Question for the Service Dog People on Here - Page 2

Although the migranes are probably dibalitating, really I do not see any difference between something like that and PTSD with our soldier's; and of course any physical disability where a person needs a dog even if it is just for emotional support as long as the need is not taken advantage of in the public eye warrants a dog.  I would also probably contact Canine Companions to see how they have possibly trained a dog in the past for this type of disability.  I am sure it is by smell;  the body chemistry changes when someone is in pain; and dogs sense that as well as other physical changes.  Great days, Nan

When I have a migrane my Dobie wants to lay on top of my head.  not that, that helps but he is aware of what is going on.

Nans, just for clarification, dogs whose sole purpose is emotional support do not qualify as service animals under ADA regulations. However, service animals trained to mitigate a disability by performing specific tasks most definitely do provide emotional support while performing those tasks :)

Thanks everybody for the all the advice and sharing you have done. I have had a busy day today but I am going to try to contact the ones you posted #s for.

And Steph thank you for sharing the story about Red. As I keep saying I think we are only at the tip of the iceberg toward understanding our dogs.  I think that was just incredible that he led that girl around and knew when to stop and start. I would love to see a pic of him sometime.................

Well Mollyandjack you are talking about splitting hairs,  my point was that almost any disability warrants a service dog, as long as the dog performs tasks needed for their master, whether it be retrieving, helping with emotional support from migranes, or seizures, or whatever else can go wrong.  That was my point.  Nan

Honestly...I am not splitting hairs. It is a distinction made by current law, and it is important for people with disabilities to know about it. It has to do with whether or not the dog can legally be considered a service animal. The dog has to be trained in specific tasks that mitigate the disability, or by law in th US it is not a service animal and businesses, etc are not required to allow it entrance. Emotional support is not covered, so further tasks must be trained to qualify as a service dog. Just clarifying for those that don't realize.

I agree MollyandJack. I also see so many poorly trained dogs in public as serice dogs and I have been approached by people that admit to me they fake their dog as a service dog to take them places and they expect me to praise them.... I believe there should be a test and certification process for all service dogs, personally. In some places faking a service dog is a felony. Service dogs needs to have a better structure so that companies can be sure of their rights when faced with an improper service dog so that they do not have to fear prosecution from enforcing rules on service dog owners that do not have properly trained animals. With a certified process there is an absolute guideline to what is a service dog and who qualifies. I have zero issues with proving myself and my dog as a service dog team to any testing process and anyone with a ligit issue and dog should not either. If this were in place also people would be able to better say yes or no to if a condition warrants one. If Migraines do qulaify, then there would be a program for the best training and the best criteria for the best help possible for the person who is suffering. As it stands now there are more questions than answers whenever anyone needs information on service dogs. My right side was rebuilt after an accident, I have no feeling in my right foot to feel bumps or anything so I stumble and fall at times, and I am a diabetic that goes hypoglysemic. My dog helps with stairs and ramps, balances me when I stumble with his shoulder, alerts to low sugars, retrieves testing equipment and meds, brings help if I pass out, fetches my husband and sons when asked, finds and leads me to same people if we are apart somewhere away from home, Gets me to safty if I fall in  dangerous zone such as in the middle of a road. I would never begrudge anyone an animal that can help them have as close to normal a life as they can. I also do feel strongly of making sure it is not abused and gives those that have to depend on a service dog issues with the public. My dog is ligit and all the time I have issues going places and hear people with horror stories of "service dogs" that were not trained and the trouble it caused. I should be able to go about my day doing what I need to do without having to prove my dog to each and every place that questions because of the people/dogs that have caused problems. I should have something that is real and certified to show and go about my business without having to take a thirty minute talk with someone on their rights, my rights, how to react to an agressive or ungroomed fake service dog so that they feel less antagonistic towards my dog and I knowing they do have some rights to protect their businesses as well instead of people screaming at them that their pet fluffy is a service dog and they cant do anything about it as they see the dog wizz/ defecate/ or try to bite someone and they threaten to sue the said company for doubting their status. I now carry a handout printout I found on the ADA website of peoples questions. This does not help when I just want to be able to go out and not have to be treated differently or stop what I am doing to do this. I only revisit places I had a good time at and places loose my bueiness of the employees shriek and jump back and act stupid when we pass by them. It is a lot of work to keep my dog groomed perfectly with no loose fur or dirt for public. You have to be constantly on alert at what is around you and who to protect your dog from idiots. It is not "fun" relying on your dog and worrying if you pass out will your dog be shot by responding police and so many more worries. it makes you want to be a walking billboard of sayings on your shirt in public like "my dog saves my life daily and is not interested in harming yours" and " touch my service dog and I will bite you". My dog is much more tolerant of the idiots like the man that followed my family through the mall barking at us than I am.

    Sorry I have let the flood gates open and ranted and perhaps it should be given its own thread instead as I have no information for you on migraine dogs. From having a medical alert dog that also helps me when I am in great pain from my physical injuries I can say his medical alert is nothing like his comforting when I am in pain. I believe a migraine dog would feel your pain and confort, but I do not personally feel it can predict the pain. Having said that I do not think this include the people suffering migraines from an original issue that causes migraines that the dog may be alerting to such as tumors, or in my case body chemistry changes causing a migraine. Some issues such as the tumors and other problems which have migraines as a symptom would benefit from a dog, but I feel to say they are "migraine" service dogs is opening the door to many problems with false handler/ dog teams.  The dog must still fit the guide lines all of us service dog users follow and needs to complete a number of tasks besides comfort as is does not qualify. 

So glad I am in Montana, where no one can tell me what I can and can't do with my dog...JMO....

GSDNewbie, I do agree that it is terrible that so many people are taking advantage of the permissive service animal regulations. It hurts the disabled in exactly the ways you described. On the other hand, I don't think adding certification requirements and tests will serve the needs of people with disabilities either. The law is lax to allow people with minimal funds the ability to train their own service dog without having to pay an exhorbitant amount. The laws also allow people to tailor the dog's training to their specific disability without having to worry about fulfilling some certifying organization's regulations. This is protective rather than harmful. I'm not sure what a good solution is, other than a good slap upside the head for the liars.

There are ways to tailor the certifications to ease your concerns. There can be a test for handler trained dogs. Certification does not mean you can only buy from a center. It is simply that handler and dog take a test to clear the need of a dog, and the proper education to make the handlers medical issues safe, as well as testing the dogs competence and temperament. I have no issues with these being put in place and having to prove myself and my dog. I would rather stop the fakers from ruining my dogs and I from having a nice time when we leave the house together. When you have had an employee scream across four ailses of a store when you enter to stop then continue to say anyone can fake a service dog and she must protect her customers from a breed like mine meaning gsds embarrassing me screaming at me.... give me a certification cause she is right that anyone can fake one.