Some useful information

[yooperbug]

I just thought I'd fill everyone in that has an ESA. According to the Health Department an ESA is considered a service dog. My mother talked to the Health Department and they said as long as there is a letter from a doctor I could bring this dog into a place that was giving me trouble. I live in Michigan and the Health Department considers an ESA a service dog. I don't know if this goes for all states so check with you Health Department and find out what they say. Anyway, just thought I'd mention this. Sorry if I shouldn't have.

Amanda

[Shidash]

I have never heard that and chances are that it is just your state. Though I do question if this is true or not.

[yooperbug]

The guy at our local Health Dept. called Lansing and he confirmed this. They will be sending me a letter. I'll try to getting it scanned to my computer and post it if I'm allowed. I found it hard to believe myself but I was sitting at the place that wouldn't let me bring her in when the Health Dept. called. It's worth looking into in case it's not just the state I live in.

[Stefani]

How well behaved is your dog?  ANY dog that enters a public place, legally a SD under the ADA or legally a SD under state law, MUST be well behaved.  This means:

No sniffing
No pottying
No jumping
No pulling on the leash
No eating any food without permission
No barking
No growling
No behaviors that would make anyone question that the dog is NOT under control




This is not directed at anyone imperticular, it is just fact that should be said.

[Stefani]

I forgot an important part.  A very important part.  If a dog, esp an ESA that because of laws, may go with their owner into a public establishment, MUST be temperamently suited to be there.  Most ESAs are NOT suited to be in pubilc.  If they are not suited, it is not fair to take them somewhere, EVEN IF you have a legal right to be there. 

This is not directed at anyone imperticular, its just fact that should be said.

[Shidash]

I totally agree. Plus what if ESAs do have public access and someone takes an ESA in public and the dog misbehaves? Then the next time a trained team comes along, that team will run into issues.

[yooperbug]

Shes very well behaved. She doesn't do any of them on the list. I wont be taking her into places like grocery stores or restaurants. I will not abuse this privilege. I'm a member of the American Legion and thats the place that was giving me trouble, of all places. I've been such a happier person since I've gotten the dog. I do thank you for mentioning that just because I can bring her somewhere doesn't mean I really should.

[Shidash]

I still may want to double check this with someone else.

[yooperbug]

I'm not trying to make anyone mad. I think good points have been made. I do worry that people will abuse this and ruin it for others. My dog is well behaved and either lays by my feet or sits in the heel position. Again, thank you for posting about this and keeping me and check and maybe other people that read this.

[yooperbug]

Haha we're posting at the same time. Nothing wrong with checking with someone else. I havent been on the board very long. For sure look into it.

[Shidash]

I meant if I were you I may want to check with someone in your state government, not just locally. You should call Lansing directly.

[Kirsten]

I'm afraid your Health Department is misinformed.  MI law requires ID cards for SDs, and ESAs are not covered under federal law at all.  http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/22  Under MI statutory law, a business would still be able to deny access to a person with an ESA.

The Health Department is not an authority on legal matters.  If you want to know whether you have a legal right to take an ESA in public, you should consult the MI Attorney General at:  miag@michigan.gov or (877) 765-8388. 

HOWEVER, if you can get a letter from the Attorney General's office that says ESAs are considered SDs under MI law, I will publish it on the MI law page on Service Dog Central.

[Shidash]

I knew something was kind of sketchy about that claim. Should have checked the laws .

[yooperbug]

I guess there was a big to do about ESA's and according to the the health dept Michigan laws have recently changed well thats why they told my mom over the phone (weird I'm 24 and my mom is still such a big help) . I got my letter from the health dept. I'm going to see if my brother can scan it into his pc and email it to me. I'd like to show you all the letter but I'm not going to want to just post it on here because my name is on it. Any suggestions? I just thought I'd try to be of help. I hope I'm not making anyone on the board mad about this topic.

[springingpups]

I guess there was a big to do about ESA's and according to the the health dept Michigan laws have recently changed well thats why they told my mom over the phone (weird I'm 24 and my mom is still such a big help) . I got my letter from the health dept. I'm going to see if my brother can scan it into his pc and email it to me. I'd like to show you all the letter but I'm not going to want to just post it on here because my name is on it. Any suggestions? I just thought I'd try to be of help. I hope I'm not making anyone on the board mad about this topic.

If you would like to be able to post the letter on the board, you could always use paint or a similar program to black out your name before posting it.