PTSD and service dog question

[sosurreal09]

Hi, i was attacked a few years back in my apartment (physically and sexually) i suffer PTSD from that still somewhat...
anyways i moved and got a dog to help me cope and feel protected.
the neighborhood i am in keeps getting worse and i witnessed something horrific a couple weeks ago...
so i want to move again.

i can not find any apartments that will take a dog as a pet...i certainly dont want to "give him up" (my dad said he would take him for a couple years if need be) but i also feel like i really *need* him. My bff said he is technically a service dog and that a landlord can not discriminate against that...

is he a service dog or do you need that from some organization or something?
is there anything i can do to make him one?
are there laws protecting people with service dogs (that they can have them in apartments ect)?

i do not have health insurance right now but was in therapy until it ended...i could probably get a note from my old primary care physician b/c i saw her initially b/c of the attack, but idk havent tried yet.

TYIA

[Breathless Wonder]

I actually have very recent experience with this.

My neighbor is moving, and she has cancer. She has an older dog that she wanted to take with her.

Her doctor was able to fill out a form declaring the dog a "service" dog, and my neighbor was able to rent an apartment, and the dog can live with her, even though it is bigger than the usually allowed size for dogs in that complex.

So start with a sympathetic doctor, who knows your history.

[Mackenzie]

Yup, I would definitely contact the previous doc and inquire about getting whatever verification is needed...

[stardogs]

I believe that your dog would be considered an Emotional Support Animal - that should give you certain rights in housing, but not out in public. ESAs do not need to be trained to perform tasks to mitigate disabilities (unlike Service Animals), but their very presence aids their owner.

Here's a great link for info: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/256

And here's one on what to do to request accommodation of an ESA in housing: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/257

[sosurreal09]

thank you all so much

[Oubliette8]

Stardogs has it right. Your dog is an emotional support animal. They do not have the same rights as service animals (you can not take him to say, a restaurant) but they ARE usually required to be allowed in otherwise pet-free housing. A doctors note stating that the dog is essential to your health should be fine.

As a side note, they do train dogs to be service dogs for people with PTSD. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, and what exactly your symptoms are, a service dog could benefit you if that is what you want one day. A service dog does NOT have to come from a service dog organization, you can train them your self or with a private trainer if you choose. But you do need to be well versed in the subject, for instance, people with PTSD may want a dog with guarding behaviors, but that is normally discouraged (there are other things they may do instead). Also, what is considered a "task" is not always easy to determine, particularly for psychiatric service dogs.