Service Dogs For Sleep Apnea?

[OceanGoingGal]

Hi!! I have a question for you ll. I was reading about a woman who claims she needs a service dog for her sleep apnea. Most feel she is saying this as a way to take her pet onboard a cruise ship. Has anyone ever heard of this?

Laura

[chunkyfrog]

Dogs have done some amazing things with respect to their masters' health.
I would imagine the dog would need to be certified,
and a doctor's letter of medical necessity would be needed;--if an airline were involved.
But a cruise company in international waters could just oblige a favored customer on a whim, and give any old excuse.
--Just my half-baked opinion.

[OceanGoingGal]

Thanks Chunky. The cruise line has to check the dogs credentials for it to be allowed onboard. This is not a client of mine. I found the question posted by the head cruise director/brand ambassador for Carnival Cruise Lines. I am seeing a lot of replies that indicate that most passengers will not be tolerant of this dog being allowed anywhere but the guest's cabin. I was wondering of there were any circumstances in which this dog would need to be with the guest other than bed time. Interesting question to be sure.

Laura

[JohnBFisher]

... Dogs have done some amazing things with respect to their masters' health. ...

Mine will wake me if I fall asleep on the sofa. He apparently does not like the snoring. I reward him (praise him) when he does awaken me. So, it won't be too long before I have what's known as a Medical Alert dog (a type of service dog).

But I would not use that as an excuse to take a dog as a service dog. There is a LOT of training needed for a dog to be a service dog. They really must be pretty extraordinary. (Well mannered. Well trained. Very patient. Very focused.)

... I would imagine the dog would need to be certified, ...

Actually, in the USA, there are NO certification requirements. This is governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act:

http://www.deltasociety.org/page.aspx?pid=303

Some states try to put certification demands on it .. but federal law trumps state law. And there is specifically no certification needed for a service dog.

Outside the USA .. that's a different story. There certification may well be needed and is not easy to obtain. It depends on the law of the particular country.

... and a doctor's letter of medical necessity would be needed;--if an airline were involved. ...

Again, no. That is NOT needed. This is governed by the Air Carrier Access Act:

http://www.deltasociety.org/page.aspx?pid=492#Air

However, as I've noted the service dog must be pretty exceptionally trained to handle a flight. If for some reason the service dog starts to act up (growls, snaps, etc), then the airline can bar the team from flying.

In general, to quote the Delta Society informational brochure:

If a person wants to bring their dog into a public place, the only questions allowable are, “Is that a service dog?” and, “What task does s/he perform?”

Which can be found at:

http://www.deltasociety.org/document.doc?id=1060

The same questions can be asked about a dog that travels with you. In no instance is certification required or adequate.

... But a cruise company in international waters could just oblige a favored customer on a whim, and give any old excuse. ...

Agreed. But they do all the hard working teams a disservice if they declare a poorly trained dog as a service dog.

Hope that helps.

[JohnBFisher]

... The cruise line has to check the dogs credentials for it to be allowed onboard. ...

Not sure what laws would prevail. But in the USA, no credentials exist or are required (see my previous statement). Since they go into international waters and may sail under the registry of another country, those foreign laws might prevail. In which case, certification MIGHT be required. Since there is no common certification system within the USA, that might make life interesting for a passenger with a service animal.

The following section might be appropriate:

http://www.deltasociety.org/page.aspx?pid=492#OutsideUS

It specifically notes:

Well before your trip, contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country you will visit. Request the regulations that apply to you and your service animal, and the requirements you will have to meet for entry and access. Include all ports of call for cruises or tours. Be aware that some requirements must be completed months before you plan to depart, and some countries do not accept service animals at all.

Hope that helps.

[BlackSpinner]

Hi!! I have a question for you ll. I was reading about a woman who claims she needs a service dog for her sleep apnea. Most feel she is saying this as a way to take her pet onboard a cruise ship. Has anyone ever heard of this?

Laura

Other then waking you up if you take off your mask or fall asleep without it, I can't see the point of it.

Watching that you don't stop breathing without using your cpap machine? Totally useless you are still sleep deprived.

