[ahcigar1]

Hello,

I am hoping that someone on here may be able to help me. I recently moved from Kentucky to California and in doing so I bought a condo to later find out that they do NOT allow dogs over the weight of 20lbs and in their statement they wouldn't even allow dogs at all if it weren't for the California law. My problem though is that I own a 40lbs cattle dog that is my LIFE. I have had to sneak him in and confine him strictly to the indoors and a VERY quick potty on my patio to come back in quickly. The HOA has not found about him yet but I fear that they will and I will lose my one loyal trusting companion. In some research I have discovered the ESA dog which he I believe would qualify under. Before I had him I suffered greatly from depression, anxiety, and extreme low self-esteem, and still do but to a lesser degree with him around due to a long bad history. When in Kentucky I was taking counseling and soon am going to be finding a local psychiatrist to continue my help.

Recently I went away for a weekend and sadly could not take my dog with me so had to leave him at home because afraid if I took him out he would be found out so had someone come over and care for him. But during that weekend I was lost without him. I had trouble sleeping at night, I felt real down, and all I wanted to do was get back home to him even though I was in the presence of family.

I was wondering though how do I approach the new psychiatrist about starting the process of an ESA? And what forms are required and where can I get these forms?

He is VERY well trained. NON destructive, quiet, and very friendly. He is my shadow (literally) wherever I go in my home he is right there to let me know he won't leave me.

[ewizabeth]

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I don't know how to answer that question but I hope you'll be able to keep your pet. When my dad was in the hospital with end of life care, the nurses bent the rules to let us bring his cat in for a visit (through the back stairwell).

I don't think that dogs pose as much of an allergy risk. If your dog is quiet, there might be a way to work around this? Why would the size of the dog matter that much?

Make sure you're a model tenant in every other way just to pave the way to success with this. Someone else here might have some tips to help you keep your pet. Good luck. I hope it works in your favor. Our pets are so important for so many reasons.

[jaimie gillis]

Originally Posted by ewizabeth

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I don't know how to answer that question but I hope you'll be able to keep your pet. When my dad was in the hospital with end of life care, the nurses bent the rules to let us bring his cat in for a visit (through the back stairwell).

I don't think that dogs pose as much of an allergy risk. If your dog is quiet, there might be a way to work around this? Why would the size of the dog matter that much?

Make sure you're a model tenant in every other way just to pave the way to success with this. Someone else here might have some tips to help you keep your pet. Good luck. I hope it works in your favor. Our pets are so important for so many reasons.

i take my dog to the doctors a service dog is allowed in hospitals and at the drs'in californa.go to google and put in-calif state laws service dogs ada.it will give you all the information about housing public stores transportion and you don't need certifcation go to your local aspca and they should have information on licences for assistance orservice dogs

[tinglytoes]

Originally Posted by jaimie gillis

i take my dog to the doctors a service dog is allowed in hospitals and at the drs'in californa.go to google and put in-calif state laws service dogs ada.it will give you all the information about housing public stores transportion and you don't need certifcation go to your local aspca and they should have information on licences for assistance orservice dogs

Hi, I had a friend who had a lovely pit bull, they were inseparable and extremely devoted. She went through the steps to qualify him as a service dog and this allowed her to get around normal rules such as housing, stores, etc. She had cancer and this dog kept her going until the very end. He was as the Indians say her "Animal Familiar", a shared soul in this life. Good luck and stay positive. Information above was the right place to start. I still smile when I think of the two of them, though she is gone now. What a special couple! Best wishes TT

[braingonebad]

How is it you only found out about the under 20 lb rule after you bought the condo?



We are trying to buy a house in Florida and they have similar HOA restrictions there. We have a lot of pets - 3 dogs under 20 lbs, 3 birds. We had to pass on tons of houses due to HOA rules, because I am not willing to give up any of these animals to move.

Really tough to find a non-HOA in FL but we finally did.

It can be a long drawn out and, in the end, fruitless battle trying to change HOA rules.

Wiz - the weight restriction is the way they try to keep potential hazzards to a minimum. They used to do it by breed, but maybe it was too easy to get around that. In Ohio, there are still vicious dog laws but in other states they just ban all larger dogs.

[desertranger]

This is a major problem. Too bad landlords don't read the Fed Housing Act. The FHA and the state of California both cover that. You are being discriminated against and cannot be refused. Additionally Calif has a requirement for SDs to be registered at the county level. I suggest you do so, tere is no cost for this lifetime tag. Do not let your landlord mess with you as you are guaranteed the right to have your SD with you.

