Emotional Support Dogs-have I asked this before?

[LoveNeverDies]

Agree with everyone here, in most places you only need to have a doctors note and to fill out a few papers. You can find ESA tags online with your dogs picture and your rights as an ESA holder on the back. Do not give up, my sister takes her ESA with her to college (sits quietly on her lap), gas stations, and many other places. If you do get an ESA please be aware of your rights.

[TresCutePiggies]

It was my understanding that emotional support animals are NOT service dogs, much like therapy dogs are not service dogs, though people often use the terms interchangeably incorrectly. For this reason, they do not have to be trained to do a specific task like a service dog does. Also, they are NOT permitted everywhere like service dogs are, with the main exceptions being flying on planes or perhaps living in an apartment that does not allow pets. If flying is your biggest concern, you may be in luck, because that is one of the places ESAs are most commonly used.

There are psychiatric service dogs, but they are not the same as ESAs. Here is a good link with a little more info: What is the difference between a psychiatric service dog and an emotional support animal? | Service Dog Central

I hope that helps a little, and you can figure out if Jenna is an ESA or PSD, as the law is written. No matter the title you put on her, I know how our pups can be our biggest supporters. Good luck!

[Britster]

Originally Posted by TresCutePiggies

It was my understanding that emotional support animals are NOT service dogs, much like therapy dogs are not service dogs, though people often use the terms interchangeably incorrectly. For this reason, they do not have to be trained to do a specific task like a service dog does. Also, they are NOT permitted everywhere like service dogs are, with the main exceptions being flying on planes or perhaps living in an apartment that does not allow pets. If flying is your biggest concern, you may be in luck, because that is one of the places ESAs are most commonly used.

There are psychiatric service dogs, but they are not the same as ESAs. Here is a good link with a little more info: What is the difference between a psychiatric service dog and an emotional support animal? | Service Dog Central

I hope that helps a little, and you can figure out if Jenna is an ESA or PSD, as the law is written. No matter the title you put on her, I know how our pups can be our biggest supporters. Good luck!

^^ This.

An ESA is NOT a service dog nor a therapy dog.

A therapy dog must pass a TDI Test. These dogs are allowed in certain hospitals, nursing homes, etc, to help make people happy. They are not allowed on planes, or anywhere else that doesn't normally allow dogs.

A Service Dog is trained for a specific task and trained extensively. Typically, they go through 2 years of training before even being titled a 'service' dog. They are allowed pretty much anywhere.

[Jenna AK]

Thanks everyone! I've been reading the responses, sorry I haven't posted till now.

Lots of good info out there and many thanks for all the links, especially Wylie's Mom, I did have a look at those items on Amazon. I've read the articles specifically speaking about what a service/therapy dog is and isn't. I at least am relieved that I have a plan of action for flying, since there will likely be some of that in my future.

I was deeply touched by an article regarding how service dogs are getting a bad rap because an untrained dog with a badge will have access to an area where it will actually cause trouble for the registered service dog...that is definitely not cool.

My primary concern is going to remain for Jenna's safety. I will manage better with her in public but I won't be going anywhere with her that her well being is compromised or she will disturb the rights of access of others. She is the best behaved dog I've ever encountered, but I did not train her. Somebody else did. And that is what gives me hope that she can be accepted in public areas that she will be properly allowed in.

Thanks again for all the input. Have a much better idea of what I'm dealing with now. I will update everyone when I know a little better how my doctors assess my situation.

[spiritwings1202]

what is every ones thoughts on this site?NSAR Service Dog Certification - Emotional Support Animals

[chestermama]

go to physchatric dog.org, chester is my service dog for ptsd, they have training you can do your self for your dog. I ordered a service vest for him at active dogs. Businesses can ask you if they are a service dog and what tasks they perform for you, they cannot ask for paper work, unless you are flying and legally, you do not need a vest but you will get less hassle that way. I get comments all the time about how well behave chester is, when I go to the movies, he lays between my legs and sleeps, the way the seats are in this one theatre

[GuinnessStout]

My Guinness is an ESD, he has an ID card and vest but It has only been used for flying. I just got a Dr's note and I can not remember the wedsite right now but I ordered his ID card and vest from there. Around here I can take Guinney pretty much anywhere as long as they do not sell food.

