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mommy2be716
LIF Adult
Member since 1/16 2921 total posts
Name:
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Service dog for mental health
what are your thoughts on this? SIL has some mental issues and has officially made her dog a service animal. Didn't bother us one bit, but now she is insisting her dog come EVERYWHERE and we are not dog people. She brings it to my MIL and FILs and he is like all up in our business when we are trying to eat, and it is really quite obnoxious. However, she said she needs him there for her anxiety and depression. We are going to have her dog all over us on Christmas morning now too, and DD doesn't like him and cries. She just pushes the dog on her anyway and insists he's a nice dog. It's very annoying
I don't want to come off insensitive at all because I get it to some degree, but I have a blind uncle who commutes from NJ to NYC every day to his law office with his seeing eye dog. He takes public transport and everything. Then to see photos of her with her poorly trained dog in her lap on a airplane just irritates me sometimes. Kinda feel bad for whoever had to sit next to them on the plane.
Now we have a coworker at my job who just asked for permission to bring her mental health puppy to work DAILY. Said it's for her anxiety.
What are your thoughts on this? Like I said, I can see both sides. However, with a family member who truly needs his service animal, I can't help but feel his needs are being minimized.
Message edited 11/18/2019 12:47:57 PM.
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Posted 11/18/19 12:46 PM  |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Service dog for mental health
I feel that if an animal is going to be designated as a service animal then it should really have to have some kind of training.
Example- A seeing eye dog is highly trained.
But just saying- hey I'm stressed, I'm depressed, I have anxiety, and taking your untrained, misbehaved dog everywhere with you is just ridiculous IMO.
I feel anxious a lot, I feel depressed, my cat makes me feel better, yes. But I'm not carting her all over the place and subjecting others to her just because I feel like it.
I feel like there has to be a line, and if you truly need a service animal, it should be more than just a note from your dr or therapist- the animal should have to have some kind of training as well IMO
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| Posted 11/18/19 12:56 PM |
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amac27
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/09 471 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Service dog for mental health
I am a HUGE an animal lover, but I don't like how everyone is now getting these ridiculous faux certificates online and bringing their dogs into places where animals do not belong. I was at Hale and Hearty about a month ago and this older woman brought her Shitszu into the restaurant. When the manager asked her to removed the animal, she claimed it was a service dog. The dog barked the entire time people were eating. A true service animal goes through months long training. These people are going to make it so much harder for those who truly need a service animal.
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| Posted 11/18/19 12:59 PM |
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loveus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/13 684 total posts
Name:
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Service dog for mental health
Unless it’s an ADA trained dog I don’t want it in my house, especially if my dd was unhappy. . Too many people found a loop hole and take advantage.
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| Posted 11/18/19 1:01 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Service dog for mental health
As far as Christmas morning- are you talking about at your house when your DD wakes up and is opening gifts?
If so, hell to the no....
I'd tell her not to come unless she leaves the dog at home.
If she can't function without it, she can stay home.
Get the eff out of here.
But I wouldn't want anyone in my house on Christmas morning while DD is opening gifts anyway- dog or no dog.
Message edited 11/18/2019 1:07:44 PM.
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| Posted 11/18/19 1:07 PM |
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SecretlyTTC14
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1770 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Service dog for mental health
I cant stand it. All these people exploiting the loophole should be ashamed of themselves. I have a co-worker that brags about how she can bring her dog everywhere now. Although she hasn't tried to bring the dog to work yet, I'm sure she will eventually. I think it's funny she can go out drinking and partying without her dog. She only seems to "need" him when it's actually convenient for her.
If I was in your position, I would explain to your SIL that although you realize the dog is helping her with her anxiety and depression, it is causing your family and DD to be anxious. Tell you cannot allow the dog there on Christmas because it will ruin Christmas for your DD. I would add in that you hope she can find the strength to attend without the dog. There is no way I would allow someone to ruin Christmas morning for my kids.
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| Posted 11/18/19 1:24 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Service dog for mental health
I think there needs to be a training and licensing course for the animal. Not every animal can or should be a service animal. In addition, the person who needs a service animal needs to be trained to understand the responsibilities of a service animal. They are not a pet anymore. Just printing out a piece of paper and paying $35 for a patch is not okay. I find people who do pay for a printed piece of paper and then demand their pet be treated as a service animal to be awful people who want to de-legitimize people who have an actual trained service animal. While I have no doubt those people have issues, they are not going about having them treated properly.
