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I have a problem with emotional support dogs
Are they really necessary? How much training is required?
We’ve all seen the little dogs all bundled up in the basket of grocery carts. When they notice me, I smile even wider and cock my head a tad to say hello. If the owner notices, I look up at her (always a her) and nod.
So what is an ESA (emotional support animal)? “An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is a furry best friend who provides constant companionship and unconditional love to a person dealing with any emotional, mental, or psychological challenges” That’s from supportpets.com.
Now the American Kennel Club tells us more. “Emotional support dogs aren’t considered service dogs under the ADA. They may be trained for a specific owner, but they aren’t trained for specific tasks or duties to aid a person with a disability, and this is the main difference between ESAs and service dogs. But this doesn’t minimize the support these dogs provide for people with a psychological disorder. They’re considered companion animals and ease anxiety, depression, some phobias, and loneliness. In order to be considered an emotional support dog, a mental health professional must prescribe the ESA for a patient with a diagnosed psychological or emotional disorder, such as anxiety disorder, major depression, or panic attacks.”
