Answer by D.D
psychdog.org thekimfoundation.org
psych dogs , trained dogs are expensive
Answer by Kirsten
A letter from any doctor does not make an animal a psychiatric service animal.
Step 1: be disabled. Having a diagnosis is not enough because it isn't the diagnosis but the extent of how that impairment limits your ability to perform major life activities which determines whether or not you qualify legally as disabled. Note: major life activities (seeing, hearing, thinking, grasping, walking, learning, etc.) are not the same as daily life activities (getting out of the house, going shopping, etc.). So ask your therapist if he/she is willing to testify in court that you are severely mentally ill to the point of being substantially limited in your ability to perform major life activities.
Step 2: apply with service dog organizations. Here's an article on how to find a program: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/262
If you decide to train your own dog, understand that this will require advanced training skill beyond what ordinary pet owners have. It also typically takes 18-24 months to fully train a service dog, including a psychiatric service dog.
Remember that "[a]nimals whose sole function is to provide emotional support, comfort, therapy, companionship, therapeutic benefits, or to promote emotional well-being are not service animals." (U.S. Department of Justice, the government agency charged with regulating and enforcing the ADA, and the agency that wrote the legal definition of "service animal")
So the dog has to be trained to do something you cannot do for yourself because of your disability and that mitigates your disability. The dog also needs training in reliable obedience in spite of distraction and how to work unobtrusively and professionally in public.
Answer by rox
In order for a mental health provider to receive payments for their services to you, they must have a diagnosis from the DSM V that provides a code under which they can bill insurance companies and medicaid (in some cases also medicare). Their diagnosis doesn't constitute a disability.
What constitutes a disability is the impact the condition has on your every day life. A Psychiatrist or Psychologist would have the greatest weight in determining if you are disabled or not.
If you just need a dog to provide companionship, and help your mood and self esteem and snuggle with and pet when you are feeling down or anxious: why don't you consider just a good ol' pet dog?
Much work and expense goes into acquiring a Service Dog, and maintaining it.
Have you discussed this with your social worker thoroughly? Have you considered the huge impact with responsibility for handling and caring for a Service Dog? Including all the personal attention from strangers in public and attempted conversation from strangers and children as well as denial of access to public places and harrassment and discrimination for having a Service Dog with you in public, on the job, at school, and finding housing?
There are so many factors to consider.
A really great place to meet people who use and train all types of Service Dogs that you can talk to and read about Service Dogs is: http://servicedogcentral.org/ These people are very knowlegable in every area imaginable and are honest and helpful.
Orignal From: What are the steps to take to get a psychiatric services dog?
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