my husband is a firefighter. I am in nursing school. I get anxiety when he is gone (he is gone quite a bit ) and I can't sleep. It's really wearing me down.
L.s.s. I'm getting a dog but would like to make it an emotional support dog. If course, this dog would not actually go to work with me or to school with me . It would go lots of other places though.
Question:::
when applying for a job, can anyone look up medical info and discriminate against me for having an emotional support dog ?
If I didn't tell the hospital I applied at, would there be any way for them to find out prior to hiring me ?
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Hello!
my husband is a firefighter. I am in nursing school. I get anxiety when he is gone (he is gone quite a bit ) and I can't sleep. It's really wearing me down.
L.s.s. I'm getting a dog but would like to make it an emotional support dog. If course, this dog would not actually go to work with me or to school with me . It would go lots of other places though.
Question:::
when applying for a job, can anyone look up medical info and discriminate against me for having an emotional support dog ?
If I didn't tell the hospital I applied at, would there be any way for them to find out prior to hiring me ?
No you cannot be discriminated against fro have a ESD, or cat or turtle for that matter. You also don't have to spend a lot of money on a specially trained dog. You can save the life of a shelter or rescue dog and register it with the National Support Dog association - You will need a doctors note as to why you need the dog. I believe having your dog registered caost $75.00 and comes with a little vest for your dog to wear in public saying Support Dog at work.
I have 2 dogs. My husband is permanently away, having died of cancer. My dogs have no official title, but they are my most loyal friends.
When I return home, I drive into the attached garage and fetch the dogs from the laundry room where they have a doggie door and nice set up. We greet each other, then enter the house together. They do make me feel much more secure. They aren't small dogs.
I think you should just get a dog. Maybe get another pet to keep it company while you're gone. If you need to hire a dog walker sometimes, do it.
Why do you need a dog to go to a coffee shop? Either meet a friend or take your smartphone and post on Facebook or Allnurses like the rest of us.
Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.
The comments above that an emotional support animal is not a service animal under Federal law are spot on. The Feds have said only dogs and miniature horses qualify as service animals that must be reasonably accommodated. No more support pigs, birds or lizards. State law may differ.
This to me seems like a way for someone to try and legally take a dog into public places because they don't want to leave it home.
You have separation anxiety from him going to work? There is a much bigger issue here. Nobody is going to hire someone that needs to bring a dog to work with them. Get some therapy and a regular dog to keep you company. And it does not need to come to the stores with you. People who are blind or have terrible seizures need one with them. I eve saw one with a guy because it could detect when he was going to have a heart attack. These are life-threatening situations. Separation anxiety is not, I'm sorry. There is a huge difference here. And I'm not putting down any kind of mental illness, yours is just not life-threatening.
This to me seems like a way for someone to try and legally take a dog into public places because they don't want to leave it home.
You have separation anxiety from him going to work? There is a much bigger issue here. Nobody is going to hire someone that needs to bring a dog to work with them. Get some therapy and a regular dog to keep you company. And it does not need to come to the stores with you. People who are blind or have terrible seizures need one with them. I eve saw one with a guy because it could detect when he was going to have a heart attack. These are life-threatening situations. Separation anxiety is not, I'm sorry. There is a huge difference here. And I'm not putting down any kind of mental illness, yours is just not life-threatening.
I have a cat that can detect and alert me if my O2 sats or blood sugar are too low. If Im asleep she knows to wake me. She taught herself this somehow and has never failed. She went nuts on me the night I woke up(she was being annoying) and my blood sugar was 47
No, the hospital should not be able to find out if you arent broadcasting it (with the exception of the hiring manager seeing you with the dog at the coffee shop and the dog is wearing something that says "support animal"). They also cannot look up your medical info to find out if you have a diagnosis of something like anxiety. And I would keep things like that as private as you possibly can when it comes to your career.
If you feel that an emotional support animal would help you, then more power to you and nevermind what others say. People can be unkind when it comes to things like anxiety, so no wonder so many people are afraid to talk about it. I'm not sure if the "rules" for them differ from state to state, but as far as I know you need a letter from a doctor. Perhaps the doctor would have some other recommendations for you as well, like a PRN anxiety med just in case. Good luck to you.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
No, the hospital should not be able to find out if you arent broadcasting it (with the exception of the hiring manager seeing you with the dog at the coffee shop and the dog is wearing something that says "support animal"). They also cannot look up your medical info to find out if you have a diagnosis of something like anxiety. And I would keep things like that as private as you possibly can when it comes to your career.
If you feel that an emotional support animal would help you, then more power to you and nevermind what others say. People can be unkind when it comes to things like anxiety, so no wonder so many people are afraid to talk about it. I'm not sure if the "rules" for them differ from state to state, but as far as I know you need a letter from a doctor. Perhaps the doctor would have some other recommendations for you as well, like a PRN anxiety med just in case. Good luck to you.
I have anxiety, depression & epilepsy. If she has not gone through the proper channels to get the help she needs first, why does she really need the support animal?
If after she sees a therapist, is put on medication & a psychiatrist still believes she needs one, that is different.
I have anxiety, depression & epilepsy. If she has not gone through the proper channels to get the help she needs first, why does she really need the support animal?
If after she sees a therapist, is put on medication & a psychiatrist still believes she needs one, that is different.
I have epilepsy, too, but I don't have convulsions. (yet? Scary thought that this progresses.) I've been thinking if I reach that point, I may consider a service animal. Have you looked into getting one?
hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I
4 Articles; 5,212 Posts
No you cannot be discriminated against fro have a ESD, or cat or turtle for that matter. You also don't have to spend a lot of money on a specially trained dog. You can save the life of a shelter or rescue dog and register it with the National Support Dog association - You will need a doctors note as to why you need the dog. I believe having your dog registered caost $75.00 and comes with a little vest for your dog to wear in public saying Support Dog at work.
Hppy