[ServiceDogTrainer]

If a doctor prescribed this person with needing a service animal I am sure one could be trained to perform some type of function that is needed by its owner. I'm not really sure what the symptoms of Sleep Apnea are so I can't say if it is legit or not. Service Dog Certification is not required by ADA but as John stated this would only cover the United States. Other countries do require the animal to be certified. I would definitely like to see the US take this same type of approach to leave the guess work out of who needs the service animal and who is just trying to get their pet on board with them. I've talked about this a lot in my blog. http://www.servicedogcertificationtips. ... -necessary

[jen4700]

Does she use a CPAP machine? I agree...I don't understand what the do will do for her. Maybe it's a therapy dog for companionship?

[BlackSpinner]

If a doctor prescribed this person with needing a service animal I am sure one could be trained to perform some type of function that is needed by its owner. I'm not really sure what the symptoms of Sleep Apnea are so I can't say if it is legit or not. Service Dog Certification is not required by ADA but as John stated this would only cover the United States. Other countries do require the animal to be certified. I would definitely like to see the US take this same type of approach to leave the guess work out of who needs the service animal and who is just trying to get their pet on board with them. I've talked about this a lot in my blog. http://www.servicedogcertificationtips. ... -necessary

Obstructive sleep apnea means you stop breathing anywhere from 15 to over 70 times per hour. A cpap machine keeps you breathing, the pressure keeps your throat open. Having a dog wake you up 15 to 70 times per hour does not provide restful sleep required by the body and mind. It might prevent oxygen desaturation, maybe.

[portiemom]

I don't quite understand the statement of service dogs not having any regulations in the USA. My Portuguese Water Dogs, and Mini Schnauzers are registered therapy dogs with Therapy Dogs International TDI, they must pass a vigorous test, and they MUST also have a Canine Good Citizens Certificate CGC, both of these tests require a state licensed examiner to give the tests and both must issue a license, and certificate respectively.
I still do not see how they would be in service for sleep apnea, due to the fact that they can NOT time breathing cessation, so the duration of an event would be a moot point.

[NateS]

Fake Service Dogs
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbu ... -dogs.html

http://www.guidedogsofthedesert.com/Use ... nators.pdf
http://www.guidedogsofthedesert.com/Use ... nators.pdf

Abuse of the Assistance Dog Concept Hurts All of Us
http://www.brainthunders.com/new-posts/ ... all-of-us/

People Who Abuse The Service Dog System
http://www.prodoggroomingsupplies.com/d ... hp?t=59814

[NateS]

Another interesting page about both sides of the issue:

Florida's Service Animal Laws
http://www.floridaanimallaw.com/2007/08 ... -laws.html

and also this video:

Abuse of service dog laws uncovered
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/specials/13o ... RONTPAGE|t

Nate

[Gerald?]

Visions of large big cheeked bloodhound standing over you at night blowing in your mouth to act as a splint whenever you stop breathing. Just give him a mint before bed and Shazam! the ultimate APAP, BiPaP, humidifier and mask all-in-one!

So much easier.

Mask is only applied when needed.
DME just sends you dog food once a month. Probably end up getting sent 3 brushes and 4 leads a month.
For DME compliance data, just a few barks down the phone.
Howls when your O2 falls below 80%
Don't have to worry about power failures or batteries.
Have to take your APAP for a walk every day so it makes you exercise too.
Still have to clean your APAP once a week but no vinegar.
Still have to top off water daily but it doesn't need to be distilled.
Problems with cats attacking APAPs is probably worse, but you get an alarm to let you know when it is happening.
Does not look as scary as a normal APAP to your partner, but actual operation probably slightly more difficult to sell.
10+ year estimated life span.
Leaks have to be managed but don't affect your therapy.
Still need pursleep.

I'm sure there are lots of other improvements...

[NachtWürger]

Good Gerald!

[JohnBFisher]

... I don't quite understand the statement of service dogs not having any regulations ...

It means literally that. There are more regulations for Therapy Dogs than for Service Dogs. The ADA does not address Therapy Dogs. It does not address Service Dogs in training. It only addresses people with disabilities and their right to have a Service Animal.

In the case of Therapy Dogs the various dog owner groups and venues where they are used decided on a set of standards to make them as successful as possible. And in all honesty Service Dogs should be able to pass the same tests.