Anyone have their bird as a "Therapy Animal"?

[Sunnyclover]

I am about to get a letter from my therapist stating that Ollie is a "Therapy Animal" so they have to let him fly with me and I will be allowed to bring him into most businesses. Anyone do this before? If so what is it like? He is actually my therapy animal so it's legit...

 

[clark_conure]

I just respect the business owners, I live in a smallish town and there's some mom and pop stores that go nuts if I bring Clark with me. Major retail chains I don't even consider it.

 

[clark_conure]

Oh by nuts I mean they adore him, I re-read and saw how that could be read the opposite way.

 

[wrench13]

Salty is a legit Emotional Support Animal.

 

[Sunnyclover]

Oh Wrench! What benefits has it had for Salty and you?
Also I totally take Ollie into big chain stores like ShopRite and Wallgreens and no one has questioned me. Yesterday we were out of grapes and they are Ollie's favorite so we took him with us to get the at the store. Ollie is usually so quiet no one even noticed I have a bird in my backpack or shoulder but he saw those grapes and went off like a siren! Lolz the whole store was (big chain grocery store) was staring at us as my husband and I frantically tried to pay and give Ollie a grape in his Pack'o'bird. It was hilarious!

 

[Sandy19]

I was thinking about this the other day. If your bird is well behaved then I think it's a good idea, especially when going on vacation so you don't have to board or find a pet sitter. Same thing for dogs or any pet, who is to say they're not a therapy animal and if they cause no problems what's the harm?

I think we're going to take Peanut to the Keys with us, but I think that's the most bird friendly place in the country so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Sunnyclover]

Yeah Ollie is so well behaved. He's the quietest sun conure ever and doesn't bite at all. Can't wait to get his ESA stuff done!

 

[Kiwibird]

I was thinking about this the other day. If your bird is well behaved then I think it's a good idea, especially when going on vacation so you don't have to board or find a pet sitter. Same thing for dogs or any pet, who is to say they're not a therapy animal and if they cause no problems what's the harm?

If a medical professional cannot verify a legitimate service the animal provides, it shouldn't get the same rights as a real service or therapy animal IMO. If people continue abusing that system, it is going to eventually have an impact on people who actually NEED their service/therapy animals. We used to have a neighbor who lied about her dog being a "therapy animal" to rent in a no dogs/cats complex. Management couldn't question it or ask for proof either, since that's against the law. That dog was no therapy animal, it was a complete nuisance to everyone and took a year before management could get her evicted. It has made me question the legitimacy of service animals ever since, which no one should feel they need to do. You want to trust if someone is saying their animal is a service or therapy animal that it actually is.

People like that woman (the old neighbor) are making it very hard for people with legitimate service/therapy animals who do have special training OR like the OP has done, had a healthcare professional who can verify the benefit the animal provides the person, to keep those special rules surrounding their animals being allowed everywhere with them. Lying to sneak a pet in somewhere, even a well behaved one who isn't a nuisance, doesn't help the situation for those who actually have animals who help them in a medically verifiable way. There's a reason only certain animals get these privileges and we all need to respect those rules.

I bring Kiwi everywhere he's allowed and keep him out of where he's not (which is basically just grocery stores and indoor dining areas and a few businesses that post service animals only). I plan trips around him, we choose restaurants with outdoor dining/pet friendly, I group errands by those he can or cannot come on etc... I just wouldn't feel right lying about him being a therapy animal to bring him somewhere that doesn't allow pets no matter how much I love him and want him with me all the time.

 

[LordTriggs]

very true. I wish there could be a system used globally where an animal is assessed with their human whether they do help them with mental health issues and given a therapy license which can fit in a wallet, like a driving license. With basic info like name, species, address, identifying number (microchip or for a bird a band number), details of owner and name of Vet. You then have an ID essentially for your animal that can be recognized by businesses to allow entry. It could even double up as a passport for the animal if it were to have a microchip.

the amount of avenues it could open up for people with mental health issues would be amazing and it would stop the issue of people just saying "they're a therapy animal" and getting their own way. As far as I'm aware this was actually stopped in the UK because of the abuse that was seen with it

 

[SailBoat]

So well said Kiwibird!

Because of those individuals that have taken advantage of the Support Animal rules have likely resulted in the registration and the issuing of a unique number for a Service Animal. I have seen this as part of a harness that a Seeing Eye Dog was wearing. I do not know if this is specific to Seeing Eye Dogs or Service Dogs (Animals) in general.

