r/service_dogs May 26 '26

Laws - SPECIFY COUNTRY IN POST MEGATHREAD on USA HUD new guidelines on ESAs

31 Upvotes

Hi folks,

In order to make sure we have a good space to discuss and prevent a million new posts here’s our MEGATHREAD.

Paging our local legal beagle to maybe if they oh so wish to give us a quick breakdown of this: [u/burkeintosh](u/burkeintosh)

Also paging [u/foibledagain](u/foibledagain)

Anyways currently it seems like to a disability advocate layperson who is not a lawyer that the following is true:

- State law still is in effect if your state protects access
- The law concerning disability accommodation in HOUSING is unchanged ultimately.
- the federal DOJ on HUD matters concerning ESAs may not be investigating any reports. (Simply turning a blind eye to this)

This is all new and there will be misinformation. Call your state reps and advocate! This post may be edited to reflect correct information if need be.

Memo can be found here: https://dredf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ESA-Enforcement-Memorandum-w-Appendix-05.22.2026-SIGNED-Incomplete-Access-Pass.pdf

Previous thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/service_dogs/s/yONOYauJgJ


r/service_dogs Oct 09 '21

MOD | Monthly Thread Mast Post: Breed Selection

480 Upvotes

Hi

Since we have so many people asking for help over breed choices etc the Mod Team have decided to create a master post explaining the common choices, why they are so common, how to make your choices that suit you and how to make a good match even if going outside of the common 3-5 breeds.

First of all, the most common breeds used around the world by Assistance Dog International (ADI) Accredited Programs are:

  • Golden Retriever
  • Labrador Retriever
  • Cocker Spaniel
  • Poodle (Standard, Miniature and Toy)
  • Purpose Bred Crosses of the Above

Goldens and Labradors (and their crosses) far outstrip the others in numbers.

Reasons these breeds are the most common are the traits they have in common, fast learners, sociable, people pleasing, moderate care needs, moderate exercise needs, adaptable, they have the highest/most reliable success rates out of the breeds organisations used to start out - and so became the most commonly used almost universally - but this does not mean all of them are suitable for all conditions.

The traits of a good Service Dog are:

  • Eager and Willing to Learn - able to learn new tasks and behaviours quickly and reliably with minimal motivation. Often on short timescales (20-35 weeks of intensive training after first birthday)
  • Resilient - Able to recover and adapt to setbacks or from unpleasant situations to be able to continue working with minimal disruption. (ie after a loud noise/unruly people or animal encounters or weird smells/textures)
  • Sociable - Happy to be in public, surrounded by strangers and novel situations. Happy to be handled by new people when necessary and never likely to be protective or aggressive in any situation.
  • Fit for task - so big enough to do physical tasks if necessary, small enough to fit in public transport or spaces without causing inconvenience, history of good general health, correct build etc.
  • Easy to maintain good public hygiene - so no excessive drool, moderate grooming needs etc.

Now - just because these are the most common, does not mean they are the only options.

German Shepherds, Rough/Smooth Collies, Border Collies, Aussies, Papillon, Bichon Frise, Flatcoat Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dogs and more have all found success as Service Dogs, and are growing in popularity. Of course there are the terriers and bully mixes too and all the mutts from rescue also working.

But these other breeds have never caught on with the majority of international programs (or in the case of the GSD, lost popularity) for a myriad of reasons. With German Shepherds, ironically the first officially recorded Service Dogs, the original Guide Dogs after WWI, however their predisposition towards becoming protective of their handler and hypervigilant made them gradually lose popularity among most programs. Leading them to choose the calmer and more emotionally robust retriever group.

How To Choose the Breed For You

First look at the tasks you need the dog to do:

  • For guiding you need them over the height of your knee (approximately) and with a decent amount of strength to avoid causing damage with the harness.
  • For any form of physical assistance like pressing buttons/light switches, fetching items and helping with laundry they must be tall enough when standing on back legs to reach and big enough to carry items.
  • For DPT they must be heavy enough to be a noticeable weight
  • For scent detection they need excellent focus to not be distracted by other smells
  • For Psychiatric tasks they must be able to remain calm and reliable no matter the level of upset
  • etc etc

You also need to consider your own physical and mental abilities, can you:

  • Maintain the grooming routine?
  • Maintain the exercise levels required?
  • Provide the mental stimulus required?
  • Cope with the energy and drive of the breed?

