This is Mickie, one of my four whom are registered with my therapist as ESAs.
Posted Feb 5, 2020, 11:29 PM UTC
6.4K155
FYI "emotional support animal" isn't a legal term like "service animal"; there are a lot of dishonest companies willing to "certify" your ESA but it doesn't mean anything.
173
I thought it stood for extra special animal lol
42
That's also true.
17
It does mean something. It affects housing and such.
12
No it doesn't. Have written ESA prescription for patients for coping. Landlords don't have to accept it. ESA has no legal protection like service animals.
7
not exactly true. if the person has a disability, landlords who rent large properties (number of households wise) have to make reasonable accommodations, which includes emotional support animals. i’m pretty sure that landlords who are renting smaller properties aren’t held to that because those disability protections are through the fair housing act and not through ADA, and also it’s extremely hard to argue that multiple animals or exotic animals are a reasonable accommodation.
it makes me uncomfortable to see that the OP is claiming 4 ESAs? it’s possible that they do need the additional 3 animals but it feels a little shady.
10
My landlord outright told me they have the right to reject ESAs. It's just pretty much a therapist telling them "yeah so if you dont allow a letter you might have to pay to get out some stains when they kill themselves."
So you're right that disability act doesnt apply to ESAs, but with service animals they do.
4
That’s not entirely true. I’ve read the laws. It is related to disability but.... bipolar disorder is a disability. Sever forms of anxiety or depression can be considered disabilities.
It may vary from state to state and it’s not as in depth as a service animal but it does mean something.
0
This is correct. Those ESA certs are nothing but BS fodder.
7
That’s why I had my therapist certify my 4 :)
-15†
I train service dogs.
You and you Therapist are full of shit. 4 damn ESA's for one person is ridiculous.
People like your therapist are the reason other people are having such a hard time with legitimate needs right now.
I saw you comment about how each does something different too, my ass. You just want to have pets where you are not supposed to.
I'm sure I'll get downvoted but I'm just so tired of seeing ridiculous things like 4 "certified " ESA cats for 1 person.
276
Thank you.
40
THIS!!!
22
Personally I see four as a little much, but my ESA cat is honestly the reason I'm not dead. It's kinda hard to not get out of bed for hours when you have something yelling at you for food. My parents have killed all my pets growing up (dropping lead into the fish tank, not misting or feeding my frogs when I got sent to summer camp by them, starving my snake when I went to my first semester of college), and I know if I die Gizz would be given to them and they would kill him. So I can't die because that would be a death sentence for my cat. Convoluted thinking but there isn't really logical thinking when you're depressed. My college required me to get him called an ESA to have him in my dorm, so he's an ESA. Will I use that paper to get housing in a pet unfriendly housing situation? Only if I can't find pet friendly housing. ESAs are this weird grey area where we know they help with some things, but they're not regulated. I'm hoping someday soon we get a sort of training process ESAs have to go through to be legal, but I don't have any control of that.
13
You recognize that the ESA letter doesnt protect anything or have any legal standing as they technically can still be rejected, and that someday the legalization through training akin to a service animal (probably simple things like recognizing crying or what have you) would be beneficial. I think they're just pointing out theres a fine line between responsibility of the pet being the emotional push to live and getting letters as a bypass of housing policies some places have.
3
I dont care if its hidden by default because she got downvoted, this is the best comment on here. This is problem with ESAs. I personally have asked for one as literally everyone has asked why I dont have a pet to help keep me from harming myself, so I respect needing one. I asked and without question was given a letter for my apartment. One roommate disagreed, so I chose not to push for it and wait until I moved with my friend who has cats.
