Fair Housing Act- Family would like a dog.

[dethlyhallows]

Hello,
Me and my family currently live in an apartment complex- which I believe is owned by the government - and we just recently thrown the idea of owning a dog. We are in front of the river, there is a park in the middle of the complex, as well as a river walk and close to a whole bunch of trees . Since here in MMO-C everything is really annonymous and I do trust some of the community, I will put everything that has happened and why we need one. Since August until November, my sister was being rapd by a much older man than her(mid 30's) and ever since then she has NEVER been the same person. She is always irritated, mean, bitchy. Before, she never raised her voice to her mother and father. Nowadays, she is proned to even hit her. In April, being part of a school field trip at washington D.C. for 4 days, she was bullied by her roommates because they thought she stole one of the other roommates shirt. They were all skinny or chubby, my sister is obese. She wouldn't have fit into the girls shirt, nor has she ever stolen anything from anyone. If you are not in our family and noticed her, you would've thought she was a normal girl. Recently, 2 weeks ago, she was in a car accident. One we found out 6 a.m. in the morning when she snuck out when everyone was sleeping. She has NEVER done that. My parents are always worried but they try everything to satisfy her but nothing ever works. We are all worried and we think that having a dog for her might help her take care of something and have some sort of affection towards something. Do you guys think we have some sort of chance into fitting into the Fair Housing Act?

[starvethedead]

I'm not sure what the Fair Housing Act has to do with you being able to have a pet. But more importantly, someone who can't take care of themselves, should not have a pet. A pet is a responsibility to that animal, not an experimental therapy tool to test if an unstable person will benefit. She needs therapy from a professional.

[eja216]

I'm not sure what the Fair Housing Act has to do with you being able to have a pet. But more importantly, someone who can't take care of themselves, should not have a pet. A pet is a responsibility to that animal, not an experimental therapy tool to test if an unstable person will benefit. She needs therapy from a professional.

Well said.

[Sarix]

my sister is obese. She wouldn't have fit into the girls shirt... Do you guys think we have some sort of chance into fitting into the Fair Housing Act?

I get it! The whole post is a big fat joke. Good one op!

[dethlyhallows]

I'm not sure what the Fair Housing Act has to do with you being able to have a pet. But more importantly, someone who can't take care of themselves, should not have a pet. A pet is a responsibility to that animal, not an experimental therapy tool to test if an unstable person will benefit. She needs therapy from a professional.

Actually, the whole point of the dog, sorry I didn't add in, is because we cut her down on some friends who were just bad influences on her. She is an excellent girl. She just has been going through some hard times. Actually, my mother has a turtle and my sister is always with her. The turtle has been with us for over 3 years and every single day my sister is with her. We have already had dogs but we had to leave them back in our home country when immigrating here. She has several proffesionals with her, no need to worry about that. It's not an experimental therapy tool either, taking care of a dog takes responsibility and many others including changing some aspects of your life. My mother is super emotional with animals, and after receiving the notification that her daughter was being raped, she lost her motherhood aspect thingy or however you say it. She is sper protective and when she found out about what was going on with my sister, her self confidence has been an all low. I mean it is tough, or should be, for parents to go through that.

[Sykol]

I get it! The whole post is a big fat joke. Good one op!

el em eff ay oh

On a constructive side, my cousin got the same treatment from her stepfather and has never stopped being an entitled little bitch about the whole thing in the 20-some-odd years since, even going as far as to pillage my great-grandmother's house for valuables after she died because she felt "owed" something. If your sister has already started this kind of behavior (which my cousin did, too; hitting, stealing, drugs, generally being a bitch) then she needs heavy counseling and at some point an actual talk that, while what happened to her wasn't her fault, it's also not the fault of anyone but the person who raped her. My cousin never got this talk, and was never punished for her actions, so she found it acceptable to continue on like the world owed her something and everyone else should be treated like shit.

Rape is a terrible thing, especially to a young mind, but there are times when people need to stop being coddled and face consequences for their actions. She needs someone to help her come to terms with what happened and learn how to deal with it in a way that doesn't damage the very people trying to help her. Whether or not an animal can help is anyone's guess - it depends on the person - but you can't allow the dog to be the only creature she associates with or she'll become even more disconnected from the rest of humanity.

