What should I have my doctor write in a letter stating I need my service Dog

General
1

I have a miniature dachshund that is starting training to be my service dog. Already he helps me sleep and his body head helps some of my pain in my wrists and neck (he loves to wrap around my neck).

My questions is...I am looking to move and one of the places I found is asking for a doctor's note for my dog. I called my Rheumatologist and they said to email them the letter and my doctor will look it over and sign it for me. What should it say? I have no clue what I should have in there to help me and what the doctor will allow. I know I don't have to put in there what my medical status is. I just need help writing this letter so I can get it asap from my dr.

Suggestions?!

2

Hi Trix!

Good to see you on site! I hope that you are well and happy!

Here is the gal who can answer all of you questions about service dogs, her name is Michele!

http://forum.livingwithfibro.org/profile/MICHELEMCNEILL

3

thanks :)

4

I'm watching with great interest as I would like to have my 2 year old lab become my companion dog. She will need to learn a few things first though. LOL!

5

http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/ESA this is just one of the MANY sites you can find that gives you input on emotional support animals

6

It sounds like you want your dog to live with you in assisted living or apt that may not allow dogs and you are trying to get them to allow it by saying it is service dog to you.

I have trained Canine Companion dogs....wheelchair assistance dogs. But like I said it sounds more like you want your dog to be approved in place where dogs normally are not accepted. I have done this every time i tried be it in apt or renting a house. You want to prove to owner/manager that your dog is not going to be nuisance to neighbors, hurt the building and you will pick up after it.

Now i just let them meet my dog(s) and let them see how well mannered and trained they were plus how they like their crates and that did it. So for you instead of your doctor i would think that having either or both your Vet and a Certified Dog trainer write letters vouching for you dog. Or Doctor and Certified trainer

Sounds like your dog is not pup anymore so you want them to write about how well socialized the dog is and that it will not bark to where it annoys neighbors. It will stand calm for small children or elderly that do not have great balance anymore...so no jumping on people. It should know basic commands, sit, stay, leave it and heel plus if it is bark dog than 'quiet' or whatever word you use. I know they can be bark dogs plus snappers...so you need them to vouch it won't growl or snap at anyone. And of course house trained preferably crate trained so if you need to leave it alone in apt it will be in the crate so it cannot harm anything. That was huge selling point with most landlords and all my dogs have loved their crates! So not a bad thing at all for them.

As to your doctor, i have him write about known benefits of having pet helps those that are ill, lowers blood pressure, calms us(since anxiety is part of fibro), helps you to sleep by cuddling, and their is the daily dog walking that gets you out moving. Even though it is small dog if you walking it on leash than it easily could do hour walk per day to make them happy, calm dogs. Half hour at least and hopefully you can take it dog park or somewhere safe to let it play off leash, run and smell do dog things lol! Also your dog needs a special collar or vest that it knows it is work time and when it is just dog fun play time! So make sure for your dog's sake that you teach them this difference so they have ability to relax and just be a dog part of each day.

So i really have at least two letters one by your doctor stating medical benefits the dog is bringing you and then by Certified dog trainer who vouch about training and socialization of your dog. Or you can let them meet your dog and see first hand how calm and well trained he/she is first hand like i did.

I also recommend Whole Dog Journal which you can find online to see what it is like but to me, it is the best dog magazine /journal I have yet to find. Their training tips work and all are positive plus they do have series of books about training from puppy to adult dogs with problems and they are cheap. Also they list how to find certified trainers as well as dog behaviorist, acupuncture and holistic vets...all certified so not just calling themselves one. plus more depending on the articles. Each year they come out with best dog foods and say why...now they include can as well as raw. They talk about pro/cons of raw diet...just chocked full of information and no i do not work for them lol!

