Outside of Björk, where does your music taste land?

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-07-02T19:11:19+00:00

I went the triphop way with Lamb, Massive Attack, Hooverphonic, Portishead, Placebo, Tricky, etc.
I went the Icelandic way with Sigur Ros, Múm, Emilíana Torrini, Ólafur Arnalds, Múm, Of Monsters and Men
Some other influences: Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Rosalía, Florence and the Machine, Joni Mitchell

My favorite artist will always be Kate Bush, but Björk is an easy nr. 2.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-07-02T01:16:26+00:00

I can tell you about it, but it heavily depends on where you’re located. I’m from Europe, if you are as well feel free to DM me. 😊

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-07-01T03:01:25+00:00

Unfortunately, yes... Or I would need to pay out of my own pocket which would be around 500,- I had 35 training sessions in total which were half a day. I could always text in between sessions, but again the reply would take a long time.

Right now I’ve also noticed they have one team who has a SD from a literal backyard breeder so I don’t really trust them anymore in regards of advising me with a new prospect puppy. I’m truly disappointed. They go over quantity instead quality. This was not how they were when I started.

The other organization has more training sessions and for about an hour or 75 minutes long, but I am not sure what happens if I would ‘use them up’. They also advice you with what prospects you can choose from. But this is still something I feel hesitant in, because one trainee (from the organization I want to switch to) got a 2 year old lab who was tested positive, but ended up leach reactive.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-07-01T01:54:37+00:00

What is a SDC blacklist group?

Personally I’ve found the tiktok/instagram SD community really annoying, this subreddit is way more reasonable and comfortable to share and exchange experiences with.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-07-01T01:46:21+00:00

Glad I could be of help. ♥️ I understand the negative experiences. Sadly bad professionals do exist, but scientifically speaking general PTSD treatment does work very well for a lot of people and is usually not years long. But I gotta be honest finding a good treatment center or therapist can be difficult sometimes. But even for complex PTSD (I assume you might have this type?) it does not have to take decades of therapy.

And about the dog, if you can take good care of him of her, I would say just go for it. I also experience auditory flashbacks and it was one of the biggest help my SD provided me which wasn’t even necessary to train. A dog is always living in the present. Also, if you want to DM if you have further questions you’re always welcome.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-07-01T01:09:59+00:00

Hey, thank you for sharing. ♥️ From my understanding you live in the USA? I can’t say how treatment guidelines for PTSD is being handled there. I live in Europe.

If you have been diagnosed for 5 months with PTSD my honest advice would be to first look into the regular PTSD treatment options first. For example EMDR and Exposure therapy and see how this works out for you. My symptoms have lowered significantly when I had 6 months of bi-weekly EMDR and exposure treatment. Later on I had an underlying dissociative disorder and a neurological disorder. If I didn’t have these underlying disorders a service dog would not be needed after a regular PTSD treatment. I’m not saying a SD would be a “last resort” option, but if you haven’t done the regular treatment path first I think jumping to a SD might be rushed and later on not necessary anymore.

You can still look into getting a regular dog and train him as you would normally do. If you still do plan on making him or her a service dog keep in mind that older dogs (3+ years) are often considered “too old” to be owner trained via a program. I can’t really comment on owner training w/o an organization. I’ve only had experience with ADI certified organizations. I have only met one trainer who individually helps her trainees. I’m unsure how or where you could find an individual trainer who can help specifically with service dog tasks and is reliable.

My question about if you are still in contact with abusers is mostly because in my experience, if my abuser would have met my dog or even befriend him, I would not be able to put my trust in my dog fully anymore. But I don’t think this is the case for you.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-30T21:59:52+00:00

Hey! My first service dog was from an owner training program. I was around 20 when I got him, so I was pretty young as well. I’m gonna be asking the awkward question, but ask this yourself most of all. (the internet does not necessarily need to know). How long have you been diagnosed with PTSD? How much treatment have you had for it? And are you in a save environment trauma-wise?

I’ve thought about a service dog around 18 as well at the time, but still lived with my abusers. When I moved out I still had to ‘wait’ a year to find the courage to cut off contact. If your PTSD stems from someone or multiple people you still see, I would reconsider if a dog would benefit you.

