Emotional Support Animals, Service Dogs and Comfort Pets: The Definitive Thread
#436
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Really?
https://thedogtor.net/?gclid=Cj0KEQi...inUaAj-C8P8HAQ
http://www.workingservicedog.com/emo...portdog-2.aspx
From what I've seen, I'd be surprised if even 5% of the people claiming emotional support dogs are legitimate.
https://thedogtor.net/?gclid=Cj0KEQi...inUaAj-C8P8HAQ
http://www.workingservicedog.com/emo...portdog-2.aspx
From what I've seen, I'd be surprised if even 5% of the people claiming emotional support dogs are legitimate.
Googling reveals that:
"A factitious disorder is a condition in which a person acts as if they have an illness by deliberately producing, feigning, or exaggerating symptoms. Factitious disorder imposed on another is a condition in which a person deliberately produces, feigns, or exaggerates the symptoms of someone in his or her care."
#437
Join Date: May 2014
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On the other hand, you could sit in amazement at how progressive and advanced our society has become, and that it works for so many more people than it used to, and that we are able to use our wealth and knowledge to include people. 200 years ago, the person who needed emotional support may have been abused, thrown out or sent to an asylum. They would not have been able to go west, if they were able to survive at all. Now, with appropriate treatment and accommodations, they can participate in society.
The real issue here is that the airlines still haven't found a good way to transport pets. The reality is that people understandably want to take their pets with them when they relocate or go on longer trips, but the cargo hold also has a rather bad reputation - perhaps with some justification. The ESA 'phenomenon' would cease to exist overnight if a safe, healthy solution for pet transport by air was found. But that solution would cost money airlines aren't willing to spend.
#438
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The second link states that ESAs can help those affected by factitious disorders.
Googling reveals that:
"A factitious disorder is a condition in which a person acts as if they have an illness by deliberately producing, feigning, or exaggerating symptoms. Factitious disorder imposed on another is a condition in which a person deliberately produces, feigns, or exaggerates the symptoms of someone in his or her care."
Googling reveals that:
"A factitious disorder is a condition in which a person acts as if they have an illness by deliberately producing, feigning, or exaggerating symptoms. Factitious disorder imposed on another is a condition in which a person deliberately produces, feigns, or exaggerates the symptoms of someone in his or her care."
#439
Join Date: Nov 2006
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The real issue here is that the airlines still haven't found a good way to transport pets. The reality is that people understandably want to take their pets with them when they relocate or go on longer trips, but the cargo hold also has a rather bad reputation - perhaps with some justification. The ESA 'phenomenon' would cease to exist overnight if a safe, healthy solution for pet transport by air was found. But that solution would cost money airlines aren't willing to spend.
I don't think the issue is the airlines' willingness to spend, but rather the pet owners' willingness.
#440
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And all it needed was a dog. The delusions we entertain these days. It'd be almost entertaining if it wasn't so indicative of the larger problems we face.
The real issue here is that the airlines still haven't found a good way to transport pets. The reality is that people understandably want to take their pets with them when they relocate or go on longer trips, but the cargo hold also has a rather bad reputation - perhaps with some justification. The ESA 'phenomenon' would cease to exist overnight if a safe, healthy solution for pet transport by air was found. But that solution would cost money airlines aren't willing to spend.
The real issue here is that the airlines still haven't found a good way to transport pets. The reality is that people understandably want to take their pets with them when they relocate or go on longer trips, but the cargo hold also has a rather bad reputation - perhaps with some justification. The ESA 'phenomenon' would cease to exist overnight if a safe, healthy solution for pet transport by air was found. But that solution would cost money airlines aren't willing to spend.
It's already the case that small pets can be taken into the cabin in a carrier for a fee, yet we see small fake ESAs flying for free.
#441
Join Date: Apr 2002
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And all it needed was a dog. The delusions we entertain these days. It'd be almost entertaining if it wasn't so indicative of the larger problems we face.
The real issue here is that the airlines still haven't found a good way to transport pets. The reality is that people understandably want to take their pets with them when they relocate or go on longer trips, but the cargo hold also has a rather bad reputation - perhaps with some justification. The ESA 'phenomenon' would cease to exist overnight if a safe, healthy solution for pet transport by air was found. But that solution would cost money airlines aren't willing to spend.
The real issue here is that the airlines still haven't found a good way to transport pets. The reality is that people understandably want to take their pets with them when they relocate or go on longer trips, but the cargo hold also has a rather bad reputation - perhaps with some justification. The ESA 'phenomenon' would cease to exist overnight if a safe, healthy solution for pet transport by air was found. But that solution would cost money airlines aren't willing to spend.
I'm sympathetic to people with genuine psychiatric issues. I'm not knowledgeable, however, about the medical science behind the issuing of support animals. I do suspect that the cases in which they are really necessary are actually quite rare, but that there are other cases where they are helpful but perhaps not necessary. There seems to be little question, however, that people are abusing this privilege and ruining it for everyone.
#442
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,079
If anyone wants to see how extreme the abuse of this ESA exception has become, just go to https://therapetic.org/
You can answer a very short questionnaire where you state that you have some of the symptoms of depression including the kinds of aches and pains, feeling down, etc. that we all have. Anyway, it doesn't really matter what you have, you can put down anything you want and voila! you're approved. Then they charge you about a $100 and will provide you ESA letters signed by a qualified professional in perpetuity. They are registered as a non-profit and it's all apparently perfectly legitimate.
