Posted on Nov 26, 2019
Is there a regulation against active duty soldiers having an emotional support dog?
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My issues dont effect work so i wouldnt need one at work or on deployment or anything. Really its when im at home alone, but no one in my unit is tracking if thats allowed.
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Enlisted
Regulation
Enlisted Regulation
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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The Army doesn't support ESA dogs. ESA dogs are not service animals. If you want to have a dog, and you live in a house or apartment, then you can have a dog if your apartment allows it. At no point will you ever be authorized to have an animal in the barracks.
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SSG (Join to see)
My unit had a female soldier that was authorized one in the barracks, but that was only so they could process her chapter paperwork.
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Maj John Bell
SSG (Join to see) - What does allowing her to have a dog in the barracks have to do with processing the paperwork to chapter her out?
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SSG (Join to see)
Maj John Bell - What I am saying is that she was authorized to have one until they finished her chapter paperwork
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PFC (Join to see)
A: The Army does not authorize ESA's, only Service animals as defined in the linked policy.
B: The only SM's I know of that had a service animal also had a medical issue that made them non deployable.
C: In the current HRC environment, my understanding is non deployable SM are separated unless it is an extreme exception, like a wounded warrior that was offered a non deployable assignment post injury and recovery.
D:" no one in my unit is tracking if thats allowed." They can not find it in a regulation because its not there.. Sarcastic, but it would be like saying " no one in my unit is tracking if having a pet dinosaur on base is allowed." Its not a "thing" so its not covered how to only that its not allowed.
What is stipulated clearly in current policy is ESA's are NOT allowed.
https://www.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/250935.pdf
A: The Army does not authorize ESA's, only Service animals as defined in the linked policy.
B: The only SM's I know of that had a service animal also had a medical issue that made them non deployable.
C: In the current HRC environment, my understanding is non deployable SM are separated unless it is an extreme exception, like a wounded warrior that was offered a non deployable assignment post injury and recovery.
D:" no one in my unit is tracking if thats allowed." They can not find it in a regulation because its not there.. Sarcastic, but it would be like saying " no one in my unit is tracking if having a pet dinosaur on base is allowed." Its not a "thing" so its not covered how to only that its not allowed.
What is stipulated clearly in current policy is ESA's are NOT allowed.
https://www.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/250935.pdf
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SPC (Join to see)
I could be misunderstanding this, but I don't see anything stating they aren't allowed. I see that it states they do not qualify as service animals but nothing specifically prohibiting them.
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PFC, if you live in the barracks because you are single, I would say no as no pets are allowed. You have to be certified as emotionally disabled by a psychologist in order to qualify for a ESA. Not sure how that would affect your military career. I’m curious to see what others will comment on this post. Good luck to you.
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