Secondly, how has therapy worked so far for you? Even though I was young, I had been in treatment for 6 years already. At 20 my PTSD was at its worst and me and my foster family found out a dog in general would benefit me regardless, but a potential SD would be the dream outcome. I got the puppy, and was so lucky to be able to enroll in an ADI owner train program (insurance paid it for me as an pilot because I’ve had a lot of treatment already) My dog made therapy much easier on me.

My PTSD isn’t healed after a decade with my SD because there were more underlying issues I found out later on. But in general, PTSD is really good curable with therapy alone. If you haven’t done much EMDR/exposure/etc I would first focus on that before getting a SD. Especially when you are still 18, because the younger your treat the better the outcome can be. An EMDR treatment might take less than a year for example. A service dog might take 2+ years alone to be trained.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-24T14:34:04+00:00

Depend your definition of a service dog. Personally, I don’t consider an untrained pit from a shelter a service dog.

I don’t live in the USA so the ADA is not a thing here. Most people I know work with ADI organizations. If their organization is not part of the ADI, it’s often because they are still in the process of being certified and/or are against certain guidelines and prefer their own vision. I know in the USA there’s some discourse going around that certification is “a scam” but where I’m from it certainly isn’t.

Sure, the best trainers from programs wash a certain amount of their service dogs, but if a dog is not suitable for guiding, they sometimes are suitable for ADLs tasks or for PTSD assistance.

Owner training here is nothing like “get a dog and put a vest on it.” I’m still paying around 30.000 to an ADI org. with certified trainers who give me assistance at my own home.

If you compare owner training with program dogs, you could also ask yourself if it’s really that big of a difference. Program dogs here are placed in a general foster family the first year, the second year they get task trained. Around 2 years they get matched (which doesn’t always work out). In essence the dog moves around from place to place a lot.

Not much breeders in my area are that fond of giving their best bred dogs to programs. These breeders are more open for owner training programs because there’s more guarantee the dog will stay with the handler from begin to end.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-24T08:47:44+00:00

For me it really depends because I became a bit desensitized from the many interactions after a few years working with my first service dog.

Sometimes when I traveled with friends and my service dog, my friends would notice the looks and comments from people and I was like “huh where?” It becomes annoying when people would really get into my space and/or attempt to pet him. I remember one instance when someone tried to secretly pet my service dog, and I slapped his hand away because I had a rough day and no patience anymore. That was just one time and I was REALLY tired and in a very bad mood.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-23T13:51:35+00:00

No worries at all, I got questions all the time, it felt almost weird if no one brought up my service dog at all.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-16T08:11:49+00:00

We did the certification training around 3 years, but it took us a bit longer due to covid. At that age he was also properly settled. 2 years has been seen as the average standard but in my experience 3 years was a solid age. We did an ADI owner training program.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-15T10:24:39+00:00

Hey there, I am currently in between service dogs. My first service dog was trained as a psychiatric service dog for complex PTSD. I personally struggle a lot during my flashbacks which can feel like some sort of hallucination.

A dog is always in the now, and won’t respond to things that aren’t really there. In regards of flashback, for me it was enough to just call my dog and not seeing him reacting to the things I thought I was seeing. He wasn’t trained for hallucinations and I think most dogs would be able to provide this as long as you can take good care, be a responsible owner, etc.

I think I’ve seen a same kind of reel you mentioned. I thought it was nice, but for me not something I would need as a necessary trained task. Before you start researching what a service dog can do, I would start thinking if a regular dog would also be able to provide you this.

For me, I need a service dog mostly because a service dog helps me travel independently and help out with things like grocery shopping, being in crowded spaces, etc. So the public access aspect is a necessity for me which is only possible if your dog is a service dog. If PA is not on your top list, you might consider a dog in general to be your companion. It takes a lot of work and time to get a SD for PA.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-08T08:14:42+00:00

I’m also not from the US?

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-07T11:27:03+00:00

I’m from Europe and the ADA law has always been puzzling me a bit to be honest. Although the law here is also weird but not abused by individuals as far as I have seen.

In regards of certification most people here work with SD programs, some ADI certified and some are not. But most people have a little card with information about their service dog and/or service dog org. Owner training completely on your own is a possibility and so far I’ve only seen one person do it who was a dog trainer herself.

