Assistance Dog at Uni

I’m sorry I know this isn’t what you asked but I’ve got ADHD and literally nothing has helped me more than my dogs. But they’re at home and I’m an international student. What’s your experience been like having a dog for ADHD? I worry bc my executive dysfunction is awful (as is my fatigue and overwhelm) so I worry about whether I’d really be able to handle the responsibility if I can’t even take care of myself. But at the same time nothing motivates me more than looking after someone/something that specifically isn’t me. What’s your experience been? Do you have any help/support with looking after your dog?

Hi, I have both ADHD and Autism so my brain is a general mess of conflicting messages/desires. I originally got a dog for my autism and he will be trained specifically to do tasks to help mitigate the issues/negative effects of my autism. However, he has also helped my ADHD too, especially with executive function and inability to transition between tasks, becoming 'stuck'. For example, he wakes me up in the morning in a way that actually successfully gets me up, but without causing overstimulation or anger. At the moment I live at home with my parents which is helpful as if I really need it, they are there to help, mainly my mum. We have two family dogs who my mum mostly looks after as well as myself, so frequently my dog gets fed by my mum instead of me. Having said that, I do most of the looking after him myself. It is very rare that anyone except myself takes him out (for example right now I am away for a few days, but I did get up and take him out the morning of the day I left, though I could just have easily not had the motivation to do so and he would have been just fine.) and when I'm ill he simply doesn't go out. I think the most important thing is having the dog used to sitting around and 'doing nothing', i.e. sleeping/playing with a toy as it's less stressful for them when they inevitably have to. If you're struggling to look after yourself, depending on the extent, it will probably be quite difficult to look after a dog too, and that can come with a lot of guilt even if you're looking after them just fine. As you say though, it can be a lot easier to look after another animal than yourself (motivation wise). Is there a possibility you can give it a go for a short period of time, maybe even when you're home and just try out being solely responsible, so that if it was too hard you had someone there to take over? I think it's worth a try because they can be so helpful. Would you get a dog trained specifically for your needs? Which could include having a temperament that was easier to handle. There are also many ways to make caring for them easier, such as meal preping their food and having mental stimulation games ready. So long as on the days you had more motivation you took them out and gave them more stimulation, having an inconsistent life that isn't always following a routine isn't terrible so long as it's balanced well enough, even if that balance happens over a month rather than a day/week. It is hard though, I won't downplay that, it's a lot of motivation. Sorry this is so long, I hope it's helpful in some way.

That’s honestly such a helpful response. Thanks. I’m an international student, that’s kind of the problem so like it would be wholly independent. When I’m at home I’m essentially off school so it’s so different.. tbf I haven’t even talked to anyone about this so it’s not like it’s gotten that serious with the whole getting a dog thing.. but I get what you mean about the waking up in the morning thing - I struggle so much with mornings! I’ve got depression and social anxiety too and my dogs are so so helpful with that. Like when I’m at home I do most of the dog stuff - it’s just walks which are tough bc I’ve got back issues atm and there’s the anxiety and overwhelm I get. Ugh I don’t know what to do. I wish there was a way to even get to spend time with a dog at uni you know? Also, how are you going about registering your dog? I thought the UK (annoyingly) didn’t recognise Emotional Support or Psychiatric Assitance Animals? Or have I misunderstood everything?

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with different universities with assistance dogs. I'm planning on bringing my assistance dog when I go to uni and I have looked at some of the policies different unis have. He is not currently registered as with a charity part of the ADUK (As by law he doesn't need to be) however I do plan to register him with one closer to the time, once I am satisfied with his training.

If anyone could share their experiences with different universities in the UK, and how accommodating you found them, that would be great!

TYIA!