trainer for my great dane to even begin thinking about this decision, but now I need good gear, and training advice, I'm doing it mostly at home with monthly or bi-monthly sessions with a professional

Me and my husband just moved to Hawaii, Oahu to be specific but here they refuse to acknowledge my dog as a service dog, they refer to all service dogs even guide dogs as esa’s and there a lot of places that flat out refuse entry, my husbands military and the housing office told me they needed to see registration to acknowledge her as a esa or service dog and when I try to explain in America it doesn’t exist they referred me to the scam sites and said yes it does I see the registration papers every day when dependants come here, how do I handle this and what do I do, for reference my SD is a 54lbs Belgian malinois and is impeccable in public, she is a PSD for ptsd and severe anxiety she does DPT and nudging to bring me out of flash backs, also my husband says I should just pay and use a scam site so housing drops it but I hate that even the military is miss informed, what should I do?

So I have a 4 month old great dane, his mom is actually a service dog, and I was hoping to train him to be one as well.I have autism,social phobia, adhd, social anxiety, depression, and selective mutism(all diagnosed by diagnostic team), and he's young enough still to be trained, and he's a very calm, quiet, dog BUT I can't afford expensive professional training for him to be a service animal, is it okay for me to train him at home, and work him at pet friendly stores like pet stores and farm supply stores, and then actually use him as a service dog in the future if I do put the work in training him? I really don't wanna do it and be causing issues for handlers who have trained service dogs, and get in the way of that work, I simply can't afford training, and know that I finally have a dog with the potential, and the time and dedication to put into him, I would benefit, but I don't want to hurt the community either.

I’m facing an issue where I might not be able to bring my dog to the workplace, but I still use him at home and when I go out in public. People are saying that if I don’t need him at work (which, don’t get me wrong, I can function ok but having him would certainly be helpful) then I shouldn’t need him at all. Imposter syndrome is strong right now. Does anyone else have experience with this, where they only use their SD in certain scenarios? How do you reconcile what situations “warrant” having a tool to aid your wellbeing?

So I’ve been considering owner training a PSD. I have GAD, chronic depression, CPTSD, and a few other things I’m waiting on official diagnoses for (ADHD/Autism, OCD). I have yet to speak with my healthcare team specifically about a PSD but plan on bringing it up next time I get to speak with them. I love dogs and have been planning on getting a pet dog for the last couple years, just waiting on finishing college and stable housing. I had planned already on doing thorough obedience training in general and getting paperwork for an ESA. I knew PSDs existed but thought that maybe that was too extreme treatment for me. However, after lurking in this Reddit for a while I’m starting to think that might be a possibility for me. There’s a list of tasks that would be really helpful, particularly DPT and assisting with public outings. I finally have finished with school and have been living in my own house for a while now and decided now was the time to bring home my new buddy. I really wanted to adopt from a shelter and I know that can be hit or miss for finding prospects but I’ve gone into this journey so far with low expectations PSD wise. I know I’m still learning about training but I feel decently capable with training and I’m also looking into working with a trainer, again for at the very least general obedience training. I found a lil guy who I really loved and brought him home and had several people I know in dog related business and former trainers say he has a great personality and temperament and would do well as a therapy/service dog (I didn’t ask about it, they just volunteered these opinions).

All of this being said, the training I’ve done with him so far has been really great with a couple exceptions that are really just typical puppy behavior and only seem to happen at home. He loves performing the commands I’ve taught him so far and, aside from wanting to greet every single person that crosses his path, generally does very well while we’re out and about. He’s only about 5mo old at this point so we haven’t gone much further than basic commands and manners but he’s done really well and picks up on most things easily. I think I could certainly teach him some tasks eventually to at least assist while at home and probably some too while in public but if it doesn’t work out and we just go the ESA route, I’m very ok with that too. I feel I already got so lucky with my guy and him just existing has helped me a lot and in the future if pursuing a PSD is something in the cards for me, I can try again at that time.

Mostly, I wanted to make sure that I’m not doing anyone, me, my dog, or the SD community any harm by potentially pursuing this. I think it could benefit me and my preexisting treatment plan as my medication and therapy helps but there are some (decently manageable?) gaps. If anyone has some advice on how to pursue this or even on whether or not I even should or maybe even wait on it, I would love to hear from you. Thanks!

*I want to preface this by saying I got this dog before I fully understood poor breeding, and now that I understand it (I now have a Golden from a wonderful ethical breeder who did almost everything right as far as breed line and physical health) I won't make this mistake of supporting BYB's again! I acquired him when he was 3mo old, he is now 5y6m.
**TLDR; My service dog is getting older, and I'm not sure how to cope with needing to retire him without a backup. This is based in physical health, not behavior. This is my soul-dog, nearly daily I overthink about his future. We are in close contact with a great vet who is taking good care of my dog and myself!

