I am just curious if any of you have used a service dog for PTSD? I place service and protection dogs with survivors of rape, domestic violence, childhood trauma, etc. I just placed one with a woman who was almost killed and relocated out of state.
Is anyone interested in this type of program or does anyone have a service dog?

Hi. I would really like to hear more about this program.

I am a young adult (18) living on my own. I have PTSD, Anxiety, as well as some other issues caused by severe abuse/trauma when I was younger. I did some research on service dogs and read some stories about people whith PTSD having service dogs. I think its a great idea. I would someday like to get a service dog, problem, they are hard to find and very very expensive.

Actually they are neither hard to find nor expensive. They're as close as your nearest animal shelter. I run the program on my own right now and am writing for some grants to provide aid to those who want a dog but can't afford some of the cost involved. I am training my own service dog. She was expensive but that's because she was born with the capability to alert on my narcolepsy attacks prior to having them. She was 750.00 but many don't need the alert abilities. You can find one that will work with you by constantly visiting your shelter or local rescues and you'll know when it's the right dog.
Dogs sense things and either shy away or are drawn to you. Don't take the first dog you see because it's cute, you have to have the connection.
Do you have any experience with dogs? What type and with what breeds? What type of living situation are you in? House, apt, etc.? I can help you determine what to look for needs wise and you'll have to trust your instincts on the match...I can help a lot with it, but it's got to be a connection. The people that click with their dogs have the most successful partnerships.
If you're interested, post some more info and I'll do my best to get you going in the right direction.

I know that a lot of service dogs come from shelters, and I know dogs from shelters aren't very expensive, but the dogs there don't have the training to be service dogs. I don't have the money to pay for training and I don't think I'd do much good training a dog by myself.

I'm in a large apartment with a small fenced yard (10 by 10) I have some experience with dogs. Miniature poodles, Rottweilers, Pitbulls, German Shepards, and Mutts. I really like dogs and they like me. :D

My doctor thinks getting a service animal would help me to be able to go out of the house more. Maybe so, hopefully some day I will find a service dog for me. If I knew how to train a dog to be a service dog, or where to get cheap/free training it would be a lot easier. Right now everything seems so difficult though.

I'd really like to hear more and get some more info about what you do. :)

I'd like to hear more about this too. I have a service dog that I'm training myself. It's HARD work. You know where I can get some help?

I haven't heard of people with PTSD getting service dogs before. I would definitely like to hear more abou this. I suffer from PTSD due to sexual assault and other problems. I think that having an animal would make me feel much safer and get me more active than I have been in a while. This might sound like a really inappropriate question, but part of the reason that this interests me is because I want a dog that is capable of protection. Can a service dog be trained to warn in an intimidating manner strangers and others. I have had miniature schnauzers which are sooo protective of me sometimes I wished they were a bigger dog so that they might actually intimidate someone. I have also had wire fox terriers who loved and protected me but good luck training one. I like mutts a lot.

There are service dog groups on the internet, books, and some clubs may also be in your area. Another place to check is the Delta Society. They don't have forums or chat, just great info on service dog laws, training, expectations, etc.
I am training Phoenix on my own as well. It depends on what you're training them for. If it's just for emotional support, basic and intermediate obedience is a must. They need to sit, lay, stay, come, on command as well as not jump on others and be properly socialized. You should never use a dog that has not been properly socialized...there's too much risk of it not working well under stress or running into other animals. I would suggest taking them to pet friendly businesses (petsmart, petco) and socialize them with many animals, children, toddlers and adults. They don't need to be aggressive to protect you. I discourage any aggression from the get go. This usually is not useful against a perp, but can be turned against you.
Another training method I use is clicker training. It's too hard to explain in print, but there are sites that will explain how to clicker train, but I find the easiest way is to do it with a trainer so you can ask questions and techniques. You can probably find a regular obedience trainer for this. Look for people who use positive reinforcement, not force. You want your dog to work because it loves you, not because it's afraid of you.
The more specialized training comes in when retrieving specific objects, counter-balance (for people who have a hard time stabilizing), mobility, and guide work.
I could better answer this if all interested would post what type of work they need their dog for...solely emotional support, mobility, counter-balance, etc. It would make it easier to know if this is something you can learn on your own or if you really need to enlist the help of a trainer. The only times I would say you absolutely need a trainer is for seeing eye, mobility, heavy retrieving or you have no experience with dogs and don't know what to do.
I'll keep checking...post your needs and I'll address what I can. Also, if interested in obtaining one, post wants w/ personality...if you don't get the right personality there's no way it will work. Personality and connecting are the most important factors...everything else is just training.
To the last poster after free spirit...I saw your name and a second page but it wouldn't let me go to a second page, just kept putting me back to the first, so if you don't mind, please re-post.