[StephK]

Originally Posted by ahcigar1

Hello,

I am hoping that someone on here may be able to help me. I recently moved from Kentucky to California and in doing so I bought a condo to later find out that they do NOT allow dogs over the weight of 20lbs and in their statement they wouldn't even allow dogs at all if it weren't for the California law. My problem though is that I own a 40lbs cattle dog that is my LIFE. I have had to sneak him in and confine him strictly to the indoors and a VERY quick potty on my patio to come back in quickly. The HOA has not found about him yet but I fear that they will and I will lose my one loyal trusting companion. In some research I have discovered the ESA dog which he I believe would qualify under. Before I had him I suffered greatly from depression, anxiety, and extreme low self-esteem, and still do but to a lesser degree with him around due to a long bad history. When in Kentucky I was taking counseling and soon am going to be finding a local psychiatrist to continue my help.

Recently I went away for a weekend and sadly could not take my dog with me so had to leave him at home because afraid if I took him out he would be found out so had someone come over and care for him. But during that weekend I was lost without him. I had trouble sleeping at night, I felt real down, and all I wanted to do was get back home to him even though I was in the presence of family.

I was wondering though how do I approach the new psychiatrist about starting the process of an ESA? And what forms are required and where can I get these forms?

He is VERY well trained. NON destructive, quiet, and very friendly. He is my shadow (literally) wherever I go in my home he is right there to let me know he won't leave me.

Hi Ahcigar1,

I can sympathize with you, I also suffer from severe anxiety disorder and depression and I need to have a dog with me almost at all times.

Rather than get your dog certified as an ESA, I suggest training your dog as a PSD (Psychological Service Dog) because ESA's aren't allowed in most public places. From what you described it sounds like your dog would be a great PSD. There are just some certain things he will need to learn (you can actually train a PSD yourself) and take a test with a certified PSD trainer/handler and once he passes he'll be an official PSD, and should give you the right to have your dog live with you, but don't quote me on that because I'm not sure exactly what the laws are for living situations.
To have a PSD you're required to have diagnosed mental illness (which Anxiety & Depression are) by a medical or mental health professional, which I'm assuming you have since you see a psychiatrist for it.

Since you've recently moved, when you find a new psychiatrist you might ask him/her to do a mental health exam to determine you do in fact have these ailments. You can also explain that your dog helps you to cope and ask if he/she can write a medical note stating that it's imperative to your conditions that you have your dog with you. A lot of people will disagree that having medical notes does any good, but they can help in certain situations.
And according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, any persons with a disability are allowed to have a service animal whether it is licensed or not, so long as it behaves properly in public places. The ADA is a federal law which takes precedence over State laws, but, you can still run into problems with State laws, unfortunately. That's why it's best to have your dog licensed as a PSD to prevent legal problems.
The best place to find info about PSD's and what's expected of them and laws, etc. is ***

I am training my dog myself, and I haven't had any problems taking him into business establishments, but I'm not sure if CA's laws are as flexible as WA's.

[JossyB]

With an official diagnosis with a disability such as this and being under the care of a Medical Psychiatrist, I am sure he/she is asked to support their patients in this manner. Most psychiatrist are aware of the limitations having a service animal can create in ones life with HOA, public locations, travel, etc. What seems like obstacles for others are not for those of us with disabilities. My psychiatrist simply wrote a letter to HOA/Lanlord in a very short concise statement. To better my psychiatric disability she recommended the service animals (two siblings) and they are necessary for my ongoing rehabilitation. Once you are armed with this letter and a print out or two from an ADA page addressing this issue, my new landlord waived the pet 'rent' fees and was happy I had the animals for my ongoing support and assistance.

[corpsmanvet]

Originally Posted by JossyB

With an official diagnosis with a disability such as this and being under the care of a Medical Psychiatrist, I am sure he/she is asked to support their patients in this manner. Most psychiatrist are aware of the limitations having a service animal can create in ones life with HOA, public locations, travel, etc. What seems like obstacles for others are not for those of us with disabilities. My psychiatrist simply wrote a letter to HOA/Lanlord in a very short concise statement. To better my psychiatric disability she recommended the service animals (two siblings) and they are necessary for my ongoing rehabilitation. Once you are armed with this letter and a print out or two from an ADA page addressing this issue, my new landlord waived the pet 'rent' fees and was happy I had the animals for my ongoing support and assistance.

Hope you get what you need to keep improving your progress. I was just wondering if anyone out there knew what the laws are in PA for a PSD. I am trying to get my dog certified as one and have heard I can train her myself but am willing to find a trainer. I am just severly limited in transportation since I am not allowed. to drive.