service animals/ service cat and Omers

Hey everyone,
So searching through the forum when I rejoined I remember way back seeing a post where someone discussed having a service cat taking it to therapy and the t being in tears one day because the person didn't bring her in one time. Anyway their username is omers and I PMED them. Was wondering if they've been on lately. Wanted more info on their cat and how that works because I know generally only dogs can be service animals. But don't know when she was last on. The post was from 2010.
Does anyone else have experience with service animals/ cats in particular being able to go with you places to aid in mental health functioning.

Animals are so therapeutic. I like the idea of a t having a dog in sessions. Oh, what a nice distraction that would be!

The first one I see had her dog at one appointment and did not warn me ahead of time. It was a disaster, the therapist was the only person distracted, and I have since refused appointments if the dog was to be present. I have my own pets - I don't need to pay a therapist for the therapist to be distracted by her pet.

Better not be cats in my T's office unless he plans on paying my emergency room bill.

Some people are also allergic to dogs.
I am allergic to cats but still have them - I like them better in general than dogs (I adore my own dogs but I love all cats)- My allergies are annoying but not incapacitating.

I love them both, but my lungs don't agree with me.

There's different kinds of service animals.

I think the ones for individuals disability can only be dogs. They must be trained in at least one particular act that can assit the person (i.e. not just bring comfort to calm anxiety). These animals can enter any and all buildings. You should register them so if asked to prove they're a service animal, you have documentation.

Then there's therapy animals. They can be cats, dogs, even horses. People bring them to hospitals or nursing facilities to help make people feel better. Unlike sevice dogs, you cannot bring them into every building. If a building doesn't allow animals, then you can't bring the animal in.

Then there's companions. All you need to have a pet as a companion is a doctor's note. Again, you can't take companions into places where animals aren't allowed. But!...No home owner can reject you because of the pet, nor can they charge you pet ddeposit or rent.

Types of working dogs | Service Dog Central

https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet

I think the law changed so that cats can no longer be classified as service animals, if you read this article
Cat companion helps battle anxiety - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

Dogs and miniature horses are the only animals that can be service animals. They can go anywhere. Any animal can be an emotional ssupport animal. They are allowed in homes and airplanes. Therapy animals can go only where specifically allowed. That is, they must have permission.

Not just dogs and mini horses.... donkeys, alpacas, llamas, I even knew of a miniature cow who was one. I have a miniature horse that I take to schools, nursing homes, etc. I sometimes bring my dog to therapy with me, she even has dog toys and treats in her office. She has even told me I could bring my miniature horse if I wanted to.

My t used to bring her dog sometimes back when i saw her in person. Now i sometimes hear her (the dog of course) barking in the background when we talk.

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Meant to add I'd love to have one of my cats w me in a session.

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My niece got her dog certified as an emotional support animal. She paid a clinical social worker 100$, had a phone interview, got a certificate.

She did this so she could take her dogs into stores with her and not have to leave her in the car. The only qualification the dog needed was to sit on command.

I thought this was odd.

All this reminds me of my last horse, before back surgery made me quit having horses. She was a registered Arabian mare, "Playjo's Starlight" and I gave her to a therapy riding school. They sent me email photos for awhile, and though i missed her it was rewarding to see the patients riding her and having a chance to get better from relating to a horse.

I'm allergic to cats too, but can't resist them. As for taking mine to therapy, somehow I don't think that would work so well - the beast hates to travel and can projectile vomit when she wants to. (One of the 16 joys of cat ownership.)

Yup. People are abusing the system terribly. Love this article. Pretty funny actually, but highlights how the whole emotional support animal thing really creates a problem for those people who truly need service animals which are an entirely different thing:

How to Take Your Pet Everywhere - The New Yorker