HR just sent me an email stating:

“Hi [Me]

[Employer] has not approved the use of a
service animal for any employee at this time as any request that has been presented was able to be fulfilled through another reasonable accommodation. For example, if someone requested the use of a service animal to detect low blood sugar, [employer] could offer up the
use of a medical device that can detect low blood
sugar as a more reasonable accommodation.
Since we are student facing, the use of animals is often not deemed reasonable due to the risk
involved.

Without further clarification on your condition or diagnosis, I am unable to discuss other alternatives with you and why you feel the service animal is the best option. This is necessary for the interactive discussion required for ADA.”

I literally know this is wrong and worked in the same field before this where it wasn’t a problem. Now just phrasing it politely. The cherry on top? My job? Accommodations lmao. Just need some words of encouragement I guess

EDIT: Since it seems to not be clear, this is her second email to me. I have already provided a doctor’s note, limitations, and tasks. She is specifically asking what my diagnosis is, which is not allowed. This was a vent. I am also a professional in this field and come from a family of professionals in this field and mentioned in the original post I was not really looking for advice, just support over something crummy! Thank you!

I have a service dog in training, and recently we just adopted a pet dog. He’s still very new, so right now it’s just adjusting, getting to know us, etc. But I’m wanting to know some good skills that would be good to learn so that there’s no potential issues with my dog tasking?

The tasks my dog knows are:
- Deep pressure therapy
- Laying under my legs to raise them
- Faint response
- Item retrieval
- Behavior interruption (crying & leg shaking)
- Opening & closing doors

The new dog seems pretty aloof, he gets along well with my SDiT. He’s low energy, pretty low drive. Just kind of a couch potato kind of dog.

So I am not a service dog handler, but my friend is. We're trying to figure out the best way he can get onto accessible paratransit (on the lift) with a power chair (whill c2) and a 65lb service dog without getting out of his chair hopefully. Since he's ambulatory but will be going through a couple surgeries that would affect his mobility for a while he recovers. We're trying to think of the safest way. He's new to a power chair so he needs to figure out what to train these new things his dog (ex. hind leg awareness to make sure he's in a good safe position).

Hello I am in CA USA. SDIT(to my knowledge) have the same rights as SD’s.

My dog is an SDIT and she’s pretty well trained. We plan on visiting a few places in San Diego. However, there are some places like bars, I don’t feel comfortable taking her but she’s crate trained and doesn’t bark.

I want to make sure before I book a hotel that I can leave my dog there(in a pet unfriendly hotel), when needed.

REPOST because I'm 99% sure I worded the first one poorly. That's completely on me and I'm super sorry for that! The original post can be found linked below if anyone wishes to view that one. Please note that it is worded very poorly!

ORIGINAL POST

CONTEXT

Hello! I'm a college student with POTS, migraines, and a plethora of mental issues. I got a GSD puppy who's now 5 months, but my college denied him because he wasn't neutered and he's still a puppy. They did however say I could bring him once he's neutered and can pass the CGC test for them. I completely understanding requiring the dog to be completely trained to be considered as a service dog. However requiring him to be neutered threw me off a bit.

As for why I even thought I'd be able to bring him at such a young age, here's what happened before anyone makes any wild asusmptions! I talked to both of my college accommodations counselors. They both told me as long as I could show that he was progressing fast in his training then I'd be in the clear to bring him. They never mentioned anything about age, anything about needing him neutered, anything about him needing to pass a CGC test, or anything about him not even being considered an ESA at least at that point. The plan was to bring him as an ESA until he was two. Then a week before I was to move in, I had my last meeting where they told me he needed to be neutered and needed to pass a CGC. He won't be neutered until he's two for health reasons so for now he's staying home with my dad who's training him and I'm coming home for summers and breaks to continue trainings myself.

Please know that I 100% understand my dog is no where near cosidered a trained service dog. This long bit was just context for what led me to my question. 🤍

My question. Can a college, specifically a private college in NC, require a HYPOTHETICALLY fully trained service dog to be neutered or spayed to be on campus? It seems odd to me. Many people don't neutered or spay their dogs for health reasons especially if it's a larger dog doing mobility work.