Edit: And while I do realize my post may come off as blaming the victims or not having any sympathy, I assure you that isn't the case. I just honestly do not want to see anyone grow up to be the mirror image of my cousin, and I know exactly how she was raised and treated by the entire family after the rape (re: like a little princess who could do no wrong), and how damaging it was to her as a human being. It did much more harm than good. I encourage love and assistance and anything else positive you or the rest of your family can give her, but I strongly discourage giving her everything she wants and treating her as anything different than a normal child when it comes to discipline and teaching her right from wrong. She needs normality above all else, and to find an outlet for these feelings she might not ever fully understand that doesn't damage those around her. I wish her and your family all the best, and even if my advice sounds harsh or uncaring, it comes from a good place.

[eriseis]

I don't know about Fair Housing Act, but try to do a little research on breeds and how they help people or how breeds react to certain feelings. Take cocker spaniels, for instance: they're cute and energetic and will lift your mood but they're often really sensitive to their environments and can get pretty sad or stressed out.

[dethlyhallows]

el em eff ay oh

On a constructive side, my cousin got the same treatment from her stepfather and has never stopped being an entitled little bitch about the whole thing in the 20-some-odd years since, even going as far as to pillage my great-grandmother's house for valuables after she died because she felt "owed" something. If your sister has already started this kind of behavior (which my cousin did, too; hitting, stealing, drugs, generally being a bitch) then she needs heavy counseling and at some point an actual talk that, while what happened to her wasn't her fault, it's also not the fault of anyone but the person who raped her. My cousin never got this talk, and was never punished for her actions, so she found it acceptable to continue on like the world owed her something and everyone else should be treated like shit.

Rape is a terrible thing, especially to a young mind, but there are times when people need to stop being coddled and face consequences for their actions. She needs someone to help her come to terms with what happened and learn how to deal with it in a way that doesn't damage the very people trying to help her. Whether or not an animal can help is anyone's guess - it depends on the person - but you can't allow the dog to be the only creature she associates with or she'll become even more disconnected from the rest of humanity.

Edit: And while I do realize my post may come off as blaming the victims or not having any sympathy, I assure you that isn't the case. I just honestly do not want to see anyone grow up to be the mirror image of my cousin, and I know exactly how she was raised and treated by the entire family after the rape (re: like a little princess who could do no wrong), and how damaging it was to her as a human being. It did much more harm than good. I encourage love and assistance and anything else positive you or the rest of your family can give her, but I strongly discourage giving her everything she wants and treating her as anything different than a normal child when it comes to discipline and teaching her right from wrong. She needs normality above all else, and to find an outlet for these feelings she might not ever fully understand that doesn't damage those around her. I wish her and your family all the best, and even if my advice sounds harsh or uncaring, it comes from a good place.

She got cut from people with bad influences. We are not letting her talk to people who make her act the way she did. Sadly, my parents just keep rewarding her for behaving. I told them to take everything away from her make her EARN it back (the sneaking ou time like 2 weeks ago). We love her but she doesn't understand. She has counselors and everything else that comes with the case going to supreme court.

[jaykaywhy]

I'm guessing that dogs and pets are not allowed at your apartment complex, so you want to try to classify your sister's condition as a "disability" to circumvent the ban?

Based on what you described, I doubt it'd work.

First, you'd need to prove that your sister has an actual disability. While some of the behavior may be out of character for your sister, I don't think it reaches the level of being an actual "disability," such as blindness. At the very least, you'd need some sort of professional examination that can actually attribute your sister's behavior to the traumatic events in her life, as opposed to being just a teenager. You can try to claim she has PTSD (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/), but it depends on how stringent the government official is. He may be sympathetic, he may ask for more evidence of actual disturbing behavior.

Second, you'd need to show that getting a dog is a legitimate means of addressing her condition, as opposed to something that "you think may work." What if it doesn't? Do you give the dog back? That sucks for the dog.

Based on your story, and assuming you didn't leave anything relevant out, if I were the government official, I'd tell you "Don't pee on my leg and tell me its raining." So no, I don't think you could get a dog under the FHA.

