What's the deal with ESA?

Emotional Support Animals... Okay, I suppose there are a select few people who are so emotionally in need of support that they need their pet (animal) with them everywhere; but seriously, how did this become such a big thing?

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Mamapolo2016 · F

I have seen a number of people who truly benefit from dogs, especially. Sad truth, my friend, is that fewer people are able to cope, every passing day.

Recently I saw that a woman tried to take her support peacock on a plane but they wouldn’t allow it. I thought that was short-sighted but looked it up and peacocks live 10-25 years. Support ducks and chickens are growing in popularity now, and it’s not wise to get emotionally attached to them.

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ZenKitzune · F

@Mamapolo2016 oh I agree, it was just the part about the peacock. 🤣

Mamapolo2016 · F

@ZenKitzune I know. Life just can’t help being funny sometimes. Interesting thing...ESAs often resemble their owners, or vice versa...and if the owner is draped in bling, so’s the dog. I keep trying to envision the wardrobe of a woman with a support peacock.

ZenKitzune · F

@Mamapolo2016 I imagine she is quite the fashionista lol

Mamapolo2016 · F

Bottom line. Lots of things are causing it...addicted babies born to addicted mothers. Stress with little family support. The growing unkindness of the world in general. The insistence that the mental health system can help (and they can’t much). And one of my pet peeves, the notion that you can’t help yourself get better, which you often can.

Part of it IS marketing. But imho, more of it is lost lonely people who just don’t fit...and try mightily to find something, anything, to hang on to. And i’ve Seen it work, dozens of times. Maybe because your dog is never too busy to take your call.

Mamapolo2016 · F

I had a friend who couldn’t get through a Walmart without a serious panic attack. Yet she insisted on trying, and then I would have to go rescue her. I am convinced she would have benefited greatly from a support dog. So would I have.

Quizzical · 46-50, M

Not a pet owner yourself then? It's amazing how snuggling up to an animal can drastically reduce feelings of anxiety, panic, isolation...

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

Maybe cause therapists are recommending them. When I worked at Walmart there was a customer who always brought his little dog with him, he had a letter from the doctor saying he needed that dog for part of his anger management therapy. But there are also people who just want to bring their little Fi-Fi dogs with them into the store and they'll lie and say it's for therapy.

abe182 · 51-55, M

It's an excuse for snowflakes to have their fluffy with them.
I can see for PTSD or seizures or the blind but that's about it.

frequentlyme · 70-79, M

@abe182 It's ridiculous in my opinion... or has gotten so. Now you can get your snake/lizard/cat/dog/bear or whatever certified online by paying a few bucks.

Kinemortophobia · 36-40, M

@frequentlyme The online certifications aren't even real certifications. Only a doctor can approve an
ESA.

EllaDisenchanted · F

@abe182 PTSD and blind cases have actually service animals. Emotionally support animals are not trained, covered by service animal laws/ rights and are glorified pets.

ZenKitzune · F

Not sure why it's such a problem to people really.

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EllaDisenchanted · F

@ZenKitzune Service dog owners pay for training and animals out of pocket as well. And while or would be great to see emotional support animals held you the same standards as service animals, most emotional support owners just take their pets and claim them as emotional support.

There ARE service animals that are trained for emotional and mental health service. The system in general works. It's people that don't want to take the time to train (yes, it's specialized training but you can do it yourself if you it confirms to standards AND the dog is trained for public) or Judy want to claim pets as service animals that are the problem.

ZenKitzune · F

@EllaDisenchanted Like I said, you need a system in place to help people train and then to assess whether the animal is fit to be an esa animal. Otherwise people will do what they are allowed to do.

EllaDisenchanted · F

@ZenKitzune There IS a standard. That standard is to train them in that standard to become an actual service animal. ESA is a psychology designation, not legal.

Service animals are legally recognized and there ate emotionally and psychological service animals.

ESAs are a loophole that injure actual service animal rights.

Kinemortophobia · 36-40, M

People with ESAs bother me sometimes. I don't know how many times my daughter's service dog got crap because a select few get ESA's. ESA's aren't properly trained by professionals to do a job, and offer security. My daughter's dog is trained not to bark at people and is close to her at all times, so she doesn't get run over by a car (bad example since she's watched like a hawk)

Mamapolo2016 · F

@Kinemortophobia I’m surprised to hear that, because I too sometimes have a problem with my mental wrappings coming loose, I spent a good bit of time around folks with ESAs...and I have never seen one with less than perfect manners or less than total attention to their charge.

Kinemortophobia · 36-40, M

@Mamapolo2016 Depending on the dog. I've seen both trained and untrained. People do attempt to take ESA's into stores, establishments when ESAs are not allowed in, as an establishment owner myself I've allowed ESA's (only with proper documentation), as I know animals can help better than bereavement therapists have, them barking and not using their best doggy manners when they should.

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

Marketing !!! - Somebody saw a buck to be made !

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