Emotional Support Animal / Therapy Dog

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 15:45:00 -0400

Can anyone describe their experience with getting an Emotional Suppprt animal? I don't know if it's limited to dogs at all. I'm looking to hear if it's a difficult experience or if there are better or worse a fences to go through?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 4:41 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 16:41:49 -0400

My wife suffers from non-service connected PTSD. We were shopping around for an emotional support animal. My wife decided on the dog before we had researched the trainer or the credentials (which turned out to be nonexistent).

Now we have an emotional support dog who I believe himself suffers from PTSD (not joking).

Do your research, and make an informed decision is all I can say.

Don't get me wrong, he's a great and loyal dog, but he doesn't serve his purpose, and has been resistant to training. Which is especially disappointing, considering he's a lab-pit mix.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 15 at 2015 5:19 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 17:19:49 -0400

We have a Certified Therapy Dog, Beckham. We trained him to do many support things at hospitals, nursing homes, neuropsych, and physical therapy. He's been doing it for 6 years and is now 8. He has more IDs and better insurance than I do. That said, he or any other therapy dog isn't an ADA covered animal. That's where people go wrong and then bitch that they're tossed out of Starbucks, etc.

To have an ADA covered animal, you need a prescription from a qualified health provider who has expertise in what the dog is for. Then you should affiliate with organizations which conduct training for the dog and owner. Delta International, Canine Project, and others. Suitable ID is a must. If you are fully compliant, the only thing an establishment can ask is if the service animal is for you. They cannot ask what your problem is. If still tossed out, don't make a scene and then contact your county ADA rep. Let them do the annoying stuff. Since Becks isn't for me, I'm not covered by ADA.

I ask if Beckham can go into stores, etc. We haven't been turned down but would respect if denied. Part of the reason is he's accepted is he's such a big chick magnet. Oh, be sure not to take an animal into the large cigar humidor. They rightfully are concerned about the environment.

Becks does his best work in physical therapy and neuropsych. People forget more about their pain when he's doing resistance work with them. Becks has a way to get people out of their shells. On his final exam he was brought into a 3 year resident that nobody heard talk. Becks had him going in 15 minutes. Don't know if the patient shut up when we left but he passed with flying colors. Two 45 minute sessions with a break is a good days work if he's doing interactive stuff. 100 pounds of pure love. He knows where every hospital cafeteria is. Now that we've moved to Idaho, we get to start over albeit at a slower pace. He's retirement eligible so we'll see.

Response by SFC Chet Crowell made Jun 17 at 2015 5:15 PM

SFC Chet Crowell — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 17:15:01 -0400

I have a PTSD Service K9 named Bella. She was provided by K9sforWarriors located in Ponte Vedra, Florida. SHe has been a huge help, however, she still creates challenges when I travel. Many airlines are still confused on what is an "Emotional Service Animal" versus a "Service Dog". If you have specific questions, I can put you in touch with friends at K9sforWarriors.

Response by SSG John Dombrowski made Jun 18 at 2015 2:41 PM

SSG John Dombrowski — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:41:56 -0400

I have talked to a few different service dog trainers. I've given up on trying to get one. I've run into a couple scams, and a few other trainers/certifiers that will either not work with me or will not let me use the dog I have now. My current dog is an important part of my life... she is friendly with every one, strong enough to help me stand, and smart enough to understand that when I'm anxious or straight pissed that she needs to intervene. Most important of all, she has been with me since she was 8 weeks old (1 yr 4 mo. now). So, I can't take her anywhere with me because she is not certified which limits my outside exposure. Trainers want me to use their dog, I don't know that dog, don't know where it came from, etc.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 18 at 2015 2:56 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:56:23 -0400

Congress voted for funds to bring our service dogs home instead of dumping them off in the country they served. I know San Antonio has a huge facility for service dogs. I am disgusted we have money to fly our dogs in theater but not out. I just realized I got service dogs mixed up. My bad.

Response by 1LT Timothy Marienau made Aug 4 at 2015 2:40 AM

1LT Timothy Marienau — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 02:40:39 -0400

Getting an ESA is the easiest type of animal to get because you can make it to be be your own and train it. I went online and ordered the vest which said ESA. I trained my dog to act like a service dog so I could take it out in public. I take it everywhere with me. If your animal can't behave fore an hour and do well with people and other animals then further obedience training is required. It's up to you when you're ready but you are the one that registers your own ESA and you don't need a Doc approval. You have airline and rental rites

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 11:01 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 11:01:36 -0500

I have a legitimate question--do emotional support animals help individuals overcome PTSD or do they only act as a short comfort during episodes of anxiety?

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Mar 12 at 2019 5:13 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 17:13:11 -0400

Lots of confusion on Emotional Service Animals vs Service Animals. I posted the link below today because Florida is considering a law that could really change things for people traveling to/from the state.
http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/2019/03/11/you-say-you-have-an-emotional-support-animal-this-bill-says-not-so-fast/

You say you have an 'emotional support’ animal? This bill says, ‘Not so fast.’

The bill is aiming at people who claim ‘emotional support’ pets to get out of paying pet deposits or into buildings that ban animals.