Being a member of so many online groups I see so many new people come into the groups asking, "how do I get a service dog?". Most are brand new to the idea of having a service dog and have not really researched how to qualify, or if they are qualified, for getting a service dog let alone the pros and cons of having one. So, that's what I am going to try to help with, based on what I have seen and gone through.
Note: I live in the US so most of the things included here are specifically set for users within the US.
Do I qualify?
To qualify for a service dog, you must be considered disabled as described through the ADA (American Disability Act).
In normal terms (Pulled from the ADA Statute):
- The person must have an impairment that Substantially limits at least one Major life activity.
A record of the impairment.Or has been "regarded" as having an impairment.
The record of impairment and the "regarded" portions are often disregarded or glanced over. Many people think that they are not that important as the public cannot ask for stuff like that from the team. However, there are times where this available information will make a teams life much easier, like when filling out accommodations paperwork and court to name a few.
What Can a Dog Do for You?
This is one of those Very Important questions you must ask yourself and should base your foundation on while researching service dogs. There are tons of materials out there to help you with answering this question. Your medical professional is also a good source of information.
I found that writing out a problem/task list helped me greatly. I simply listed out the problems I have and how I could mitigate those problems, either with a dog or some other way. Took that list to my doctor and went over them. This also helps educate your medical professional if they are not familiar with service dogs.
Research!
This is the most important thing while in the process. There is so much that you have to be aware of and it is very important that you know as much as you can because no one else does.
The laws you will have to know:
- ADA (American Disability Act). This is the federal-level guidelines for service dogs. The foundation laws for all teams to know.
- FHA/HUD: Typically these rules are for those living within HUD-qualified housing.
- State and Local Laws: Every state has its own variation of service dog laws. Typically, they are based on the ADA but there can be significant differences. One of the biggest I see is the difference in how SDiT's (service dog in training) are handled. Most states allow an SDiT the same rights as a service dog, but not all. We have a copy of all the state laws here on IntrovertedVet, just search for your state in the search bar and you should see it.
You should be using these all the time. Service dogs are great tools but there are so many things to consider. A service dog is a 10+ year commitment, the owner/handler has to make sure that this is the right fit for you and the dog.
Some of the lists I remember doing:
- Disability/Tasks
- Cost Analysis
- Family/Dog
- Trainer/Owner Training
- Breeder/Pound
- Breed Analysis
- Breed/Lifestyle
continue reading Part 2
