Discussions

Good afternoon!  
 
I'm trying to find out where I could have my dog trained to be an emotional support dog. I suppose that he would first have to be assessed to see if his personality is appropriate, etc...  
 
I am not interested in phony paperwork, buying a vest online, or self-training. I'm looking for a professional and I want to have my pup trained for real.  
 
I believe it would improve my life greatly as my mental illness causes me a lot of suffering and even being in the presence of an animal causes me to feel less stress.  
 
I like to think that if his training was effective he could help other people too. But I don't want to get ahead of myself.  
 
Much thanks!

The bit that I read states that, unlike a service dog, there is no specific training for an emotional support dog beyond that they need to be well-behaved and well-mannered so they can accompany you public. They do not have the same access rights as service dogs (stores, restaurants, etc), but are generally allowed in restricted housing (i.e. no pets housing) and airplanes.  
 
Bearing that in mind, I would suggest that you contact one of the local trainers and take obedience training with them. Depending on the type of dog you have, you might enjoy doing something like agility training with them for fun and bonding (and obedience).  
 
Even if your pet never officially becomes an "emotional support dog", I can attest to the fact that animals can have a very calming and positive benefit for many people and hopefully you will find it helps with your condition. Good luck!