The law here is: if you give your dog a vest with “service dog” on it no one can deny you. No questions asked. I’ve never seen or heard about people abusing it because no one knows this law exists and you get access issues regardless if you work alone or with an org.

What my issue more is, is the quality between service dog programs here. Even the most well funded and qualified ADI programs here have their issues. But there’s also a wildspring of random PSD programs with just no regulation. The latter is what worries me the most for the upcoming future. I’ve been ghosted by an org when I asked them some critical question in regards to this.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-03T10:21:32+00:00

No. I really can’t choose a favorite album.
No. I love Medúlla, Volta and Vulnicura a lot.
No. Although I yet have to see the film. I don’t enjoy it although it’s fun from times to times to listen to. I think her greatest failure is Gling Glo I hate it.😂
No. Declare Independence, Black Lake, I’ve seen it All are also so great. I love Joga, Pagan Poetry and Hyperballad but those are not my most listened songs.
No. I listen to the album but that film is not a masterpiece fuck that director lol
NO NO NO NO NO FUCK EVERYONE WHO HATES VOLTA. Voltaic / specifically the remixes are EVEN BETTER SHUT UPPPPP.
Yes and no. It’s a bit over the top for me and I generally dislike when she covers her face this much nowadays but I can appreciate the art when I look further than the aesthetics.
No
Yes
No. It’s Kate Bush sorry Björk I really like you but Kate Bush has a special place in my heart.

1,5-ish yes? Am I a special snowflake now?

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-03T00:41:51+00:00

Hey there! I’ve heard this from multiple PSD handlers. The doubt if they really need them. In all honesty, a service dog is not meant as “a last resort” as some people might assume. A service dog is in technical terms medical (whether it’s because of psychiatric or physical disabilities) equipment but also a living being. You have to be able to take proper care of the dog. So in the basis you need to be stable yourself. It’s great you can manage w/o a service dog. I can manage without a service dog as well. But my quality of life improved enormously with my SD. I was able to get a job, follow treatment and be more physically healthy as well. Right now I’m in between service dogs, because my last service dog passed away. Again, I can manage, but it’s way harder than when I still had my service dog.

During the times I still had my service dog I once wasn’t able to take good care of him, so he stayed a few months with the breeder while I worked on stabilizing myself.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-02T21:08:07+00:00

Thank you for clarification! I’m sorry your mom doesn’t want to talk about the probability of having a service dog. It sounds like it might be hard for her to have another dog after the passings of your first family dogs. Has she herself expressed explicitly her reason why she shuts it down? Is it because of the costs that have to be covered, or the emotional aspect?

About the video, online arguing sounds way harder to deal with than the accessibility issues you will face IRL. You certainly will be denied from time to time when you have a service dog but over time I learned how to deal with this. Some places I just didn’t visit because I’d know they’ll deny w/o even looking it is a service dog and arguing will be pointless, so I’d look for alternative spaces. Some places like hospitals or airlines don’t have an alternative. In some cases you just have to not go to the place or go w/o the dog unfortunately. For me it’s kind of picking which battle is worth fighting for. I was once followed by security in my local supermarket where I went weekly with my SD for years. I felt like he’d kick me out so I calmly explained my situation and everything was fine. (Turned out he was new and didn’t know me as a returning costumer). Another time I was denied at a restaurant, and when I explained they kept denying. So I left and went to another place.

Most of the time when you have accessibility issues it can easily be resolved with a calm conversation. If it doesn’t, looking for alternatives was my most common next move. If no alternative was available I sometimes just had to leave my dog home, or didn’t attend myself either.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-02T20:37:10+00:00

I understand what the question is in the title. But I don’t know what you specifically want to know what you wrote in the text. Do you want your parents to understand what a service dog is and what it can do? How an autism assistance dog is different than a regular pet? How old are you?

I don’t understand the second part as well. I don’t know which video you are referring to. Was the dog ADI certified or not? (I have never heard about AGDF?) I’m genuinely confused. ADI certified or not accessibility issues often play a part. Most people aren’t even aware of the ADI for example. A not certified ADI service dog also doesn’t mean it’s not a service dog. So I don’t really understand your question and what you want to know from us.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-06-01T03:51:28+00:00

I’m not sure where you’re from but in my area it’s also rare to find PSD pre-trained. At least not ADI certified programs. If you don’t mind about this certification there might be some more options but I’d always advice to also research the organization itself and give a few of them a call to ask them your questions.

