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How to Travel with Emotional Support Animals

Wednesday, July 11th, 2018
If you plan on flying with your dog, many airlines have recently imposed new regulations requiring airline specific forms or letters signed by a licensed mental health professional that must be updated ANNUALLY! If you do not have access to a doctor and would like to schedule appointment, we are now offering discounted evaluations for the signed travel or housing letters and airline specific forms for only $99
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Failure to comply with these new regulations may result in denied airline access without fare refund. Be sure to complete this quick evaluation before your next trip or if you are having issues with your landlord!
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Benefits of Emotional Support Dogs, Service Dogs And Therapy Dogs

Tuesday, February 20th, 2018
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Introduction

Emotional support is the right and need of a person who is in some mentally or physically deprived state; the animals provide great service to these patients who undergo treatment for many years and get well by using the services of emotional support dogs. Emotional support dog, service dogs, and therapy dogs are a similar breed who can resiliently perform various roles and functions for various patients. They do not only assist various individuals with their daily tasks, but they are a great source of emotional well being of these patients. Let us explore how emotional support dogs provide physical and mental help like no other animal can.

Support Dogs are Viewed By-Laws Differently

In the eyes of the law,only Service Dogs that are exempt from public restrictions for animals,  people are not allowed usually to bring their dogs or pets on a plane during air travel; in commercial airlines, it is possible to travel with an emotional dog, service dog and therapy dogs with the adequate permission of a medical health professional. The law also states that service dogs must travel with their owners with a valid service dog certificate.

People who are going through a treatment plan hardly need the emotional support animals.  According to ADA, it is not a necessity; therefore the rights of psychiatric support dogs and emotional support dogs are different as prescribed by ADA. There are some exemptions in the law as for how service dogs can accompany their handlers in the public places; people are not usually allowed to carry their dogs without a certificate in the luxury hotels and planes.

Similar Jobs Are Done by Psychiatric Support Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs

Both animals are prescribed to their owners to help them overcome their mental impairments. But they are also able to provide the same duties to their owners. When a person is diagnosed with a mental disorder or a trauma, they need recovery; in that situation, a same breed of dog can perform a function of an emotional support animal. While the training these dogs receive vary at different levels or roles. The purpose of emotional support animal is to provide their masters the psychological stability and help with their therapy. It is also recognized by ADA.

A great example of an airline which provides permission for emotional support animals to travel with their owners is Delta Airlines. During the last year, Delta Airlines has allowed 250000 emotional support dogs as a part of their Pet policy to help the disabled persons during travel. It is strictly prohibited by the airline that dogs may disrupt the peaceful environment of the planet and bother any travelers. Some extra rules have also been placed to help the passengers travel smoothly with the emotional support dogs. It greatly affects the traveling of those who are suffering from disabilities. The role of a service animal is not much different from an emotional support animal. They both support individuals with a disability.

Choosing an Emotional Support Animal

Tuesday, February 20th, 2018

When it comes to selecting the right animal or dog to become your ESA, there are several breeds of dogs available to choose from for a disabled individual. Dogs can do different things for their handlers; they re available in fluffy skin, big body, small dogs and hairless ones as well to suit the needs of their owners. Making a wise decision regarding choosing an emotional support dog is a challenging one, it becomes hard to choose from when there are so many useful breeds to choose from. Let us guide you on how to choose an emotional support dog breed so you can get the maximum benefit from them.

Once you think you have a right breed of dog to choose from and you have made your decision about it, just get ready to complete a simple, straightforward documentation process. Get your ESA letter ready to acquire the best emotional support animal for your specific needs. There are several psychological support animal services in America who provide an affordable evaluation. The doctors and mental health professionals help you to understand the pet policies so you can keep them in your residence comfortably.

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Labrador

Also one of the most popular types of dogs in general, the Labrador is a very loyal and obedient breed. This breed of service dogs is one of the smartest breeds of dogs in the world to support the children and adults. This breed is also the happiest breed that exists on the planet earth. People who suffer from various forms of depression or mental problems love these animals around.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua is one of the smallest breeds of dogs available in the world to support their owners. It is a remarkable animal which supports and become a great companion for their master. They become pets at an early age and easily travel with their handlers to various places outside the house. The owners also love to have this breed of dogs around them because it is a lap dog.

