My therapist is going to write a letter stating I need a dog with me all the time, and she said I am allowed to take it to public places like Wal-Mart and such. Now, I've been doing some reading and it seems to me that in order to bring my dog to wal-mart, it has to be a certified Psychiatric Service dog. Once I get a dog, at what point does it turn from an Emotional Assistance Support Animal to a Psychiatric Service Dog, and how do I get it certified. If I DON"T have to get it certified and I CAN bring it to wal mart, should I just get an "Assistance Animal" Vest so that it is obvious that it is a assistance animal? Maybe the Laws are different in SC? I haven't been able to find Laws regarding assistance animals. Please write back and give me some guidance as to how this works.Thanks!

A letter from your doctor does NOT make your dog a service dog or grant you permission to have your dog with you in all place. A letter from your doctor makes your dog an ESA. ESAs are allowed in no pet housing and on airplanes.

Now....How do you get a PSD?

To have a PSD, 3 things MUST be true:

1) You must have a life limiting disability.
2) Your dog MUST be task trained to do something to mitigate your disability. **has great resource on how to start and a list of tasks.
3) Your dog MUST be trained to behave in public.

As to training...

ANYONE can train your dog. You can train your dog if you know what you are doing. In the US, service dogs are not certified or registered, so there is really no such thing as a certified service dog. You can buy "certification" on line for several hundred dollars, but its not worth the paper its written on and does not make your dog a service dog.

I invite you to come over to ** There are many PSD handlers who can support you and help you do this LEGALLY!

If you therapist is stating that you need to have your dog with you in public places, then you need to make your dog a PSD. I am a PSD handler and concur with what lilfarfa posted. Your best bet is to look at **and determine just what your needs are.

me here because of erroneous information being passed here.

It seems to me that some of you are thinking about PSD with the wrong attitude. There is a huge problem out there for the disabled especially when it comes to SDs and their dogs. It gets worse when someone says, "Oh good idea, I'll get a PSD" WRONG!! It doesn't work that way. Just because your Dr. suggests it doesn't make it a good idea. I would like to suggest that you consider the following.

Are you a dog person and how much knowledge do you have about dogs?
Are you capable of training a dog properly regardless if it is a program or OT dog?
Do you have the skills to train a dog? I've been doing it for 40 yrs.
Are you physically capable of taking care of a dog?
Are you willing to make the 10-15 year commitment to your dog?
Are you willing to become emotionally involved with your dog?
Do you relaize what a pain in the *** hauiling a dog everywhere is?
Do you know where you should not take a dog?
Insert list of 10 more Qs of your own devising.

Before you start thinking abuot a PSD or any other service dog I suggest you find out what is involved starting with ***suggest PAT and access standard then go to **** and finish there.

Then come over to a brand new forum ***and learn about them, ask your Qs before making a decision. It is not my intention to turn you off the idea but it is a bigger step than you realize fraught with problems you won't believe.

Not everyone is suitable for an SD.

I shall no go make an introductory post.

Hi Harley and Anakin.

In order for an animal to be concidered a service animal, it must perform specific tasks. For example with ptsd: alerting owner that a panic attack is eminent, distracting owner to refocus his attention to avoid panic attack, reminding you to take meds on time, taught to walk full lenght of leash ahead of you so you will not feel crowded, wake you up from nightmares, wake you up if meds cause you to sleep through an alarm.
These are some of the things my service dog helps me with. She has a job. That`s what makes a service animal. The job.
If the dog doesn`t do things which help you with your medical condition, It`s not a service dog and by law cannot go in public places. It would be considered an emotional support animal.
teach your dog a job to help you. Teach him several.