[dethlyhallows]

I'm guessing that dogs and pets are not allowed at your apartment complex, so you want to try to classify your sister's condition as a "disability" to circumvent the ban?

Based on what you described, I doubt it'd work.

First, you'd need to prove that your sister has an actual disability. While some of the behavior may be out of character for your sister, I don't think it reaches the level of being an actual "disability," such as blindness. At the very least, you'd need some sort of professional examination that can actually attribute your sister's behavior to the traumatic events in her life, as opposed to being just a teenager. You can try to claim she has PTSD (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/), but it depends on how stringent the government official is. He may be sympathetic, he may ask for more evidence of actual disturbing behavior.

Second, you'd need to show that getting a dog is a legitimate means of addressing her condition, as opposed to something that "you think may work." What if it doesn't? Do you give the dog back? That sucks for the dog.

Based on your story, and assuming you didn't leave anything relevant out, if I were the government official, I'd tell you "Don't pee on my leg and tell me its raining." So no, I don't think you could get a dog under the FHA.

She was diagnosed with deppression and an energetic dog could lighten up her day. You only need a doctor or a proffesional to aggree tosay that the dog would be a good addition to help out. The administration in the apartement complex just call to make sure it's not a fake note.

[Spectral]

If she does not have a disability that requires an assistance dog, the Fair Housing Act will do nothing for you. No one's obligated to allow a dog that isn't strictly necessary.

[TEHPALLYTANK]

You can get assistance dogs for things other than being blind. She needs professional help before that though.

[Deadraline]

I'm not sure what the Fair Housing Act has to do with you being able to have a pet. But more importantly, someone who can't take care of themselves, should not have a pet. A pet is a responsibility to that animal, not an experimental therapy tool to test if an unstable person will benefit. She needs therapy from a professional.

Yea...she needs other help. Though in some rare cases an animal CAN help people who are suffering from some form of trauma...Ironically I know a girl who used to be kinda crazy...would hit her sisters/mom/dad/step mom/etc. She even threatened to tie her mom in the basement and hang her sister on a meat hook while filleting her flesh...very gross very crazy. Then one day she got pregnant and since having a baby she became a better person...you wouldn't even guess it was the same girl. She had therapy prior to this, and none of it helped. She usually came back worse than what she was when she went...one time coming home she beat her sister with a pan and caused her sister to go to the hospital from it...so...maybe a pet could help. But it isn't guaranteed to work...maybe start with some easy and work your way to a dog...they are more needy. Cats on the other hand are easier since if she decides to not take to it, the cat doesn't need the same type of attention a dog needs and can mostly fend for itself.

[Tobywongg]

Yea...she needs other help. Though in some rare cases an animal CAN help people who are suffering from some form of trauma...Ironically I know a girl who used to be kinda crazy...would hit her sisters/mom/dad/step mom/etc. She even threatened to tie her mom in the basement and hang her sister on a meat hook while filleting her flesh...very gross very crazy. Then one day she got pregnant and since having a baby she became a better person...you wouldn't even guess it was the same girl. She had therapy prior to this, and none of it helped. She usually came back worse than what she was when she went...one time coming home she beat her sister with a pan and caused her sister to go to the hospital from it...so...maybe a pet could help. But it isn't guaranteed to work...maybe start with some easy and work your way to a dog...they are more needy. Cats on the other hand are easier since if she decides to not take to it, the cat doesn't need the same type of attention a dog needs and can mostly fend for itself.

I would not leave a woman like that alone with my child...

[JLima2]

el em eff ay oh

On a constructive side, my cousin got the same treatment from her stepfather and has never stopped being an entitled little bitch about the whole thing in the 20-some-odd years since, even going as far as to pillage my great-grandmother's house for valuables after she died because she felt "owed" something. If your sister has already started this kind of behavior (which my cousin did, too; hitting, stealing, drugs, generally being a bitch) then she needs heavy counseling and at some point an actual talk that, while what happened to her wasn't her fault, it's also not the fault of anyone but the person who raped her. My cousin never got this talk, and was never punished for her actions, so she found it acceptable to continue on like the world owed her something and everyone else should be treated like shit.