Cavalier King

Cavalier King breed became famous by King Charles when he was facing a heart-related problem and chest pain; king needed a little bit of support while cavalier needed a bit of grooming as well. It loved to cuddle with a king. If you want a dog breed that can snuggle with you, do think twice about selecting the most brilliant friendly dog breed.

Corgi

Corgi breed of dogs are considered British monarchy or royal dogs; the monarchs have had these dogs for over a hundred years now. Because of the friendly and obedient nature of the Corgi, this ESA dog breed makes a brilliant choice for a companion. They like to be around their owners rather than running away from them.

Vizsla

Vizsla may not be the most popular dog breed in the world, but there is no doubt about its capabilities to serve as an emotional support animal. The name of this type of animal is often heard when their owners need their help. This breed also loves to serve their owners well with a friendly attitude.

ESA Requirements For Flying in Planes

Friday, February 9th, 2018

For an emotional support animal to accompany you on the flights during travel, it is a requirement by ESA to register that dog first before carrying him around legally. The Americans Disability Act provides the rights to the owners of emotional support animals who feel difficulty in their day to day activities due to physical or psychological disability; but before flying with your ESA, it’s important to know every airline’s policy before booking travel.

 

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Travelling or flying with ESA Requirements

There are lots of airlines in America who have different rules regarding allowing emotional support animals to accompany a traveler. Let us take an overview of the policies of ESA regarding carrying the emotional support dog. Some places like Hawaii or Alaska needs you to quarantine the service animals upon arrival at the airport, the foreign governments have their own rules and laws regarding the arrival of animals, and you have to follow them. Different airlines have different rules in different regions of United States; some aircrafts have small cabins or space to accommodate the service animals, in that case, the handlers should make them sit on their lap easily.

Another important thing to remember is the documentation which must be shown to the authorities before the flight; at least before 48 hours of flight, the documents that state the address and jurisdiction of the health professional (the license number is also recommended) who approved of the patient’s use of an ESA. These documents provide proof that that traveler has an apparent physical or mental disability and they are under treatment of a medical doctor or health professional. ESA is required to accommodate the need for a service animal to travel with him or her.

Read the Airline Rules

Some airlines do not provide much information or clear state their rules on their official websites regarding flying with ESA requirements. In that case, it is the duty and responsibility of the handler to read and understand the Airline Pet Policies of a particular airline. Many specials of animals are dangerous during flights including the abnormally behaving dogs; they are not supposed to be allowed during the flight to save the lives of other passengers. But some airlines do not mention it on the website and handlers assume that the information on the website is complete.
The travelers must check with the airline officials in person before deciding to travel with their service animals. That way they can be better able to understand their policies and respect other passenger’s feelings. In some airlines, there is no charge applicable for ESA (emotional support animal) to travel with the handler; they can sit on the floor and move freely on the cabin if possible.
Delta Airline company is strict in this matter; they do not allow the company or ESA on their planes no matter what the documentation states. They strictly disallow the company of hedgehogs, insects, ferrets, snakes, rodents and sugar gliders. Birds that are dangerous (non-household) are also not allowed by the Delta Airlines during travel.

Service Dog Laws in America

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018
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The Department of Justice published revised final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for title II in 2010 which clarify the requirements and updates regarding the use of service animals in the United States. On March 11, 2015, the dogs which serve disabled persons at home or office were referred to as service animals under the titles II and III; a service dog is trained individually for performing day to day tasks for a person who is not able to work properly due to a physical handicap or disability. These service dogs laws accompany those people at home, work and anywhere they go outside because they are allowed to take them out publically.

