By David Peel
Because there is no clear standard on service or therapy animals, most are handled on a case by case basis.
There are more types that you might suspect.
Emotional support: There is no governmental run emotional support animal registry and registering your support animals with a company is not a requirement. Can I fly with an emotional support dog? Now, it is up to the airline to determine whether they allow ESA’s to fly free of charge and in the cabin. Of course, this has led to folks to try to fly with Emotional support Kangaroos, Bearded Dragons, Emotional support Pigs, Turkeys, Mini Horses, Ponies, Snakes, Peacocks, Roosters and Ducks.
The Fair Housing Act protects emotional support animals allowing owners to waive any associated pet fees. Thus, ESA’s are allowed in college dorm rooms, apartments, and certain hotel accommodations. ESA’s may be found in certain work environments, still, a prescription letter signed by a doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist is usually required. These locations are not allowed to charge extra fees for your assistance animal.
Service Dogs: a category of assistance dogs include the commonly known seeing eye dogs that assist the visually impaired. There are also signal dogs, who help the hearing impaired.
Medical alert/response service dogs can alert owners to seizures, low blood sugar or other critical concerns.
Therapy dogs: once used only in rare circumstances, they are becoming a mainstay of some facilities.
Courthouse dogs now are appearing in the legal system. They can assist crime victims, witnesses, and others during the investigation and prosecution of crimes or in divorce mediations or civil cases.
School therapy dogs in educational settings facilitate interaction with the students. They can be brought in after a traumatic experience at the school as well.
Therapy dogs are be used by therapists, physical therapists, psychiatrists (especially child psychiatrists), grief counselors, foster care social workers, rape/molestation counselors, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals.
CrashtheLawDog our Golden Doodle, has been a wonderful addition to our law firm. Clients just love him and he is so supportive to the hurting and scared. He accompanies me in the community and has become a regular visitor at many local businesses.
I can never imagine running my own law firm without a LawDog ever again.
Peel seeks justice for those injured in tractor trailer and car accidents, medical malpractice, and disability. He often addresses churches, clubs and groups without charge. Peel may be reached through PeelLawFirm.com wherein other articles may be accessed.