You can answer a very short questionnaire where you state that you have some of the symptoms of depression including the kinds of aches and pains, feeling down, etc. that we all have. Anyway, it doesn't really matter what you have, you can put down anything you want and voila! you're approved. Then they charge you about a $100 and will provide you ESA letters signed by a qualified professional in perpetuity. They are registered as a non-profit and it's all apparently perfectly legitimate.
#443
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
If anyone wants to see how extreme the abuse of this ESA exception has become, just go to https://therapetic.org/
You can answer a very short questionnaire where you state that you have some of the symptoms of depression including the kinds of aches and pains, feeling down, etc. that we all have. Anyway, it doesn't really matter what you have, you can put down anything you want and voila! you're approved. Then they charge you about a $100 and will provide you ESA letters signed by a qualified professional in perpetuity. They are registered as a non-profit and it's all apparently perfectly legitimate.
You can answer a very short questionnaire where you state that you have some of the symptoms of depression including the kinds of aches and pains, feeling down, etc. that we all have. Anyway, it doesn't really matter what you have, you can put down anything you want and voila! you're approved. Then they charge you about a $100 and will provide you ESA letters signed by a qualified professional in perpetuity. They are registered as a non-profit and it's all apparently perfectly legitimate.
#444
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 81
It is demoralizing to see where we have gotten to.
Two hundred years ago, entire families were trekking across the continent in Conestoga wagons. Across barren plains and parch deserts. Risking starvation, dying of thirst, or attacks by indigenous populations. With the knowledge that there was a significant probability that some would not make it to the end of the journey.
Now, someone needs an emotional support animal to help them endure a two hour flight on what is demonstrably the safest mode of transportation that mankind has ever created.
Perhaps the horses or mules pulling the Conestoga wagons were ESAs?
Reminds me of a recent article asserting the low percentage of folks who, after a catastrophic national emergency, would not know how to build a fire to cook their food (or, for that matter, how to find food).
Two hundred years ago, entire families were trekking across the continent in Conestoga wagons. Across barren plains and parch deserts. Risking starvation, dying of thirst, or attacks by indigenous populations. With the knowledge that there was a significant probability that some would not make it to the end of the journey.
Now, someone needs an emotional support animal to help them endure a two hour flight on what is demonstrably the safest mode of transportation that mankind has ever created.
Perhaps the horses or mules pulling the Conestoga wagons were ESAs?
Reminds me of a recent article asserting the low percentage of folks who, after a catastrophic national emergency, would not know how to build a fire to cook their food (or, for that matter, how to find food).
And I doubt they demanded pre-departure beverages and free upgrades.
#445
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 182
That's It!!! I'm getting my sea lion certified as an ESA
http://kalw.org/post/airline-denies-passengers-emotional-support-sea-lion#stream/0
#446
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#447
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#448
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 81
Probably right.
But I love the idea of a hearty pioneer complaining that there was a domestic dog or a bunny rabbit in the wagon and that they were at risk of developing a serious allergic reaction.
I'm sure there are plenty of posters here on FT who dismiss people's need for an ESA or one's desire to travel with their pets but who then whine that they didn't get their choice of meal despite their impressive "status" or that they weren't offered a PDB before their flight to Omaha.
As I said before, outrage is highly selective and there are plenty of fragile whiners who justify their own predilections while sneering at those of others.
But I love the idea of a hearty pioneer complaining that there was a domestic dog or a bunny rabbit in the wagon and that they were at risk of developing a serious allergic reaction.
I'm sure there are plenty of posters here on FT who dismiss people's need for an ESA or one's desire to travel with their pets but who then whine that they didn't get their choice of meal despite their impressive "status" or that they weren't offered a PDB before their flight to Omaha.
As I said before, outrage is highly selective and there are plenty of fragile whiners who justify their own predilections while sneering at those of others.
#449
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
Probably right.
But I love the idea of a hearty pioneer complaining that there was a domestic dog or a bunny rabbit in the wagon and that they were at risk of developing a serious allergic reaction.
I'm sure there are plenty of posters here on FT who dismiss people's need for an ESA or one's desire to travel with their pets but who then whine that they didn't get their choice of meal despite their impressive "status" or that they weren't offered a PDB before their flight to Omaha.
As I said before, outrage is highly selective and there are plenty of fragile whiners who justify their own predilections while sneering at those of others.
But I love the idea of a hearty pioneer complaining that there was a domestic dog or a bunny rabbit in the wagon and that they were at risk of developing a serious allergic reaction.
I'm sure there are plenty of posters here on FT who dismiss people's need for an ESA or one's desire to travel with their pets but who then whine that they didn't get their choice of meal despite their impressive "status" or that they weren't offered a PDB before their flight to Omaha.
As I said before, outrage is highly selective and there are plenty of fragile whiners who justify their own predilections while sneering at those of others.
#450
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 53
"Emotional Support" Animal
On my flight today we had an "emotional support" animal that was the length of about 2.5 economy seats and was as tall as about half a seat. Lady was sitting in 4F with an animal and was one of the last to board. A couple was in 4D and 4E (Comfort Plus Seats) and really had no where to sit with the dog taking up all of the room. When the flight attendant came over and said this situation wasn't going to work, the lady in 4F complained that they can't do that to her and that they needed to find a place for the dog. Dog could not fit under seat and was. It's like a small horse. The couple just ended up going to the last row of economy in order to get away from this madness so got the joy of being downgraded so an "emotional support" animal could be there. The dog was pulling the owner all over the terminal and was sniffing everyone on the way back to 4F. When will the madness stop?
http://ibb.co/nP6ZNa
http://ibb.co/nP6ZNa