I was thinking that maybe you want your dog to be therapy dog...As not sure how you for fibro dog is going to assist you outside...especially one that small.. here is ADA link defining what is service dog http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm ...not sure how your dog is going to qualify since fibro has to do with pain and if anything might assist you when walking but yours is too small. As Therapy dog it could be wonderful and be a great asset to assisted living place! Good luck and there is site on one of the forums about service dogs, how to train as well as how to get them etc...which might be helpful. It is a lot of work to train a service dog....i plan on now to breed the pups since I love dogs and english labs just have the best personalities for service dogs. if i can help..feel free to ask away!

7

Companion dogs are not same as Service dogs so they are not allowed in all the places a Service dog can go. ADA does not approve dogs that just calm unless they have PTSD or Panic Attacks and it must show they are extreme and they need the dog to calm them down..

Link to ADA http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm you can read about what qualifies Service Dogs. People do not get how much work and training you must do to enable a dog to pass as service dog with about half not even making it with all the training. They have to be exceptional dogs to handle so many possible situations. Even still if you have Service dog and it is not housebroken or bites someone with cause, owner can still be held liable...why you never want wrong dog that might stress and bit become one.

Federal Law that as i gave you link that states what is a Service dog . ...Most dogs if they are adult and were not socialized a lot as puppy will not pass the tests...at least ones i had to for Canine Companions. I had to spend over hour daily just in training....another good hour in socializing ...than you must let them play which is another hour....so at minimum i spent 3 hours a day and honestly usually a lot more than those to just keep up with all the training my dog had to pass monthly. Therapy dogs....are the kind that you take around to assisted living and children's homes etc....those dogs still need to be socialized but training is lot less...since they are there just to play or let people pet them. That is very fun thing to do with your dog and would urge people to try it first.

8

I think you should if it helps I say go for it.

9


Because depression and anxiety are such a huge part of having a chronic illness, I think it's important to mention it also. I know a couple of people who have small dogs, and one with a cat, listed as 'companion animals' for anxiety issues, and they've never had a problem with rentals.

Here is a sample letter directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The wording may sound a little harsh, but it should work, and you can reword it as you like. I'm sure the rental office doesn't really care what it says, they just need something for their file.

Good Luck,
Renie♥


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Sample letter for Companion Animal

DATE

NAME OF PROFESSIONAL (therapist, physician, psychiatrist, rehabilitation counselor)

ADDRESS

Dear [HOUSING AUTHROITY/LANDLORD]:

[NAME OF TENANT] is my patient, and has been under my care since [DATE]. I am intimately familiar with his/her history and with the functional limitations imposed by his/her disability. He/She meets the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Due to mental illness, [FIRST NAME] has certain limitations regarding [SOCIAL INTERACTION/COPING WITH STRESS/ANXIETY, ETC]. In order to help alleviate these difficulties, and to enhance his/her ability to live independently and to fully use and enjoy the dwelling unit you own and/or administer, I am prescribing an emotional support animal that will assist [FIRST NAME] in coping with his/her disability.

I am familiar with the voluminous professional literature concerning the therapeutic benefits of assistance animals for people with disabilities such as that experienced by [FIRST NAME]. Upon request, I will share citations to relevant studies, and would be happy to answer other questions you may have concerning my recommendation that [FULL NAME OF TENANT] have an emotional support animal. Should you have additional question, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Signature

[NAME OF PROFESSIONAL]

10


Here's an article from the Rental Management's point of view, it gives you some things that they can and can't do:

http://www.myrentersguide.com/blog/my-renters-guide-to-companion-pets-what-all-managers-should-know/

Renie

11

I'm not looking for an emotional companion. I have severe fibromyalgia and there are MANY dogs that have helped with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. I myself am not looking for a loop hole to get a dog to be able to live with me in a no dog allowed home. I get very upset seeing dogs that are definitely not service dogs and people try to play them off.

I also have someone who trains dogs for people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, migraines, etc that I have.

So please don't assume that I myself am trying to pull one on a future landlord. That would be simply the same thing in my eyes as people who are drug seekers for painkillers that make it impossible for people with chronic pain like myself not be able to get medication to help with the pain.

12

Trix63,

I'm sorry you felt there were assumptions made about your situation, but the comments given were in direct response to your initial question. You only asked for what to write in a letter to get a rental, and the information that I myself had given you was directly from HUD and not intended to be used as a 'loophole', as some of the primary symptoms of Fibromyalgia are depression and anxiety.

