[doyoutrustme]

Does anyone have an emotional support animal?

Is it specially trained or did your existing pet become one?

If you have an emotional support animal, what was the process for either getting one or having your pet certified?

Mine essentially is already, but isn't certified. I can manage without bringing him everywhere but when it comes to unavoidable overnights its hard to get travel accommodations with him.

[NWgirl2013]

I have a pet who has been labeled a "service animal" because he never leaves my side & acts as a protector. I have never heard of an "emotional support animal", but if that is a real label out there, you can use it. I may use it! Not sure about certification for this though.
There are many hotels that do accept animals. If you research it ahead, it will make your travels easier. It is what I do, as I can't leave my dog anywhere. He needs My emotional support...

[doyoutrustme]

It is apparently a real label protected by the ADA in america. I read that its very helpful especially for people who suffer panic attacks, to calm them, or agoraphobics who are helped go outside.

[coleychi]

That's so interesting-- I definitely want to learn more about emotional support animals. The concept makes sense because I know that some hospitals bring in animals as therapeutic tools.

I'm a college student right now and my only "pet" is my stuffed monkey-- clearly, I need to grow up. But my parents are very set on getting me a dog when I graduate so the emotional service animal thing is something I want to look into/learn more about.

[lizardlady]

They are called psychiatric service animals. Try googling the term. You'll find more info than you wade through. You should be able to find information about having your pet certified.

Psychiatric service dogs are being given to Iraq vets who have PTSD to help them. They are also being used with kids on the autism spectrum.

[doyoutrustme]

Thanks! Looks like there is a difference between a psychiatric animal and a emotional support animal.

The Difference Between Service, Therapy, Assistance and Working Dogs

There's a lot of false information out there- its really confusing!

[DogTrainingLove]

Just thought I'd let you know some very important info.

There is a big legal difference between a ESA (Emotional Support Animal) and a SD (Service Dog) Even though they can both help people a great deal, t's very important to know the differences when speaking about the two as they are legal terms. Here's the basic difference:

Emotional Support Animal: An animal prescribed to someone with a mental disability to help provide emotional support. ESAs need no more training than any other pet. ESA can't go into public places unless allowed ahead of time. However ESA do have special right on airplanes and is some housing.

Service Dog: A Service Dog (With the amended ADA law it's now only dogs and miniature horses for the blind that can be Service Animals) is not a pet, they are considered medical equipment (Like a wheel chair) They are trained in tasks to help their owner with a disability. There is no real registration for SDs (There are many fake ones though) SDs are highly trained and must behave in public places and are trained in tasks that directly mitigate their owner's disability. It's not good to ever buy an online registration, these companies enable people without disabilities who just want to take fido everywhere to have a "Registered Service Dog" which is often not true.

It's important to make sure a SD is well trained and you are well versed in the laws if the dog is ever to go in places normal dogs do not go. It can create a bad opinion of SDs in the general public's eye and therefore make access harder for those with SDs.

SDs take about two years of training (Give or take) there are many organizations that will train SDs for those with disabilities but you can also owner train. Owner training is hard and requires you to find places that will allow you access to train. Plus you have to know a lot about training and how to make the experience good for the dog. Not to mention struggling with a disability and training a dog at the same time is challenging, therefore it's recommended to go with a program.

If anyone has any questions about the law or training, feel free to ask me! I have my own owner trained SD.

He's not officially a support animal but when I found him, Archie was unwanted, scared and anxious, basically like me! so we started out again together and we've both grown in confidence in our six months together so far, and we're both far less timid and shaky Archie is a hamster

[Perna]

There are differences between "service" animals and "emotional support" animals and the biggest hurdle you have is even if you are "registered" or have a letter from your psychiatrist, etc., not everyone will acknowledge it and "forcing" them too by lawsuit, etc. is hardly worth it in most cases. Usually the animals are identified for specific tasks like being allowed to be in public housing that does not normally allow animals, etc.

Here is a good discussion by the State of California: http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/548301.pdf but it may not necessarily work the same in your state. I would consult a lawyer or your state's disability people to see how to get where you want to get with regards to your animal (sorry, I just couldn't do "pet" because of the rhyme :-)

[mimi2112]

My Chihuahua is definitely an emotional support. I have always had a deep attachment to my pets.
I adopted Zorro shortly after an especially difficult period in my life. He became my reason to get up in the morning. He gave me responsibility and accountability.

In return I get unconditional love, affection and companionship.

When I was seeing a psych nurse she told me that she could have him certified, and I think it's really cool that the mental health center allows pets on campus, as long as they are vaccinated and licensed.