I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and was advised to get a dog to help alleviate the symptoms and get me back to a functioning life. However I'm currently living at my parent's apartment and the building has a strict no pet policy, medical assistance animals are exempted. I'm currently in the process of training my dog to be a therapy dog, so my dog is exempt from the no pet by-law.

The problem is that members of owners corporations hate animals and are doing everything in their power to bully and intimidate me, just because I have a dog. My dog is a toy cavoodle, who doesn't bark nor bother anyone and is well behaved and trained. Owners Corporation have instructed the strata manager to issue my parents with a 'breach of by-law' letter threathening legal action and I had to defend my position that under The Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992, I'm allowed to have the dog. 

Even though my dog in particular is exempt from the no-pet policy, I still need the policy to be changed, because every time I'm seen by my neibours I get asked how I was allowed to have the dog and I'm forced to disclose my mental illness, which I should not have to and it is nobody's business. 

Furthermore, one of my neighbors is going through a divorce and is deeply depressed. Just being around my dog made him feel better. But to be exempt from the no-pet by-law, you have to train your dog with an accredited organisation, which takes time and it's costly. 

I don't see why my neighbour can't get a small dog to help with his depression without having to go through expensive trainings and accreditation. Puppy school should be sufficient. 
Some of my neighbours have cats but nobody sees them so owners corporation are not going after them.

I have submitted a complaint with the Human Rights Commission and it has been accepted and is currently under investigation. I have also lodged a complaint with the Fair Trading NSW.

Please join the fight to make Grand Reef Apartments pet friendly. 

Owners Corporation should not be allowed to regulate or have a say in people's lives like that, especially when it comes to people's quality of life and mental health.

We need to stand up against animal hate, bullying and intimidation.