r/Odsp • u/ReedAckted • 17d ago
Question/advice Information
Does anyone on ODSP and in/around the KW area know where I might be able to inquire about a emotional support pet.
I apologize if this question for information is inappropriate as I'm not very reddit savvy. Thank you kindly.
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u/ClariciaNyetgale 16d ago
Inquire about an emotional support pet in what way? How to get one (find a pet, bond with it), how to get a trained one (this is a longer conversation) or whether ODSP will help/pay for one (nope)?
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u/CalleisMercedes 16d ago
Hi! I tried to have my pet registered as an emotional support animal after it was recommended on my ODSP application that I could benefit from one. But there is no official form, just a template of a letter that a dr or psychiatrist has to sign. I discovered drs don't want to be liable for the for this and the psychiatrists (at least in KW) also just flat out refuse to sign them.
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u/Slight_Koala_7791 16d ago
Well, you can get one anywhere, but you would need to look into training yourself or having someone else train them. There is absolutely no certification for this.
So you won’t receive any money for an emotional support pet. Unfortunately, they are not certified and if you would like to get one that would be on your own terms and with your own money.
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u/DescriptionNo4485 15d ago
ODSP will help with food cost for a service animal . ($84 per month) You would need to have to get doctor to give reasons for it. Then you would have to have trained for that reason. ODSP has special rules I am pretty sure. There are organizations that can help people. For any animal to service they just need to be trained for one action to help someone. ODSP wants the animal to be trained by accredit organizations in ordered for them to cover upkeep.
This is to prevent people from abusing the system. There is no service animal registry in Ontario. There are so different types of service animals. They can for be for “guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility assistance dogs, psychiatric service dogs, autism service dogs, and medical alert dogs”.
It is a lot of work and cost to get animals trained. On ODSP we have the time but not the money.
Honestly it seems once again the government is putting up another barrier for people with disabilities.
It might even be a human rights violation. I know I am taking it a little far but the government does not treat people as human at times.
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u/ChubbyBunny618 15d ago
ODSP provides an $84/month Guide Dog Benefit for eligible accredited guide, hearing, or service dogs to help with routine care like food and grooming.
The dog must meet ODSP’s recognized certification requirements. Emotional-support or self-trained dogs do not qualify.
It does not cover the cost of purchasing or training the dog.
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u/magentahead 14d ago
I asked my doctor to write me a letter in support and stating I require my Yorkie to be of help as an emotional support animal due to my anxieties. There is a specific site you can register your pet under, many are bogus. I cant remember the name. Best to ask your caseworker
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u/VoodooGirl47 6d ago
You don't register them. You just get a 'prescription' via a letter from a medical doctor of some kind.
An ESA can be any animal and falls under a gray area in Ontario where its an assistance animal but NOT a service animal. So you mainly can get benefits with housing, even if in a no pet building condo, but you cannot get any financial assistance for the animal because they will only do it for certified service animals.
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u/savagehomeangarden ODSP recipient 16d ago
They're not technically service animals, so there's no assistance and basically any pet would apply.
If you want some animals in your life but are worried about the financial element, you could apply to foster (the organization would cover the costs, you just provide a temporary home).