Hey pfunk, your post popped after I posted mine..so here goes. Yes dogs can be trainedd for protection work but I recommend against this if you are not totally comitted to ongoing training, about 600hrs in the first year and touch ups after that, have a great shutzund trainer and the dog has an absolutely stable temperament.
I fully intend to train Phoenix in shutzund should all this be in place. My narcolepsy attacks can leave me incapacitated and at risk for several things. One is the lack of ability to protect my kids, myself or during the sleep attacks I have walked into traffic, so she'll be taught to block as well. Shutzund is not something to use for show. You shouldn't use it as a, "Hey, check this out...and trigger the dog." This makes them unstable and also shows the owner to be irresponsible with a dog capable of maming or killing.
To give ou an example..Phoenix's dad is trained in shutzund...the owner was in a store the other day and he was in a down stay. A man came in and began harassing the manager, he remained in a down until it became physical. The minute it turned physical he did a bark and hold. He never physically made contact but turned on the growling, barking and showing teeth. The guy begged off for a minute and the dog went back to a down stay, then the guy went physical again, same result. He never bit, nor touched this man but kept it from escalating. Had it became violent and didn't stop, he would have bitten the man on the arm and held on as he pulled him off and stopped the threat. He would also have reacted the same way, without the physical contact on the man's part if he was given the command. That's a good schutzund dog. They are free thinking so if you're incapacitated, they will respond but not with excessive force. If told he will also guard.
When his owner is having a panic attack he does a jump alert, makes eye contact and then starts goofin' to bring her out of it. He makes her laugh and stops the attack. He also alerts on migraines, asthma and any other medical.
Most of these dogs used for this purpose are of size but do not intimidate with aggression. Any dog is capable of reading a situation and jumping in to protect their owner. This however should not be encouraged. Many times the presence of the dog is enough to stop someone from ever aggressing on you in the first place. The dog also should be socialized...many think that if they socialize their dog, they'll lose the ability to protect....nothing is further from the truth. A service dog needs to be great all around and well rounded. The more people they come into contact with, the more they learn what is trustworthy and what is not. It gives them a variety of experiences with people.
It should also be kept quiet if your dog is trained in schutzund because even if the dog is justifiably triggered you could be help liable for it because you knowingly used a trained attack dog as a service dog. This is bogus, but happens.....similar to a rotti being put down for a nip that is blown into an all out, unprovoked attack that mamed someone, when the reality is it left a puncture in the leg of someone trying to get into your house. Better safe than sorry. You also don't want some idiot who knows schutzund commands to try to trigger your dog...
You'll find that almost all people who work with service dogs are against this training. I am for it but only under very strict guidance, extensive knowledge of handling and training, diligence and continued training. If you're not up to this type of work, you need to rethink. The average person, unless at high risk of attack or assault, would be find using a sizable dog for a deterrant and in all honesty probably the only way for most to go.
The only reason for my wanting to train Phoenix is due to the fact that a full blown cataplexy attack will render me paralyzed for upto 30min. In the wrong place a lot can happen in that time, even less. I am still aware, just unable to move.

