^ my guess would be that there is a reason they have to specify snakes (even though they already listed reptiles).
^^ Yes, they’re probably trying not to overestimate the intelligence of the American public in assuming people know that snakes are reptiles. A wise policy in general given that some people think “chicken of the sea” refers to actual chickens.
There have been many threads here that have posts explaining the difference between an ESA, a therapy dog and a service animal. There is no official vest for an ESA. They are pets, with a letter from a treating therapist saying the patient needs it for emotional support. And ESAs are only approved for housing and airplanes. Period. Busses, stores, restaurants, etc can deny entrance if it is not a service animal. But many fear negative feedback if they ask for proof. Its not fair to the establishment , and it gets abused all the time.
I have have such a strong phobia regarding those things that you all insist on naming that just reading the word freaks me out. (Ironically, both H and I and our S were born in the Chinese year of that reptile.) No way could I knowingly be on a plane with one. SHRIEK!!!
Well… Mr was at the airport today. There was a lady with two large doodle dogs… She put a vest on one, but the other had to go into a crate because she could not fit her 2 ESA pets under the seat. Bummer.
Quit bringing your stupid pets on a plane. Good Lord. We are already crammed together like sardines as the airlines attempt to cram in more and more people in smaller spaces.
None of us need extra stress or concern with being bitten. I’ll hold your hand and pray for you if you need to be calmer to fly. But I’m not tolerating your pet. Period. If I have to leave, I’ll make sure everyone knows about it.
" She put a vest on one, but the other had to go into a crate because she could not fit her 2 ESA pets under the seat"
The ESA version of Sophie’s Choice? 
246 - post of the day!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!
Interesting, informative article:
https://www.outsideonline.com/2236871/stop-faking-service-dogs?
According to the above article, “A new bill introduced to the Senate this summer by Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin threatens to add to the confusion even more. If it becomes law, you’ll be able to take any animal on a plane simply by telling the airline that it’s an ESA. Alarmingly, the bill seems to include ESAs in its definition of service animals.”
Say what? Where has this senator been to not realize the problems with ESAs on airlines?!?!
I was wondering how the airline flights out of FL went before the hurricane? Cabin fees for pets waived, no probably not as many ESAs on the flight? What about the people with allergies? Did the animals take priority over those passengers?
strongly agree with post 23.
As a landlord I often have people trying to trick me into accepting their pet in my “no pets” homes. They sometimes offer that “they have a note from their doctor”, and will then claim they have a service animal. I agree an ESA can be a wonderful, and helpful pet, but a doctor’s note does not magically turn a family pet into a service animal.
For housing, Fed law requires me to accept service animals, but not esa’s.
Actually, Fed law does require you to accept ESAs…
That’s likely one reason why some Chinese/Chinese-Americans I’ve known preferred to use the euphemism “Little Dragon” in the place of snake. Especially considering that year happens to fall the year after that of the dragon.
Post #251. Moosh sounds like an ESA version of a diploma mill.
OMG - for the upgraded fee of $229, you even get a little vest for your pet.
Our laws make it difficult for someone to get a handicapped placard without a valid reason and some effort. Why don’t we apply the same standards to something like service dogs and ESAs? Companies like Moosh give the whole service dog/ESA community a bad rep.
^^Agree. A real service dog should be licensed and insured. License and proof of insurance would have to be shown before boarding a flight.
It seems the Federal Definition of what constitutes a 'service animal" is broader than what most would consider a licensed service animal.
And here’s an example of a building with a “no-pets” policy who ended up getting sued and lost by their co-op members after they attempted to evict them for bringing a pet into their unit without prior permission as an ESA:
The definition for housing is far more broad than it is in other areas. We have to allow “emotional support animals” into our dorms. In our historically-designated buildings with very small rooms, no sound-proofing, and … if the student wants a double room, we have to find a willing roommate or give them a single at the cost of a double if unable to find someone who wants to share. It seems like it is pretty easy to get a doctor to say you need an ESA. Dogs & cats so far … I told our Director that I am sure the pony (and all that comes with THAT) will be in our dorms soon! We do not have to allow the animals into buildings other than the dorms, though.
^ ^
Or maybe Godzilla, King Kong, or even a weirdly mutated T-Rex like Barney.
I sure hope so. A person can endure some sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion for a day rather than another person having to leave their dog or cat to drown. And if your allergy is significantly worse than that, you must have a lot of trouble being in public situations like movie theaters, restaurants, buses, and so forth on a regular basis, given the number of us who are portable sources of cat and dog dander, so presumably you have the medication to cope with it and know how to do so.