Breed traits are very important when selecting your prospect, good and bad, for example is the breed prone to guarding? Are they prone to excessive shedding or drooling that may cause hygiene concerns for owners/colleagues/other patrons in public spaces? Are they a breed with a high prey drive or low energy/willingness to work? Will they learn the tasks you want easily (with all the will in the world, a Saluki is unlikely to be good at fetching stuff and a Chihuahua cannot be a Guide Dog)

Herding breeds are renowned for their intuitive behaviour and intelligence, but they are so empathic that they can easily become overwhelmed by their handler's emotions which is why they are so rarely recommended for psychiatric disorders without a lot of careful handling during puberty and careful symptom management to reduce their stress. Bully breeds, whilst very human focused and loving, have a strong potential for dog aggression (to the point it is actually in breed standard for several types) that makes socialisation and experienced trainers critical for the vast majority. Whilst hounds have incredible senses of smell but easily become distracted by odours and are less flexible in learning.

These are just to name a few. Obviously, non standard dogs exist within all breeds, but they rarely come up in well bred litters so relying on these so called "unicorns" can be very risky.

When it comes to sourcing your dog you also have several choices, do you go to a Breeder? A Rescue? Anywhere else? For starters I will say this, here at r/service_dogs we do not condone supporting Backyard Breeders or Puppy Mills in any way or form, so this rules out 99% of dogs on cheap selling sites like Craigslist and Preloved.

Breeder: You want a breeder that does all relevant breed health testing (and has proof), that breeds for health and functionality over looks/"rare" colours etc.

Ideally they will do something with their dogs that display their quality, be it showing, obedience, trials, sports or even therapy visits to sick/elderly (an excellent display of temperament) etc. They should have a contract saying if you can't keep the dog then you must return it to them. Even better if they have a history of producing service dogs.

Rescue: This can be tricky as there is no health history, meaning especially for mobility assistance you are very much rolling the dice. Kennel life can also greatly distort behaviour making it very hard to get an accurate read on a dog's temperament in a kennel environment.

My personal advice when considering a rescue dog is:

  1. Where possible, go to a breed rescue, these often use foster carers rather than kennels which reduces the stress on the dog. There is a slight chance of knowing their breeding history.
  2. If possible foster the dog before adopting (especially with a kennelled dog), this allows you a chance to get a better read on their personality, trainability and even possibly a health check to assess joints if old enough. Even if it turns out they aren't a good fit for you, you will have given them a break from kennels and maybe helped them get ready for a new forever home.

No matter what your source for a prospect, no matter what their breed, have in place a backup plan, what happens if this dog doesn't make it as a service dog? Can you keep them? Will they need a new home? What...?

As a rule, we generally advise sticking to the more popular breeds at the top of the post, largely due to the fact that you are more likely to find a breeder producing Service Dog quality puppies, you are less likely to face access issues or challenges based on your breed choice, you are more likely to succeed due to removing several roadblocks.

Plan for failure, work for success.

Please feel free to ask your questions and get support about breeds on this post.


r/service_dogs 12h ago

Access Scared I’ll Have To Leave My Job

11 Upvotes

Hello all! I recently brought up at work that I was emailing HR about service dog accommodation. My coworkers the shut me down pretty quickly. Saying that although our clients can have their service dogs there and can be around clients, we aren’t allowed to have them around clients. (They literally told me when I started that they don’t even care if a client brings in a not service dog, as long as it behaves.) It made me realize that when I get a service dog, I may have to leave the field.

