Yes, I checked out petairways and planned to use them, in spite of the inconvenience (the owners were not allowed to take the same flights, which created many logistical challenges). But the prices were fare, albeit not cheap. Unfortunately, they went out of business, which is not at all surprising. I think that pet-designated flights are not sustainable, there has to be some number of designated “shared” flights
I don’t particularly care for animals. I only like few I know. I would prefer to go to places where pets are not allowed. I live in an apartment building where pets are not allowed, and it is a plus for me.
I know this sounds like I am dumping on EmilyBee.
As a person who has struggled with allergies and asthma, if I was looking for a condo I would look for one that doesn’t accept pets. When someone circumvents that by having their dog certified as an ESA, it hurts those of us who can’t tolerate pets.
It seems to me that it would be easier if you have a pet to find a condo that accepts them. I know apt complexes do so I would suspect condos do also.
As many here know, my s is about to get married and they are flying 10+ hrs for their honeymoon. Future DIL is VERY (as in asthma attacks) allergic to dogs (I’d get another dog if this were not the case, as well as younger s also being allergic, but not so severely). If she happens to be on a very long flight with a dog nearby, this could be a BIG problem.
My parents have been in this condo since 1990. They did not have a dog when they moved in. My mother’s therapist thought a dog would be beneficial to her 15 years ago, so she got the requisit certifications and got the dog. There are several people in her building with ESA dogs and there are people with dogs they think no one knows about. Cats, too. There are also buildings where she lives which allow dogs. It is the condo associations choice. However, a lot are changing their rules to allow pets because they get more money for them when they want to sell.
My moms dog is a 10 pound Japanese Chin who never barks and doesnt nip. When she takes her for walks it makes everyone in her condo who sees her smile. They all love her dog as they did her first dog. It’s not a little building, either. 60 condos, so a lot of people.
My cousins daughter is deathly allergic to peanuts. Even being in a room or airplane where there are peanuts can cause a serious reaction. They have to tell the airline when she flies and I assume they tell the other passengers. If I had a serious allergy to dogs I would tell the airline when I booked my flight. I am sure the airline will then not allow a dog in the cabin on that flight. They also have rules on how many dogs are allowed on a flight.
Now, I am done answering questions and with this thread. You all can now keep complaining about people with ESA animals without interruption.
People are not complaining about ESA animals.They are complaining about ill-gotten ESA letters.
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y. If that person is not so debilitatingly disabled by their MH disorder that they don’t need to be in active therapy, they don’t need, and shouldn’t get, an ESA letter.
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I think this is an important point. How can someone claim that their anxiety level is so high that they can’t be “out and about” without an ESA, but not be in active therapy/treatment?
I certainly understand why an older (or even younger) person living alone would want to live with a pet. Absolutely. I had one uncle and one aunt who never married, and they each ALWAYS had a dog. I totally understand that. However, that is quite different from needing an animal “at your side” at all times so that you can cope with the world, do your shopping, go to your job, drive your car, etc.
I understand that many don’t like to leave their precious dogs at home. Our dogs look so sad when we leave. My 4 lb dog literally starts shaking when she sees that I’m getting ready to leave (I guess I’m her ESH).
Typically, when someone is outside the range of normal in some significant area, it means that it significantly affects their ability to function in life. Anxiety? Everyone has some. But, having a level of anxiety that prevents you from normally functioning in life is “outside the range of normal.” I don’t get the sense that many who have ESAs have anxiety to the extent that they can’t function…meaning that they literally cannot leave their home, work at their job, shop at a store, without having such a level of anxiety that they truly can’t function without their ESA.
If people can get an ESA certificate, then the animal should have some sort of certification too. The dog, hedgehog, rabbit, or cat should not just be any dog, hedgehog, rabbit, or cat but one that has been trained, certified healthy, certified not dangerous, trained to be of service. Every dog can’t be Lassie smart, but some level of training should be required.
This is a good article: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/20/pets-allowed
I don’t understand the ES need at all. If someone is so debilitated by their mental condition that they need to bring an animal everywhere, then they need a support animal which is properly trained. There is rampant abuse of the system by people similar to eb’s mother.