My Labrador is 5yrs old and is showing signs of aging. He is still actively working with vet approval, he does not do mobility tasks, just alerts, responses and retrieval. However, today I've decided that the vet should take a second look here soon and reevaluate as within a few weeks, some new things have come up.

He's not in pain from what I can tell from home assessments (moving the joints carefully, then quickly as the vet showed me), but his shoulder has a bit of swelling without fever, and he's starting to get a bit lumpy around his torso. We've determined them to be simply fat deposits as my vet called them, non-cancerous. 2 small lumps about an inch or less wide, very shallow under the skin without fever.

CW: pet death mentioned very vaguely
5 is still somewhat young as far as activity and ability for a Lab, but I think it may progress faster for him due to poor breeding and past minor health issues. Seeing the white fur in his face, the masses on his body, and the swelling in his shoulder- it just makes me think hard about his retirement and mortality, and I just don't know how to handle that at all. I have experienced the death of a pet, but never the death of a service dog. That isn't what this post is about but it's something I think about often, almost obsessively.

Is anyone here a member of the Banfield Veterinary Wellness plan? We are scheduled to get our health records in a few weeks and wondering what the costs may be? I assumed this would be included in our plan with no additional costs.

Any info would be greatly appreciated! :)

I’m getting a service dog prospect next April and preparing myself through research and I keep seeing and hearing about all the incidents with public access. I don’t go out in public that often I guess(?) but I’m trying to picture the places I’d go where I’d have to deal with being confronted and I’m curious how often it would realistically happen? Maybe I’m just a major shut-in or it’s worse than I’m imagining but I wonder if I’m under/overestimating how much I should expect it. For context I’m finishing my last year of college and work online. I may get an in-person job in the future but otherwise I basically go on short grocery outings, outside to the park and for rowing practice, to class via public transit, and like monthly to the library or movies or something. For those monthly fun trips I don’t anticipate bringing my dog if possible. Thanks in advance, I’m just wondering!

Edit: I forgot but I suppose I should add that I also go to disability advocacy events in person on occasion as part of my work as an advocate but I don’t anticipate having access issues there because of my contact with organizers and stuff! That’s also not part of my regular schedule so I forgot lol.

I have a 4 yr old lab service dog. He is perfect. I just got a new kitten yesterday . He has been around cats before but not in the kitten stage. Right now he won’t look at the kitten and turns and goes the other way when it’s around. I been trying to just have my service dog lay on the floor and get used to the kitten. When the kitten would walk by or come up to it more overly try to play I would give my dog a high value treat it seemed to work little bit. But he still is pretty scared I know it will take time but is there Anything else I can do I need my dog to be comfortable as he is my medical alert dog

USA- My family is set to go to Tennessee for Thanksgiving and are staying in a vacation rental house. I called to give them a heads up that I use a service dog as a courtesy. The rental agency said that they needed verification that my SD is not a pet, so I let them know what tasks she was trained to do. They said that wasn't enough and I'd have to provide a letter from a medical professional stating why I needed a service dog. I don't think that's allowed, but I can't put the right terms together in the Google to let me get something definitive that I could give them to show them that they're overstepping. Everything I've found is talking about hotels or apartments. Anyone smarter than me know how to proceed with this? I don't want to piss them off by saying "hell no, you don't get to learn about my medical history for funsies", since they could theoretically cancel our reservation- but I also don't want to provide it for them. Thanks in advance, stuff like this is so stressful.

I have a golden retriever that I would like trained as a service dog. I was told by someone there are grants you can get if you have MS that will help you pay to have your dog to get trained by a trainer. So far I'm only seeing how to get a dog that is already trained that they give you. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Hello all!

We plan on flying to Mexico in December to visit family (will be SDs 2nd flight). Just have some questions I was hoping someone who may have gone can answer before I call SENECA/the right resources. Reading some previous posts & from what I read online, I saw that someone previously said the dog’s sweater got taken during the inspection. My question is can my dog still be vested or will it be taken? Or even if I take his vest off and put it in my luggage will it be inspected? I understand I can’t bring in any extra belongings besides a day’s worth of food etc due to the risk of bringing something over. Also, I know most pets travel in carriers but will it be an issue that he’s not in one during inspection due to him flying as a service animal? I know Service animals aren’t really recognized in Mexico but since we are staying with family, accommodations won’t be too much of an issue since he will mostly working “at home” rather than PA in Mexico. Also was the process the same from Mexico airport back to the US? Im just curious if their TSA is similar to the States with the Pat down/taking gear off. TIA !!