Here is my original post:
"I know that a lot of service dogs come from shelters, and I know dogs from shelters aren't very expensive, but the dogs there don't have the training to be service dogs. I don't have the money to pay for training and I don't think I'd do much good training a dog by myself.

I'm in a large apartment with a small fenced yard (10 by 10) I have some experience with dogs. Miniature poodles, Rottweilers, Pitbulls, German Shepards, and Mutts. I really like dogs and they like me.

My doctor thinks getting a service animal would help me to be able to go out of the house more. Maybe so, hopefully some day I will find a service dog for me. If I knew how to train a dog to be a service dog, or where to get cheap/free training it would be a lot easier. Right now everything seems so difficult though.

I'd really like to hear more and get some more info about what you do. "

Not sure if you saw it or not.

I would like to obtain a service dog that could go out in public with me. Because of my severe anxiety I'm unable to leave my house much. If I had a service dog things that I would want him to be able to do are - Go out in public with me, and help me know what sounds are real and which are not (like during flashbacks for instance) Also would want a dog who was very active and playful who I could take jogging/hiking and play with.

I have seen one pitbull service dog. It was so cute. I think it's great to have a well behaved/socialized service dog that is this breed so that it can help the general public to realize that if they are properly trained and socialized they are a wonderful breed.

I tend to get along best with pitbulls, rottweilers, and mutts. I don't have much experience with other big breeds and as for the smaller dog breeds, well I don't really have the same connection with them. I like a doggy that's big enough that I can give him a giant hug without worrying about squishing him lol.

Hey! I train dogs (and other types of animals also) for people with PTSD, and other probs.

Hey! I train dogs (and other types of animals also) for people with PTSD, and other probs.

Please, do either of you know where I can get a serivice animal?

Hi Dani, glad to meet another animal person. I think this is a great service and needs to more available to people in need.

You have to be more specific about what type of dog you're looking for. Do you need one who also can be used to protect, just a companion, any experience with breeds, training, etc. any medical problems the dog may need to help with???

You have to be more specific about what type of dog you're looking for. Do you need one who also can be used to protect, just a companion, any experience with breeds, training, etc. any medical problems the dog may need to help with???

Are my posts not coming through correctly :( I know the first time I posted it showed that there was a post but then it didn't show up on here. Then the next time it didn't show up there was a new post but my post did show up on the board.

Well here it is again...

Here is my original post:
"I know that a lot of service dogs come from shelters, and I know dogs from shelters aren't very expensive, but the dogs there don't have the training to be service dogs. I don't have the money to pay for training and I don't think I'd do much good training a dog by myself.

I'm in a large apartment with a small fenced yard (10 by 10) I have some experience with dogs. Miniature poodles, Rottweilers, Pitbulls, German Shepards, and Mutts. I really like dogs and they like me.

My doctor thinks getting a service animal would help me to be able to go out of the house more. Maybe so, hopefully some day I will find a service dog for me. If I knew how to train a dog to be a service dog, or where to get cheap/free training it would be a lot easier. Right now everything seems so difficult though.

I'd really like to hear more and get some more info about what you do. "

Not sure if you saw it or not.

I would like to obtain a service dog that could go out in public with me. Because of my severe anxiety I'm unable to leave my house much. If I had a service dog things that I would want him to be able to do are - Go out in public with me, and help me know what sounds are real and which are not (like during flashbacks for instance) Also would want a dog who was very active and playful who I could take jogging/hiking and play with.

I have seen one pitbull service dog. It was so cute. I think it's great to have a well behaved/socialized service dog that is this breed so that it can help the general public to realize that if they are properly trained and socialized they are a wonderful breed.

I tend to get along best with pitbulls, rottweilers, and mutts. I don't have much experience with other big breeds and as for the smaller dog breeds, well I don't really have the same connection with them. I like a doggy that's big enough that I can give him a giant hug without worrying about squishing him lol.