Rape is a terrible thing, especially to a young mind, but there are times when people need to stop being coddled and face consequences for their actions. She needs someone to help her come to terms with what happened and learn how to deal with it in a way that doesn't damage the very people trying to help her. Whether or not an animal can help is anyone's guess - it depends on the person - but you can't allow the dog to be the only creature she associates with or she'll become even more disconnected from the rest of humanity.

Edit: And while I do realize my post may come off as blaming the victims or not having any sympathy, I assure you that isn't the case. I just honestly do not want to see anyone grow up to be the mirror image of my cousin, and I know exactly how she was raised and treated by the entire family after the rape (re: like a little princess who could do no wrong), and how damaging it was to her as a human being. It did much more harm than good. I encourage love and assistance and anything else positive you or the rest of your family can give her, but I strongly discourage giving her everything she wants and treating her as anything different than a normal child when it comes to discipline and teaching her right from wrong. She needs normality above all else, and to find an outlet for these feelings she might not ever fully understand that doesn't damage those around her. I wish her and your family all the best, and even if my advice sounds harsh or uncaring, it comes from a good place.

For the love of all that is holy I hope you are not insinuating that somehow her actions, WHATEVER they may be, lead to a rape that she should have been cognizant of....if you're talking about being a rape victim NOT entitling you to being a terrible human, then yes. You should be held accountable for those actions.

Being a the victim does not give you a free pass to do anything illegal, socially unacceptable, or just morally reprehensible.

[Sykol]

For the love of all that is holy I hope you are not insinuating that somehow her actions, WHATEVER they may be, lead to a rape that she should have been cognizant of....if you're talking about being a rape victim NOT entitling you to being a terrible human, then yes. You should be held accountable for those actions.

Being a the victim does not give you a free pass to do anything illegal, socially unacceptable, or just morally reprehensible.

Oh, Jesus. Jesus...no. Nobody deserves to be raped, especially a minor/child, and there's nothing anyone can do to "deserve" that or have it coming, regardless of what courts or judges or rapists or rapist sympathizers say. I mean purely her actions after the fact, such as the supposed stealing, hitting others, and the behavior of being a generally terrible human being. Never would I outright say or even imply that a rape victim did something to earn being raped.

[JLima2]

Oh, Jesus. Jesus...no. Nobody deserves to be raped, especially a minor/child, and there's nothing anyone can do to "deserve" that or have it coming, regardless of what courts or judges or rapists or rapist sympathizers say. I mean purely her actions after the fact, such as the supposed stealing, hitting others, and the behavior of being a generally terrible human being. Never would I outright say or even imply that a rape victim did something to earn being raped.

It's sad, and disgusting, how many people say that victims do something to bring it on themselves. Just wanted to make sure you weren't one of those.

Because I already love you for having a Red Panda Avatar - how could I suddenly hate you for that?! =)

[Sykol]

It's sad, and disgusting, how many people say that victims do something to bring it on themselves. Just wanted to make sure you weren't one of those.

Because I already love you for having a Red Panda Avatar - how could I suddenly hate you for that?! =)

Because I'm an awful human being, you're supposed to hate me :P But I agree, it is horrifying how many people condemn the victims for what they're put through, in any crime. From rape to honor killings to anything else, I honestly don't think a person deserves to have a crime committed against them, especially one of a sexual nature.

[Aalyy]

If your sister legitimately needs a therapy dog, and that can be determined by mental health professionals, she will be able to get one and you cannot be kicked out of where you live even if pets aren't allowed. Getting a therapy dog isn't as easy as going to the pound and picking out a cute one though. The dog has to go through and pass rigorous training and become certified as a therapy dog. Additionally even if the dog does pass the training your sister will have to prove she's competent and responsible enough to take care if it. There are quite a bit of hoops you'll need to jump through for a therapy dog but it can be done.

[chazus]

taking care of a dog takes responsibility

sneaking out time like 2 weeks ago. We love her but she doesn't understand.

Nuff said. Don't put a dog through a rough time just because she has emotional problems. I sympathize for her situation, but that's not an excuse to put a dog through a potentially dangerous and miserable situation.

If you can guarantee that the dog has a good place to go to if things don't turn out well, then MAYBE. But the fact that you're considering putting the dog in a bad situation in the first place compromises your ability to determine if the dog is working well with her or not.