General Discussion > Emotional Support Animals (publicly viewable board)

Question about training your dog

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laorenjii:
Okay, so I am planning to get a letter from my conselor.  My dog, a shepherd, behaves well in crowds, (I walk down towan alot and he's accustomed to crowds as well as other dog.
  I called around to see if there were any tasks that an ESD has to do
It find out what tasks my dog could do.  One company doesn't train (only  service dogs from shelters) ther company wants to charge over $300 just for basic obedience that he already knows.

So I was wondering:

1. My dog is already trained why would I have to shell out money liie that if I'm only needing him for emotioal therapy ?  Plus the company that was going to charge over $300 just to do training that I/ve already done.  They said that my dog would have to be certified in order to be an ESD?????? I thought that was a bit on the bizzare side.

2.  Are those websites that sell you identity tags not iegit?  I feel it's sort of bogus if there aren't any regs Correct me if I'n wrong?

Kirsten:
ESAs don't have to be trained beyond basic good pet manners.  They do not need task training because they are not service dogs.  Be aware that you do not have public access with an ESA, ie the right to take the dog to places where pets are not ordinarily permitted (unless you first obtain permission from the facility or business you wish to visit).  The DOJ is clear on this point.


--- Quote ---The crime deterrent effects of an animalīs presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.

--- End quote ---

The difference between a pet and an ESA only matters in "no pets" housing and on commercial aircraft.  That's because three different federal laws are involved, each with their own regulations regarding assistance animals.  Title III of the ADA (administered by the DOJ) gives public access rights only to people with qualified service dogs, not ESAs.  The FHAA (administered by HUD) permits people with disabilities and a letter from a treating physician the right to keep either a service dog or an ESA even in "no pets" housing.  The ACAA (administered by the DOT) also groups service dogs and ESAs together for access to commercial aircraft.

No site selling ID tags, cards, certification, registration, etc., are legitimate.  None of these is required by federal law and they'll sell to anyone regardless of whether they are actually disabled or their dog is actually an SD or ESA.  They don't care.  They just want to make a fast buck.

Magesteff:
ALso, ESA's are not given public access the way service animals are. WHile you can take an ESA out on the street and places where animals are allowed (some pet stores, etc.) you cannot take an ESA into a grocery store or retaurant.

THat is correct the sites that sell certification are scams. You do not need certification for an ESA or Service Animal. There is no LEGAL requirement for papers. However, an ESA does not need training, as Kirsten saidm beyond good manners, while a Service ANimal needs about 2 years of training. Note that a Service animal must be trained for tasks that mitigate your specific disability, or it is not a service animal for you.

labs4ever:
The others are right. It sounds like you are mixing up the term Emotional Support Animal and  Service Dog.   A dog that  provides emotional support as its  "only"  thing is  not a service dog as  emotional support is  inherent in all dogs and can not be trained,  A dog becomes a SD  when  it is trained to do something to mitigate the persons disability and that task must be trainable.  i.e. guide work, or   turning on light switches.   Those are  pretty  obvious tasks,  but  there are tasks  that  can be used for  SD's for psych disorders, but keep in mind  you must meet the legal definition under the ADA regarding psych stuff,  a diagnosis by itself, does not mean you are disabled by the psych diagnosis necessarily.   

That is something to ask a doctor about as to wether you are disabled by yoru psych diagnosis.  but some tasks for  psych related disabilities depending on the symptoms can include light guide work or   turning on lights before someon with PTSD goes into a house, for example.  :smile: 

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