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So like I said before, mostly need a service animal to help with anxiety/ptsd/agoraphobia. I would like a dog that could protect me if I was in need of protection but also well behaved, friendly enough that he could come everywhere in public with me.

DDDUUUUHHHHH, sorry, I did see that, but had some recent trauma in my life and didn't re-read before posting. I'm sorry.
Anyway, you can do the training. I would go for a dog usually 6mos old or older because they're slightly mellower, easier to potty train and more fun than having to wait for the shots to become effective against parvo and other virus'. I would steer clear of the pits, not because I think they're mean, but because many people will have a preconcieved notion about you. I've seen it often. On the other hand, if you don't mind people making snide comments and are willing to educate those who are afraid due to ignorance, than great!! They deffinately need to be seen for what they are, great dogs, in the right hands.
the main things you need to know you can get in basic obedience classes, you just have to work on them constantly. My main commands right now for Phoenix are sit, down, stay, off, leave-it...and my favorite..GOOD GIRL!! She's awesome in the stores, she's mellow, mindful of others, doesn't jump, and automatically goes into a down if we're stopped for more than about 10sec. That she did on her own, but she came from an awesome breeder...very few in my part.
Now, go to the shelter as often as possible and get to know the workers. Tell them what you're looking for and what your situation is and once they get a feel for you, they will call you and let you know if they have anything that may fit your needs. I would see if you could have a person skilled in dog handling and personality assessments go with you, if you don't have this type of experience. You may want to contact your local obedience trainers or rescue groups to see if someone would do this for you on a volunteer basis, so the money can be spent on the needed supplies. Don't go for hyper, for the purpose of your hiking, just alert and responsive, they'll keep up. That's why I prefer the older dogs.
One breed I'm partial to is the Great Pyrenees, because it's been my experience that they're awesome with children, wary of strangers but not aggressive towards them and if they feel the urge to protect have a bark that you will feel inside your chest! They are awesome. But they are also stubborn!! They are not the type of dog you see in agility trials, fun sports, and in fact, AKC doesn't require the pyr to demonstrate in the obedience ring. That's not to say they're impossible, quite the contrary. Many of these guys are brought in as therapy animals in hospitals, nursing homes and rehab facilities because they are calm and don't tend to be scared easily. Fear and aggression are two big no-nos in a pyr....run away from one like this. Your best luck for these is a breed specific rescue or call the pounds. Many are given up because the owner didn't realize how big they get or they are stubborn and the owner expects them to be a human pleaser. My pyr, Nana, is awesome. My children can walk her. She is great on a leash, stands quietly by my side when I'm teaching bite safety and is laid back. Kids at the schools maul her and she just sits there. But you also have to know your dog, not all like this, but I have yet to see a pyr react badly to children or even indifferent...that to me would be a bad sign. They are also IMO the greatest type of protection dog because they are intimidating by size and sound, almost no risk of unprovoked bites and about the only way to trigger one is for someone to try to harm you or children. They won't tollerate that. Nana took a guy down once. I was in my kitchen to write out a check for the food he brought and asked him to wait outside, as I had only had her for 3wks. A few seconds after my back was turned my screen door opened and I heard Nana go nuts! I shot out of the kitchen in time to see him running up my stairs and her nailing him in the chest with her paws and flipping him onto the landing!! She stood over him growling until he chose to scoot out on his back, no check in hand, but body parts in tact.
This to me was the greatest display....she protected me, but never went overboard. She could have ripped his face off, but as soon as he was not able to hurt me, she just stood her ground. I have no doubt that had he continued to pursue me, she would have bitten, but although justified in her "attack" she could have bitten, but seemed to know what was needed to stop the threat. She has also chased of the power company a few times. She'll let them in my back yard if there are no children back there. I put a warning on their computers to knock before going back there because I heard screaming one day and looked out the front window to see her in hot persuit, but as soon as he was off my property and away from my son, she ran back to the back yard to watch my son. So she's not protective of outside property unless kids are there...inside, don't come in unless I'm home, not incappacitated and welcome you. She never advances on anyone, just barks furiosly until told to stop.
I hate this at times, because they are louder than most dogs....sounds like a 300lb rabid rotti on stearoids!! LOL I call her salesman control!! Seriously, I have been looking out the window, see salesmen knocking on doors, they knock on mine and hear her, turn around and leave before I ever answer the door! It's great. But I love the fact that they're not a high risk biter, they are sizeable, but don't eat much. They do need to be brushed often, but are what I call wash and wear. If she gets muddy, I just wait for it to dry and then brush her....most of it's gone before she's dry, but the rest goes with the brush and they stay pure white, with little bathing. But brushing's important.
If you get a chance, look up a few breeds and tell me what you think...also check these ones out and let me know your opinion on them.

