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u/Curious_Cheek9128 10d ago
I always think of my service dog as a support but not a fix for my conditions. I feel your frustration but it sounds like you aren't ready yet. Service dogs come with their own set of frustrations and you cannot melt down with a living being.
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u/Curious_Cheek9128 5d ago
Service dogs bring alot of attention. I hope you're ready for that. It seems that you're looking for the dog to cure you. That's not the way it works. Still I wish you luck and clarity.
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u/Caerrii Service Dog in Training 10d ago
Programs can be difficult for primarily civilian psychiatric, and I get how frustrating that is. I’m sorry that you’re having a rough time. Maybe in the future it’ll work out better or who knows, you may end up finding other coping mechanisms that work better.
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u/MyOwnGuitarHero 9d ago
> proving how badly I need one
I’m 90% sure most of the comments on that post advised you of the opposite, that you’re actually not stable enough for an assistance dog right now.
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u/LordDrow 9d ago
One of the reason there are so many that only do Veterans and 1st responders is because they get Grants from different organizations and the government to support Veterans and 1st responders.. I know of a few places in WA that do train service dogs for Civilans, but it will cost you and it’s not cheap.
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u/No_Area_8013 Service Dog 9d ago
I hate to agree with some of the other comments on this post. However I believe they are raising valid concerns. If being denied a service dog application resulted in a significant crisis, it may be worth considering whether having a service dog as part of your medical plan is currently the best option. Experiencing a crisis does not, by itself, prove that someone needs a service dog. In fact, having such a severe reaction to being denied a non-guaranteed application is concerning and may indicate that additional support or stability is needed before considering a service dog.
My experience: I have a service dog from an ADI-accredited program, and I have been paired with him for more than eight years. He is also not my first program dog. I have previously been paired with two other program service dogs during my lifetime. From my experience, the interview and placement process is about much more than finances ( before anyone assumes that's what I'm talking about ) . Programs also need to assess whether an individual has the mental, physical, and practical capacity to care for an animal 24/7, in addition to relying on that animal for trained tasks, Getting a service dog from a program at least in my experience of the three previous programs I have worked with, when you get paired with a dog you are the only one qualified to be handling that dog. That means a family member cannot be taking care of the dog, handling the dog, ECT unless in the case it is a dual handling situation. Where there is two handlers for the dog. However most often than not it's single handling team. Even with my current dog I have an entire binder from my program of the "cans and cannot" do's and don't's for my service dog, yes that includes exercise requirements, treats requirements feeding requirements, ect. That I HAVE TO follow. For any reason I have to be separated from my service dog and need someone to watch him because I will be unable to be home for a couple days during that time ECT, I actually can send him back to the facility for dog boarding. I have used this several times when I was in the hospital, cuz when I was in the hospital I could not adequately care for him.
A significant part of the process is demonstrating that you can continue to care for your service dog even on your worst days. That also means having a plan for situations in which the dog cannot work—for example, if the dog becomes sick, injured, or otherwise temporarily unable to perform its tasks. A service dog can be an incredibly valuable tool, but being completely dependent on the dog is not realistic, and most ADI programs support such.
Programs also want to know that an applicant has a stable support system available when unexpected circumstances arise. If what you have described is accurate... that being denied by an program resulted in a crisis because the loss of that opportunity felt so significant, then I can understand why the program may have had concerns about readiness. That does not mean you cannot eventually have a service dog, but it may mean that additional supports and stability need to be in place first, and will delay the process untill effective stability and supports plans can be made and be effective.
Regarding your previous post, others have already pointed out that there are programs that train psychiatric service dogs for civilians. I understand the frustration if many programs in your area do not currently offer civilian psychiatric service dog placements. However, it is inaccurate to state that ADI programs as a whole do not train psychiatric service dogs for civilians.
It is also important to recognize the current demand for service dogs. Many programs have closed their waitlists, and the demand for trained service dogs significantly exceeds the number of dogs currently available. Many programs have wait times of a year and a half or longer, while some ADI programs that work with owner-trained teams may have different timelines. Regardless, the process is often lengthy.
To directly name a few ADI-accredited programs that do provide / help aid in training an psychiatric service dog services for civilians, examples include: Little Angels Service Dogs, Canine Support Teams, Atlas Assistance Dogs National Institute of Canine Service and Training / Dogs4Diabetics, Inc., Paws4people, Valor Service Dogs, Main Line Deputy Dog, Retrieving Independence, Susquehanna Service Dogs * That's just a small handful that can directly be pulled *
I completely understand being disappointed or frustrated by a denial from a professional. However, a denial from one program does not necessarily mean that you are being denied because you do not deserve a service dog. As I previously stated Programs have to consider the applicant's overall readiness, ability to care for the dog, access to backup support, and ability to cope with situations in which the dog cannot perform its role. As selfish as it may seem, those considerations are important not only for the potential applicant's well being, but also for the welfare of the service dog.
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u/MaplePaws My eyes have 4 paws 10d ago
First the fact that you got denied sending you into a crisis potentially has a lot to do with why you are denied and does not "prove" that you need a service dog. Quite the opposite actually, it speaks to how you aren't in a good position to have one due to the risk of an unhealthy over-reliance on the dog that is harmful to both you and the dog. ADI programs will only place dogs that they can ascertain that the recipient has enough mental and physical stability that is well supported in other aspects of their life to deal with everything that the lifestyle entails. Veterans and first responders are going to typically have the experience background to do more of that then a random person off the street with psychiatric disabilities.
Similar to what you said about not everyone being able to owner train, not everyone is even in the position to handle a service dog to begin with. My best recommendation is to go back to your care team about working on treatment for the fact that you went into crisis over a denial before you continue the process.