IAmA mentally disabled PhD student who relies on the assistance of a psychiatric service dog, AMA

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Regardless of what you think, it's the law. It's an issue of severity. If your depression limits your life functions in a major way, it is a disability whether you accept that label or not.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Thanks for the sound advice.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

True story.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

You go, (girl/boy)friend!

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Sprinkles. Rainbow, preferably.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

I hope not, that sounds kinda cruel (trading dogs like baseball cards). His bloodline has had no traces of it and I think they got both of his parents hips certified (somehow? I'm not familiar with that process).

LordBeefcake · 4 months

He loves Frisbee/fetch. It's good exercise AND training for him (listen to commands, paying attention, etc.)

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Is your humanity collection next to your stamp collection?

LordBeefcake · 4 months

You would have to have allergies so bad that they qualify as a disability, and your university would have to make accommodations for the both of you (somehow). If you have super bad allergies and it ever becomes a problem, talk to your student disability office and let them know so that they can make arrangements as soon as an issue comes up. Otherwise you'd be stuck trying to prove yourself and get all the documentation in order AFTER it's already become a problem. See what I'm saying? Hope that helps.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

(Knock Knock) (Who's there?) (Boo) (Boo who?) (Don't cry, it's only a joke!)

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Thanks for posting. My symptoms were much worse in the religious environment; I was trying to appease a perfect god by being perfect myself. I simply couldn't hold myself up to the standards that I and everyone else around me had set for me. As the saying goes, you can't please everyone so you got to please yourself. Once I held myself to my own standards, things got much easier. Pot doesn't do anything for me. I don't have anything against it, it just makes me tired and hungry and that's about it. I can take melatonin for that ;-)

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Not yet. People get really ansy/nervous around folks with disabilities (at least I've noticed). People are quick to get out of my way, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on the situation.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

No, we're talking about doggies, not pussy cats. You know, bark bark, etc.?

LordBeefcake · 4 months

No, but I don't really care. PETA is awful. Plus Leo seems to like the work (those breeds do better with a "job," keeps them active)

LordBeefcake · 4 months

I want a PhD to prove to myself that I could become part of an intelligent elite despite my disadvantages, and that I could look back on a huge accomplishment and say I made it. I am concerned that finding a job will be hard, or worse, that I'll get hired out of sympathy. Hopefully my credentials can speak for themselves.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Personally? Not gonna happen. Cats aren't wired to work with us the same way dogs are.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Only a judge can decide if you are disabled. I have "evidence" that I am disabled (therapy notes, testimony, etc.), but you'd have to go to court to be declared disabled (usually as a result of someone suing you or something, I don't know). In a nutshell, my psychiatrist signed off on it.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

I can't objectively say, since I've never watched myself have a conversation. My gf says no, that I tend to hype up my social anxiety. When I am at my weakest though (tired, bad day emotionally, etc.), it's easier for people to tell that something's more off than usual. When I told my department, no one had a clue (though they said it did explain a few things, e.g., my sensitive nature, my passion, my mannerisms, etc.)

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Yes, lots and lots of kisses.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

I got him from a breeder. Thanks for the comment!

LordBeefcake · 4 months

French Vanilla. Boring I know, but I can't help it.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Check out the breeds, check out the breeders, have a plan for what kind of dog and what tasks you want the dog to do. Get some knowledge on training a dog and all the requirements that go along with it. I think what you're doing will be awesome.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

I'm his owner, handler and trainer, so he'll be with me for the rest of his life. I did have some concerns...leash and potty training was a bit difficult with him (i.e., how can he help me with my PTSD if he keeps shitting in the house???). But that subsided over time as I got to know how great of a dog he is.

LordBeefcake · 4 months

Both. It forces me to face my social anxiety head on. For the most part, it's been overwhelmingly helpful. Most people that want to talk to me love dogs, so that's a plus.

LordBeefcake

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