I’m on the brink of my dream job, I’m apprenticing to be a tattoo artist in a very high-end luxury shop. I also gave a disability. Doing work that is low-level activity and low mental stress (like doing art for 8 hours a day) is perfect for me. But my bosses don’t know that I have a doctor prescribed service dog in training. I had him in a training program before I ever got the position as an apprentice. When I was first hired on, I was worried to mention him because I had other potential mentors from other tattoo shops turn me down just because they didn’t want a dog in their shop. I’ve been working here just shy of a year now, but my dog has never been to the shop because quite frankly he has not been trained well enough to sit still all day while I work…but he’s getting close. His training program will conclude probably in the next year. I’ve poured a lot of work and a LOT of money into getting him this far, and I’m excited to finally be able to have him as the tool I’ve needed for so long. My mentors and my manager know that I have some vague generic health issues, but I’ve never lapsed into a full episode while at work. While I’m thankful to be in an environment that so far hasn’t triggered my issues, I know that my disability might not seem credible to them because they haven’t seen it in action. Still, I never want that to happen and know that I need him, and as soon as he is trained enough to be trustworthy I want him by my side. I’ve looked into the laws (I’m in Nevada). According to the SNHD, 3.17, service dogs are allowed in tattoo shops. (I mean, while a tattoo shop should be sanitary, you know people are vaping and snacking in here. If service dogs are allowed in hospitals and restaurants, tattoo shops shouldn’t be a problem.) But I know my manager has turned away customers with service dogs before. I’ve since told her the ADA laws and the legal risks of doing so, and she seemed surprised to learn them, but she still says she’s far more concerned with the sanitation risk than she is about the laws and likely wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Other tattoo people on the internet seem to share the same convictions, like dogs in tattoo shops are a hard no, regardless of the ADA and the health departments being ok with it. I’m worried that, when my service dog is finally trained enough that I can finally bring him to work with me, I won’t be able to anyway…or that I won’t have a job at all. I love this shop and these people and I don’t want to get bitchy and start throwing threats of lawsuits at them or anything. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to choose between my dream job and my investment in my health. How do I bring this conversation up?

Hello! I'm in a group of students at the University of Washington working on a project to improve accessibility at the university arboretum. We are hoping to make the space friendlier to service animals and make it more accessible overall. We would love anyone's input or experience taking your service dog to any public park, arboretum, or similar outdoor space. By taking a few minutes to complete this survey, you’ll be helping us create a more welcoming space for everyone. Every response brings us closer to meaningful change, so please share your thoughts and help this green space thrive! Thank you for caring!

Link to survey: https://forms.gle/97Emz2163EB9USuT7

I've heard mixed things about dog reactivity and training, but I wanted to see what folks thought about this:

When is dog reactivity in a service dog a sign to wash/retire the dog? Is there ever a point in which you go "there is no hope, you can't work the dog through it via training" or "it's not fair to the dog"? Is that point "any sign of reactivity is a lost cause"?

I always thought this was a nuanced question that required a lot of context/testing/evals, but recently I've been hearing that "a service dog (or prospect) should never be dog reactive" and "once a dog becomes dog reactive, you can never train them out of it". Which is very surprising to me because I have never heard that before.

An important thing to ask, too:

Does dog-reactive mean "reacts in any way to other dogs"? Or does it mean "negative/aggressive/scared behavior"? Because maybe that's where my confusion is?

What would do instead?

Okay so I give my boy two frozen ice cubes made up of pumpkin, Greek yogurt, cucumber, bananas, raw eggs, it equals about a quarter cup literally maybe a 1 tbsp of each ingredient in there, and I put them into a round rubber single open toy for him to lick out as his dessert every night,

My dog is a service animal and I'm about to start start traveling for work, what would people suggest to use in place, I have lick mats and snuffles, so maybe while traveling on short work trips one of those? Maybe a wet food of some sort?

I see that xfinity in wellington closed over night. Couldn't be happier. while I now have to drive further to get help, this was the store that allowed a mgr's children to harras and hurt my service dog. I had until march to decide whether or not to bring charges against the employees involved and the corporation. they broke 2 federal laws and 2 state laws and sat and laughed while the children hit, pulled, threw things at my dog. I can only hope that we were a part of the reason they closed and that those employees have lost their jobs. karma will get you every time.

Hi all! No judgment please!! Three days ago I got my SD prospect at 9 weeks; fab five, ethical breeder, temperament tested multiple times, working with a pro trainer just looking for more voices! My SD prospect is overall great but is an asshole to my other pets. Chases and nips the cat etc. My current SD is not dominant at all.

I noticed on day 1 when giving both dogs treats that prospect nipped at current SD when current SD got a treat before him. Today it happened again when current SD went for a crumb of treat on the ground that prospect wanted. I grabbed prospect before the nip hit and my current SD shrugged and moved on.

