So I have been doing some research recently into turning Ace into my Service animal.. I mean he is already a mental hygiene pet... but once i get a steady pay check we are going to be putting him through classes..
Now i know what you are saying... how can you have him as a service animal..

I have really BAD anxiety attacks.. and recently they have been becoming worse and worse.. especially in social situations.. I get nervous and shut down more or less.. (unless i know the person has a common interest that i know of that can spark my NORMAL chatty nature) well recently when im in the start of an anxiety attack Ace has started to crawl into my lap or if im standing he will pace around me or Jump up and put his paws on my leg like "Hey now Calm down im here" He's the best thing to happen to me since ... i dont know what LOL

but i havent needed my medication for my anxiety since he came home Last year <3

So we are looking into getting him sent through a program so where he can go everywhere with me.. make schooling alot easier on me..

When i was in High school we set it up with my biology teacher that i could take my Rat to school and hold them in class when i was feeling stressed.. so i guess this would be something simular.. right? Im not sure since i have never really needed a service animal.. it just got brought up with the recent happening of Scrappy .. my brothers pittbull becoming my Sis in law's mental hygiene pet for her Depression..
making him this makes it impossible for people to tell them they cant have him since there is a written doctors note saying she needs him LOL
and i have something simular for Ace... but he isnt a Service animal so where i need him i cant take him.. i.e School, family vacations (which stress me out more then you would think.. spending a week locked up with family LOL)
but ya... I was wondering what people thought of the idea of a Corgi Service animal..
Im kind of excited for the process due to the fact i could bring him to school.. which would calm me down in social interactions in class because i would have him there as comfort.. ugh im making it sound so weird.. but.. ya..

ok imma stop talking lol i think lack of sleep is making me say weird things but ya.. i was very interested in the idea of Ace being my Anxiety Calming Service dog.. i mean ya i can see and stuff and its not an extreme disability like most service animals are for but.. Anxiety attacks are pretty bad.. i have been hospitalized for them before.. it effects my breathing and having lung problems this is not something i can afford to have escalate..

but ya.. i think i should go to bed now LOL.. Ace is hinting that its bed time :)

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Comment by Ace and Jen on October 7, 2011 at 2:29am
Thank you all for your comments and support, I have been doing loads of research for it and am truely excited to be able to get started... I know our School has a Vet Tech program that takes Rescues and trains them so they are good citizens and the such.. I see them around the biology wing quite frequently.. and i assure you ace is more well behaived then some of those lads/gals lol I know he also has the potential to be a wonderful service dog..
Comment by Gromit, Sparkle, and Doug on October 6, 2011 at 5:25pm

Jen,  Corgis have been used as service dogs for many years.  Gromit's great aunt Missy is a retired hearing assistance dog.  I had some involvement years ago with guide dogs and I can't emphasize enough how important it is for a service dog to be utterly well behaved public.  While laws allow service dogs to go nearly anywhere, businesses and institutions are not required to tolerate an unruly or disruptive dog.  The best service dog is one that goes nearly unnoticed by the public.  As noted in the excellent web site Sam provided the link to, it takes more than a doctor's note and a service dog cape for a dog to be a good service dog.  If Ace is generally calm around people and other dogs he's got the basis of a good start.  I'm sure with some expert help and your efforts, you and Ace will make a great team.

Comment by Gail and Ashton on October 6, 2011 at 2:44pm
Hey Jen! I think Ace would be a wonderful PSDS for you! Ashton does some basic service work for me and it really does make a world of difference. I get the benefits of having the help around the house when I need it and as a bonus he helps with my emotional well-being as well. Ganbatte ne!
Comment by John Wolff on October 6, 2011 at 1:51pm

My wife did Therapy Dog stuff with Siri, our first corgi.  Al the cuddler and Gwynnie the calm one might be good at it, too.  Corgis are considered too short for seeing-eye dogs, but are used as hearing-ear dogs and other service roles.

I just got a drug called Propranolol to abort rare, episodic tachycardia (runaway heart rate) which people take more commonly for performance anxiety and stage fright.  You might discuss that with your doc... but you already got a corgi, so...

Comment by Stephanie & Brian the Dog on October 6, 2011 at 12:43pm
I sent you a friend request so I could message you.  This is so interesting and it seems there are more people effected by this than I would have thought.  I have some issues also, and was hoping I could do this training as well.  I would love it if you'd message me when you get a chance.  Thanks!
Comment by Yuki & Ellie on October 6, 2011 at 10:21am

Believe it or not, you're not alone.  ;)  Not too long ago I remember seeing a little clip of a show where a woman was talking about the exact same thing.  It might have been Dog Whisperer, now that I think about it.  She had a small dog, I think a Pomeranian or something, and she needed help getting him to ignore distractions in a store environment so that he could pass his test and become her service animal for her anxiety attacks.  It is possible to train Ace for such work, and no, it isn't weird.  I, too, suffer from anxiety/panic attacks and I know how much they suck.  And there's no way to explain the mind-numbing fear and dread to someone who has never had one.

 

Follow the link Sam provided and do your research.  If you and Ace are both ready to work at it, I know you'll soon be able to keep him with you no matter where you may need to go.  :)

Comment by Beth on October 6, 2011 at 10:13am

My understanding is that to be a service dog, rather than a support animal (which is really a pet) the dog needs to be trained to perform specific tasks that help you deal with the situation.  I read on one blog where someone had a service dog for social phobias and the dog was trained to do things like find an exit door and stuff. 

Comment by Sam Tsang on October 6, 2011 at 9:45am
Hi Jen, here you go.
Comment by Emily & Scout on October 6, 2011 at 7:24am

I personally think the idea of taking him to school is great.  Scout is always such a good de-stresser at the end of the day.  Wish I would have had her through college, and I am not a really anxious person.  I'd say if he has all his obedience training, go for it.  It would probably even be good for your friends at college to have a dog around finals time and other stressful events.  (I think there is even a program at some school where they bring in some dogs around finals time for the students to visit with and relax)

I'd say as long as you get a doctors note, you should be able to go to professors at the beginning of each year and explain your situation.  And I'm sure Ace would love to acompany you and soak up all the attention.

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