amazincc wrote:Muttkip wrote:I'm thinking of getting him certified as an emotional support dog, since I'm prone to panic and anxiety attacks in large crowds or when I can't deal with social situations.
How exactly does one go about doing that? And are you required to have an official dx by a board-certified psychiatrist/psychologist in order to certify your dog?[/quote]
Nope, you don't need any certification to have a Service Dog of any type...though the term "Emotional Support Dog" is not really the right term...that term makes most SD trainers cringe...because it's the term used by people that tote around their little dogs in their purses.
The real term for a dog that helps with panic disorders and other issues pertaining to mental illness is Psychiatric Service Dog. The PSD group does encourage a doctor's letter just to have a less risky time under the law.
http://www.psychdog.org/But merely stating that the dog's presence makes you feel better doesn't cut it either...the dog STILL has to be able to perform tasks that mitigate your disability. So if you have anxiety disorders, the dog might be trained to provide pressure by leaning against you, or be trained to lead you out of crowds, etc. As a SD owner, you cannot be asked what your disability is, but someone CAN legally ask what your dog does for you.
There is an entire list of tasks on the PSD website:
http://www.psychdog.org/tasks.html
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo
"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw