Companion Dog?

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I have a service lizard and a letter from the phycatrist when people give me trouble.

I think it makes sense to have a service dog; but not really to have a Chihuahua. As has been mentioned, they're small, but they also tend to be rather nervous, and however many of them Paris Hilton lugs around in her purse, they really aren't the best to be dragging into all sorts of environments. If you want a small breed, though, there are calm ones--individual dogs, generally, and often mixed breeds. Maybe, for that matter, a Chihuahua mix.

It's up to you, though, whether you want a small dog--which will look less like a service dog, but will be easier to carry into public places without much comment--or a large dog, which will look more like a service dog, but may garner the usual "But you don't look disabled!" comments.

Try and see whether having a dog at home will help you. Many people don't really need full-on psychiatric service dogs; an emotional support animal that stays at home, or goes places where they allow pets, is enough to help them. Personally, my cats perform that function--and are lately even learning some small service-related tasks, like getting me up in the morning (they know that I'll feed them when I do get up), or in Tiny's case, climbing into my lap if I'm stuck doing one thing and can't figure how to transition out... how he knows I'll never figure out; maybe it's just that if I get stuck long enough he'll climb on eventually, so it could be a coincidence... Anyway, I could never take my cats out in public; they'd hate it and I don't particularly need it. Who knows; you mightn't need to go through all the rigmarole of getting a dog that can go into public places with you--you might just need a good companion to come home to.

I'm having another attack and getting a headache from it too.
I've been talking with one of my roommates about if I got a dog she would be fine with it and I believe my room roommate is fine with it too. Its just the manager/lanlord we would have to talk to and everything.
I'm just freaking now about nothing !!UGH!! I just got to breathe now.

Here are some sites I finally found:
http://www.bazelon.org/issues/housing/infosheets/fhinfosheet6.html
http://www.mentalhealthdogs.org/EMOTIONALSUPPORTDOGS.html
http://www.nsarco.com/emotionalsupportanimals.html

My friends say this is a good idea for me and they say that I should do it, but I can't get my parents to go with it.
They say I can't take care of an animal and so refuse to talk about it with me

Can you take care of an animal? I mean, have you ever done it and succeeded at it, or done something very similar? I guess your parents would have the right to protest if they figured they were going to be the ones getting the extra chores.

I can take care of animals, I just didn't do it all the time as in my parents would take care of the animals too and they never just left me to do it all on my own without interfering. I've grown since I had my cat that I had around 3 years ago before she was put to sleep due to age and I was feeding my fish before he died, my mom was supposed to show me how to clean the tank, but would always take over and do it without me. If I'm shown how to take care of something I can. I know if I can't I will not rely on my parents to take care of the animal and I'd find a home for it if something would come up were I couldn't take care of it anymore.

Okay- are they in denial about your deficits? I mean they are pushing to take you off medicine, which they have no business doing, and they wont even entertain a service animal. Are they proposing anything to take the place of the meds? Are they looking into a behavioral therapy or vocational rehab? Or are they trying to remove all help in hopes you will suddenly become NT?

I really don't mean to attack you or your parents, but as i read this thread I get the impression that they are trying to take away all your lifelines and send you off to school. It isn't like you are like all the other 21 year olds. You still need help. No offense- many of use here do too!

One of my roommates was saying something similar to what you were saying.
I just don't know for sure why they won't let me do this to try and help.
The only thing I know they fear is they'll get stuck with taking care of the animal in the end.

I went to the Animal Resuce Leauge just for the heck of it and by the end broke down in tears due to the dog I played with starting to cry as I left.
His a Blue Heeler/Dachshund and I just fell in love with him.
I wish everything would turn out.

Thanks LostAlien.
I do live away from my parents on the weekdays and occasionally don't come home on the weekends to stay at the apt.
I hope the dog is still there, cause his so wonderful. His a little smaller then medium I'd say in size.
Supposedly I'm going to get to talk with my parents today after my math class around 2pm here.
I hope its a good thing and that I can make them understand how this can help.
I've been emotionally drained and tired since yesturday and I've only gotten 4 hours asleep (my own fault cause a friend was at the hostpital and I wanted to make sure they got back safe).

I notice people have mentioned caring for a dog, such as feeding it and letting it out to go to the toilet, but as a volunteer dog walker for the elderly, I'm a bit disappointed that no-one has mentioned walking the dog!

Not only will walking be necessary and good for the dog, but it will improve your own physical and mental health tenfold.

Most dog owners don't exercise their pets nearly enough, and most that do, grossly under-exercise them. I have a medium sized dog and take her out for a walk three times a day; 2 x 20 minutes and 1 x 1hour. I also play in the garden with her for 20-40 minutes most days. And the above routine is the minimum. A lot of days she gets 2.5 hours exercise.

You mention not being able to sleep. I too have a history of anxiety and insomnia. But since I've had a dog and been walking her every day, the only time I could not sleep was when I had a monster cold and could hardly breathe one night. I sleep beautifully and my blood pressure is greatly reduced.

My usual aches and pains are also history (though I think I'm old enough to be your mum) but regular exercise will regulate your heart's health too, as people with anxiety have too much adrenalin and need exercise to use it up.

Also eating a sensible diet (lower sugar and fat - higher fruit and veg) and doing gentle stretches in the evening will help reduce stress. Although they will be much more beneficial if you walk regularly.

Best of luck. It's horrible having anxiety and panic attacks. I hope you find a solution.

Thanks
I hope this gets worked out and things greatly improve.