I wouldn't mind people commenting or having preconcived notions about me or my service animal.

I read about the breed that you mentioned along with many others. Ones that sound good to me were:

American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier

Bernese Mountain Dog

Boston Terrier

Boxer

Great Pyrenees

Rottweiler

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Not sure all of those breeds would be the best for service dog work but they are the breeds that I like. What do you think? Around here the shelters are mostly full of pitbulls, dalmations, and mutts.

I like the pyrs are my favorites because I know them inside and out. I have rescued so many and even though the most awful ones can destroy property and be a pain in the butt, they've never ever hurt a child. My Nana was a rescue. When I got her she was 1 1/2yrs old, 40lbs under weight and had such horrible separation anxiety that she jumped out of my second story window, wedged gates clean off hinges, jumps 6' fences from a stand still and ate all the kennels at the vets, ripped out towel racks and phone lines....all while semi-sedated!! This was new territory to me and I was completely green. The only thing I had going for me was that I knew she was mine. When I went to see her, she raised up on her back legs and gently put her paws on my shoulders and laid her head on me and sighed. She was mine!
Well, she's the most expensive free dog I've ever had. But worth every penny. I get comments all the time about what a wonderful dog she is and how was I that lucky? It was luck but also a ton of stubborness on my part.
I would definately recommend you read up on crate training, this helps a ton. It also gives the dog security knowing that it's crate is all their own. I don't allow children to play with them while they're in there and they crate themselves when tired or stressed. But the pyr is not for the novice owner. I was definately a novice, but have a dog persona and was always willing to learn. That's how I got to this point. I've dealt with over 2000 dogs and have learned so much from them....the biggest is that you're never done learning.
I don't feel the boston would suit your needs as their size is not an incredible deterrant. You also have preconcieved notions with a few of the breeds listed above that may cause problems for you. The bernese are wonderful as well. I have dealt with very few as they are rare in my part and expensive. Have you looked into rescues in your area? Look on the internet for breed specific rescues as well as non-specific. You can also look for pyr rescue out of state, because many have a transport system if you're not too far. But although they are lazy, they need to be exercised regularly. If it's used on a regular basis as a service animal, that will help a ton. Still take them places that are fenced where they can rome as they please for a while.
The best bet here would be contact breed specific rescues that you can physically go to and see the breed for yourself. You need to go several times to get a true feel for the breed. Don't be surprised though if one day a dog picks you....happens all the time. The funny thing is it's not usually what you'd expect it to be. Don't be intimidated by the rescue issues dogs may have. Most are very workable and if you're connected and also help them heal the abuse, it helps you heal and makes for a bond impossible to break.
Do you have any rescues near by or are people at the shelter nice enough to let you linger with the dogs for a time? You may also volunteer on the adoption side or just to walk them to get their exercise. The more you are around many dogs, the more of a feel you'll get for them and their body language...it will give you a huge advantage to not knowing these things. Never be in a hurry to find your dog. I know you want a dog to help you, but it is a lifetime commitment to the dog and if you don't have the proper bond, the service animal will not be as much to your liking and you probably won't work as well together.

