[serbrider]

Not really sure where to put this... so I'm putting it here. Feel free to move it if need be.

Anyways, I have severe clinical depression... or possibly something along the lines of borderline or who knows what... all I know is that the depression was all I have (so far) been diagnosed with.

Well... that and Disordered Eating (she says it's an Eating Disorder, but it hasn't been completely diagnosed as one thing or another, but possibly EDNOS, since I really never manage to stay on one track for more than a week or two... but it's always shifting from one extreme to another).

Even though I kind of don't want to admit it... I need to admit that this has become something that is severely affecting my life. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have little to no social life, I miss class regularly (just can't make myself get up out of bed), I can't concentrate, my hygeine is going downhill (I used to shower every day, for the past month it's been more like one every other day... if that, and forget about basics like brushing teeth and so on), mostly because of memory loss or just not being able to mentally make my physical body move and do something.

So... I would say it's become disabling. The one thing I have found so far that has helped me is my dog. Problem? I'm in college, I have to be in the dorms for one more year, and my dog lives an hour away with my grandparents.

She's a very well mannered dog, she is able to get me calm and focused, when I'm around her I'm able to complete projects, be more sociable with people, etc etc.

I have talked with my counselor about getting a prescription for an Emotional Support Animal... but so far... not that much has come from it. She's not quite sure how to go about it.

I managed (surprises me how I had gotten over that bit of social anxiety...) to talk to the Disabilities department here on campus. They said that I needed documentation of a disability and certification for the dog.

However... ESAs aren't "certified". They're glorified pets... and I realize that. A PSD might be more what I NEED for the occasional physical support, to force me out of bed when I feel as though I can't move... whatever... but my dog is a great help as is. But yeah... they need "certification"... but ESAs aren't certified.

So... I'm really not sure where to go from here. I'll do any certification I might need to with my dog... she's calm, quiet, well mannered, etc etc. Only part she'd "fail" would be the playing part. She's not the kind of dog that likes to play.

So... yeah. Anyone have thoughts? I'm going to be talking to my counselor about getting a note stating my need for one... and apparently that's all you need to get an ESA into a "no pets" housing... and the disabilities department here is VERY accomodating... but I don't know. I've never done this before... wondering if I could get some advice from some who have...

[turquoisesea]

Hey there, I don't know much about this. but my therapist once mentioned to me that you can get a pet certified as a emotional support animal/service animal (might have a different name) if you have mental health needs. You need to prove that the animal is important to your mental health... the animal doesn't need any special training but this status requires landlords to allow the pet, just like they would need to allow a service animal who helps the blind/whatever.

I'd definitely ask your counselor and see what the options are!


ps I'm in the US not sure where you are

[Perna]

ESA's are prescribed and Federally protected by law in the United States. Maybe this will help:

http://www.nsarco.com/emotionalsupportanimals.html

[serbrider]

Yeah, I'm in the US.

I'll see what my counselor and I can figure out. Thanks.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by serbrider

Not really sure where to put this... so I'm putting it here. Feel free to move it if need be.

Anyways, I have severe clinical depression... or possibly something along the lines of borderline or who knows what... all I know is that the depression was all I have (so far) been diagnosed with.

Well... that and Disordered Eating (she says it's an Eating Disorder, but it hasn't been completely diagnosed as one thing or another, but possibly EDNOS, since I really never manage to stay on one track for more than a week or two... but it's always shifting from one extreme to another).

Even though I kind of don't want to admit it... I need to admit that this has become something that is severely affecting my life. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have little to no social life, I miss class regularly (just can't make myself get up out of bed), I can't concentrate, my hygeine is going downhill (I used to shower every day, for the past month it's been more like one every other day... if that, and forget about basics like brushing teeth and so on), mostly because of memory loss or just not being able to mentally make my physical body move and do something.

So... I would say it's become disabling. The one thing I have found so far that has helped me is my dog. Problem? I'm in college, I have to be in the dorms for one more year, and my dog lives an hour away with my grandparents.

She's a very well mannered dog, she is able to get me calm and focused, when I'm around her I'm able to complete projects, be more sociable with people, etc etc.

I have talked with my counselor about getting a prescription for an Emotional Support Animal... but so far... not that much has come from it. She's not quite sure how to go about it.

I managed (surprises me how I had gotten over that bit of social anxiety...) to talk to the Disabilities department here on campus. They said that I needed documentation of a disability and certification for the dog.

However... ESAs aren't "certified". They're glorified pets... and I realize that. A PSD might be more what I NEED for the occasional physical support, to force me out of bed when I feel as though I can't move... whatever... but my dog is a great help as is. But yeah... they need "certification"... but ESAs aren't certified.

So... I'm really not sure where to go from here. I'll do any certification I might need to with my dog... she's calm, quiet, well mannered, etc etc. Only part she'd "fail" would be the playing part. She's not the kind of dog that likes to play.

So... yeah. Anyone have thoughts? I'm going to be talking to my counselor about getting a note stating my need for one... and apparently that's all you need to get an ESA into a "no pets" housing... and the disabilities department here is VERY accomodating... but I don't know. I've never done this before... wondering if I could get some advice from some who have...

I live in New York USA. We got our dogs and a cat certified by going through the department of health. heres the links that will get those in the USA where they need to go based on their needs and pets..

http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/policy/07-01.htm
http://www.deltasociety.org/page.aspx?pid=302
http://www.deltasociety.org/

[coobear420]

My dog Bubba is helping me through everything. He is a lovable animal. He just recently was finally registered Nationally as a PSA (Psycological Service Animal). He's been through alot an came a long way. When I first got him he looked abused an almost bit me. I got him out of the tryin to bit concept an calm down. He is a mellow dog now. He has saved my life more then once. When I had surgery he was shoved up my butt figurtivly speakin. After the accident I was in, hes been by my side ever since an won't leave my side. Unless I demand him to stay put. When I'm away from him, I always wish he was with me all the time. I have hand therapy 1 day a wk an pt(physical therapy) 2 days a wk. So it's hard cuz he cant go with me cuz he gets in the middle an acts like everyone is goin to try an hurt me. We go for walks an play fetch. Bubba even cuddles with me an climbs under the blanket at times to sleep with m. He's an awesome Dog. Without Bubba, I don't think I would b here today. Cherish ur dog. They will always b there for u, more then any human being.