But when people bring dogs out and into public spaces claiming they're a service dog instead of an ESA pet and let them behave like a pet or buy vests online for these "service" dogs, people's legitimate dogs get attacked or harassed when they're helping protect against seizures or what have you. Even worse, though, is the "in training" vests online. That not only protects their ruse as a service animal, but if they get unruly and bite someone, it gives them an excuse. But this post is about cats. 4 cats is excessive, especially as ESA because that's added stress of responsibility over 4 small lives, as well as their food and litter costs, care costs, time investment, etc. One pet kept at home or treated as a pet for an ESA is fair.
TL;DR: The selfish abuse of ESAs really needs to stop. ESAs are untrained and little different from a kindergartener getting a participation award to bypass pet policies.
8
Well, the only thing the cert does is guarantee I won’t be turned away from housing, esp in the case of low income individuals (which I happen to not be) and that alone is important. ESAs have attempted to become synonymous with service animal, but I agree that’s not appropriate. Several people have attacked me. I feel that was inappropriate.
-17†
There is no certification. Period.
They give you a letter stating that the animal assists with you mental health. Anything that "certifies" an animal is bullshit.
We, as in the trainers, certify them. If someone has am issue with their animal, the questioning party calls me, no some certification board.
I have dealt with these so called certifications for years. I have testified in court and in front of committees numerous times concerning them. They are false.
Perhaps you are simply referring to your mental health letter, or perhaps you therapist is dumb and used the word "certify" idk. But your cats are not "certified" ESA cats. They are pet cats that have been identified as helping with your mental health.
In the case of housing, they get nothing mentioned here. Your landlord gets a "housing letter" which states you have an animal that you need for your health, that's all. You dont go around giving landlords medical records, and they know they can't accept them.
As far as ESA's being synonymous with service animals, they are not even kind of comparable.
A service animal performs tasks, like a helpful robot.
An ESA improves a person's mood by existing. An ESA is closer to a Therapy Dog than a service animal.
Also, no one has more than one. Period. Years and years of doing this, working with doctors, lawyers, therapists, patients, trainers, insurance companies, seminars, lectures, psychiatrists, and everyone else. Not once have I seen a recommendation for more than one mental health animal.
The simple act of them being 4 of them means you cannot bond and and focus exclusively on one of them, which is the basis of all mental health animal therapies. I have had multiple clients that have had to give up their pets so they can be paired with a PTSD service dog.
Why I got so worked up?
People taking advantage of the whole ESA thing cause real people who have service animals to suffer.
You taking a few of your cats to the bar with you might be the thing that pisses someone off and makes them look down on every service animal they see.
Also, it looks ridiculous, so how can people take it seriously? How can someone respect the fact that you need that animal when you are walking 2 kittens on leashes wearing clothes?
Take ONE, dress them down, use professional looking vests. Then, you might get taken seriously.
195
It doesn't guaranteed you from not being turned away from housing. There's no legal protection regarding ESA. You can buy ESA certification online. I am only speaking about USA.
0
I think they're saying that ESAs are not legally protected support animals under the ADA, which is correct.
106
That first photo is like "Wait.....I don't want to open my eyes just yet"
....She is really cute.
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He's so pretty!
127
She but thank u!
90
Oop my apologies little lady, what do you need to do get your cat registered as a therapy cat?
47
I explained somewhere in the thread!
9†
[deleted]
-11
Damn son, you got the whole squad laughing.
4
Well i worked for a major airline and let me tell you how annoying it is to see so many people wanting to fly their Esas for free. Not only that there are multiple accidents all the time on planes because Esas are NOT trained service animals and not to mention an annoyance to passengers. There have been dog bites dog attacks pet allergies etc. not EVERYONE loves animals. Although I do and would not mind... but a lot of people do. Do you want your 3 year old sitting next to an untrained German Shepard for 6 hours on a plane? I don’t. If you can’t fly with out them ..drive..sorry . Just an opinion. Because I’ve seen it .and if you are too emotional not to be able to manage a 2 to 6 hour flight I’m not sure I want to be sitting next to you... not trying so sound mean but...
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I am still shook about the alleged peacock esa that someone tried to get on a flight.
