Question on Emotional Support Animal Certification

[Margaret M Pitts]

I have a problem that I am hoping someone can give me advice on. 

In 2014 I suffered what would have probably been called in the '60s a nervous break down.  I went to a psychologist and one of her recommendations was to get a dog for emotional support. I also had suffered a silent heart attack and needed both knees replaced. So although I was happy to get a dog I felt like to be fair I would need to have my knees in good enough shape to walk my new friend. I also had an internal medicine physician recommend a dog to get me walking and help my cardiac and general health. 

So I had my first knee done in 2015 and second done in 2016. Then I began my research to find my BFF. I had recovered enough I no longer needed regular sessions with the psychologist (which was great since the closest was 100 miles away). I found my match and got my puppy last May (2018), she has helped me immensely! I have lost 45 pounds, lowered my blood pressure and cholesterol and improved my mental outlook increasing my contact with friendly people. I am ready to do some serious travelling and need my paperwork for my friend BUT the psychologist has retired and I have no way to contact her!!  I don't want to start over with a new doctor as the 200 mile roundtrip is not fun unless completely necessary. 

My question is are the offers you see for ESA paperwork legitimate and would it be accepted? Would having the internal medicine doctor write anything be helpful? How can I make it easier for us to travel together? I am hoping for positive responses as I am also having marital problems and don't really need anymore negativity in my life so please be kind! Thank you in advance for any information you can share!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I can’t help with the Support dog paperwork advice but I want to say I’m so proud of you!!! I’m at the pain in the knees but needing to walk. for my heart health stage. I’ve gained 30 pounds. :-(.  I think I know someone on dk who has done the paper work and I’ll ask them to respond. 

[Margaret M Pitts]

Thanks for helping out!! I feel for you with the pain in the knees, I know I waited way too long to have my replacements done and wish I had done it sooner. There is pain in the surgery but within a few weeks there is no pain and that helps with the walking, weight loss and outlook on life. Losing weight is so hard but gaining it is so easy and for me putting it back on after losing it is even easier! I hope you have success, wish I lived near you and we could walk together! :-)

 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

 Thanks Nancy, for directing us this morning.  Congrats on how far you have come! What an inspiring story!  Emotional Support dogs are not considered Service Dogs. Therefore, they legally CAN board a plan with you and get you into housing that does not accept pets. That’s it. Legally, they are not permitted into restaurants, stores or anywhere, dogs are not normally permitted.  You must be certified as emotionally disabled by a licensed psychologist or Therapist. The internet is full of scams who will gladly take your money and tell you the dog is certified. They are just that...scams and illegal. 

  Our girl is a Service Dog...My husband’s “ Seizure Dog”. Very weird/strange circumstances, but she is more of a “ prescription” ,issued by my husband’s  Onocoligist. In order to qualify as a Service Dog, the dog must provide a specific service for you. 

[Margaret M Pitts]

Thank you for your information.  I am aware of the differences in Emotional Support and actual Service Dogs.  I was just hoping to be able to fly a bit easier and maybe not have to pay the extra on the hotel or be able to use a hotel if I get in a bind. Got caught in the polar vortex snowstorm and had to spend the night in a hotel as the roads were horrible, if my dog were with me they would not have accepted her and I would have had to drive on. With the ESA letter we could have stayed.  She is my rock even at 10 months and I am pretty fragile emotionally. 

I was afraid that the internet offers might be scams so didn't want to waste my money so I appreciate your input!! I do believe my avatar, dogs are so wonderful for us.  Your dog sounds amazing, being able to help your husband, it is funny because my dog all ready can sense my down moods and will come lick my hand. Anyway I really do appreciate all of the information you shared!!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Also....training is must. If you haven’t already, obtaining a CGC ( Canine Good Companion) certificate, will be beneficial.

I’m also thinking about your situation, with your retired Dr.  Thinking  maybe, your records/files have been passed on to another Dr.? Or surely, you have your files? They could be presented to another Dr. without having to start over? Just a thought.

[Margaret M Pitts]

Living in a small community in the middle of nowhere training is tough. I have seen dogs who received a CGC and would love to work on that but will need to find a place. Probably 100 miles away too LOL

I really messed up on following up on the doctor. I saw her in 2014, worked on my problems and sort of left the next appointment up in the air as I was heading to knee replacement #1. She was about my age and a solo practitioner, I did not try to contact her again until 2018 and she was just gone, retired, no way to contact her. I was not medicated (although I thought that might help) and did not get my files. Her office space is no longer used by medical professionals. 

Actually maybe I should drive the 100 miles to KC, get the CGC and see another doctor!! Ugh!!! Whatever works!!

[Stacy]

But even +/- ESA certification, there are a lot of people who travel with dogs! You can do it! There are websites just for people who want to travel with their animals. Check out bringfido.com to start. 

Let us know how it goes! I would love to hear about your adventures.

[Margaret M Pitts]

This is true and I have and do travel with her. She is always a hit with everyone!! Thank you for the bringfido.com recommendation, I will check into that.  I will be driving to TX to visit my brother and may be staying in some smaller towns so maybe I can find which ones are more dog friendly!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

we travel with our girls all the time and always seem to be able to find a hotel that allows pets.  You can use bringfido.com, dogfriendly.com, you can put in a search for "pet friendly hotels in (town), or there is normally a filter on sites like hotels.com to tell them you need a pet friendly hotel and it will narrow it down.  Sometimes you have to pay a pet fee but there are chains where you don't.

[Nicole and Teddy]

Congratulations on all the work you have done! Teddy isn't a therapy/service dog, but we pretty much decided back when we first got him we weren't going anywhere without him :) We just do the research prior to traveling and figure out hotels/restaurants that are pet friendly. Like Stacy said, BringFido is a great place to start and even just googling "pet friendly hotels" should give you the results you want. I will say that we haven't put him on a plane yet. Good luck to you on your adventures!

[Margaret M Pitts]

Good advice!! Thank you!! I flew home with my puppy but she was small enough to do the under the seat thing and she was good as gold! But she wouldn't fit now, she's not too heavy just long and too tall. I do worry a bit because she loves people so much I'm not sure she would be super well behaved. She is just so darn friendly! Dog people love her but there are those who don't have any patience for animals and she would probably annoy them. So the CGC would be very helpful I'm sure! Good luck to you on your continued adventures and keep us updated on his first plane ride!!

[Adina P]

I think a doctor's letter is enough for an emotional support dog.