Comments on: Emotional support, therapy and companion dogs in court

By: MattS

MattS — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 22:46:59 +0000

In reply to Robert. The big problem, is that some "emotional support" animals are in fact medically justified, but it's impossible to tell the cases that are from the cases that aren't without a lot of documentation that is illegal to ask for in most cases.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 16:40:29 +0000

In reply to cecil. I don't think there's significant opposition to guide dogs for the blind. It's "emotional support" animals that aren't really medically justified that's causing a problem.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 16:38:45 +0000

It’s becoming a big nuisance on planes. On an international flight last week there was a dog (wearing a vest that said “emotional support animal”) that clearly wasn’t a well trained dog. Barking and distracted. And the woman who was with it was a piece of work, too.

If I’m ever on trial for anything, I’d love to have an adorable (well-behaved) puppy beside me!

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 16:34:27 +0000

I had an ADA-compliance training that I remember learning feom it that “emotional support animals” is only recognized as a legal concept (at least Federally) in the housing arena, and for ADA purposes only people using dogs trained to perform a specific, describable task get any protection. Is that right, or did either the class or my memory fail me?

By: CarLitGuy

CarLitGuy — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 15:15:21 +0000

Cecil,
Just wanted to say how much I appreciate reading your views, even when I have a somewhat different (in degree, typically, not in kind) policy preference. You have a perspective I can’t (thankfully) imagine on my own, and raise considerations I’d not have thought of.

By: cecil

cecil — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 13:26:53 +0000

Dogs have been companions for thousands of years.
I have had two dog guides (the proper generic for what people usually call seeing eye dogs or guide dogs, both company names). I had no issue following them to class and other short term locations. I didn’t however extend that to an eight hour job. It’s just not fair on the dog, and I had alternatives. After all, I was dropped at the front door by my wife and just had to walk thru the building partially, no big deal.
These folks who want to bring their dog to court need to think a bit more about the dog and a bit less about themselves. Just my $.02