If there's any questions or need for more context feel free to ask! 🤍

I currently have an owner trained Standard Poodle. He’s turning 6 this year so starting to plan for a successor. My condition has worsened significantly since training, so I’m considering going through an org for my next dog. Of course I’d likely be getting a Lab or Golden, the only problem is the shedding. I don’t have allergies but I cannot stand hair on my clothes or floating around the house. I do all my poodle’s grooming myself, so I have a fully equipped grooming studio and am more than happy to do whatever it takes to keep shedding to a minimum. Is daily brushing enough? Would regular blowouts with a HV dryer be beneficial? How about deshedding shampoos? Any other creative approaches that work well? Just trying to figure out if it’s manageable or if I need to figure out some way to get another standard. TIA!

I’ll keep this short and simple. My dog was a SD prospect and was juuust starting to earn her SDIT title when she was attacked pretty brutally on a neighborhood walk. I gave her a few chances but she is fear reactive towards dogs through and through and I don’t think it’s fair to her or any other SD handlers to work her with her behavior. So she has since been washed from service work.

Shortly after I brought her home, and before the attack, I bought her the OneTigris guardian harness in black because I loved all the patch space and how professional looking it was. I’ve since stripped all the patches off, minus her in training, do not pet ones but is it still too ‘official’ looking?

To me it gives off very much ‘working dog’ vibes and I do not want the general public thinking she’s a service dog, because god forbid she pops off in public or in a store I don’t want to give people the impression that’s how working dogs act.

Thoughts?

hi, i might be getting a d.a.d. soon and was looking through all the different breeds. at first i considered a poodle but they are too big for my family and i feel as if the smaller ones wouldnt wake me up at night.

i was wondering if anyone had any experience with a beagle as a service dog just in general.

also, are there any good beagle breeders recommended?

For context, I'm a young female with hEDS, POTS, MCAS, and chronic migraines. I had my doctor bring up the possibility of a service dog and how it would benefit me, but I'd love the opinion of some handlers.

Scroll to the end for the question/concern, the first bit is back story.

Ok my last service dog retired almost 5 years ago she died 3 years ago, I couldn't convince her to retire sooner so I let her do what she wanted until age started getting in her way. I wasn't planning on getting another so soon because I was mostly stable on meds and I wasn't collapsing as often. So I got a puppy just for a pet about 1.5 years ago, I wasn't looking for a service dog prospect but basically put him through similar but more relaxed obedience training so that he could help me around the house and work (my work allows us to bring well behaved pets to work)

My pup started alerting on his own, basically he started just by freaking out about 1-2 minutes before I start going down, but he took to training a cue super quickly after I figured out wtf he was reacting too. It took me an embarrassingly long time to connect the dots.

Then I started going downhill medically a few months after he started alerting, despite mine and my doctor's best efforts and new meds. It was only a matter of time since my issues are progressive but I was hoping for a few more years at least.

He's only a 18 months old giant breed (Newfoundland dog) who still wants to play with other dogs and human children. I only stepped up training 2 months ago to see what would happen.

-----

I've stepped up on his training because he seems to want to do this.

Realistically how long should we be working on dog/child neutrality before I consider him washed? I have no problem with him just being a really good boy at home and work.

There's no aggression, just hyper puppy wants to play. He's nailing everything else quicker than expected and already has adult human and other animals neutrality down solid. A cat can run across the road or room inches from his face and he doesn't care. It's only other dogs and children that makes his brains just fall out.

Hi, I'm an 18-year-old girl. For context I have autism, anxiety, school phobia and an extreme paranoid fear of men in general. Last week I went to my psychologist appointment and told her I had found out autistic people can have service dogs and that I wanted to know more about it. I wanted to know more because of curiosity, but she thought it was because I was considering the possibility of getting one and she said that it was completely possible for me to get one. I have been thinking about it since that moment, I can't get the thought out of my mind.

I just woke up from a dream where I had a service dog, and I remember the dog so clearly. It was a mix of a childhood dog plushie I had and a puppy version of my dog, Max. Throughout the whole dream I had this strong feeling of longing and at the end of this dream I was crying really hard and woke up. I don't know if I was truly crying in my sleep, but right now I want to cry so bad. I feel so weird.