There is no doubt that a dog can provide a great service to a Fibromyalgia patient. The question lies in what type of services such a small dog can provide, and still fall under the guidelines of the ADA. I'm unaware of your medical situation, but according to the ADA, to qualify for a "service" dog as opposed to an "assistance" animal, you yourself must meet their disability definition:

"The term `disability' means, with respect to an individual-- a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual... [such as] caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working." -- Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act

The issue is actually how you interpret "major life activity" and "substantial limitation." Leaving the house, going shopping, eating out and such are not major life activities. Seeing, breathing, hearing, and thinking are. Major life activities are the most basic functions needed to survive, not the things people might do daily, but what they need to be able to do in order to in order to function in the world.

I was going by the ADA website when I responded. I'm sure the others that answered your question know more about the ADA requirements that need to be met to qualify to own a "service" dog as they work with the dogs themselves. It might be beneficial to check with the ADA directly, if you haven't already done so.

Good luck!

Renie

13

Thank you, trix. I am seriously going to look into this. My dog being with me is always has benefits. I just need to be able to show what she does for me besides just being there. Many times I don't complete what I set out to do because of anxiety. Apple would never make it as a service dog, but I believe she can make it as a companion dog for me. We live in a rural area and when I go to appt's and shopping I usually go with a list. But often cut trips short and come home due to anxiety. Having her with me is such a benefit, but I would never leave her in a hot or cold car while I shop. How can I prove that having her in the store with me helps me to stay until I finish what I have gone for? I have severe anxiety and PTSD.

Can I ask, how does your special little dog help you? Besides your neck? This is an interesting article and I see how the warmth is helpful.

http://fmaware.org/News2fb06.html?page=NewsArticle&id=5239

LKitty

14

I am disabled from fibromyalgia and that is under the coverage from the ADA. Here is one site that I found that has information about dachshund's.

What kind of services can my dachshund perform?

You might be surprised at what your dachshund can do

Although dachshunds can certainly be trained to perform as guide or signal dogs for the blind and deaf, among other physical and sensory limitations, they do extremely well as helpers for people with epilepsy, chronic depression, autism, acute anxiety disorder and a number of other “unseen” disabilities. Given their affectionate natures, they can provide comfort to people who cannot otherwise function normally in public. Because they are small, they can even catch rides with people in wheelchairs!

15

I should have quoted that. I appreciated all your feedback. I am sorry if I appeared to be rude. It wasn't my intentions.

16

i think you like many of love your little dog greatly and like many of us would like to have it with you all day long and go everywhere you do. My dogs do for the most part...i leave them in car while i am at doctors, shopping etc. If it is too hot then i use their leash as tie in the shade ..with dish of water. Even traveling, like i said before, there are books that tell you places to stay though now days i have found most do take dogs and even places to eat on outdoor patio where your dog will be allowed.

I get it how your dog helps you as my dogs help me and I am positive that all people have have pets they greatly love help them just as much. But the bottom line is why I would not even try and qualify my dogs as Service animal is I seen first hand how much dog does for person in wheelchair. Dog for the blind, seizure, wheelchair are working constantly as long as they have that halter or cape on. They give it 100% and they are not even companion dogs during that time but working. Sure most of you know not to pet any Service dog...because they are working. The other main reason is I know how it takes years for people to wait to find the right dog for them as their Service dog. Many get so frustrated at the long waits and worse is when they must retire their dog after having had the freedom the dog gives them and again have to wait and lose that freedom. We are so lucky that we can move though it may be painful.

So i say, enjoy your dog, love it to pieces and bring it along with you everywhere you go like i do. Just tie it up outside with cup of water on hot days. My one dog is a little jack russel just loves when people come and pet her..even at hair place( some have let her in) but ones that do not, I can see her and her me and amazed at the joy she gives people just passing by. Especially kids. Same at my GP office..watches me through the window..all dogs do.

