Therapy Dogs For Anxiety And Procedures?

[mixeduppup]

So I was just wondering, my friend has a little dog that she takes with her everywhere, even on public transport, she has a note from her psychologist that says she suffers severe anxiety and needs her dog with her. She's never been questioned even on buses. I was wondering if that's normal or is there normally a certification process therapy dogs must go through?

[Dxenion]

Sounds like she has an assistance dog not a therapy dog. If her condition meets the definition of a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act and she has evidence that the dog is an assistance dog and is trained to an appropriate standard of hygiene and behaviour for working in public then there is no issue.

[Dxenion]

The letter from her doctor is not evidence that the dog is an AD. A service provider can refuse her access/ service if she doesn't have evidence or if the dog has poor hygiene or is behaving in a disruptive or inappropriate manner.

[emgem]

In Sydney, pets are allowed on government buses at the discretion of the driver. I used to pop my pup in a bag and take him out with me for the first couple of months I had him. It was a great way to socialise him. I also used to see a woman ride the bus with a tame lorikeet on her shoulder.

They arent allowed on the trains though.

[mita]

Sounds like she has an assistance dog not a therapy dog. If her condition meets the definition of a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act and she has evidence that the dog is an assistance dog and is trained to an appropriate standard of hygiene and behaviour for working in public then there is no issue.

Yes, there was a lady with a small dog who used to go to our shopping mall. Her dog fulfilled some kind of therapy service for her (it might have been a mental health issue). But this dog wore a distinguishing coat that showed it had a recognized role.

I wonder if the person in the OP could find a process whereby her little dog's role could gain that same status?

[Dxenion]

They aren't required to wear a vest or anything identifying them as an AD under the DDA. Dogs from AD organisations will be wearing that organisation's gear and ADs registered under the QLD state legislation will be displaying a particular badge but that's it. Depending on the task the dog performs to mitigate the effect of the person's disability, there are a few organisations that will help train and test the dog to that organisation's standard.