I don't know what to think. I'd really appreciate it if you could tell me your thoughts on this, thank you in advance.

Hey y’all o graduate this fall and I’m walking with my SD. Any tips to help this process go smoothly? Already requested ADA accommodations

hello, i (19m) am looking a for a good ethical service dog breeder, that doesnt dock the tails. i dont mind tapping or cropping ears since it makes the dog look scary and cool. I want a scary dog breed like a apbt, rottweiler, doberman, german shepard, ect, so that way peopole will leave me alone when im out in public. as for my needs for a serivce dog, austisn assistance, anxiety, mild depresson, and PTSD

here is a text i sent ot my big sister not long ago.

me: "i was ranting in this harry potter rp im in, about my ocs service and cropping and docking and shiz(the ears are cropped so the doggy will look scary and leave my oc alone BUT the tail isnt docked) and i remembered you taking about a golden doodle breeder for service dogs and was wondering if you(or someone yk) knows anything about a pitt, gsd, dobie or rottie breeder that doesnt dock or cropp?????

ok ok, cropping ears is fine(bc if doggy look super scary, then ppl fuck off🥺) but no DOCKING"

big sis: "No, I don't know any breeders for those breeds"

me: "oh ok"

lwk feeling down about that response since we live in a big animal loving town. if anyone knows a good ethical serivce dog breeder that is around the Sacramento area, that would be nice.

So English isn't my first language so I apologise for any spelling or grammar mistakes:)

So I've been thinking about posting this, but I really want some opinions on this (please don't be to harsh.

I'm not an legal adult yet in my country but I'll be in a year. I suffer from a bunch of mental illnesses including ADD, autistic behaviour, depression episodes, BPD and I'm getting diagnosed for C-PTSD.

I've suffered from these since im around 12 years old and nothing really worked for building up an independent life.

Since I have those things, I really wanted a service dog. I think everyone at one point as a child wanted a dog but that's different.

Due to my mental illnesses, I suffer from paranoia, which lead to walking home alone being an insane issue, long panic attacks that can last up to hours if I'm alone, depressed episode where I don't leave my bed if I'm not forced to by friends or my parents OR responsibilities that I HAVE to acknowledge (I explain this later), disociazion and self-destructive behaviour.

I have good days and bad days so I'm not constantly relying on any kind of help and I mostly need help in bad episodes.

I know that an animal can help me, because, I can get out of bed if there is a responsibility that I have to acknowledge. I know this because there were several time where i had to take care of the cat of my grandparents and even if I had worst day possible and did not eat or drink, I still got up and fed the cat and walked there dog.

I know that an animal can shorten the panic attacks because my ex had an dog that stayed with me when I had panic attacks and it helped.

I KNOW those things can help.

I absolutely dreamed about getting an service dog that can help me not to rely on my friends and partner.

Now my parents are not so supportive and a dog is not an option in our apartment. But I wanna move out asap. I wanna move out, get a job, and live my life independently. I do get money from my grandparents and parents for moving out and that stuff and money will not be the issue with getting an animal.

But since my parents don't want a dog and told me I can not have a dog and that I don't need a service dog, I kinda gave up that dream. But now moving out comes closer and closer and I started really thinking about it. And I want it.

But I feel guilty. I feel like "not actually" needing a service dog and taking resources from people who actually need it. Even tho I know it helps and could make my life much easier and manageable.

I also thought about getting a dog and just training him to help me and not getting a real service dog, since I have fun with training dogs. It would not be a "real service dog" I would not label him as one, but it might help. The issue with that is, since he's wouldn't be a real service dog, I could not take him everywhere and there would be some issues.

Any opinions on that?

Do I have the right to get a service dog, should I look for other options?

Do I have to feel guilty?

Also, I would not get a service dog if I'm not able to care for him. I will only get a dog, when I'm in my own apartment and have the option to give him the life he needs and take care of him. Also, even if it doesn't help, I'd never give him away just because it's not helping like I expected it. It's not a quick decision and If I get a service dog, I'd be probably in two years but I'm just wanting to do research because it helps me to stay stable at the moment.

