Getting license for service/therapy dog

[neamhni]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but i couldn't find a more appropriate one. Let me know if i need to move it!

i know i'll probably get some slack for this one, but i don't know where else to turn to find the information i'm looking for.

i've been diagnosed with chronic depression and my therapist recommended that i keep the light of my life, my dog, around me as much as possible. i use a lot of public transportation and even work on the weekends as a vendor at a local outdoor market where people bring their dogs constantly, but vendors aren't allowed to- so my dog stays home alone for upwards of 8-10 hours a couple days a week.

He is extremely mellow, well-mannered and highly socialized. He's very obedient and calm and i'm confident that he would just lay around me where i work (i take him everywhere else with me that i can, so i have a good idea of what he's like in crowd-filled situations). My therapist (who sees my dog every week with me) thought maybe we could get him somehow licensed or registered as a service/therapy dog.

i've done some searching on google, but i must be using the wrong keywords because i haven't found anything helpful. It may be pertinent to point out that i live in Multnomah County, Portland, Oregon.

If you've read this entire thing, i really appreciate your patience- i'm grateful for any assistance. Thanks.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

There isn't a license. You should made sure your dog can pass a public access test and your dog needs to be able to perform tasks that would help you like bringing you meds when you need them, or reminding you to take them if you begin to get anxious. Just being there isn't really enough to be a service dog. Sounds like you are looking for info on PSDs psychiatric service dogs. www.psychdog.org is a good resource.

 

[Charliesmommy]

Here's info on service dogs:

http://www.adionline.org/

 

[RD]

Legally, he does not need to pass any tests or get any certification in order to be a service dog, but it's important that you're responsible about how he's trained. To avoid confrontation with people at work and business owners, I would find a trainer who can work with the two of you and issue ADI's public access test. When he passes the test, having proof of that will probably shorten or end most access-related confrontations.

Chances are, your dog will need to do more than just be there for emotional support. What is it that he does to help you? Is there anything you can think of that you'd like him to do? Remind you when to take medication, leaning/body contact if you feel isolated, etc. My SD in training does her most important task (alert me before I have a panic attack) all on her own, I never had to teach her; so I've trained her to do several other, secondary tasks. It's important to keep in mind that the law specifies a service dog as one that is trained to assist someone.

Oh, and if you really want to find out about licenses, you could call the department in charge of dog licenses and ask if they issue a tag/ID card for service dogs. Some states do this, some don't. Some will only license guide/assistance dogs. If they will license any kind of service dog, they'll probably want a letter from your therapist at the very least. They'll probably also want proof that you're either working with a professional trainer, or you are one.

Good luck!

 

[neamhni]

Wow, a lot of really great, helpful info. i really appreciate the feedback- it looks like i have a lot of work to do, but it will be good for me!

Thank you to everyone!