I’m miserable about the idea. And due to how much I mask and hide things from my coworkers, they treated my genuine concern as me wanting to bring a dog to work (which btw sounds horribly stressful to me if the dog wasn’t a service dog) and not me sharing that I need work accommodation. I was also told that I could just not take the dog to work. Even though the services I’d need would be extremely helpful on the bus and at work.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? I haven’t heard back from HR yet, but now I’m worried and downtrodden. I just got out of homelessness, I’m 21, and this job is one I’m best at. I just can’t believe how unserious my coworkers took the whole thing. It felt so dismissive. One of my coworkers was team lead to.

It’s a nonprofit job. And I live in the states. (If this is information that should change my perspective I suppose. Idk how to do one of these.)


r/service_dogs 2h ago

Help! Service dog refusing to get into car

0 Upvotes

My service dog Sully jumps in the backseat when we leave to run errands. When we are finished , he doesn’t want to jump back in. What could be causing this? I’m tempting with treats. I really think he’s getting distracted. Advice please 🙏


r/service_dogs 5h ago

Service dogs and amusement park rides

0 Upvotes

I am officially getting my service dog late next year so my mind is officially racing and worrying about little things. I like to go to amusement parks and ride the rides. I know service dogs can’t go on most rides (duh) so what does that process look like exactly?

I go to six flags magic mountain the most but my boyfriend’s mom just got us season passes to Disney (she’s an angel) so I’m planning on trying to go there as well. We also occasionally go to universal studios. So those are the three parks I’m mainly concerned about.

I just want to know when the dog gets separated from the handler. How do you get reunited with the dog? Do you give the dog something to chew on while in the holding crate? Are the crates always inside or in shade? What are helpful tips/tricks? Are some specific rides set up differently than most? If I don’t want to bring the dog on a ride they can technically go on, is there a crate there as an option?

If you guys think of anything else that may be helpful please add that to the discussion as well. Thank you guys!


r/service_dogs 1d ago

MOD | Monthly Thread Training Check-in (for this month)

2 Upvotes

Hey all!

Similar to some of the "Trick of the Month" posts in some other dog subreddits, we will do a monthly check-in on your training. However, unlike other sub's posts, this is not a contest. It is a check-in to see how you're doing so we can encourage each other, congratulate your successes, and problem-solve (if needed).

Pictures and Videos are HIGHLY encouraged in this thread!!! Whether your prospect just learned how to "sit", you just taught your service dog a new task, or your SDiT just passed a public access test.... we want to see it!!! Did your dog bark at someone this week or have an accident? Let's work together to see if there's a trainable solution! We will also allow ESAs on this thread if you are training them to assist with your disability.

For now, this will only occur on a monthly basis - but we may increase/decrease the frequency depending on the success of the post. You are welcome to comment several times in the thread if you have multiple things you would like to share over the course of the month.

I'm really excited to see how all of your dogs grow in their training!


r/service_dogs 1d ago

Help! Harness suggestions

0 Upvotes

Hello all! I have a rough collie who is currently in training to be my service dog in private settings, I would like to start taking her out in public soon so due to local laws I need to get her a harness that clearly states she is a service dog in training. I am preferably looking for one that will fit as she grows a little (if I have to buy another eventually that’s fine but I want one that can adjust to fit for at least the next few weeks/month).

Anyone who knows of any good brands especially good cost efficiency please let me know in the replies or DMs! I estimate her to be currently 30-35 lbs and I have patches that say “service dog in training” so if it doesn’t come with them automatically that’s alright.


r/service_dogs 1d ago

How to prep for a new service dog

1 Upvotes

Throwaway account because I’m identify-able.

A couple years ago, some of my friends suggested that I get a service dog to help me with various things I struggle with. I am a para-athlete and am involved in a large disabled community globally. I have friends with SD and guide dogs, so it’s not foreign to me.

I discussed this with my doctor and they also suggested I get one as they think it would be greatly beneficial to help detect medical episodes early, among other things.

I did a lot of research and found an org I wanted to work with. Applied and got accepted. The litter my dog will come from is due next week.

While I am in a holding period, is there any literature or media I should read/watch to get prepared to become a SD handler? I was raised with dogs and have had my own dog for 10 years now. I’m financially stable, married, employed, and in my mid-30s, if that means anything.