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| Posted 11/18/19 1:25 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3073 total posts
Name:
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Emotional Support Animals are not regulated and do not need to be properly trained.
However, the ADA does not cover them. Most businesses allow them because they are afraid of being sued for discrimination, but they are under no legal requirement to allow them.
The American Disabilities Act only covers SERVICE animals - animals that are trained to perform specific tasks - like a guide dog or a dog that is trained to open doors, grab things, etc. Just feeling like you "need" to have your dog with you, doesn't cut it under the law.
There is no licensing for emotional support animals and all those "certificates" are a bunch of BS.
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| Posted 11/18/19 1:41 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Service dog for mental health
This is one of my biggest pet peeves. If it is not a trained service dog and if the owner is not trained along with the dog, then it is not real. All these people who "claim" to need one for anxiety or whatever other reason they make up ruin it for the people who truly need the animal to help them survive. I would tell her your daughter is allergic and the dog isn't allowed in the home. A true service dog would not be bothering everyone and up in your business. There is your true test on if it was trained or not.
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| Posted 11/18/19 1:41 PM |
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Posted by Mill188
Emotional Support Animals are not regulated and do not need to be properly trained.
However, the ADA does not cover them. Most businesses allow them because they are afraid of being sued for discrimination, but they are under no legal requirement to allow them.
The American Disabilities Act only covers SERVICE animals - animals that are trained to perform specific tasks - like a guide dog or a dog that is trained to open doors, grab things, etc. Just feeling like you "need" to have your dog with you, doesn't cut it under the law.
There is no licensing for emotional support animals and all those "certificates" are a bunch of BS.
We have represented defendants businesses in ADA suits. Never a dog one (yet) though. They usually end up settling for $5000. And $2,500 is the attorney's fee. Crazy
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| Posted 11/18/19 1:57 PM |
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mommy2be716
LIF Adult
Member since 1/16 2921 total posts
Name:
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Posted by NervousNell
As far as Christmas morning- are you talking about at your house when your DD wakes up and is opening gifts?
If so, hell to the no....
I'd tell her not to come unless she leaves the dog at home.
If she can't function without it, she can stay home.
Get the eff out of here.
But I wouldn't want anyone in my house on Christmas morning while DD is opening gifts anyway- dog or no dog.
no her dog isnt welcome in our home (neither is she most of the time  )... We go to MIL's for breakfast around 10am. MIL enables the **** outta her and never says no to anything, so she would choose her dog over her grandchild hands down
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| Posted 11/18/19 2:51 PM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Service dog for mental health
Sounds like she has a companion animal, not a service animal. Companion animals do not have the same "rights" as a service animal. Just tell her the dog is not welcome in your home.
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| Posted 11/18/19 3:18 PM |
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Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
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Service dog for mental health
I think it’s a joke, sorry...
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| Posted 11/18/19 6:07 PM |
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GoodThoughts
Dreams do come true
Member since 2/12 2259 total posts
Name:
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Posted by Mill188
Emotional Support Animals are not regulated and do not need to be properly trained.
However, the ADA does not cover them. Most businesses allow them because they are afraid of being sued for discrimination, but they are under no legal requirement to allow them.
The American Disabilities Act only covers SERVICE animals - animals that are trained to perform specific tasks - like a guide dog or a dog that is trained to open doors, grab things, etc. Just feeling like you "need" to have your dog with you, doesn't cut it under the law.
There is no licensing for emotional support animals and all those "certificates" are a bunch of BS.
This.
There is a tremendous difference between a service dog and an emotional support animal. Service animals go through a long training period. They perform a specific task or tasks for their owners.
ESAs go through no training because they have no function other than to be a comfort to their owners. It’s shameful when people call their animals ESAs just because they want to, as opposed to a true, emotional need.
That said, it sounds like you’re trying to figure out how to handle your SIL’s visits. It sounds like the dog’s presence is really upsetting to your daughter. What does your husband say?
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| Posted 11/18/19 6:34 PM |
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mommy2be716
LIF Adult
Member since 1/16 2921 total posts
Name:
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Posted by GoodThoughts
Posted by Mill188
Emotional Support Animals are not regulated and do not need to be properly trained.
