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Training my Dog to be a Service Dog - Post Transplant
Transplants | Last Active: Aug 24, 2023 | Replies (12)Comment receiving replies
@transplant4traci Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are fellow patients, family members, and caregivers who share our wealth of experiences, what has worked for us [or not]. As far as your question regarding making your dachshund a service dog, the legal definition of a service animal is one who assists an owner to perform an action that the owner cannot due to disability or impairment. An animal that provides comfort as a therapeutic benefit is considered an ESA [Emotional Support Animal], not the same thing. It is illegal to portray an animal as a service animal when they are in reality, an ESA. The training for an animal to become a certified service animal is long, can be costly. Have you contacted your social worker in preparation for your appointment, and expressed your concerns of anxiety?
Ginger
Replies to "@transplant4traci Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are fellow patients, family members, and caregivers who share..."
Lots of wrong information here.
There is no certification needed. Per ADA it is either trained for tasks or work or it’s not.
Owners can self train however it’s not always easy and trainers can be helpful.
For PTSD the dog could be a service dog if it does a task such as Grounding, interrupting repetitive behavior like for me itsching my arms that can result in injury when nervous or shaking my leg that can be disruptive to others.
There is orbiting which creates space from others.
Watching behind me and alerting if someone approaches.
Guiding to an exit if I feel overwhelmed.
Now comfort alone is an ESA so that is correct and they are not given the same public access. Really no public access rights except rare cases in California.
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@gingerw Is an animal that is an ESA allowed the same access as a regular service dog?
@jimhd Was your dog considered to be a service dog, or ESA? Do ESA dogs need certain training also?
I ask because a friend had considered this for his dog but never followed through completely but the dog was truly an ESA in every way, certified or not.
JK