ESA Gator

People Are Taking Emotional Support Animals Everywhere. States Are Cracking Down.
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August 21, 2019

More Americans are saying they need a variety of animals — dogs, ducks, even insects — for their mental health. But critics say many are really just pets that do not merit special status.
The vast majority of emotional support animals are dogs, but some Americans turn to a wide variety of other species. Wally the alligator was approved by his owner’s doctor in York, Pa., as an alternative to taking medication for depression.

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Student Service Dog in Training

Student raising her fourth service-dog-in-training to honor her sister
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July 29, 2019

It’s Ashley’s last week of puppyhood and her last days with Brittney Clark. She is the third Canine Companion pup Clark has raised from just eight weeks old.

“Renee” was first, then came Grams. Both are fully certified and working. “It doesn’t get any easier. If they tell you it’s gonna get easier Kathryn, they lied to you,” Clark said tearfully.

Yet, she keeps doing it, again and again. “I always go into it as they’re my puppy, not my dog,” she explained further.

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martha hodges esa

Woman facing eviction due to breed of emotional support animal
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July 4, 2019

She says her landlord’s insurance policy prevents violent breeds from living in a home. Bruno was spotted and a complaint was filed with the city. This leaves Hodges, who is living on a disability check, in a difficult position.

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US District Court: Paying for online documentation not a bypass for supporting evidence of disability and need for a service dog
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December 6, 2018

The ADA Registry service is not a certification process, and the only requirement to obtain a service dog identification card is a $55 payment. As a result of Plaintiff’s failure to provide supporting evidence of his disability and need for a service dog, Defendants advised Plaintiff that his request for reasonable accommodation could not be granted..

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Delta apologizes after customer was ‘covered’ in dog poop from seat
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November 6, 2018

As you can imagine, Delta received hundreds of proposals per week; and while all are worthy, we cannot honor all requests. After careful consideration of the information provided, we are sorry to inform you that we are declining your request because the opportunity does not meet our current objectives and budget.

Thank you for thinking of Delta Air Lines, and we wish you all the best.

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Service dogs dilemma: ‘Loads of fakes’ detrimental to legitimate helper animals
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September 18, 2018

People have become emboldened to bring their pets along on public outings thanks to legal gray areas and widespread availability of service animal insignia. People are emboldened to bring their pets along on public outings thanks to legal gray areas and widespread availability of service animal insignia. “If you go anywhere on the internet you can buy a vest,” said Severt.

“If you Google ‘service dogs,’ the first thing that comes up is a registry. It’s totally bogus.” Yet pet owners purchase a certificate and claim they “have paperwork” when questioned, she said.

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Justice Department responds to Florida service animal complaint
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August 1, 2018

The Justice Department reached an agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with The Pawn Shop and Tax Service, Inc., (The Pawn Shop) in Pensacola, Florida to resolve a complaint under title III of the ADA. The Department’s investigation found that the manager of The Pawn Shop asked a veteran who uses a service dog to leave because the manager mistakenly believed the dog was a pet, not a service dog. Public accommodations must permit Individuals who use service dogs, including veterans with disabilities who use service dogs for disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or mobility disabilities, into their establishments.

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New service dog policy at Publix
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July 27, 2018

Publix is taking a stance against dogs. You can still shop with service dogs but they can’t go everywhere.

A manager at Publix says people are using these carts not only for food, but for animals. But new signs inside are hoping to change that.

A new sign now greets customers when they enter Publix.

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When a ‘service dog’ gives birth at Tampa airport, controversy takes flight
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June 1, 2018

The eight puppies born at Airside F in Tampa International Airport last week were adorable instantly, internet famous quickly and controversial not long after.
The white golden retriever parents, a male named Golden Nugget and the pregnant Eleanor Rigby, were set to board an American Airlines flight to Philadelphia with owner Karen Van Atter. That’s when “Ellie” went into labor, while Nugget jumped around like a nervous dad-to-be.

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Are people abusing the system to get free flights for pets?
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May 1, 2018

So, how easy is it to fake it?

KDKA’s Amy Wadas decided to see how the process works, so she logged onto a website for a company called Certapet in hopes that she could get her 5-year-old cat, Simba, certified to become an ESA animal.

The site is one of several where a licensed medical professional will write an ESA letter for you if you pay a fee. Wadas had to answer a bunch of questions involving her mental health, like whether she felt down or had anxiety in the past week.

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