However, the ADA does not cover them. Most businesses allow them because they are afraid of being sued for discrimination, but they are under no legal requirement to allow them.
The American Disabilities Act only covers SERVICE animals - animals that are trained to perform specific tasks - like a guide dog or a dog that is trained to open doors, grab things, etc. Just feeling like you "need" to have your dog with you, doesn't cut it under the law.
There is no licensing for emotional support animals and all those "certificates" are a bunch of BS.
This.
There is a tremendous difference between a service dog and an emotional support animal. Service animals go through a long training period. They perform a specific task or tasks for their owners.
ESAs go through no training because they have no function other than to be a comfort to their owners. It’s shameful when people call their animals ESAs just because they want to, as opposed to a true, emotional need.
That said, it sounds like you’re trying to figure out how to handle your SIL’s visits. It sounds like the dog’s presence is really upsetting to your daughter. What does your husband say?
These are her visits to my MILs. Her dog is not welcome here and we've made that clear and she doesn't even try. MIL allows it though, even when she sees how upset it makes my daughter. Dh cant stand it but we just keep the visits short because she always wins in these situations. MIL feels bad for her because her life basically sucks, so she enables her to make her feel better.
I was really just posting to see if people are annoyed by this too. These responses have been very informative though. I didn't realize that an ESA really doesn't mean anything. She brings that dog on airplanes, on the LIRR, everywhere. But based on what I'm reading, she is technically she's not allowed to and they are just afraid to say no... Which makes sense because this crazy chick would definitely try to sue lol
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| Posted 11/18/19 9:42 PM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Posted by NervousNell
I feel that if an animal is going to be designated as a service animal then it should really have to have some kind of training.
Example- A seeing eye dog is highly trained.
Service animals are trained.
They would NEVER act the way OP describes this dog.
As everyone already mentioned, this sounds like an Emotional Support Animal.
Big difference.
ETS: ESA allow people to try and bring peacocks on planes!
Message edited 11/18/2019 10:03:21 PM.
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| Posted 11/18/19 10:01 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Posted by MsSissy
Posted by NervousNell
I feel that if an animal is going to be designated as a service animal then it should really have to have some kind of training.
Example- A seeing eye dog is highly trained.
Service animals are trained.
They would NEVER act the way OP describes this dog.
As everyone already mentioned, this sounds like an Emotional Support Animal.
Big difference.
ETS: ESA allow people to try and bring peacocks on planes!
People have emotional support peacocks?
You really do learn something new every day...
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| Posted 11/18/19 10:04 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Service dog for mental health
I generally give people the benefit of the doubt, but what your SIL is doing sounds ridiculous. I’d skip the breakfast and wouldn’t think twice.
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| Posted 11/18/19 10:07 PM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by MsSissy
Posted by NervousNell
I feel that if an animal is going to be designated as a service animal then it should really have to have some kind of training.
Example- A seeing eye dog is highly trained.
Service animals are trained.
They would NEVER act the way OP describes this dog.
As everyone already mentioned, this sounds like an Emotional Support Animal.
Big difference.
ETS: ESA allow people to try and bring peacocks on planes!
People have emotional support peacocks?
You really do learn something new every day...
MmmmHmmm
Story
ETS: As for the OP sounds like SIL is taking advantage of the system. I wouldn't be happy at all.
Message edited 11/18/2019 10:09:05 PM.
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| Posted 11/18/19 10:07 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Like Spock, from Star Trek said, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one".
Her unruly, untrained dog causes stress and anxiety to everyone one around it at your home. It's not fair that your SIL can cause anxiety to everyone else, just so she can bring her dog with her.
And I love dogs, but I never force my dog on people who don't like dogs, even though my dog is extremely well behaved.
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| Posted 11/19/19 7:34 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Service dog for mental health
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by MsSissy
Posted by NervousNell
I feel that if an animal is going to be designated as a service animal then it should really have to have some kind of training.
Example- A seeing eye dog is highly trained.
Service animals are trained.
They would NEVER act the way OP describes this dog.
As everyone already mentioned, this sounds like an Emotional Support Animal.
Big difference.
ETS: ESA allow people to try and bring peacocks on planes!
People have emotional support peacocks?
You really do learn something new every day...
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42880690
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| Posted 11/19/19 7:36 AM |
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