The New Yorker Recently Wrote an Article on Emotional Support Animals.

[granola-gurl.livejournal.com]

A recent article in The New Yorker about Emotional Support Animals.  Hilarious and illustrates the need for more regulation:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/20/pets-allowed

Comments

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

That's great. Thanks for sharing.

I sat next to a woman at an airport bar, and her little dog, who had it's own bar stool. I questioned her about it good-naturedly and she replied that he was an ESA dog. I'm not so sure that entitled him to a seat at the bar or to be sharing her french fries.

When you think about it, couldn't all pets be classified as ESA since that is the reason people have pets, for support and companionship?

I am not dissing those who really and truly need them, just the posers.

[tikva.livejournal.com]

I sat next to a woman at an airport bar, and her little dog, who had it's own bar stool. I questioned her about it good-naturedly and she replied that he was an ESA dog. I'm not so sure that entitled him to a seat at the bar or to be sharing her french fries.

It doesn't, legally. The ADA does not cover emotional support animals. The Air Carrier Access Act does, however, so the animal is allowed on her flight. (Fair Housing also does, so ESA's are allowed in private housing).

[irilyth]

> she replied that he was an ESA dog

Given recent comet-related news, I was briefly confused about why she had a dog that had been into space. :^)

[granola-gurl.livejournal.com]

YES, totally agree with your point that all pets could be classified as ESA's! I am of the mindset that in order for an animal to be an ESA they should have to go through some type of special training (e.g., how to behave in public, follow basic commands) and be certified by an accrediting agency. I am a psychologist and I have had clients bring their ESA dogs to session who have then proceeded to pee on my office carpet (the dogs, not the owners!). I also own a condo in Somerville with an ESA dog living in it. This dog LOVES to bark menacingly when I come home from work and while this animal may provide comfort to it's owner, it sure as hell does nothing to enhance my well-being (and most certainty detracts from it).

[ron_newman]

Just curious -- did you intend this to be a comment on the previous post, instead of a new post?

[granola-gurl.livejournal.com]

Yes. Whoops!

[ron_newman]

It's OK -- don't delete this, but you may want to add a comment over there linking to this.