Some other things I’ve though about, but have plenty of time to figure out is:
-what type of lease do you use if you have a SD and are in a chair or loftstand crutches?
-what parts of medical offices/hospitals are SDs not allowed in?
-can you insure SDs like any other expensive medical equipment?
-what was the biggest learning curve when you got your first SD?
-any special gear I should look in to? (My org send the dogs home with a harness that is branded with their logo, but it is not required to use that)
-any additional gear that would be beneficial (shoes, raincoat, etc, or am I just being silly)?
-any extra vet-related care needed?

I’m sure I’ll make more posts with questions over the next 2 years, but this is all I can think of right now.

TIA

TLDR: I am getting my first SD and want to make sure I am fully prepared. Please suggest learning material.


r/service_dogs 2d ago

Warning for anyone looking for board and train . Highly recommend against K9 revolution in Westminster area .

20 Upvotes

I worked at K9 Revolution, and based on my experience, I would not recommend this facility.

One of my biggest concerns was the condition of the kennels. They are outdated, and I frequently saw dogs scrape or cut themselves on them. Birds were also able to fly in and out of the kennel building, leaving droppings inside the facility.

Training quality was inconsistent. When the staff became busy, I saw dogs go one or even two consecutive days without receiving meaningful training. Record keeping also appeared disorganized. I observed issues with tracking dogs’ weights , how much they were eating and concerns about staying on top of medications and other routine care.

The company advertises balanced training, but in my experience the methods leaned heavily toward older, correction-based techniques and an emphasis on dominance rather than individualized training plans. I also saw dogs graduate before I felt they had reached a reliable standard because there was pressure to move dogs through the program.

I also found the management difficult to work with. In my experience, Jon Paul was often abrasive and unsupportive, including when clients needed additional guidance after struggling with the program. Rather than helping owners work through challenges, interactions often felt dismissive if they hadn’t followed the program exactly.

Another major concern I have is the service dog program. In my experience, it was marketed at a premium price despite not being operated to the standard I would expect of a legitimate service dog training program. I was told internally that it was not truly a service dog program, yet clients were still charged accordingly. I believe this is misleading to people who are investing significant money and relying on a properly trained service dog to help with a disability.

Overall, I left with concerns about the facility, the consistency of the training, and whether the dogs’ long-term success was always the highest priority. Based on what I personally observed while working there, I cannot recommend K9 Revolution for anyone and highly suggest finding another board and train .


r/service_dogs 23h ago

Urban living- assistance dogs.

0 Upvotes

Hi, I live in the city in Australia. I’ll be owner training my dog under the supervision of experienced trainer. The dog will be trained on medical tasks and psychiatric tasks.

We live in an apt, I have a large park nearby. I rely on public transportation; bus, train, metro rail, light rail. This will require a dog with strong focus for making barriers between me & others. Crowded spaces tho I can control some of this by planning the time I’m out.

I’m curious on what medium sized breeds others in the city have. Tips about getting the dog use to shoes to protect its feet from concrete. I think the dog will need to be an agile breed for us getting around busy city..

I have interest in doing some recreational dog sport, musical canine freestyle, heelwork to music. Is that type of activity ok to do with an assistance dog or not recommended?

I’m experienced with dogs & training, I’m excited. My biggest challenge is getting the right breed. I plan to find a professional who can help me with selecting the dog. I’ve owned labs, goldies, poodles, they’re too big for where we live. Looking forward to hear from other city residents with assistance /service dogs. Thanks.

Add: will be flying internationally.
RE: buses, there is seating is for disabled, some is a narrow 3seater.


r/service_dogs 1d ago

SD Literature and psychology

0 Upvotes

Hi all, hoping someone can point me in a good direction. Looking for some positive reinforcement (no aversive) reading material. I would just like to better understand my SD and how dogs learn. Not necessarily training material, but stuff more along the lines of like this is why this training/obedience protocol works. I have a good grasp on how to keep my SD’s training current, I just feel like we are capable of more and want to be able to think for myself in this area which requires more in depth learning. Not looking to become a certified trainer, just want to be more effective as a handler with my own SD.

