ALL of you who tell me and others, over and over and over again that a dog can NOT be a Service Animal unless he "performs" some trained task, some trained action.

Several months ago, when I still only had library access, so no time to come here and post about it, I found the proof (ie, govermental) that my position is correct - that when a dog can lessen a DISABILITY, not just "I'm get anxious, worried or whatever and my dog comes up to be petted and it distracts me, calms me down".

I'm almost certain I bookmarked it - or sent myself an email with the link - but it may be buried deep, no matter where it is. When I find the US government's legal ADA DEFINITION of disability and the other document explaining about the latitude given psychiatric service dogs, I'll post it here. Don't hold your breath, but hopefully it will be up by Valentine's.

Being anxious, nervous, always worried, is not enough to have the federal government give you a psychiatric disability rating (tho you may be mandated federally disabled because of some OTHER condition/illness/disorder you have). But when you have severe dysfunction because of one or more facets of a psychiatric illness, so bad that you cannot function within any parameters of normal - and the company of the dog can enable one to regain normal functions, then that dog is rendering an important psychiatric service.

I do get tired of bombast.

Theresa (OneMoreTime)

I have had my service dog for several years. I also take medication every day. I have times when perhaps I could leave my dog for a while. But I would no more leave her than I would stop taking my meds.
My condition is chronic and cyclic. The law states I can have my dog even if my condition can be relieved or managed by other methods.
I will never be cured. My disability is permanent. I carry meds with me just in case. Even on good days I take her......just in case.