"""Why didn't he claim the dog was his emotional support animal? I thought that usually works these days (at least from what I read on FT."""


To make it work you have to convince a professional in the mental health field to write a letter on their letterhead saying that you are under their care and that you "need" the support animal. I am of the opinion that most psychiatrists and psychologists would not take to writing such a letter lightly.

You can NOT just verbally say it is an emotional support animal and they take your word for it as you can a service animal, you have to provide documentation and I know that at least AA contacts the doctor to verify that it is legit.