[Hrossen11]

An esa is not a service dog. They are pets except for flying on your lap on airplanes and living in housing that restricts animals. In order to have a service dog, they need to do a task. Esa dogs do not have the same freedom as service dogs. If you have a disability that makes it impossible for you to do daily tasks whether physical or mental then under the American disabilities act you would be considered disabled and qualify for a service dog. Your service dog needs to do tasks to assist in your disability and you can train these tasks your self.

[Maxwell2405]

Originally Posted by TresCutePiggies

It was my understanding that emotional support animals are NOT service dogs, much like therapy dogs are not service dogs, though people often use the terms interchangeably incorrectly. For this reason, they do not have to be trained to do a specific task like a service dog does. Also, they are NOT permitted everywhere like service dogs are, with the main exceptions being flying on planes or perhaps living in an apartment that does not allow pets. If flying is your biggest concern, you may be in luck, because that is one of the places ESAs are most commonly used.

There are psychiatric service dogs, but they are not the same as ESAs. Here is a good link with a little more info: What is the difference between a psychiatric service dog and an emotional support animal? | Service Dog Central

I hope that helps a little, and you can figure out if Jenna is an ESA or PSD, as the law is written. No matter the title you put on her, I know how our pups can be our biggest supporters. Good luck!

An ESA has 2 "rights" - a right to fly in the cabin (in an approved carrier, under the seat in front of you, NOT on your lap) of a plane with no additional cost and a right to live with you in an apt (either one that does or does not allow pets) with no additional monthly fee or security deposit.

For both, you need a letter from a mental health professional stating that the animal is an ESA and that you have a mental disability with a need for an ESA.

AND -- the letters are generally only good for a year, so every year you need to get a new one from your therapist/psychiatrist/mental health professional.

As an fyi, anyone can fly with a small dog on a plane (in an approved carrier, under the seat in front of you) by notifying the airline and paying their stated fee. We have found that the airlines we use charge around $100 each way for the pet fee.

[furrybaby]

Originally Posted by boomerkiller

I have a yorkie as my emotional support dog. I am a veteran with ptsd and deppression. All I had to do is get a service dog vest and keep my doctors note with me. As far as I have seen there is no place that you have to register your dog with. All you need is a doctors note to fly with your service dog.

That's great!

[sandy simpson]

I am in California and we have great respect for therapy dogs. I work with hospice patients and we have quite a few therapy dogs for the patients. I hope you can get your dog into the therapy dog program. Also there are certain meds you can take for your anxiety. If you need them, get them. My daughter is a nurse and she tells me that it puts a lot of stress on your heart if you have anxiety issues. I hope and pray you will have guidance in this area.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by boomerkiller

I have a yorkie as my emotional support dog. I am a veteran with ptsd and deppression. All I had to do is get a service dog vest and keep my doctors note with me. As far as I have seen there is no place that you have to register your dog with. All you need is a doctors note to fly with your service dog.

I don't have much to add to this, but I want to THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, I BOW TO YOU WITH LOVE AND ADMIRATION FOR THE SACRIFICE YOU HAVE MADE FOR ME AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS COUNTRY...I TRULY HOPE THAT YOU FIND THE PEACE OF HEART SOUL AND MIND THAT YOU DESERVE...THANK YOU, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, YOU ARE A TRUE AMERICAN HERO.

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by boomerkiller

I have a yorkie as my emotional support dog. I am a veteran with ptsd and deppression. All I had to do is get a service dog vest and keep my doctors note with me. As far as I have seen there is no place that you have to register your dog with. All you need is a doctors note to fly with your service dog.

Originally Posted by lynzy420

I don't have much to add to this, but I want to THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, I BOW TO YOU WITH LOVE AND ADMIRATION FOR THE SACRIFICE YOU HAVE MADE FOR ME AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS COUNTRY...I TRULY HOPE THAT YOU FIND THE PEACE OF HEART SOUL AND MIND THAT YOU DESERVE...THANK YOU, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, YOU ARE A TRUE AMERICAN HERO.

Lynzy! I don't think enough of us (can there ever be too many??) stop and say thank you.

Thank you!

[Cahntrecall]

Did you see this site?

Chilhowee Psychological Services

[theporkieyorkie]

I have a friend who has an emotional support dog. It's a small dachshund. He spends his time in between Michigan and California and he flies back and forth every 2 weeks, sometimes more often. He also takes the dog out to eat, to work and several other places. He sits in a little doggie backpack under the table at dinner and you'd never know he was there.