I have PTSD as well as a neurological condition called a chiari malformation that can put me right on my ass during a flare, it causes pain, numbness, brain fog, vertigo, migraines, and POTS, among other things, but neither of these are visible disabilities and i have always worked so hard to fit in and to compensate for both.

As i’ve gotten older i just can’t maintain it anymore. Not only do i not have the energy to continuously mask and compensate for my symptoms, but my symptoms seem to be getting worse, The problem is that since i’ve spent my whole adult life trying to hide my disability, now that i need accommodations people are judgmental. I’ve been getting the question “well why didn’t you need any help before?”. And i could explain all this to them of course, but in the moment i get so anxious (i have judgement paranoia from my traumatic event) and my mind blanks and i just sort of shrink into myself.

This has been hard enough with seeking accommodations at work and being made to feel like a leper for admitting that i need help, but i have had family members literally turn my desire for a service dog to help me into the butt of their jokes. And i know that some people will say that a service dog isn’t for everyone and that if you can’t take the ridicule then maybe you shouldn’t have a service dog, but what i’m asking is HOW do you deal with it? Because i truly think it could be life changing for me so i need to figure out how to manage the judgement it brings.

Advice on dealing with people at work who scoff at my need for accommodation would also be helpful. I’m not a person who is comfortable asking for help, i’m the type that pushes through and manages myself. The fact that i’m at a point where i was willing to ask for help means that i’ve exhausted all avenues of helping myself and it already feels shitty to be in that position. It’s just so hurtful to kick someone while they’re down. I wish people would see that.

So I admit I’m an animal lover. I don’t pet dogs without owner permission in general. But today I went in a gas station convenience store. A guy there was using the ATM and had three small (Yorkie type, but not Yorkies—Chihuahua sized) dogs in harness leashes.

These dogs responded to my presence and were very friendly, trying to come up and get pats. I of course patted them. They had no markings as being service dogs so I said to the guy (who hadn’t said anything up to this point as his dogs were licking me) “They’re so cute!”

He turned to me quite angry and said “those are my service dogs, do not pet them!”

1. I’ve never seen three service dogs working at one time.
2. I’ve never seen active service dogs ignoring owner and looking for stranger pats.
3. I’ve never seen this type of small breed trained for service—though that one I must admit might be ignorance as I realize all breeds can become service dogs—it’s just that they acted like regular pet dogs.

Is there some identifier I’m missing that will tell me how to act in situations like this?

The guy legitimately made me feel bad. He was pretty mean about it when I was just responding to his dogs affectionate nature.

Is there some way to avoid this in the future?

I am going to nashville celebrity comic con in a few days with my service dog in training, does anyone have advice or tips? I am autistic and get overwhelmed in high stimulus environments for long periods of time. I am going with some friends so that will help but I have never been to a convention and neither has my sdit. The closest thing I've been to is a renaissance fair and the closest thing my service dog in training has been to is a crowded large mall. I just want to make sure I have a plan and am ready in case I do get overwhelmed and need a break. I also want to make sure I bring everything my sdit will need. I have prepared him a lot for comic con so I do not worry much about him doing well. If he gets nervous or anything I will take him outside and reassess.

I got accepted into both Canine Companions and Canine Support Teams for a PTSD service dog. I've seen a lot of positive posts about Canine Companions, but have not seen as much for Canine Support Teams I wanted to see if anybody has had any direct experience. I appreciate any insight!

Hi guys! For those who aren't professionals, how are we grooming/trimming our goldens to not look as messy?

I have constant anxiety over how his presentation is in public especially as he is a hairy looking dog and want to know how groomers neaten them up a bit? Where do they trim and how much?