 

How Service Dog Laws Work

As we know that service animals are defined as individually trained dogs who assist various people with disabilities like blindness, deafness, people with the wheelchair and psychological problems. It is to make clear that those dogs who are kept solely for leisure purpose or kept to provide only emotional support to the owners are not regarded as service animals. The state and local governments provide laws in America which differ in each state.
The service dog laws prohibit animals to interfere with the normal lives of individuals in offices, cafeterias, clinics or examination rooms. Their presence must not result in compromise of the security of people at the public places; a service animal has sometimes prohibited the entry if they are displeasing for the environment or behaving abnormally.

Where are Service Dogs Prohibited?

The laws state that a person with a clear physical or mental disability must provide a certificate from a doctor and a training certificate of a service dog who accompany them. Moreover, Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals. When the dog is not under the control of owner and handler is helpless, there is a legitimate reason to disallow the dog to accompany them. If the state health codes and ethics prohibit a service dog to accompany a person, then they must not be allowed at the public places.
If a service animal causes any harm to the property or damages any equipment in the lab, the laws state that it is the liability of the owner or handler to pay for the damages caused by their service dog.The office staff or hotel staff is not responsible or liable for providing the food to the service animal; the handler must provide ample food to their dogs.

 

The laws that govern the weight requirements of service dogs state that a service animal must not weight over 100 pounds. Horses may weight over 100 pounds but ADA is considering altering their policies regarding weight requirements to enable bigger dogs to accompany their handlers. In any case or place, the service dog must not act in a way which compromises the legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation of the facility. They only assist the persons with disability to perform their work effectively.

How to Qualify for a Service Dog?

Monday, January 29th, 2018
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As we know that service dogs are the animals who are individually trained to work and perform the tasks for a disabled person according to ADA. People who have chronic illness, injury, blindness, seizure or wheelchair condition. People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and numerous other psychological diseases may also use the service dogs for their benefit at home or office to live a better life. The use of service animal is strictly related to the disability of a person; dogs have sole function and responsibility who are trained to provide emotional support and comfort to their holders according to ADA provisions. Qualities of service dogs differ according to the needs of a disabled person. An emotional support animal

Qualifies for a service dog

Service animals are not pets, they are considered as animals who are trained and allowed by the law to bring comfort to the lives of mentally and physically challenged people. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. A dog that belongs to an individual helps them with the emotional support dog need in the absence of a family member or a relative. The need for service dogs has been recognized widely by the Americans Disabilities Act which states that a person should have a mental problem and should be certified by a healthcare professional to determine the presence of a service animal at home or office.
The people can continue their normal lives and continue their daily living habits while keeping a service dog at home as a pet and taking care of their needs like food and shelter. The service animals are also allowed by law to fly in the plane or travel in a car with the person they belong to. The handler has a responsibility for not letting the service dog disrupt the office environment or the plane environment while they are with them. The airplane companies sometimes need a prior notice by a person who has booked a seat to bring a service animal with them on the flight so they can allow a service dog fly in the commercial cabin of a plane.
A letter from a licensed mental healthcare professional or a doctor is always required by the airlines. The apartments or houses with owners give for rent are the responsibility of the holder who lives in that house with their emotional support animals. The client is supposed to pay the reasonable fee to the property owner besides requiring a letter of prescription from the doctor. Landlord and property advisors may need a doctor to sign a verification form to complete that process.
To qualify for an emotional support dog or a service dog, you need to obtain a certificate first from a licensed medical healthcare professional in your state. The doctor can better state the emotional needs of a disabled person and allow them to keep a service dog. They can also define the mental and emotional needs of an animal to the landlords under the Fair Housing Act. These animals are permitted only in that case in the houses and planes if the holder has a signed letter and a certificate.

Can Employees Use Service Animals at Work?

Monday, January 29th, 2018

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INTRODUCTION

who want to use their service animals in the workplace. Employees who have difficulties moving things or physically impaired need some help from the service animals in the absence of a helper in the office. ADA has defined the service animals clearly in their definition to help the disabled people anywhere they go to facilitate them with their duties, but no part of that definition covers whether they can bring the service animals at work or not. Title I also provides employment provisions that state

The Rules Regarding Using Service Dogs are Work?

