Is there a policy prohibiting soldiers from getting an Emotional Support Animal?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 19:32:35 -0400

IE: deployability, housing, etc.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 14 at 2017 7:43 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 19:43:33 -0400

The already have one. It's called "Sergeant"

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Oct 14 at 2017 7:45 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 19:45:51 -0400

If you need an emotional support animal, you don't need to be in the military.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 14 at 2017 7:54 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 19:54:54 -0400

Oh My Lord, what a can of worms! Lets look logically. 1. It is very hard for discharged veterans to be prescribed for and find service dogs, training can run as long as 2 years, and the veteran will spend months in training as well. 2. When I was in, regulations prohibited animals in the troop billets. Imagine the paperwork and discussion with your 1SG on this one. 3. Deployability?? I know the K9 units had to jump thru hoops to get their animals in country and you think you could get a non-military dog in? To get a family pet with all paperwork from OCONUS to CONUS use to take up to 6 months. So what good would this dog due during deployment? Can you imagine trying to care for the dog at a FOB or worse a OP? Bottom line, I imagine that if you were prescribed an "emotional support dog/animal" your time in the Army would be stagnant and short-lived.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2017 7:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 19:55:05 -0400

SGM Mikel Dawson Just wondering SGM, thanks for the advice but in no way, shape, or form do I foresee myself getting out.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2017 9:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 21:09:21 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member How many active duty soldiers have you seen with emotional Support animals? Service dogs can be utilized by wounded warriors.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Oct 14 at 2017 9:37 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 21:37:44 -0400

1. Could an infantryman take his Emotional Support Animal on a combat patrol...say a squad walking patrol? What if the dog does not like 10 mile hikes? Would PETA be ok if you made your dog do a 20 mile hike? What about on your PFT?
2. If you are a Tanker, would your dog be happy inside the tank? What about when the tank makes aloud noise like shooting the main gun at the enemy?

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Oct 15 at 2017 3:53 AM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 03:53:17 -0400

You need a support animal, then join the K-9 corps.

Response by SSG William Bowen made Oct 15 at 2017 8:20 AM

SSG William Bowen — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 08:20:55 -0400

Emotional Support Animal = Infantry squad!!!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2017 8:38 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 08:38:13 -0400

Government Issue Emotional Support Animal = US Marine ( Devil Dog ). Semper Fi, Sandy :)

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 15 at 2017 12:05 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 12:05:44 -0400

Saw some tough love logic and process problem answers. The angle I'll add is people feel better around animals, especially dogs. The question is do you "clinically" need one? If the answer is yes, you shall be boarded out. If the answer is no, then you're expected to grow a pair. The current policies point to a black/white answer. So the next question is why not? Fiddling in the grey area is resource intensive that reduces the warfighting support for those who have existing pairs. The reality is it's easier and better to toss the issue out and replace it with people who don't need/want the support. What many forget is the military is a business with business risks, financial caps, people caps, you name it. The only reason the military has this heavy load of non military training and programs is that was either ordered by law or by the Executive Branch. We got serious about gays, suicides, EEO, etc. beyond the moral pressure as the cost of not doing so exceeded the cost of doing so. Another business decision.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 5:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 05:32:40 -0400

WTF is an 'emotional support' animal?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2017 12:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 12:00:15 -0400

Why would you need an emotional support animal while on active duty? Seriously curious.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2017 10:08 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 10:08:02 -0400

If the animal is not classified as a service animal and has papers to prove it, the animal is not authorized in the barracks. If you require a service animal, you should be separated, as you really aren't prepared or equipped to deploy. I won't belittle you as some others have, but if things are that tough for you, talk to the MFLAC or self-enroll in mental health clinic. Also, open door your commander and let him/her know, as they can assist you in the paperwork process to get out.

Response by SSG Richard Hively made Oct 25 at 2017 11:29 AM

SSG Richard Hively — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 11:29:52 -0400

Talk to your chain of command, Army Regulations change quite often.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2017 9:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 21:30:27 -0400

Housing sure. Deployments no. Probably facing a MEd board if your in a situation where you need one.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2018 2:05 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 14:05:42 -0500

Have you guys thought that he just wants the ESA letter just so he can have the pet that his lease doesn't allow?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 3 at 2018 7:06 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 19:06:25 -0500

If you are to the point of requesting such an animal- then I imagine your career plans shortly going up in smoke. Probably non-deployable, no animals in billets, etc.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jun 10 at 2019 5:02 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:02:22 -0400

I can see the Navy having a big German Shepard on ship!? If you need an emotional support animal, you probably can not carry a weapon... Sounds like we do not need many infantrymen who can not pull a trigger.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jun 10 at 2019 5:04 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:04:01 -0400

Some countries would call your pet ....dinner!

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jun 10 at 2019 5:09 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:09:47 -0400

Would you like your combat medic or your surgeon to have a dog and have the dog licking parts in your operating room...and lick you next. Maybe those people who make regulations are smart.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 10 at 2019 5:30 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:30:21 -0400

There are many place where comfort animals are not allowed. Your profession requires that you go to the field, Combat, motor pools etc. of course one cannot have a service animal in the military and remain in service. Thank you for your service.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 10 at 2019 5:32 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:32:46 -0400

Sorry, and they do not need a policy prohibiting, it is the other way around. They would have to develop a policy that authorizes it, and again it would not work. The Soldier would need waivers for every aspect of their career, thus not being able to perform their duty. Then again, who knows in today’s society.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jun 10 at 2019 7:23 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 19:23:49 -0400

Stop, please. This is embarrassing.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Jun 10 at 2019 10:02 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 22:02:25 -0400

While this yet another old post that seems to have popped up....This response will be neither helpful or nice...... BWAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Damn that hurt. I thank the gods at HRC that I am retired and never heard this while in uniform, I would have had a stroke in place.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jun 11 at 2019 11:30 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 11:30:24 -0400

I just can not comprehend where this type of question originates! Sorry

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2019 8:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 20:39:17 -0500

Can a person have a emotional support animal in army reserves ?