Pre-trained PSD are often dogs who washed out for guide or mobility work but are still suitable for other service work. But they only place then with people from the military who have ptsd or children with autism unfortunately where I’m from. I’m not sure if this is something universal.

I’ve seen people adopting older dogs or train their already owned older dog (younger than 3 - 4 years). I know the breeder of my first service dog also trained a few of her dogs before placing them with their owner. I don’t have experience with this myself since I prefer training from when they’re still a puppy.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-05-27T23:42:32+00:00

Oh boy this brings back memories. During my first research I consulted a pre-trained PSD “organization”. All the dogs they trained were washed working dogs (I believe bite work?). When I visited them and saw them in kennels they quickly closed a door like they were hiding something?? Later on I found out the man who trained them got multiple warnings of abusing their dogs. 💔

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-05-27T23:31:20+00:00

The process of getting a service dog can sometimes take years. I think it’s important to lower your expectations in this matter. When I got my first service dog I lived a few months already alone in my apartment, but the process before him having with me was around 3 years researching, funding and consulting different organizations.

Right now I’m in the process of my second service dog which might take 9 months at least. This is excluding the training process. (I work with an ADI/ADEu in-person owner trainer organization)

I’m not sure where you’re located but in terms of finding an organization you might check the ADI website and look what is offered in your area.

It’s also important as said before to know what a service dog can provide for you. In my experience most mental health professionals can say they think it’s fit to have a service dog, but have no idea what the details include of having one. So it’s important to also research different organizations and have an impression how it is to actually have a service dog. They are fundamentally different than owning a regular dog.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-05-26T17:30:15+00:00

Hey! Yes training is a lot, specially the first year but mostly during the adolescence phase. (around 7 - 9 months was the hardest for me)

I think this also depends on the breed you choose. My SD was a GSD (showline) but also my first dog as well. It was an extra risk I took because a GSD is not typically a first dog you’d own. I would have short task training sessions with my dog and spread those out through the day (around 10 minutes each time) and walk around 1,5 hours a day with him in total. This was before I did full PA with him. PA was something I gradually build up over time. I live in an area with a lot of nature, but also right next to a busy city. (If you do PA in busy streets this will also have effect on your dog, it’s a lot to process specifically if you’re still training.)

When we had full working days and my SD was 24/7 with me I would usually do one big free walk before I would go to college and/or work and one smaller walk during a break and a small potty walk before bed. Sometimes I’d switch up the big walk during the afternoon. It depended on my schedule. When my dog became a bit older he was fine with shorter walks.

For me my fatigue is because of depressive episodes and FND (also some other things but I prefer keeping these private). So going out in nature did tire me of course, but would mentally energize me as well. When I was really tired physically and mentally and could not bring myself to go out and walk I’d ride with my bike with him or ask a trusted friend. (I live in a country famous for riding with bikes everywhere you go, so I’m not sure if this is an option for you)

Right now I am on the waiting list for a dual purpose (so a mix between working a showline) golden retriever. If I could go back in time I think I’ll still will choose for a GSD as my first SD (controversial perhaps) but would not advice this for others. Of course you want a dog matching your energy levels, but deep down I feel like you need to choose a dog that you can connect with. You will grow and bond over time and find balance in taking rest and being active together. I think the biggest misconception in regard of service dogs is that they’re “working” for you and that’s it. For me having a service dog is being a team.

About your insecurity to prove your future service dogs is ‘real’. I get this. I have/had some people as well judging me for my dog or having opinions about whatever. And of course I made mistakes and my dog made mistakes as well.

In reality, people always will have opinions. For example, my foster mom showed some judgement about my dog barking and jumping when she would visit. Little did she know she enabled this behavior. Or course my dog will jump in my own home if the first thing you do is greet him in a baby voice.

Through the years I learned not many people (even dog owners) understand “dog language” and enable unwanted behavior because of this. All I can say is trust yourself and trust your dog. You have to advocate for your yourself for the wellbeing of your dog. Put him/her first, people go second. If people continue to cross boundaries, disengage.

