Is there a regulation against active duty soldiers having an emotional support dog?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 08:12:41 -0500

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.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 8:18 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 08:18:54 -0500

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.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 26 at 2019 8:52 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 08:52:01 -0500

Not that I know of based on what yiu said, but housing/landlord regulations/policies may forbid it. To my mind if the dog is not needed most of the time, then why need the dog.?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 26 at 2019 8:54 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 08:54:34 -0500

An emotional support animal is not something you just decide that you need, you are assigned one. Has a military medical professional assigned you a certified support animal?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 26 at 2019 9:12 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 09:12:46 -0500

https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/files/2016/03/DoDI-Guidance-on-the-Use-of-Service-Dogs-by-Service-Members_1300.27.pdf

DoDI-Guidance-on-the-Use-of-Service-Dogs-by-Service-Members_1300.27.pdf

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Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 9:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 09:43:24 -0500

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.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 26 at 2019 9:58 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 09:58:35 -0500

You could not serve with this type support. Saying that one requires a support animal everywhere accept combat and training is a bit confusing. None the less I am sure this would make you non-deployable. There are however, always accepting. Not likely. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 26 at 2019 11:35 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 11:35:40 -0500

All I know is when I was still on Active Duty, there was a guy who had some type of support dog; different company, same battalion. We'd see the guy and his dog walking around or in battalion formation, but I couldn't tell you any of the backstory, what's legitimate and what isn't.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Nov 26 at 2019 12:16 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 12:16:26 -0500

Everyone already said it. In the barracks there are no pets allowed. If you live off post, there's no regulation barring you from having a dog, but that apartment complex needs to allow pets. Also, the army isn't going to pay for housing off post if you aren't married just because you want an ESA.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Nov 26 at 2019 1:18 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:18:43 -0500

When you get issued an emotional support animal they will tell you everything you need to know.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 26 at 2019 1:47 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:47:13 -0500

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

250935.pdf

Response by SFC(P) Richard Warren made Nov 26 at 2019 4:11 PM

SFC(P) Richard Warren — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 16:11:18 -0500

Here is a possible way to skirt the policy against not being able to have an ESA in the barracks:

Convince your unit leadership to get a Company mascot and volunteer to be the sole caretaker.

It will not technically be YOUR animal, as it will belong to the unit, but that is the only real way to get around the long standing rules.

If they say it's not possible then remind them of Sgt Bucky.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Nov 26 at 2019 6:43 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 18:43:56 -0500

They're called pets... be very careful at your rank ... what you say and how you say it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 7:28 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 19:28:36 -0500

When you say at home alone, are you saying that you live in an apartment or a home instead of a barracks?

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 27 at 2019 10:10 AM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:10:22 -0500

who would take care of it if you are deployed? why would your issue not affect you on deployment?

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Nov 28 at 2019 12:05 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 12:05:48 -0500

Get a very small pet rock, you can take it anywhere.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2021 1:22 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 13:22:24 -0500

I haven't found anything prohibiting them. The link that is posted states they do not qualify as service animals. From my experience, an ETP can be made with recommendation from a psychiatrist stating the need for an ESA in order to treat the condition; however, it would ultimately be up to the commander if they approve it. My experience is that there would have to be significant trauma requiring it that a mental health professional deems you could be healed from. If it ends up being lifelong, then I imagine they could attempt to separate you if that makes sense. To note: this isn't from any regulation, just my experience with the situation. I'm sure it varies between units, unless there is a specific regulation that goes more in depth.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2022 11:45 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 23:45:19 -0500

Get a little pet pebble that you can carry about with you.
https://www.doglikesbest.com/

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Response by Kendall Mclaughlin made Mar 31 at 2023 2:33 AM

Kendall Mclaughlin — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 02:33:12 -0400

Hello there! I noticed that this is an old forum post, but I still want to help you out. As far as I know, there are no regulations against active duty soldiers having an emotional support dog. However, it's always best to check with your commanding officer to make sure that you're following the proper protocols. Regarding pet hair, it can be quite a hassle to deal with. I found an article that could be helpful to you on how to remove pet hair from clothes. You can check it out here: https://www.azypo.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-pet-hair-from-clothes . I hope this information helps you out, even if it is a bit late. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to ask!

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