 

[Allee]

I was thinking about this the other day. If your bird is well behaved then I think it's a good idea, especially when going on vacation so you don't have to board or find a pet sitter. Same thing for dogs or any pet, who is to say they're not a therapy animal and if they cause no problems what's the harm?

If a medical professional cannot verify a legitimate service the animal provides, it shouldn't get the same rights as a real service or therapy animal IMO. If people continue abusing that system, it is going to eventually have an impact on people who actually NEED their service/therapy animals. We used to have a neighbor who lied about her dog being a "therapy animal" to rent in a no dogs/cats complex. Management couldn't question it or ask for proof either, since that's against the law. That dog was no therapy animal, it was a complete nuisance to everyone and took a year before management could get her evicted. It has made me question the legitimacy of service animals ever since, which no one should feel they need to do. You want to trust if someone is saying their animal is a service or therapy animal that it actually is.

People like that woman (the old neighbor) are making it very hard for people with legitimate service/therapy animals who do have special training OR like the OP has done, had a healthcare professional who can verify the benefit the animal provides the person, to keep those special rules surrounding their animals being allowed everywhere with them. Lying to sneak a pet in somewhere, even a well behaved one who isn't a nuisance, doesn't help the situation for those who actually have animals who help them in a medically verifiable way. There's a reason only certain animals get these privileges and we all need to respect those rules.

I bring Kiwi everywhere he's allowed and keep him out of where he's not (which is basically just grocery stores and indoor dining areas and a few businesses that post service animals only). I plan trips around him, we choose restaurants with outdoor dining/pet friendly, I group errands by those he can or cannot come on etc... I just wouldn't feel right lying about him being a therapy animal to bring him somewhere that doesn't allow pets no matter how much I love him and want him with me all the time.

Very well said, April!

There is a big difference in Trained Service Animals and those designated as Emotional Support Animals. Laws governing these two designations differ greatly. Most Service Animals, trainers and owners have trained extensively for the right to wear a Service vest and carry the certifications. Please read up on the epic battle fought by ADA National Network to enact laws making it possible for Service Animals to accompany their humans. Emotional Support Animals deserve the utmost respect, IMHO but ESA is relatively new and there is sadly room for abuse of the system. If you do go this route, do all your research before you leave home and don't be surprised if your bird is confiscated or seized if you attempt to visit a foreign country.

 

[Sunnyclover]

I'm not abusing the system...Ollie was actually suggested to be an ESA by my therapist. I didn't even know such a thing existed.

 

[Sandy19]

I was thinking about this the other day. If your bird is well behaved then I think it's a good idea, especially when going on vacation so you don't have to board or find a pet sitter. Same thing for dogs or any pet, who is to say they're not a therapy animal and if they cause no problems what's the harm?

If a medical professional cannot verify a legitimate service the animal provides, it shouldn't get the same rights as a real service or therapy animal IMO. If people continue abusing that system, it is going to eventually have an impact on people who actually NEED their service/therapy animals. We used to have a neighbor who lied about her dog being a "therapy animal" to rent in a no dogs/cats complex. Management couldn't question it or ask for proof either, since that's against the law. That dog was no therapy animal, it was a complete nuisance to everyone and took a year before management could get her evicted. It has made me question the legitimacy of service animals ever since, which no one should feel they need to do. You want to trust if someone is saying their animal is a service or therapy animal that it actually is.

People like that woman (the old neighbor) are making it very hard for people with legitimate service/therapy animals who do have special training OR like the OP has done, had a healthcare professional who can verify the benefit the animal provides the person, to keep those special rules surrounding their animals being allowed everywhere with them. Lying to sneak a pet in somewhere, even a well behaved one who isn't a nuisance, doesn't help the situation for those who actually have animals who help them in a medically verifiable way. There's a reason only certain animals get these privileges and we all need to respect those rules.

I bring Kiwi everywhere he's allowed and keep him out of where he's not (which is basically just grocery stores and indoor dining areas and a few businesses that post service animals only). I plan trips around him, we choose restaurants with outdoor dining/pet friendly, I group errands by those he can or cannot come on etc... I just wouldn't feel right lying about him being a therapy animal to bring him somewhere that doesn't allow pets no matter how much I love him and want him with me all the time.

I didn't consider the people who lie about it to get into apartments and such or just want to take their pets to the grocery store for the hell of it. What made me think about it was a thread I read here where the person had to leave for a few weeks and the thought of leaving their bird was unbearable. I guess in that case it could be considered a therapy animal.

I personally wouldn't apply for it because that would be a complete lie. If anything my pets cause me stress not help it lol.