" There is rampant abuse of the system by people similar to eb’s mother."
I would not call eb’s mother a system abuser from what EB said. The dog was recommended by her therapist, and that’s how she got it. She is not a renter, but a condo owner who got the letter to overcome restrictions by the association’s covenant prohibiting pets. That’s reasonable. Access to housing and accommodations in public places are different beasts. Where she is overstepping the boundaries is when she takes her dog to public places - she can function perfectly fine, according to what EB said, in those places without the dog. From what I’ve read so far, unless the local laws state otherwise, business owners can exclude her animal from their properties because it is not a service animal per ADA. The ADA and its state equivalents, as interpreted by the courts, are fairly specific on the definition of a service animal: the animal has to be trained to perform a specific task to compensate the disable person’s missing function, e.g., work as a pair of eyes. Business owners most of the time roll over when they see an animal in a vest purchased from Amazon in fear of ADA lawsuits; what they don’t understand is that a person with allergies (an ADA covered condition) can also bring up a lawsuit against a place that accommodates non-service dogs to this person’s detriment.
The ADA is also pretty clear that only DOGS are “service animals” (one exception was made for miniature horses but with a lot of caveats) and what “service” really means:
In my opinion, “overstepping the boundaries” = abusing the system.
Until business owners put their foot forward and start kicking out abusers and their snakes off the properties, abuses will continue. Give them an inch…
Thank you for the link, CTTC. Loved it. First belly laugh of the day. : - )
^^Isn’t the same article linked in the OP? Anyway, it is so good it is worth repeating.
BTW, the places that issue these letters are making medical diagnosis. There’s got to be something illegal about that… Diagnosing an illness in a patient sight unseen…
When people take their dogs everywhere, how do they accommodate the dog’s need to urinate? (Not a dog owner here). I remember once having a nice meal on a restaurant patio, and a dog owner brought her dog out to urinate in a landscaped area not far from where I was sitting. I did not appreciate that at all.
I don’t like dogs on leashes in the department store. I won’t try to access a jewelry or other counter, when there is a dog on a leash there. I despise dogs licking my toes and legs, and even putting their wet noses on me or my possessions. I wonder how their owners would feel if my toddler licked their legs or wiped his nose on their shopping bag.
I don’t mind dogs who are well-behaved being around otherwise.
I love dogs, just about ALL dogs. But untrained animals in human social situations are a big no-no.
I agree with @Bay. "I don’t mind dogs who are well-behaved being around otherwise.’
I would extend that statement to include all humans.
I have two dogs. I love my dogs and take them many places. (Here in Portland, they are welcomed in the outdoor area of many restaurants. Many stores make a point of welcoming well-behaved dogs, as well.) However, I detest being licked by dogs (including my own), as dog saliva makes me itch. If I was being licked by a strange dog, I would make a point of asking the owner to “please control your dog.” No dog should be allowed to approach ANYONE without the permission of the person being approached. As well, no one should approach ANY DOG without the permission of the dog’s handler.
In my experience, places that welcome dogs also make a point of having a designated potty area for the dogs. Contrary to the belief of many people, it is possible to train a dog to pee on cue and to not pee on cue. (My cues are “hurry up!” and “unh-unh”, respectively.)
This is a huge problem for me. I have two huge labs - one loves all people, one loves HIS people. We frequently walk past a playground - the number of people who want to get their children used to dogs using mine just amazes me. Sabadog does not care for strangers touching him or trying to hug him - and of course he’s the one everyone wants to touch. What’s worst are the unsupervised children who run screaming toward “Marley!” My rule is you must have a grownup with you to meet “Marley”.
dmd, my neighbors laugh at me - our cue is “tinkle time”.
I am not ok with bringing pets AT ALL. Lots of people have allergies. Why should they suffer because you have to have your pet with you.
Emotional support animal, my foot. That’s legit maybe 1% of the time. So over the scammers.
Landlords hear this a lot.