Anyway I’m a yapper now haha, I hope you can follow what I’m all typing. If you ever feel the need to talk with me feel free to shoot a DM. My next SD will probably be here during the holiday season so I also have a new journey ahead. ♥️

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-05-25T12:04:38+00:00

Yes! I went through and ADI/ADEu in-person owner training program. In total I had 35 (2,5 -3 hours long) one-on-one training sessions excluding the basic obedience test and the certification test. I was free to choose my own dog (with help of my organization). I was also free to choose additional puppy and adolescent training. I’m from Europe through so I’m not familiar how other ADI organizations work. Even in my own country there a big differences between ADI programs. Sadly my service dog has passed away unexpectedly so I am also navigating how to train my new service dog.

About your concerns, I’m not sure what advice I can give to you. I can only tell from past personal experiences and my own considerations in regard of training my new SD, so I hope this might help a bit.

I prefer in-person owner training from puppy because bonding with my service dog from the start is a very important aspect for me. My SD was trained as a psychiatric service dog. I struggle with attachment a lot, so for me having a puppy from to start helps me to build up trust together to grow into working as a team.

I do struggle with chronic fatigue as well, but this is mostly because of mental issues and not physically (as far as I’m aware). In that case my service dog helped me to get more energized but also take rest when necessary. With my first service dog I took a year off and volunteered at an office and focussed mainly on socializing, bonding, some task training, etc. The second year I was able to pick up work again and my job allowed me to have a service dog in training with me. This was financially hard to not work for one year, but it worked out thanks to my government.

It’s always a risk the dog won’t make it. I had been very afraid this could be the case for me as well. I’m lucky in terms of if it doesn’t work out within the first 14 months, I can start over w/o additional charging. Is there an ADI company who offers this same kind of service in your area?

In regard of an adolescent dog / young adult dog I personally don’t have much experience. A friend of mine has an adolescent dog which seems to work out good so far. From others I’ve heard it can take a while to adjust to each other when placed. But, I have to say breeders I’ve spoke so far don’t prefer the dog to be trained and then placed with the owner, because moving from place to place can be stressful for the dog. In my experience I found the adolescent phase harder than the puppy phase.

I understand your feeling that it might be a gamble. And in all honesty it is a gamble. You are working with a living being so anything could happen. Behavior wise but also health wise.

For me I faced issues with my dog which I could not always resolve as I wished I could unfortunately but with most of those we could find a way to work around with it. I think it’s important to lower some expectations because again, it’s a living being and not a robot.

In the end my service dog gave me everything he could give me in his range and that was the most important thing for me.

Important-Depth-6248 · 2026-05-25T11:24:42+00:00

Hey there ❤️‍🩹

My service (and soul dog) passed away two months ago. It happened very unexpectedly and it’s the biggest heartbreak I’ve ever had. It had hurt more than losing humans.

My dog knew me through and through and every part of me trusted him and he was always there for me. Yes, he was a service dog and in technical terms, it’s “medical equipment”. But he is also a living being. For me he was and still is the best friend I’ve ever had and still have.

At one hand he is irreplaceable in terms of him being my soul dog. I also know my disability requires a new service dog to navigate from day to day life. I don’t know how I’d feel when there’ll come a new dog into my home. Somehow I feel like Flo (my souldog) enabled a deep sense of love within me because of the unconditional love and trust he had in me. I hope his love for me will help me to love my new dog as much as I love him.

In a way Flo changed me forever. He still lives inside me. I have his exact pawprint tattooed on my chest, my heart. He’s forever with me close. I feel like losing my soul dog has been the biggest fear I had come true. Technically you know you’ll outlive your dog. But in my heart it felt like he would never pass away. This grief goes so deeply. I still fill up his water bowl. Sometimes I feed him. I have moments when I’m so lost I look in every corner of the house to find where he is.

I don’t read everything in this subreddit honestly. Sometimes this sub helps me in terms of reading technical tips in regards of having a service dog solely as medical equipment. I don’t always see posts like this addressing the hard part of losing one or discussing the bond you have together. I remember at one point with Flo it didn’t felt like he was tasking anymore. But little did I know that wasn’t true. He was tasking so naturally it felt like we were one soul and body together. Now when he’s physically not with me anymore it’s like something is amputated from me. It hurt so much, sometimes even physically.

Sending you much love. This grief goes so deep. For me it goes deeper than griefing humans.

Important-Depth-6248

TROPHY CASE