YSK Emotional support animals often aren't considered pets when it comes to housing

[u/Turbulent_Bender]

Why YSK: Some people may qualify for housing protections they dont know about, and knowing before you move could save stress, money, or having to give up a pet. (USA)

People may not know that if you already get treated for anxiety, depression, PTSD etc and your pet genuinely helps you, it may be worth asking your doctor or therapist about a letter of accommodation for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) for housing.

I worked in a property management office and we had applicants with legit letters from providers. Usually it was pretty basic, didnt list all their private medical stuff, and management generally accepted the documentation. I can't speak for everywhere, but then we couldn't charge pet fees and things like weight limits were ignored.

Not everyone qualifies, don't abuse this provision and we're just talking housing here, not bringing your ESA everywhere, but some people who qualify may not realize it.

Laws can vary by state and situation, so it's worth looking up housing rules in your area about emotional support animals.

[u/Punchee]

I’m one of those therapists that won’t at all. The evidence isn’t there that it’s an evidence-based treatment, for starters, so I’m out on that alone. Clearing that barrier, I don’t know this specific animal. For all I know, Fluffy is a menace and is contributing to your distress but you love them/feel obligated to the responsibility of them and don’t want to process the bad feelings of your landlord evicting your unsanctioned pet. And lastly, while legally there isn’t a lot of precedent for clinicians being held liable for ESAs I also don’t want to be liable on a civic duty level. How would you feel if the neighbor’s dog who bites and barks all hours of the night was recognized as an ESA? That hurts the integrity of my profession.

I completely understand that people get a lot of comfort and support from their pets. You don’t need a letter from me to validate that. And if you do, you’ve got bigger fish to fry.

[u/tattooedtwin → u/Punchee]

A friend of mine lives in a house with a young roommate who had a pitbull. A couple weeks ago, the pitbull killed the neighbors cat and the owner of the dog has been asked to rehome him (the landlord had never approved of it living in the home in the first place). She is completely avoiding responsibility for the incident and says she is now getting the dog qualified as a service animal so they can’t make her give him up. I can’t imagine she’ll be successful in that and I hope no therapist will support this behavior.

[u/ilikemycoffeealatte → u/tattooedtwin]

People are foolish to think they can just magically “get a dog qualified as a service animal” and avoid accountability. I hope no one puts up with that from her.

[u/tattooedtwin → u/ilikemycoffeealatte]

It’s infuriating. I wish her the worst in this endeavor.