Title I also does not provide any provisions to define the use of service dogs in the offices or workplaces by the employees who have physical disabilities or injuries, However, it is possible that an employee with physical difficulty may send a request to the employer for accommodating him with the facility of a service dog. The employers must consider the request of employees seriously if it is not possible to work without the support of a service dog. But it is not ethical to automatically allow the employees to use the service animals at the workplace and bring them into the office rooms.

What Does It mean for the Employers?

Some employers in America have a policy of “no animals allowed” in the office premises which strictly prohibits employees to bring any pets in the office. The employees can send requests, however, to let them bring their animals with them because of physical difficulties and to allow them relaxation to modify their no animal rules. If an employer does not have a clear policy, then they can allow employees to bring in the service pets only for physical support. No pets should be allowed for leisure. On a specific case basis, the employers should modify their HR policy to allow a disabled employee to use service animals at a workplace. The main purpose of this relaxation is to save an employee from undue hardship.

From Employee’s Perspective

Service animals can come in handy at a workplace to help the employees with the work issues as well as keeping them psychologically alert. The employees may feel a sense of belongingness and security with their pets along; a service animal often never disappoints his holder and provides them good personal support..
Moreover, Under the ADA, employers have the right to request reasonable documentation that an accommodation is needed. The employees must arrange to provide documentation of doctor, however, to prove to them that they are disabled and are allowed to use a service dog at home and work. The service animal must be trained so that they can create no disturbance for the other employees at work. No disruption due to service animal should be tolerated, and if an animal feels imbalanced, it should be called to leave the office premises. The employers can consider documentation from other sources as well that show the need of using a service dog at the workplace.

Support and Therapy with Service Animals

Monday, January 15th, 2018

service dog

INTRODUCTION

An a part of professional medical treatment and doctor’s plan, service animals are emotional support animals are used in the therapy often. These animals are responsible for providing the adequate support as well as companionship to the people sustaining lifetime disability or injuries. They help thousands of people to reduce their loneliness and help them get over the psychological depression caused by a tragic injury. People with vai0us mental problems including anxiety disorders, depression, certain phobias, and hallucinations can use the service support dogs according to the law in the United States.
Each state in America has its own rules and laws related to the use of service dogs or emotional support animals ; these animals are not however limited to only provide the emotional support to the patients. They are also able to provide the therapeutic contact in the healthcare settings usually. They are essential for the cognitive, emotional and social support of the disabled people.

Handler’s Responsibility Regarding Emotional Support Dogs

According to the laws in the United States, the handler is also responsible for the supervision and care of the service dogs or emotional support animals. There are times when emotional support or service animals do not behave properly and may have an unacceptable attitude; it becomes difficult for the person with the disability to control the emotional support animal not behaving properly. The dogs are often found in activities like uncontrolled barking, found jumping on children or guests and also disturb the business activities of individuals.
If a service dog is taken to a movie theater where it barks repeatedly, it must be asked to leave the theater to help others enjoy the movie. Similarly, if a service dog is growling at the other shoppers in a supermarket, it is the responsibility of the handler to remove the animal from the premises.
The ADA requires the animal to be under the control of the handler; there are ways to control the animal with a harness, a tether or a leash. The service animal must be under the control of handler who can use his or her voice as a controlling weapon. Moreover, the animal must also be housebroken; it is the duty of holder to provide animals with medicines and vaccines to remain safe from the disease.

Rights of Handlers

Just like Title II describes the responsibilities of a handler, the handler’s rights are also described in the law. A service animal must be allowed to accompany the handler to any place in the building or facility. Even if some places have a clear sign of “no pets allowed,” it is perfectly legal to bring along the service dogs who are trained to help the holders who possess the right to bring them outside for their support. A security officer at a public place like a shopping mall or a cinema can ask the holder of the support animal a few questions including “is the animals brought due to disability”? However, the dogs who have a low vision or have blindness problem are not able to keep their balance in places outside of a home. It is the right and moral duty of an individual to bring a certified dog to a public place.

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