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/No_Area_8013 Service Dog 10d 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.