I am already hand feeding prospect his meals separate from current SD and give prospect his high value treats by himself in his crate. But I’m scared that this is somehow a bad sign.

I've seen some places with signs that say "only certified SD's allowed", is there a particular paper you need or something if the like? Do they need to be certified?

I have a psychiatric self trained service dog. We fly domestic all the time and she's fantastic. I'm flying internationally to Berlin and plan to stay a while and apply for a visa. I’m nervous about documentation and want to get some kind of service dog certification that can be used internationally, if possible. Any recommendations? Thanks!

[EDIT: I'm in America]

So, I've had a service dog for a few years. When I got him, I was barely incapable of leaving my bed. I couldn't go out in public (severe anxiety, severe depression). With him, I can. With him, I feel like a normal person and I've been getting so much better. He and I are a team. We've been through multiple years of university together and he's helped so much. He is task trained (blocking, DPT, panic attack alerts/interruptions, medication reminders, alarm wake-ups, etc).

I've never applied for disability. I thought I didn't need it, because with my service dog "I don't qualify anymore because he helps with all of that".

I just realized... that maybe... I have been looking at this wrong the whole time. I have been thinking "I'm not disabled, I have a service dog now!" and thought "can't be disabled because I can function again"... when I literally have a service dog. If I don't have him with me, my problems come back.

Am I disabled? I don't even have words to describe this strange mix of realization and dread that I've fucked up.... that I should have applied for disability years ago... is it too late? Have I ruined this for us?

EDIT: I think I am confusing two things. That you cannot be disabled/call yourself disabled unless you qualify/have been approved for disability through the federal/state government. And the wording of the ADA saying "you have to have a disability to have a service dog".

Basically, my question is this: does the ADA still provide legal protection against discrimination if I am not disabled via applying for disability through the government?

Hey everyone,

I am Elizabeth (30f), I have brought up the conversations of a PSD dog for myself with my doctor. For background, I have Treatment resistant Depression which is a form of Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, and severe anxiety that largely is over Depersonalization/Derealization and not being able to talk about myself. I also struggle with autoimmune issues and chronic pain.

For my treatment previously, I have been on every type of anti depressants, years of therapy, and all recommended options from my medical team to get better. My treatment is at a point where we are not hopeful Electric Shock will work and my insurance will not cover the brain surgery to have Deep Brain Simulation.

The shit thing about Treatment Resistant... is nothing works.

I am at a point where I have begun researching Assisted Suicide but largely that is outlawed in the world and it would absolutely destroy my husband.

I will add - I am very effective at holding down a successful career, "faking it" to people outside of my husband, and forcing myself through the actions that are required for an adult. I would be able to care for and continue training of a dog - largely the areas I struggle with the most is taking care of myself and battling my own mind.

Largely, I need assistance so I can stop leaning on my husband to help as I fear this will ruin our marriage as I continue to get worse. He travels for work a lot and I am often at home and cannot always ask someone else for help.

The biggest things I am needing assistance with is:

- Provide deep pressure stimulation

- Wake me up / snap me out of it when I zone out which can last hours

- Help me remember to do essential tasks/encouraging me to move

- Get medication as needed

- Help with spacing while in public/helping me leave situations

- Interrupting self harm

- Reminders to drink/eat (when I am alone I often nearly pass out as my depression removes all hunger)

The reason I ask is my family is very much the type that looks down on mental health and does not understand my physical health issues as well. I know if I got a dog to help, then they would never let me live it down and see it as me being desperate for attention vs. truly at my max where I do not know how much longer I can keep going just on myself.

I have done a good job of surviving this long on my own, but it has not been without severe struggled and after officially hearing I am out of options for treatment, I am desperately searching for anything that can work.

Does anyone have a PSD or has personally seen good outcomes from one?

Note: I would not be getting a puppy - there is a well established PSD trainer in my area and they have met my 3 year old Vizsla and believe he would be a good fit for training.

I’m planning on applying to the Adolescent Dogs training program but they say they don’t accept aversive methods of training. I use a head collar because it keeps my dog calm. Does it count as an adversive method?

Anyone who’s with adolescent dogs, would this get my application rejected?

Hello all - from what I’ve read, getting the timing correct for the USDA paperwork to come back is difficult to coordinate since we must arrive within five days of submitting the documents? A friend suggested we depart on a Friday morning that way if we send in the paperwork on Monday AM we would receive it in time. Any advice on this? Thanks so much. (Yes, I have my doctor’s note, HARC form, DOT form already.)

I have mobility issues, Autism and POTS as well as PTSD (though that has been managed well) and am in need of a service dog soon. I would just like some insight as to what dog breeds I should look for as well as avoid. I know golden retrievers or labs are considered the best, and they are a viable option, I just would like some other choices to look at! Thank you in advance!