 

[Kiwibird]

I'm not abusing the system...Ollie was actually suggested to be an ESA by my therapist. I didn't even know such a thing existed.

Hope you didn't take it that way! You said you had a therapist sign papers, so I would assume that indicates a valid reason for Ollie becoming a support animal:

OR like the OP has done, had a healthcare professional who can verify the benefit the animal provides the person

When I see it come up, I just like to remind others that people may be unaware how their choices to say a pet is some kind of service/therapy animal when it isn't could impact people like yourself who had a valid reason for taking an animal with them everywhere and has a healthcare professional who verifies that need by providing the appropriate paperwork for the animal. As LordTriggs mentioned, now the right for people to use ESA's has been revoked in the UK (and could be close to being revoked in the US) due to abuse of the system, which is sad for people who actually benefit from having their animal with them.

 

[Sunnyclover]

I didn't really take it the wrong way I just wanted to be very clear. ��

 

[Kiwibird]

very true. I wish there could be a system used globally where an animal is assessed with their human whether they do help them with mental health issues and given a therapy license which can fit in a wallet, like a driving license. With basic info like name, species, address, identifying number (microchip or for a bird a band number), details of owner and name of Vet. You then have an ID essentially for your animal that can be recognized by businesses to allow entry. It could even double up as a passport for the animal if it were to have a microchip.

the amount of avenues it could open up for people with mental health issues would be amazing and it would stop the issue of people just saying "they're a therapy animal" and getting their own way. As far as I'm aware this was actually stopped in the UK because of the abuse that was seen with it

I too am in 100% support of an government-issued ID card for all service/therapy/ESA (medically needed) animals. No need to disclose the persons condition on the card, just a photo of the animal, verification the animal is fulfilling a service or support role which has been validated by a doctor and that the animal is healthy as verified by a vet. Would close the window for abuse of the system.

I didn't consider the people who lie about it to get into apartments and such or just want to take their pets to the grocery store for the hell of it. What made me think about it was a thread I read here where the person had to leave for a few weeks and the thought of leaving their bird was unbearable. I guess in that case it could be considered a therapy animal.

I personally wouldn't apply for it because that would be a complete lie. If anything my pets cause me stress not help it lol.

Sadly, that's a HUGE issue right now, especially in "pet friendly" cities where people have gotten used to/feel entitled to bring their pets everywhere with them or don't want the hassle of shopping for a pet friendly apartment or to pay a pet deposit/pet insurance etc... Just say it's a "therapy animal" and they cannot question it further, cannot ask for proof etc...

At my old job, we had a blind customer who'd come in with his seeing eye dog. I couldn't help but wonder how someone who relied so much on their extremely well behaved and specially trained dog felt about ladies like our old neighbor who felt it acceptable to lie to get an animal she barely cared for with no apparent training whatsoever into a pet free apartment complex by claiming it provided her a similar level of service and support to that man's dog. Or how that lady might've impacted the managers opinion on a future renter with a less visible disability, such as a diabetic or person who was autistic, with a actual trained service or support animal who wanted to rent there. I know I never thought about it until that lady moved in but it sure made me think about how those kind of choices would impact people with actual disabilities, health issues or mental health issues!

 

[Allee]

I didn't mean to imply in any way that you were abusing the system, Sunnyclover, I just wanted to be sure you were aware of the big picture. I apologize if it sounded that way.

 

[Inger]

In Washington State, I've started noticing signs posted outside of businesses that define - per state code - a service animal as a dog or miniature horse trained to do a specific service for a human, and stating that also per code those animals cannot be turned away but that support animals or therapy animals do not have to be allowed. Not a perfect solution, but it does stop the abuse of "support/therapy" animal that is so common.

Meanwhile, as far as taking Bumble places with me, so far I've taken her into a couple of retail stores and businesses where public hygiene isn't particularly important (big box stores, other chain retailers) and just figure that if anyone asks me to leave, I will. The only food-related place I take her is Starbucks, she is wearing a bird diaper, and we always go sit outside after my drink arrives. So far nobody minds.


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[GaleriaGila]

Great thread!

What an exciting adventure.

The Rb is better qualified to be a torture animal. But that's illegal. Nevermind.

We will need pictures and stories!

 

[Pilaf]

I used to have my lovebird Pilaf as a therapy animal. I'm autistic and he always helped me a lot with the challenges I face as an autistic person. He was registered in the Netherlands. The first bird ever in the Netherlands to be registered as a therapy animal. Pilaf passed away 3 months ago though. He was 18 years old.