So your dog can go anywhere..most pet stores allow them..buy local book in your area about all places your dog can go, even restaurants and take it to those places. Hey, I even smuggled my brother's dog into his hospital room. Bathed and washed her then put her under really loose coat like had my arms crossed. I am glad since that was last time they saw each other....that dog looked for him every time i went to his house for next 5 years...talk about heartbreak.

I say do the Dance with your Dog classes or agility, fly ball so many things you can do with your dogs now for fun. Dancing is latest one i seen and looks like a lot of fun....do things to get out and enjoy stuff with your dog...and he/she can still cuddle you and keep you calm..it can just be your companion animal, your best friend, love of your life whatever your heart would like it to be. Or it can be Therapy dog and help others...or do it all! I think you would enjoy this much more than all work that goes into Service dog training. I really do...in all honesty.

All of us think our own dog is best..best breed, best dog etc...all dogs are wonderful and each can bring their own loving quality to this world. People feel this way about their cats, birds, even fish...i just think it is wonderful that we all love them so much and they still love us even more back...we can learn so much from our pets!

17

Disregard my previous post. thank you. nothing i said made any sense. bad times.

18

She is not trying to get her dog into building ....she already strongly made that point.

Actually not sure she is looking for really...i think like many of us she just would like her much loved pet to be able to go about or everywhere with her. Just so you know..dogs under 20 lbs can fly on most planes!! or last i flew it was still okay few years ago or little less. !!

the link you gave i found interesting.....but in comments people were pointing out that site was not correct and gave links to HUD.

Just think if some doctor signs off on pitbull who are very sweet dogs if raised with right people who know how to deal with aggressive dogs. You have dog under 20 lbs and every time it sees your dog it lunges for it...you both have them in as companion animals. How you going to feel about this? both have right to be there. What would be even worse...if they bark at each other through the walls....neighbors now want both dogs to go.

what should landlord do?

19

I'm hurt and insulted with your response. It seems that you are ignorant about smaller dogs and what they can do for people with disability. I'm upset with you saying that I want to just be able to take my dog every where. I have had multiple dogs in my life. I also have 3 cats. I have one that I take in the car with me. I clearly understand the difference between having a pet I love and want to take every where and a dog that can help me with my physical issues.

My dog can help me with my invisible disabilites:

Insomnia

Migraines

Asthma

Fibromyaglia (ALL the fun symptoms that come with it)

Chronic Pain

Chronic Fatigue

PTSD

Severe Anxiety

Now, as far a miniature dachshund as a service dog :

"What kind of services can my dachshund perform?
Although dachshunds can certainly be trained to perform as guide or signal dogs for the blind and deaf, among other physical and sensory limitations, they do extremely well as helpers for people with epilepsy, chronic depression, autism, acute anxiety disorder and a number of other "unseen" disabilities. Given their affectionate natures, they can provide comfort to people who cannot otherwise function normally in public. Because they are small, they can even catch rides with people in wheelchairs!"

Too many people don't see smaller dogs as service animals. It's very sad that people don't see them as being able to help people. Gomez already helps so much with my pain in some areas of body that I lay him on. He also helps some with my insomnia.

I'm really sorry you can't see that I do have a reason for a service dog, smaller dogs CAN and ARE service dogs. And this little guy of mine will prove the doubters or people who think i'm doing it so I can just be able to take him into homes where they don't allow dogs and don't help me with my invisible disabilities. It's really sad.

And for my living situation, I am looking for a house with my 3 kids and husband.

20

The best information is under the Fair Housing Act (Federal - landlord tenant rights). A landlord can ask for a letter from a doctor (any medical professional can write the letter), but the landlord can not ask you what your disability is and you are not required to answer should they ask. The letter should read that you require this animal to function in your day to day living without revealing the reason. Make sure you know what your rights are, because landlords will try to charge you an extra deposit or fee that is against the law. You should also have all vet records handy in case they are needed. Very few landlords take the time to educate themselves on the Fair Housing Act, other then the laws regarding eviction. Have fun with your dachshund.