Help me out fellow dog lovers info on esa

[Ajmurphy805]

I am in California but I travel for work from may - oct so to say the least I live in 3 different apartments a year. It's very stressful because I have adopted two Pitts a few years back. And there always a restricted breed. My dogs are my babies and I can't stand to be away from them so they have to come with me but I always run into issues with breed restrictions. So I hear making them a esa would fix that. My dogs are very well behaved and trained. The best snugglers in the world and not aggressive wit people or animals! The apartments want to see documentation so I want to know how about to get it so I don't have to worry any more  , do I see a dr or a therapist ? They write a prescription ? And I hand at to the apartmENTS? I don't have health insurance. I wouldn't kind paing the visit fee but wha actually make them "esa" Ty for your help. I can't handle this  streess anymore

[Kirsten]

To qualify for an ESA, you would have to be declared seriously mentally ill by a mental health professional.  It's not about how much you miss them.  If you are not disabled by mental illness, then these dogs are pets, not ESAs and one would hope everyone loves their pets.  One visit to a psychiatrist is not enough.  You have to be in treatment.  You have to request the accommodation in writing and there are instances where it can be denied so you have to plan at least weeks, if not months, in advance.

ESAs are not necessarily immune to breed bans either.  If the landlord can show it would cause their insurance premiums to go up, they can deny breeds banned by their insurance carrier as an "undue burden."

I would not take any dog I loved into an area with a breed ban against them.  We've had too many reports of such dogs being confiscated and euthanized before the legal process can play out and get them returned.  Not worth the risk IMO.

Also remember that California is one of the states with a faker law and there are criminal penalties for falsely claiming a disability in order to take a dog where dogs are not permitted.

[Roxie]

Two dogs as an ESA? I don't think that will fly. Choosing dog breeds known to be banned due to risk of bite danger (even though it is a person's freedom of choice) and wanting them to be ESA's or SD's may not be the wisest choice because of the problems that causes for one.

You have pets, not ESA's. Kirsten is totally accurate with what she is saying.

[Ajmurphy805]

I understand where you guys are coming from I do.. My mom works for the animal shelter and my aunt is a shutzhund trainer (spelling)  what the problem is my dogs are a restricted breed everywhere. So how am I supposed to live ? My dogs are very trAined and well behaved. I'm not a irresponsible owner !  I just am tired of dealing with this hassle all the time .... So what am I supposed to do!?

I can buy my own renters  isnurance.

The dogs are papered as a similar less aggressive breed for example lab /  Weimaraner mix

I came here looking for helpful ideas. I simply need something to work

[Magesteff]

If you don't have an illness, you don't qualify for an ESA. WOuldn't it just be easier to find a place where you could legally have the dogs?

[Kirsten]

This is a consequence of the breed you chose.  Which is more important to you, this breed or hassle free housing?  You get to pick one or the other, but in the real world, housing is going to be a problem with a restricted breed so you don't get both. 

Do it honestly.  Find housing that will permit them.  Get your insurance and offer that to potential landlords as incentive to make an exception for your dogs.  Get CGCs on them and obedience certificates to prove they are what you say and show that to your potential landlords.  Make a pet resume and get references from past landlords that your dogs were well behaved, caused no problems and you were responsible about scooping and so on.  Get persuasive and do the leg work.  If they really are great dogs then you do the breed a far greater service by proving it than you do by lying and taking advantage of the disabled.  Don't look for a lazy way out at the expense of others.  It's not fair!

If you want a permanent solution, buy a home.