Emotional Support Animals are just that-they support the person in times of emotional crisis, or to keep the person from having a meltdown. I have an 'unoffical' ESA, Mr. Fluffy, who knows when I'm going to have an anxiety/panic attack and will come and sit on me and purr. He can 'read' me.
When I was working as an Intensive Case Manager, I saw the need for people to have their animals-and sadly, the uncaring of many landlords that were trying to get rid of long time tenants by making their animals the issue. Many of my clients who had animals-and I don't use the word 'pets'; because our animals are far more than that...they are our lifeline often in a world that may feel confusing, overwhelming, and make us feel isolated.
I'd like to see more advocating for them, as opposed to the negativity and insanity that some people feel with the 'they take them into (insert name here) and they aren't supposed to do that!'
I don't take Fluffy out with me, but he's better behaved than lots of little kids that have meltdowns in stores, and lets not forget that ESA's prevent meltdowns, feelings of panic, and even sometimes seizures (my friend has an ESA cat who also alerts to seizures-she was not trained to do this-she just does.
I'd like to seem more inclusion, and us advocating, not exclusivity which only makes things harder on people.
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Debra Hoffmann
TNR and Foster Pawrent
Azalea City Cat Coalition
Bay Minette AL
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2024 09:39 AM
From: Kim Jackson
Subject: ESA Letter
Emotional Support Animals do not have public access rights. They only have rights to public housing. Air Carrier Act is separate. ESA's must only be house trained. If it's a dog or cat.
Therapy Animals do not have public access rights. They must be invited to places for visits or therapy animals can come to work with their handler once permission is given by the employer. You will see Therapy animals used in a variety of settings. Medical professionals and schools may have them in their office or in a classroom. This is Animal Assisted Intervention or Therapy. Therapy Animals are evaluated with their handlers by Therapy Animal Organizations. I am a licensed Team Evaluator for a Registering Therapy Animal organization.
Service Dogs have the same rights as the individuals they are "working" for, their handler with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Only non-profit service dog training organizations or graduates of a Service Dog Training school can give the PAT (public access test) for service dogs. Owners have the right to train their own service dog with or without the help of a trainer. Laws have changed. A service dog can have one task trained to be a service dog. It was 120 hours of documented task training hours. You can find this information on this website: www.ada.gov Title 2 and 3 for service animals. Then it goes by state and local laws.
Most of the time a therapy dog has failed out of service dog training for one reason or another. Most of the time it's because the dog is too friendly with people or other animals. Some times the dog ends up not having what is needed to work for its handler.
There is a blurry line between what people think are Emotional Support and Therapy Animals.
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Kim Jackson
Dog Trainer
For The Puppies Foundation Inc
MS
Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2024 09:40 AM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: ESA Letter
This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
The 'ESA' is not certifying the animal, but the person who has the animal. I have had people who have ESA's that are fish that swim in a pond or an aquarium. One man had a pet mouse 'Harlan' who he loved deeply and that gave him reason and meaning in his life. I hve a veteran in my community who's ESA is also a service dog-he goes to the store with him and walks with him everything to help with severe PTSD. But the ESA is not 'evaluated' by a 'trainer' etc. They are providing emotional support in circumstances where the person has trouble coping. Where I used to work we had an ESA dog, Charlie who helped us as staff when we were feeling shut down. He was very needed. I don't like there to be more barriers for people accessing help, but less. Are there people who somehow 'take advantage', yes, but I think it's the exception, rather than the rule.
Original Message:
Sent: 10-29-2024 07:52 AM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: ESA Letter
This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
I have to disagree with this: Get Your ESA Letter Online
I am a dog trainer who also helps owners task train dogs for service dog work. I have seen so many "Service Dogs" in public that are not trained at all but, have the leash, vest, and identification stating the dog is a service dog while it is sitting in the shopping cart barking at everyone who walks by it. I have also seen Emotional Support Animals in non-pet friendly stores doing the same thing. We have a problem in my area with fake service dogs and emotional support animals and the rights that each one has. Some business only see a "Guide Dog" as a service animal. The last time I looked at ada.gov, these websites are not supported by the department of Justice. I have been through service dog training courses, dog training courses, and continue my education through out the year for the last 5 years. Owners have the right to train their own service dogs with or without the help of a dog trainer. I consider myself as a Coach for those owners to task train the service dog for a task they can not train the dog for. If I am wrong on this, please educate me. I live in the grand state of Mississippi. It is not pet friendly but advertises that it is. I have a case right now with a child who has a need for an ESA. We were donating the dog (waiving adoption fees) based on the Doctor writing the letter for the ESA. The doctor said yes originally then decided not to write the letter. Same scenario as mentioned in the video. The school counselor recommends the child have an ESA but can not write the letter. The housing unit does accept pets under 25 lbs with breed restrictions. The dog in question does not meet the requirements. This has been going on for almost a month.
Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2019 03:03 AM
From: pdscenter _
Subject: ESA Letter
The ESA letter is a legal document that is provided by the mental health professional that allows keeping the emotional support animal at home and can be taken while traveling in planes.
There are two methods to get the valid ESA letter that are:
Ask Your Doctor for ESA Letter
Ask your own doctor or therapist for the valid ESA letter. If they are offering the ESA letter service than you must discuss your mental health conditions to your doctor. When your doctor will approve the mental health then they will provide you with their official ESA Letter making your pet an official ESA.
Get Your ESA Letter Online
There are many options to get your ESA Letter online. Nowadays there are many valid and legitimate websites that are providing online ESA letter facilities to you. You can get the ESA letter within 24 hours.
People who are suffering from depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses, the ESA are very beneficial for them they can use them as their emotional companion. They only need simple training as an ordinary pet requires. You can get the ESA letter online at https://www.pdscenter.com. Visit the website for more details.
#General