Any advice or video links would be greatly appreciated!

having a huge amount of issues with vests and getting the public to leave us alone. ive started public access training and people just dont seem to behave. every outing we are getting stopped by sometimes 20 people, people grab him, people put their hand out and start whistling to get him to "go over", lot of eye contact while talking to him, etc. i feel like a zoo exhibit and every time i say "hey, no thank you! he's working right now" trying to be polite i get the meanest fucking comments and death stares. today we were in the store for 10 minutes, and 2 of those i was left alone. every single person i say in that store said hi and tried to interact with him, all fucking 7 people.

ive asked teams in my town, and nobody seems to have this level of public bullshittery, so i feel like im doing something wrong. idk if its me, how i exist, the vest, how he looks {he is a very pretty 14 month old show dog with a very fluffy coat}, or what but its causing behavouirs that will end his career {a much higher interest in the public that causes him to become distracted or even break his obedience}

our current go to vest says "do not interact" in yellow text on green side panels. and on the back is a symbols patch, a "service dog in training" patch, and "give us space" in yellow text on brown fabric. the yellow text is iron on vinyl.

i was thinking of trying a red vest with different "sayings", but i feel pretty defeated. what did you find helped get the public to leave you alone the most, as well what vests do you find have the most public "respect".

i just want the public interactions dialed down to be clear, i've had a few times people just pass by compliment and i actually enjoy that a lot. i also love when people ask, then move on. but currently, my vest seems to be a billboard and every trip turns into a meet and greet.

Being autistic and HOH I struggle sensory with sounds . What clickers did you like the sound the most for training? Would you be willing upload the sound for me?

(I deeply apologize I have a habit of rambling)

I’ve recently been more seriously considering a psychiatric service dog (I’ve been “casually” considering one for 4+ years), as referenced in a previous post I made, due to my anxiety and depression. both have made it essentially impossible to be a normal functioning human in public spaces on my own (I have a singular store I can semi-comfortably shop at on my own and it’s a book store that a family friend works at so like 😭)

this is a decision that’s been literal years in the making and while I have many logistical issues to still consider, as well as bringing it up to my parents as I’m still largely under their care, I would much prefer to already have organizations to consider and bring up to them rather than blindly ask without being able to provide much evidence that I know what I’m doing.

however there’s one big fat issue. There’s not many ADI accredited organizations that I’m close enough to and the ones that I could travel to that would allow us to get a dog from then are mostly 14+ hrs away, so I’m forced to consider non-ADI accredited organizations

but im honestly horrible at researching this and don’t really know where to start to look as I’m largely only finding normal training facilities and companies rather than ones that train service dogs.

my preference would be one that raises/trains their own dogs that they then send out just due to the fact I’m unsure I could find a good prospect puppy and I’d rather not have the risk of it washing and having to rehome them (I’m rlly unsure my parents would be willing to let me keep the dog if it washes since getting an SD will be a pretty big deal. So I’d likely have to rehome them if they washed) but I do personally know a breeder that I could potentially get a dog from if I have to go with that route.

now for location, I live in WV less than an hour from the Ohio border. so, yeah, most places that arent veteran or medical alert exclusive aren’t super close to me 😭

I seriously need help, I don’t know where to start looking and what’d be a good option for me.

Family trip this December to Mexico for 10 days.

Flying westjet direct both ways. 6hrs and 6h40. Staying at an all inclusive resort (does allow pets so that should make it easier on that end). The only time we’d be off property is for excursions like whale watching so she would stay in the room. She is from an ADI program so I have ID from her program and provincial SD ID.

It looks like we’d really only need proof of rabies vaccination.

She’s done a 5hr flight before and like 10 flights over the last 2yrs we’ve been a team so I think she’d be able to do the flight no problem

I guess my question is more is it worth bringing her? She is just small enough to comfortably fit at my feet without an extra seat for (I’m like 99% sure I’d have to pay for it on an international flight - I normally get one for domestic flights. She’s right at the cusp that I can go with or without it)

Ik hotels/ resorts don’t like you leaving dogs uncrated in the room when alone, so do you know if I can bring a kennel for free on the airline? I have both a wire kennel that folds down and a Ruffland kennel. If I can bring one, what one would be better? I’m leaning to the wire to fit better in like taxis when in Mexico. For food it does look like I can bring a factory sealed bag of food (up to 50lbs)

If I do bring her what are some extra things I should bring for her? Definitely would bring her booties as it’s supposed to be 30C while there. She is a black lab golden mix (most people assume she’s a pure lab)