I had a boston terrier before. He was VERY TINY, but VERY SCARY to certain strangers. However he was always very friendly to everyone out on the streets, expecially children. If there was a suspicious stranger coming at me or bothering me in some way thats when he would get tough. His bark sounded like the bark of a 500lb giant. (he was only 30lbs) lol. And his growl was amazing, he never barked or growled unless it was necessary, and he never bit.

I have checked the shelters around here, like I said they are mostly full of pitts, dalmations, and mutts.

Can you please help me with the laws for service dogs?

My landlord has been harrassing me trying to kick me out because of my service dog.

Do you have a "note" from your doc stating that it is in your best interest to have a service dog? It's hard for them to allow for something they can't see and many aren't aware of the protection provided by the ADA on service animals. You can look up the laws on the ADA web site, I don't have the address but you type in ADA service animal laws and it will pull everything from laws regarding renting rights w/ a SD, public use of an SD, etc. and what justifies a service dog. It's great information. He also needs a print out of the laws he's breaking and the penalties for them. If he's caught over a barrel, denying you a valid service animal he can be fined and in severe cases, serve some jail time.
Document each and every conversation you have with him regarding your service dog and what's the result of it....keep dates, times and exact info in a notebook small enough to keep with you in your purse or pocket and use it only for that purpose. This will document your case so it's more proof as to your claim of harassment.
Do you have any documentation stating it's a service dog or your reasons for it. You aren't supposed to have to disclose the nature of your disability, but in this case it may be necessary to keep him off your back.
Anyone who has a service animal....you are not allowed to be charged any pet deposits, extra monthly fees, etc. but you can be held accountable for the damage done.

I'm not under a doctors care anymore.(no insurance) But I do have his certifications and all that. They know the laws. And so do I. The thing is they are making false charges against me to try to get me kicked out. Saying that I was vandalizing their property, playing loud music, and that my dog was running loose and terrorizing the tenants. (none of these things are true!!) My dog is NEVER off leash. And at the time they say he was doing this he was with me!! Of course I did not vandalize any property but they claim they witnessed this!! (was while I wasn't even in the apartment complex!!)

Start documenting all of this....do you have any witnesses in the complex that would write statements to the contrary?? Be careful how you ask though, just ask them if they would write a letter of reference for you and your dog, if they ask why, tell them you may be moving and it's helpful to have those on hand for future referance. That way, they don't feel cornered. If they don't feel comfortable with it, say that's fine, be polite, and move on. That's the best way...then document all the comments or accusations that he sends your way and document when ever you leave, where your dog is (with you or at home), dates and times of his supposed accusations (I had to do this with my pyr because one of my neighbors kept turning me into animal control saying she barked all day and all night, so I kept a log of when she went out, when she came back in, and the animal control officer knows I never leave my animals out at night, with all this proof, the neighbor couldn't keep calling me in) and ask him for copies of the complaints lodged against you. There's a good chance you can prove he's harassing you in this way because he doesn't want your service dog there and is trying to get around the law by doing this stuff to you. He will be in just the same trouble as if he harassed you and your dog directly.
You can also call the ADA or ACLU and get them involved if necessary. They eat this stuff up, they don't like seeing a disabled person harassed, which is exactly what's happening.
Do you have any way to disprove any of the claims above yet?? What is he claiming you vandalized? Do you have proof of where you were at the time of the "vandalizm?" You need to tell him you want written documentation of each occurance or better yet, ask him for dates and write them down and ask again later to see if that changes. Liars don't fair well because they can't recall their lies and will eventually flub it up.
How long have you lived there and how long have you had the dog?? What breed is it???

I've had my dog for a year. I've lived here for two months. I am rarely here so nobody really knows me or my dog.

I dont have proof of where I was at during it, because they didn't write the time or the day.