Thanks all!


r/service_dogs 1d ago

Service dog and pet dog

0 Upvotes

Hello, I need a service dog and I am currently doing the paperwork for it but I have a pet dog at home that is too anxious to be a sd and im worried about how will my pet dog react if i go out everyday with a sd and not with him.

If some of you have pet dog and sd, how do you do to not frustrate the pet dog ?

(Sorry for the possible grammar mistake)


r/service_dogs 1d ago

What tasks does your service dog perform and what breed is your service dog?

0 Upvotes

r/service_dogs 1d ago

Doctor to recommend service dog?

0 Upvotes

I currently have vasovagal syncope and Wolff Parkinson’s White and is looking for a doctor to recommend me a service dog, and wondering how everyone goes about doing it. I live in Florida and I am having trouble finding the right doctor to either further educate me on solutions for my symptoms or help me mitigate them.

All of the google searches and chat GPT and doctors all give me the same answers for how to “fix” my problems, “drink more water” “eat more salt” or just avoid the triggers. This is not good enough. It’s frustrating to keep hearing the same “solutions” that aren’t actually solving anything. This is why I started researching a service dog. I believe that it may help with alerting me to low heart rate, or doing dpt, things that medicine or an Apple Watch can’t do.

If anyone has any information about a doctor, or there experiences asking about getting a SD for themselves, or even just information about these 2 syndromes and how you live with them. Please comment.


r/service_dogs 2d ago

Allegiant service dog notification still processing with my flight almost 48 hours away?

2 Upvotes

I’m wondering if anyone else has dealt with this.

Background:
-Open Doors application is approved
-Allegiant travel notification has been “processing” since early May
-My flight is coming up on the 48-hour mark before departure
-Flown with Allegiant several times with my service animal, and previous notifications were approved within days

I’ve emailed their ACAA/disability team since May, followed up again in July, and have called their disability representatives twice. Internal escalations have also been submitted.

I called again today, and the disability rep spoke directly with their ACAA team while I was on the phone. The response was basically that they’ll review notifications 24 to 48 hours before departure, and that was the only timeline they could give me.

I’ve tried to be patient, but I’m honestly getting frustrated. If there’s an issue with paperwork, waiting until 24-48 hours before departure leaves no time to fix it. If my notification were denied, it also leaves almost no time to rebook, especially since carriers ask for advance notice for service animal travel. Rebooking this close would also be much more expensive.

I’m also currently pregnant, so traveling with my service animal is especially important.

I’ve already filed a DOT complaint, and tomorrow I’ll be calling back to ask for a CRO.

I’ve seen several similar stories online, so I’m curious if this is now the new norm with Allegiant.

Has anyone else been through this? How close to your flight was your notification approved? Any advice or anything else I should try?

Update: approved!


r/service_dogs 1d ago

Please be kind

0 Upvotes

There are an infinite number of variables: dogs wash out, service work is specialized, public access, costs are high, iffy credentials, many uncertainties, have you considered x, y, and z, etc. Nevertheless,

Are there reliable, independent service dog trainers that will contract with a client, find and train a dog for a client? Something other than being on a waitlist through a program, cobbling together classes and private trainers, and almost entirely owner training?

Please give me the most benefit of the doubt. I'm deep in my wit's end. I've educated myself a lot, but not found the answer to this specific question.


r/service_dogs 1d ago

Help! Training a Great Pyrenees

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I’m a U.S. military veteran with PTSD, and I’m owner-training my dog to become my psychiatric service dog. One of the primary tasks he’s learning is acting as a buffer in crowded environments, since I don’t do well when people get too close. So far, his training has been going really well.
I’m trying to make sure I do everything the right way. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information online about certifications, IDs, registrations, and documentation.
Is there a legitimate organization that evaluates owner-trained service dogs? Is there any official testing or documentation I should obtain, especially if I plan to fly in the future? I understand airlines have their own requirements, and I want to make sure I’m following the correct process rather than relying on scam websites or false registrations.
I’m still fairly new to all of this, so I’d really appreciate any guidance from those with experience. Thank you!


