Hi. I was wondering if anyone has gotten a service dog? I have Fibro, anxiety, and vertigo. I live in Buffalo and I would like to get one, but I don’t know where to start. Any advice or information would be appreciated.
Thankyou, Kimberly
Hi Kimberly, if you search service animals or service dogs in the search box on the discussion page, you should pull up other discussions on this. I recall another member had a service dog before. Hopefully others will respond here as well. Hugs.
Auburnm said:
Hi Kimberly, if you search service animals or service dogs in the search box on the discussion page, you should pull up other discussions on this. I recall another member had a service dog before. Hopefully others will respond here as well. Hugs.
Thank you Auburnm. I will try that. I was on my phone when I wrote the above and was having some trouble navigating. :-)
hi shmoots. good advice from Auburnm.. all the best..
HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS
Suzie
Hi Kimberly
You may can look at some of the post to this subgroup and find out or google service dogs buffalo also your local disability office should be able to help you
http://forum.livingwithfibro.org/group/service-dogs-for-fibromyalgia
Purplebutterfly, thank you for the link...I just joined the group :-)
Did you have any luck with a search of your local area?
I met a woman late last year at a large fair who had a pup with her and she told me her dog was a therapeutic service dog and helped her immensely. She said she had an anxiety/panic diagnosis and her dog had been the most effective ‘medicine’ or treatment ever!
I fully believe in the healing power of animals. You live in Buffalo, NY?
I have some ideas in mind…I have a few dog connections in upstate NY, I can definitely do some prying for ya’! 
have you found anything yet?
Best,
Leslie
Hi Leslie,
I live in Lancaster, NY (a suburb of Buffalo). I also believe animals can be very healing. I have 2 cats right now and they make me smile everyday. Just petting them lifts my spirits. I can't take them with me when I leave the house. I have done some very limited research; the service dogs for fibro looked like it has the most info I have found so far. Unfortunately my fatigue has been really bad the last few day, so I havent been able to read much. I would love to hear your ideas
:-)
I am currently training my own service dog. Because service dogs can be used for such a wide variety of things, it is very hard to create a unified certification for them. You don't have to be a dog trainer to train your own dog. There are resources out there to help you from the basics to more in-depth things.
My pup is currently working on turning on and off lights. She helps me get out of bed or chairs, she picks things off the floor, she allows me to use her as a brace when I need help up or am unsteady. I have a few other things I will be training her to do.
I would take the time to learn the ADA laws surrounding service dogs. They really aren't long or hard to understand! But surprisingly, too many stores don't take the time to learn the ADA laws regarding service dogs. Be prepared to deal with them!
I am looking for info on service dogs. I am disabled and on SSDI already. But, my regular doctor is not the one who found me "disabled" infact the doctor I had back then moved away. The SS doc did as well as the judge and job person at the hearing. So, do I need a doctors note since I am already found disabled? I just got a dog that is half way through training and he already has a vest and all. I am having a problem in that the former handler walked VERY fast and I walk very SLOW. I not only have Fibro, but other things as well, including arthritis and I can not walk fast. I also have bad shoulders and balance isn't steady and I can't take him pulling, which is happening due to his trained pace. :( Just need to learn all I can. I have anxiety as well, and I am terrified the dog will get out of control or do something that will cause people to look.. as he is still learning but very obedient. He is almost 2. 51 pounds. Dutch Shepard. Thank you