It definitely sounds like your tenant is trying to play the angles and soften you up. I have been researching a companion/mental health animal for anxiety and various things that can be compared to certain ADHD traits, and it's been months now. If, mind, if my doctor gets behind the idea and writes a prescription that says a companion dog is something recommended, I must apply through an organization that trains and certifies companion dogs through puppihood - this would be done for any condition - into well-adjusted and impeccably trained dogs that wake up every morning with a purpose.

Puppies are *generally* bad news for notable mental health struggle, in that the nature of mental health disorders often prevents people from taking proper care of themselves or functioning to common standards - how can one train and properly care for a young animal, if they can't even monitor themselves, without significant issue? The owner may hyperfocus on the animal and care for it perfectly and let themselves go down the drain, or inadvertently neglect the animal in trying to keep up with what they need. Similarly, both owner and animal may suffer simultaneously as the owner tries to split his/her efforts. Something's gotta give, essentially.

I can see, as a parent, getting a puppy as a new family member and then secondly starting to teach a child certain responsibilities that go with the territory, but that takes loads of time and is a huge project unto itself. It's different when the dog is trained and can make clear what it needs and wants, has self-control. If it's a companion animal (certified), it will actually actively keep the owner on track because that is what it is trained to do, letting him/her know when it's time to eat and when it's hungry too!

However, in the case you describe where the single mom can't seem to keep life organized before, the puppy situation should be closely monitored, especially since it seems to have been such a snap decision. I agree with many others that have already posted - keep a weather eye out and charge the same you would charge anyone that has bought a puppy as a new addition to the family. From the sound of it, that's the only thing they've done, whether they think so or not.

If it is starkly evident they aren't caring for the animal, call animal control or a similar private organization. Unless they show you certification papers stating the dog is a companion animal, treat the situation no differently from anyone else's, even if it may tug at the heartstrings. Your property is your investment, and puppies can certainly do significant damage in an instant! Their struggles are, fortunately, not your responsibility.