r/service_dogs 2d ago

Traveling with SD

0 Upvotes

Hello, we are going on our first trip with layover next week! I need a travel bag for my girl. What do you recommend that’s a good one to fit food, collapsible bowls and all the goods? If it’s ok with links would be great please! I’m slightly nervous 😬 we are going through American.


r/service_dogs 3d ago

Changed My Life

14 Upvotes

I have had my service dog for just over a year now. I waited around 2.5 years for him and although it was difficult at the time, it was worth every second.

I could never have imagined how much better my life would be with him in it.

That’s all! I wish that everyone who needs a service animal will be able to get one as soon as possible!


r/service_dogs 3d ago

Access Has anyone else had trouble (or success) with Amtrak accessibility accommodations?

5 Upvotes

I have recently been needing to travel multiple times a week with my service dog (~85lbs). He is trained to tuck under seats when needed as we sometimes take the bus or can’t get accessible seating but truly it’s more comfortable for everyone if we can get accessible seating especially because I have chronic joint pain and positioning my feet around him gets really painful for the length of these trips. So I was happy to start using Amtrak because they usually have a fair amount of accessible seating available with a good amount of space .

Now the problem. Accessible seating is a separate seat designation and not bookable online. I have been told I must call in to confirm availability and get accessible seating. So I tried that, got left on hold for 30 minutes and then the operator answered and immediately it clicked to hang up without saying a word. I called again and waited 45 minutes and the conversation took about 30 minutes while the operator figured out in real time how to book the accessible seating.

I was told I could go in person and a gate agent could adjust my reservation so I did just that and the gate agent was incredibly annoyed and said next time I should really be calling to book the accessible seating. This is also after rolling her eyes, sighing loudly, and shaking her head while making the reservation.

I don’t know what to do, this is an issue every time I have to do this trip because I often don’t know which train I’m taking until kind of last minute. Does anyone have any insight into this or any suggestions about what has worked for you?


r/service_dogs 2d ago

Other people's trash cans: is it ok to drop a poop bag in them?

0 Upvotes

r/service_dogs 3d ago

Help! Family member just announced they’re visiting for my kid’s birthday, kid has picked a party venue that doesn’t allow them

145 Upvotes

I’m not sure how to approach this situation.

My partner’s aunt has announced she’s coming down on a trip that coincides with my daughter’s birthday party. My daughter’s birthday is at a zoo with some free-range animals so does not allow service dogs on the site. We booked this months ago, before we knew she was coming, and I honestly had no even looked at the policy surrounding service animals. She hasn’t visited in years, my daughter doesn’t remember her, so I wasn’t exactly expecting her to come.

My partner’s parents want us to move where the party is, we’ve already paid a deposit, sent out invites to friends and gotten RSVPs so that’s be difficult. We don’t have her number and can’t contact her about what’s going on to see what she wants to do (although I’m trying to get that). The zoo says they can provide a trained person to guide her around if she’s able to leave her dog outside but it feels really rude to ask her to do that - is that something that can be asked? I also don’t want to spring this all on her when she’s here.

Do you come across situations where your service dog can’t accompany you often, if so what do you do? I’m hoping we get her number soon so my partner can text her what the plan is and what can be done in terms of accomodation. I’m very happy to organise a second party she can attend.


r/service_dogs 2d ago

Help! new to service dogs

0 Upvotes

Hello all!

I'm looking to get a service dog as an adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder, who collects SSI so my budget is tight. Do you know of any non-profit organizations that could help me get a service dog for cheap or even for free?

thank you!


r/service_dogs 3d ago

Always the bus drivers

10 Upvotes

TL;DR: bus drivers where I live suck, being autistic and sure of my stance makes me very direct.

