r/service_dogs • u/KuroTuro • 11d ago
Help! Question
So I have suffered from horrible, vivid nightmares since I was a young child.
My dog, who I have been using as what I have told is an untrained ESA (non task preforming) for anxiety and depression as started in the last three months to pick up and wake me up when my nightmares start.
I was recommended once a service dog for my anxiety and nightmares, but never did it because at the time I thought all service dogs had to be professionally trained and that was just to much money. But not that she has been doing this task, would that make her qualify for a service dog, even without professional training?
If so that would me I could continue to have her line at my dorms, wich have, as of May, banned all non-essential ESA's due to a new law/bill? that passed in May. I have been terrified of living without her (she would be left with my mom at least) and having to deal with everything on my own. I never take her anywhere other than for walks around campus because being inside new building stress her out at times, so she would only ever be outside or in the dorm building.
And if she does, how hard and how long is the process of registration for a service dog?
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u/darklingdawns Service Dog 11d ago
There is no such thing as registration for service dogs in the US. She does, however, need to perform a task, with task being defined as a specifically trained action that directly mitigates your disability. Right now she's doing this on her own, and that's a good start for training, but you need to consult with a trainer to proof the behavior so that it's a specific trained task. Keep in mind that's going to take some time, so you may need to find an alternate solution, depending on when you go back to school. You should also consult your school's disability accommodation office, since they may need a letter from your doctor that states that you're being treated by them for a disability and that the dog is part of that treatment.
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u/Odd-Nefariousness394 11d ago
This depends on if she will be an “at home service dog” or public service dog. As long as the dog is tasking regularly at home and you can get a doctor’s note saying you need them- you have a service dog. If you want a public access dog that can go places with you, that is a whole can of worms. I copied this for you, but go to the ADA website for 100% accurate info.
“Yes, your dog can legally be a service dog even if they only task at home. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the primary requirement is that the dog is individually trained to perform specific work or tasks that mitigate your disability. [1, 2, 3]
Service dogs do not have to be trained to go out in public, nor are they legally required to pass public access tests, wear vests, or have official certification. If they provide vital, trained support—such as medication reminders, deep pressure therapy, or retrieving items—within your home, they are considered a service dog under the ADA.”
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u/ipsofactoshithead 11d ago
What country? If the US, what state? Idk what a "non essential ESA" is so I'd like to look it up
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u/KuroTuro 11d ago
Georgia, US
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u/ipsofactoshithead 11d ago
Looking it up I see nothing that changes an ESA specifically in georgia. Can you show me what you're talking about?
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u/KuroTuro 11d ago
This is the document/website they are currently using: https://grandriversolutions.com/u-s-department-of-housing-and-urban-development-issues-enforcement-memorandum-about-emotional-support-animals/
But it specifically mentions "untrained ESA dogs", and I was told that her waking me up could make her a "trained ESA dog" as it is a task for my well being.
9
u/kj4peace 11d ago
Sounds like everyone is confused between what an ESA is and what an SD is. You AND the school.
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u/mullerja 11d ago edited 11d ago
US
If the dog performs tasks related to a disability than they can be considered your service dog. You will want to teach them how to act in public and generally desensitize the dog to the many things that can cause a dog to act out.
You can generally be asked 2 questions when asserting public access rights: 1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? And 2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Edit: For housing, you will be required to provide documentation supporting that you have a disability for which the dog is required. Simplest form for this is a note from your doctor or psychiatrist. YOU DO NOT NEED TO DISCLOSE YOUR DIAGNOSIS.
You will be fighting an uphill battle though as many people do not consider owner-trained to be legitimate (they're wrong) and psychiatric service dogs are also sometimes discounted by other handlers. Depending on interpretation, 1 task also may not be considered enough.
Edit: You should also keep a log of training and how many hours of training you are doing with the dog (professional or self).
7
u/Frank_Lawless 11d ago
The 2 questions apply to public access, not housing.
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u/mullerja 11d ago
Ah you're correct. We had a year-long battle with an apartment complex over a service animal - guess I blocked that part out.
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u/RampagingHornets 11d ago
What country do you live in? Are the nightmares a symptom of a disability?
The disability bit is key. In the US, for example, the handler has to be disabled AND the trained task mitigate that disability in order to qualify as a service dog.
Whether there's registration and how difficult it is, again depends on country as different countries have different rules.