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Can Cats Be Considered A Service Animal?

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Tampa, FL
September 12
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Bipolar Disorder and Epilepsy: What’s the Connection? Read Article...
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I had a black cat named Buddy (RIP; he died September 12, 2020, when he was 11). Buddy could detect my Complex-Partial Seizures and Simple-Partial Seizures even though he wasn't trained! He would even become a deadweight on my legs when I had Simple-Partial Seizures. However, he didn't become a service animal.

I now have a Miniature Poodle named Rose; I'm training her to be a service dog. Rose detects my Complex-Partial Seizures; however, she doesn't detect my Simple-Partial Seizures. For example, I was watching "Becker" and had a Simple-Partial Seizure while watching it. Rose did not react since I only smelled raw sewage and turned red in the face; I have an overwhelming sense of fear when I have Complex-Partial Seizures (I also can't speak when I have this type; at least I can speak when I have Simple-Partial Seizures).

September 13 (edited)
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Buddy

September 13
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I know cats can be considered service animals since. I don't know what the rules are for service animal. I know my friends wife has one for depression. Also, I was asked by the service dog training camp if I wanted a service dog until they find a seizure alert dog for me. The reason I believe they asked me that is because of the affection I told my service dog, that recently passed away, gave me and I believe that it mostly helped me.

September 12
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Cats can be registered as emotional support animals, which provide comfort and support, but they cannot legally function as service animals like trained dogs can. Only dogs and miniature horses are recognized as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). That said, cats can still provide meaningful Show Full Answer

Cats can be registered as emotional support animals, which provide comfort and support, but they cannot legally function as service animals like trained dogs can. Only dogs and miniature horses are recognized as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). That said, cats can still provide meaningful support and comfort for someone with epilepsy. Having an emotional support cat may help ease anxiety, loneliness, depression and provide a sense of purpose. But emotional support animals do not have the same legal access rights as service dogs.

September 12

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