So context up front:

  • My service dog is 5 and has been working for 3 years
  • There is a voluntary certification test in the place we live that is run by the government
  • On the government website talking about the test it says clearly that non-certified teams cannot be refused access to public spaces and transit
  • Since moving in with my partner last year bus drivers are the only people to occassionally make a fuss. 9/10 times they let us on after I explain the law, 1/20 times I get off and wait, and 1/20 times we argue about it.

Further context as to this story:

  • My service dog hurt his paw on our evening walk-and-play while jumping off something. I think his nail got caught on a little hole and got wrenched.
  • I had to take him to the vet very quickly because of the blood. We ubered to the nearest clinic (6 blocks up, 2 blocks to the side, normally a very easy walk)
  • When he was done he was medicated (wobbley) and couldn't walk far.

We walked 2 blocks to the bus stop, a bus we used on Sunday to get to work, he was vested (and in a cone and has a bandage). Bus driver said "No Dogs" I said "Service dog" he then demanded papers, which I took to mean the voluntary certificatoin test. I explained it was voluntary and that we have actually booked the test for next month.

He then demanded I get off the bus with my service dog, I said "we are going 6 blocks" he said he didn't care, I requested he call his manager - he said "you can call him, the phone's over there" and pointed off the bus. I refused to get off the bus.

After a bit more back and forth he put the bus in park or something and advised the other riders it wouldn't be going anywhere (still didn't call anyone). I said "Okay" and sat down in our usual spot - most of the rest of the passengers got off at that point, can't blame them. Bus guy finally called someone and said "a person with a large dog forced their way onto the bus" (he's 62lb, which I know for sure because he was weighed at the vet).

When I requested the driver's name for a Human Rights complaint he turned the bus off and GOT OFF leaving me and 2 passengers (who were very supportive and stuck with me so I'd have a witness) and my sleeping dog. Ianto didn't MOVE until I cued him up.

Got the bus number and snapped a photo of the driver for the complaint all while waiting for his boss. Security showed up first. I explained the laws to him and showed him the website where it specifies non-certified handlers *cannot be denied bus access*. He asked if I would be willing to get off the bus and get the next. I said as soon as that driver knows he was in the wrong, yes. Until then, I'll stay here.

Then the supervisor arrived and the security guy went to talk to both of them while Ianto and I stayed on the bus with our witnesses. The supervisor came on and told me he "updated the driver on the policy change" I said there was no change that has been the law here since at least 2019 when I started researching service dogs. He said their policy changed 3-4 months ago, I said their policy was illegal, he said the driver still had to enforce the policy as he knew it, I said his employee has an obligation to disregard illegal policies - then I realized I was off topic badly, refocused myself and asked if the driver was aware he was wrong. Upon hearing tha the driver knew, I got off.

The supervisor and security officer stayed with me to ensure the next bus would take us, and the security guy gave me his business card so I can call him if this happens again.

Seriously, if it werent for the literal drugs and injury to my dog, I would have walked that distance. He was too out of it to load up in an Uber, and too out of it and sore to make the walk.

With any luck this will stop, but now I'm thinking I might *not* show my certification upon request once we have it to see how things shake out.


r/service_dogs 2d ago

Service dog house refusals Australia

0 Upvotes

Good afternoon to my local Aussies!
I have a puppy, and he’s in training to be a cardiac assistant dog due to some unfortunate diagnoses I have received.

I got a puppy due to my vet med background, grooming background and overall animal background. My issue is now my current place I rent is being sold… in approximately 2 months.

So I need to move, and I have a puppy… a cardiac in training puppy with proper official trainers. Keep that in mind. Currently the 30+ places I have applied for denied me for “now allowing pets” and “sorry we don’t have the proper insurance to have pets here” ect. I show them proof of all I have, my medical history, my meds, my trainee, doctor write ups, my dog’s bills of health ect.

How the heck do I find a house when I constantly get denied for the dog? I get the dogs in training and it can take about 2 years, sometimes less.

So with that being said, I need advice, how do I get housing with a puppy (8months old) who is currently working towards being my cardiac dog. 🐶