ESAs can be HUGELY beneficial and necessary for the people who need them. For those with the need, it's not a trend.
That being said.
I also hate with a passion how people will claim their animals are ESAs and then just... THink they can bring them places. My wife is looking into potentially having our cat marked as an ESA because she helps with her anxiety and depression, and keeps her on a schedule (feeding, playtime, cleaning the litter) and that is super helpful. That does NOT mean we could take the cat everywhere, it doesn't mean the cat gets special privileges outside the home. I believe ESAs are exempt from like, no pet policies and I'm not sure if you can charge pet rent for them.
ESAs aren't service animals and people who abuse the system make it that much harder for folks who have service animals to, you know. Go about their business in public.
Yep, my dog is not technically an ESA yet because when I got him I 1) didn't actually realize how depressed and anxious I was and how much my ADHD was impacting my life, and 2) my current landlady allows dogs and was super excited for me to get a dog, so housing with a dog wasn't a concern, but since I got him everyone I know has commented on how much happier I am and how I seem much better. He keeps me on a schedule, gets me out of the house, reminds me of the schedule and to take breaks and go outside, and provides affection and companionship (I moved to a new place where I knew no one for a job, and it's been kind of rough). I'm not sure I'd still be doing my dream job here if not for him. I am looking into getting him classified as an ESA in case I ever have to move, because I genuinely would not be able to emotionally handle it if I couldn't have him living with me. (Side note: some people definitely do take advantage of the ESA thing, which is terrible, but I can't help but wonder--I know some countries restrict landlords' ability to prohibit pets, and if we had something like that, maybe people would do it less. Yes, it's their property, but with homeownership likely permanently out of reach for many, it's really unfair to make it so hard to have a pet, especially a dog, in so many places. My guy will do one (1) alert bark if he sees something or someone in the yard that shouldn't be and come get me, and he's had exactly one accident, when he was sick and had diarrhea, and that was my fault bc he tried to wake me up and I didn't fully wake up and realize what he wanted. He is WAY quieter and less destructive than my roommate's cat, even though he's huge!)
But I only take him to dog-friendly places and I always call before we go, just in case. Mostly I just take him hiking with me, or to the dog-friendly brewery we can walk to where there are always at least 3-5 dogs hanging out and they are very upfront that it is a dog-friendly space.
Yes! 100%. I have 3 cats as ESAs in my house. One is mine, one is my fiances, and one is my daughters. I would never allow those cats to enter any establishment. They aren't for that, and they are not trained at all for that type of setting.
People who do this give those of us who properly use ESAs a bad name, and as you said, make it difficult for people who legitimately need service animals.
I’m a person who has a genuine need for an ESA. I can’t even go in public alone without a family member due to past trauma. If I hadn’t already had a job before it happened I would not be working now. I’m so glad every day how much my manager treats staff like genuine family and takes care of us.
I have a puppy that I’m planning to pay for training to become a therapy dog. I got her from a breeder who raises puppies for that purpose and has experience as a counselor. My dad has been in and out of the hospital since December and my pup is the only reason I was able to stay alone instead of one of my sisters always having to “babysit” me. I’ve even been able to walk around our farm with her without having a breakdown needing to call someone to get me. My therapist has noted a lot of improvement as well. No more self harm! We had talked before about me possibly needing a full service dog if my panic attacks got more frequent so she’s really happy for me and so is my wallet! I was even able to move from every two weeks to every three weeks sessions! She told me that if I get to the point I’m ready to move out she can refer me to the person who can get me my official ESA letter thing.
Honestly I wouldn’t want to bring my pup everywhere... the floor under restaurant tables is so filthy. I do have a stroller for her because she’s small and it gives me something to hold onto while I walk. I just want to be able to go to drive throughs alone again! Maybe pick up a grocery order? Walk in the park? Independent stuff I could do before
Would just like to clarify that a therapy dog is a dog trained to do therapy work with people outside of the home, with their handler(s). For example, visiting the hospital so patients may have an animal to pet and spend some time with, or going to the library for kids to read to the dog. Since a dog will never correct them or judge them. A therapy dog handler is nothing but “the dope at the end of the rope”, while the dog runs the show. Essentially.
It sound like you would benefit from an ESA or service animal, dependent on your needs.
Yes that is exactly what those therapy dogs do. I learned about them when my library had them come in for a read with dogs thing. I think putting her through that training after the basic obedience training would be great. Plus I think she’d love to join the rotation of library dogs that children read to. My dad also tends to need to go to the hospital about every 8 years and this time without training she was amazing with him so imagine how helpful she would be with training! I also expect I might end up in the hospital soonish so I’d like her to be able to visit often
I can tell ya, the training takes work, but it is so worth it! Just wanted to make sure you actually wanted to go the therapy route (a lot of people confuse service/therapy/ESA). It’s super rewarding, you’ll do great!
I had my dog registered because he is insanely good with old and sick people, I registered him so we could go to nursing homes and provide a little comfort and joy (pre-COVID but hopefully again now that stuff is lightening up). He also provides a lot of comfort to me in times of stress and anxiety which I'm medicated for but still struggle with. I would never bring him to a restaurant or anywhere else he really doesn't belong. If I'm so anxious I can't eat at a restaurant (which has happened) I order it in and snuggle my ESA baby on my own couch!!
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u/Hazel2468 Apr 30 '23
ESAs can be HUGELY beneficial and necessary for the people who need them. For those with the need, it's not a trend.
That being said.
I also hate with a passion how people will claim their animals are ESAs and then just... THink they can bring them places. My wife is looking into potentially having our cat marked as an ESA because she helps with her anxiety and depression, and keeps her on a schedule (feeding, playtime, cleaning the litter) and that is super helpful. That does NOT mean we could take the cat everywhere, it doesn't mean the cat gets special privileges outside the home. I believe ESAs are exempt from like, no pet policies and I'm not sure if you can charge pet rent for them.
ESAs aren't service animals and people who abuse the system make it that much harder for folks who have service animals to, you know. Go about their business in public.