30
Have you seen the video of that one famous Chris trying to get his ESA velociraptor on a plane? Highly recommend.
9
There's also the mini horse one!
5
That’s hilarious but I’ve had people ask about their emotional turtle, crab, snake etc it’s insane
1
I worked with someone years ago who trained service dogs, and it was hard work. She brought the dog to work, the dog had an ID (adorable , I must admit) but it was all business. Dog had to eat a certain time and a certain way and go to the bathroom a special way exactly where indicated and hold it until told, open doors... it was fascinating.
There is little to no “pet” when you have a service animal. They’re performing important tasks and just happen to be doggies and very willing to please. I’m a cat owner and I can’t even get my cats to agree to leave me alone when I eat a sandwich. They snuggle me if I’m sad but they also like to snuggle so it’s really coincidental the service lines up with their needs.
22
My cat attacks me. She’s 18 and I’ve had her since she was a kitten. She likes to be pet but she doesn’t have a warning sign when she wants me to stop, nor does she just get up and leave, so she scratches the shit out of my arm or leg (or most recently, face).
I would like so much to have a gentle pet who snuggles because I have anxiety/depression and could really use some animal lovies
7
“I will allow you to pet me exactly 23 times. Then that’s it” -#thingscatssay
11
Then I will attack the shit out of your arm so much you are the sole reason for keeping Neosporin in business! :(
7
I work for an outdoor festival and a few years ago, some trainers showed up with their dogs to train them in large crowds. It was fascinating to watch.
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Emotional service animals are such a load of shit. Every fucking pet is an ESA the bullshit title is just so the owner can get preferential treatment. I don’t care if I get downvoted at all I stand by this statement.
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You can have more than one ESA?
39
Yes!
-53
Can I ask why?
30
Well, not every animal performs the same tasks. Maybe one animal calms you down and another wakes you up on time.
-46
Keep your pet safe and at home. We all would like our animals to be with us everywhere, cats, dogs, ferrets, hamsters, pigs, cows, etc. are all awesome but the system has been abused to the point where other people have gotten fed up with your "ESA"chicken.
You are actively harming the people who NEED seizure, seeing eye, helping hand animals.
65
Who did the training to teach one of your cats to wake you up on time? What was involved in that process?
41
That's bullshit and you know it. Service animals are a medical device. Your ESA is just your codependency showing. People like you make other people second guess actual service animals, I wish you would stop.
40
Oh fuck off with that bullshit
23
My cat Clementine was my ESA last year when I was in a dorm room (severe depression, she gave me responsibility and a reason to get up in the morning, blah blah blah). Now that I’m in an apartment, though, I just pay the pet fee—she’s no longer an ESA. It’s a subjective title
39
I have always paid pet fees
13
So they're pets.
33
i am getting really tired of seeing people attacking every single person with ESAs just because of a few people that cheat the system. ESAs and service animals are different. that isn't being contested. that doesn't mean that ESAs aren't also extremely helpful for many people.
9
Mickie is so precious!😻💙💙
5†
Oh my god he’s smiling he’s so happy he makes me happy
5
Every pet provides "emotional support". It's not an official designation in any way nor are they "working animals"
5
So, what’s the issue
-3
Fake designation. no job. He is cute, however.
4
Such a sweet wittle face 🥺
4
I wish I had never read the comments.... this thread is so negative lol
3†
Don’t worry, I have Mickie to protect me 😂
3
Justified criticism =/= negativity
3
There is plenty of negativity as well. And many people assuming OP scams the system or similar things with no evidence.
0†
I have a dog tag for my kitty too! Very pretty girl.
2†
He so handsome! Glad he's helping people.
2†
MMMM-NWYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
2
ESA?
2
His little vest! He's doing such a good job! I feel so supported just looking into his sweet eyes
1†
The comments on here are all sorts of misguided fucked upedness.
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ESA -- with a face like that I believe you