My dog only barks when people come to my door OR stomp loudly on the ceiling or the sides of my walls. I know for sure that the mantinance man here has been doing this purposely in order to get him to bark. I do have other people who can write letters saying that he only barks when someone pounds on the door. (ive had several people come over to see if he was barking or not and each time theyve said he only barks if they A. knock on the door B. try to open the door)

Also, they don't have a recycling been here. So I have a couple of bins where I collect my recycling then I take it over to the school. Rather than throw hundreds of peices of paper/other recycled materials into the garbage. Well they said that it is "against health codes" I told them it is recycling and they are claiming it to be garabage: raw meat, old food, dog poop, and other unsanitary items. It is in fact only plastic, glass, and paper!!! I know several other people in the complex who also keep recycling bins out on their patios and they are not being harrassed.

The notice I got yesterday for vandalizing the building said "LAST NOTICE" "NEXT NOTICE WILL BE TENANT TERMINATION" I don't drive and this is right by my school. It is also the only apartment complex within a 3hour bus ride that I am able to afford.

Oh, sorry, you wanted to know the breed. My dog is a wonderful lab mix. The vets and trainers have guessed that he is mostly lab with possibly some newfoundland(a small newfoundland). However, he's not all that big. Only 60-70lbs.

This is ludicrous!!! They need to get a reality check. Since they can't get any more rude to you, tell them that you spoke with the ADA and they are calling you with the contact info for one of their lawyers and ask him who he would like them to contact or at which number.....he'll probably swallow his tongue! He needs to understand the severity of what he's doing. Just because it's not directed at the dog, doesn't mean it's not harassment of a disabled person.
Do you think the threat of an attorney would shut him up?? Talk to your neighbors that you're even somewhat friendly with and see what they have to say. If the barking is a problem, you can use a squirt bottle or rattle can to curtail it. If it's not severe, or is necessary for you to feel safe, then it should be fine, as long as it isn't way disruptful.
Make sure though to document times and places when you leave, where you go, etc. so the next time he makes a bogus claim, you can ask for a written notice of it, including the time, date, and offense. This should stop him once he's proven a liar. Just try to get as much evidence as you can before confronting him with the real evidence.

Honestly I dont associate with my neighbors. Most of them are drug dealers.

My landlords are not from america, they just moved here 3 years ago. They seem to have no respect for the laws.

I mentioned that the carpet they were supposed to fix when I first moved in had still not been fixed and that I stepped on a carpet tack and had to get a tetnis shot. They did not even apoligize for not fixing it. Was supposed to be done a month ago.

They are rude. Harrassing me, rather than taking care of real problems within the complex.
They have even said that since I am not blind I should not have a service dog!!!

Now they are saying that he has pooped in the laundry room! (i dont even use the complex laundry room) he has never been in there!!

I am so frusterated with all this.

You otta start looking for somewhere else to live. They sound awful and not worth fighting with. Not to be nosy, but were you placed there by a domestic violence shelter?? That's where most of my people come from...and it limits their ability to choose housing, mainly due to funds. What is your situation as far as being able to move or are you fighting so hard because this is the only place you can live right now? I also don't believe they can kick you out if it's contested..not sure, you'll have to talk to your local police or renters rights association. You may want to contact the police and lodge complaints with them on this harassment. Do you have any other options?

I don't drive so I have to be near my school. I can only work part time. Most apartments will only let you in if you make 3 times rent. This was the only place that would let me in with my income.

Talk to the student counselor at your school, you may be surprised at how much they can help you. They may also be required to help you mitigate this disability, even if it's moving....or they may be able to point you to someone who is reputable and will allow you an exemption in your situation. Do you have a school counselor or student advocate?? Do you recieve any type of state help or are you elligable for any?

Since I am able to work part time Im not eligable for any help from the state. I already talked to the school counselors and they werent much help.

I think I need a lawyer....

How would I go about contacting a lawyer or the ADA?