@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member If you had a letter from your Nuro or MD then under the ADA or one of those groups they have NOT right to tell you to remove the dog, its classed as MEDICAL EQUIPMENT and thus under the US housing laws its allowed even if its A SDiT and not a full SD, it can even be a ESA and they can't kick it or you out under US law.

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A MyEpile...

Training for a service dog usually starts at between 6-8 months old, unless you want to take them to puppy training classes to work on basic manners. Sit, down, stay and how to walk on a leash without pulling are SUPER important to being a service dog.

Sky (my service dog) has been trained with me 100% she did go through an advanced puppy class when she was little which we did at our local Petco. Just teaches the basics of sit, down, stay, heal, staying in a sit or laying position while I was at a distance. Other then that I have done all her training from knowledge from other service dog owners (we have about 7 in our area for different reasons, mine is the only Epilepsy) The First thing we worked on was making sure she was OK with being pulled on and stepped on and not reacting. Sky can have her tail stepped on, ears pulled foot grabbed and will not react at all. People have no respect for her being a marked service animal and kids will pull on her and you do not want your animal to have ANY reaction or it turns ugly quick! Sky will stay in a sit position with me about 20 feet away from her for as long as I need her to, I can also leave the room and she will still be in that position as long as it is no longer than 5 minutes.

To be allowed in a store or restaurant a Service dog is suppose to go through at least one class that you have to pay for it is the CGC class of the Canine Good Citizen class. This is just a class that makes sure the dog knows how to allow people to approach you and not engage with them (sniff, lick or play) it also checks that the dog will not have a negative reaction is someone were to reach and pull on its ear as well as not sniff at product on shelves or eat food on the ground (like when walking through a food court).

ADA guidelines say a Service Animal must preform a talent, (comforting you or keeping you calm is not a talent) if they do not have a talent they are classified as a Therapy Animal and those are NOT allowed in the stores. Sky has multiple talents she is an Aura dog meaning that she can predict a seizure (8 out of 10 times the smaller ones are hard for her) She is also trained that if I do have a seizure to accommodate my need for attention, if it is a absence seizure or something little she stays with me and waits for me to come to licking me and being a constant companion. If I am wandering and she tries to lead me to a safe place or a large group of people. If I am hurt or it is lasting to long she is trained to find someone to help me.

This is already really long... training a dog is really pretty easy once you understand how their mind works and how to get them to do what you want them to do. I have had Sky for a total for maybe a year 1/2 and we have had about 490 hours of training together at least. Having a service animal is a LOT of work but when they are trained they can save your life.

My own dog Daisy looks after me if I'm having a seizure and she's not a service dog. I think it's the case of they know what to do if you do have a seizure or in your case @A MyEpilepsyTeam Member, if you can try and get your dog to warn someone that way they will know when, you're in trouble. My own dog isn't a service dog but, she knows what to do if I do have a seizure, go and find someone even if it's just my mum or dad, go and get their attention by running up to them and returning to me, until they get the message that something isn't right. But then even though my parents are trying to look after me, it's the case of either my mum or my dad has to have Daisy in their arms - just so they don't get scratched whilst the other is talking to me... (although I have no knowledge of being spoken to). I hope this helps. If you do want your dog to get help from someone else try and find away for your dog and whoever else knows what it will mean.

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A MyEpile...

Esa vary by state South Carolina they are not recognized as such

I had my dog for 4 years, til she was 4 I started to train her. All though she seemed to know when I was going 2 have a seizure, or an aura, before I knew. But unfortunately my landlord would not allow me to keep her. So did my 3 cats also knew when something was wrong, but unfortunately I had to give them up too!!!😢😻🐶🐾