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Training my Dog to be a Service Dog - Post Transplant

Posted by transplant4traci @transplant4traci, Aug 18, 2019

Hey everyone! I am 24 years old and new to this website! I was wondering if anyone here had any experience in starting the process of making your dog a service dog. I'm a 5 year post double lung transplant recipient and just recently got sick again. I adopted my girl (7 year old dachshund) in June in hopes of making her a service dog as I go through the process of being re-evaluated for transplant. This last bout of sickness has brought on lots of anxiety and PTSD. I'd really like to be able to start getting her certified so I can bring her up here with me so I'm not so alone.

Traci
(CF Warrior)(Double lung transplant recipient)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Nov 14, 2019

@transplant4traci, I want to let you know that I'm thinking about you. I am sending 2 hugs - one for you, and one for your little buddy.

REPLY
waterguytony | @waterguytony | Aug 24, 2023
In reply to @gingerw "@transplant4traci Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are fellow patients, family members, and caregivers who share..." + (show)
@gingerw

@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

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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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