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People Are Saying That These People Have Gone Too Far With Their Emotional Support Animals, Others Disagree (17 Pics)
Emotional support animals are companions that a medical professional has prescribed as helpful to someone with a disability. These animals are usually regular pets like dogs, cats and occasionally rabbits or guinea pigs. Many airlines recognize that flying causes great anxiety to many people, and so allow emotional support animals to fly aboard planes with their humans.
Like all nice, good and helpful things however, there are always people that will go too far and ruin it for everyone else. This list, compiled by Bored Panda, is a series of times when people brought unusual, unnecessary and just frankly ridiculous animals along for their 'emotional support,' and while some here have a genuine need, many are just abusing a concept that has a real purpose for many people.
Scroll down to see what we mean for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Duck On Flight
Daniel the Duck is a certified emotional support animal, who helps his owner Carla Fitzgerald battle the post traumatic stress disorder. “Everyone just took notice of him and fell in love,” Fitzgerald told ABC News. “I mean, he’s an adorable, funny and sweet little guy. He was very well behaved at the airport and during the flight.”
Cherie of Numenor 6 years ago
I would rather sit next to a duck than a smelly person, a crying baby, a fussy toddler or a person spilling over into my seat....I fly alot and I DO have kids (so I am not being a hypocrite)....JUST SAYING....
Christina Uhlir 6 years ago
Animals are NOT ridiculous, any animal can be support and therapy animal, I'm not so sure about some predatory animals though, training is essential. Just use some common sense when it comes to using public transportation.
Emily Nelson 6 years ago
Only a licensed mental health professional can provide an emotional support letter. Some people buy a certificate of an emotional support animal. But, it's a scam! And only dogs and miniature horses can be service animals. https://emotionalsupport.pet/how-to-certify-emotional-support-dog/
RELATED:
#2
Pony On An Flight
Flirty The Mini Service Horse (a.k.a. Flirty) is a miniature horse who is a service animal. She is a very small miniature horse, standing only 27 inches tall and weighing just over 130 lbs, who loves attention and helping her disabled owner/handler, Abrea Hensley. Abrea is allergic to dogs and has post-traumatic stress disorder, so she takes Flirty everywhere she goes. The little mare reminds Hensley to take her medication and provides support when she becomes overwhelmed
Tracey Tait 6 years ago
Actually mini horses and dogs are the only animals that can be registered as Service Animals. So the horse is completely trainable a performs the same assistance as a dog.
WillemPenn 6 years ago
You are on the right track. There is no government registry, but Title III (public accommodation/common carrier) of the ADA recognizes only two types of service animals: dogs and miniature horses. § 36.302 states "(9) Miniature horses. (i) A public accommodation shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a miniature horse by an individual with a disability if the miniature horse has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability."
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Lazy Panda 6 years ago
There’s nothing wrong with a miniature horse as a service animal, on top of being good for people who can’t own a dog, ponies are way better for disabled people who require physical support
Vikki Nay 6 years ago
What about people like me who are deathly allergic to horses. I would have literally died if I had been on that flight!
Marnie 6 years ago
Yes, nobody cares about people with allergies when it comes to pets now. They think they have a right to bring their pet anywhere they go and to hell with everyone else. I went to the dentist last year and there was a dog running around. At a dentist's office! WTF?! People won't even be able to go to the doctor's office pretty soon.
Load More Replies... Ben Smith 6 years ago
This is way, way too far. The animal is simply too big to be on a flight
Louis Holler 6 years ago
the animal probably weighs less than you....are you too big to go on a flight?
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Monika Georgieva 6 years ago
Don't they umm smell bad? Nothing against it, but if it makes the whole airplane stinky it won't be pleasent
BlackestDawn 6 years ago
Pretty sure not much more than other pets when properly cared for. The thing is that most only "smell them" when at farms, stables, and such and there it's not just the horses but the whole environment.
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Teri Donovan 6 years ago
Actually, miniature horses are the ONLY species other than dogs that are recognized as SERVICE animals and, therefore, protected by the ADA. Unfortunately too many IGNORANT people don't know that.
Elizabeth Scarborough 6 years ago
The idea makes sense since these mini-horses are quite smart however can you imagine the clean up? I wouldn't want to worry about the smell of pony s**t on a flight.
#3
Emotional Support Peacock, Trying To Board A Flight From Newark To L.a
This woman brought along her emotional support peacock for her flight to L.A. from Newark Airport. It didn’t go well. Despite being warned three times that Dexter the peacock would not be allowed to travel with her, conceptual artist Ventiko showed up at the airport anyway. Dexter was promptly turned away by United Airlines
Caridina Japonica 6 years ago
I remember a boredpanda article about this mediocre "artist". She bought this peacock for an "art" project, then registered him online as an emotional support animal so she can transport him by plane for free (which I would call a lot of things, beginning with inapropriate, stupid, fraudulently, b****y...). There is absolutely NO EMOTIONAL SUPPORT provided by that blue siren chicken.
Jeremy Porter 6 years ago
"Conceptual artist"...that says a lot. The woman is just 110% wacko.
Keuthonymos 6 years ago
She's a conceptual artist, not a mental health sufferer. She's just trying to be edgy.
Luna Moonwatcher 6 years ago
Ok, but it’s really rude to say someone’s disorder is imaginary. I can understand be maybe a little frustrated with someone’s animal but still...
Eileen Reardon 5 years ago
Right? It's not imaginary if its diagnosed....... extra points if it has been diagnosed seperately by several professionals
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Jeffrey Teston 6 years ago
I can understand Dog's because they can be potty trained. If a bird poo'd on me during a flight I would... well I would just stew in my anger until the plain landed then I would give the birds owner a grimace.
Inservio Letum 6 years ago
Another attention-starved murican being a c**t because their milieu reinforces that sort of behaviour. Posts like https://www.instagram.com/p/BvAJJu2lBRM/ make me want to accept that peacock, then serve it to the business class passengers as an amuse bouche.
#4
'Emotional Support' Pig Kicked Off Flight For Being Disruptive
Woman has been kicked off her plane for bringing a 70-pound pig on board for 'emotional support'. She made it to the plane and was sitting with the pig on her lap, however, before long, the pig was reported as being 'out of control' and disruptive. So the passenger was asked to get off.
Ana Ferreira 6 years ago
An animal that actually uses squealing like it's being murdered as a defense mechanism, and is pretty easily triggered is a terrible idea for a support animal to take to a strange and confined environment.
MammaG 6 years ago
This has gotten ridiculously out of control. Instead of looking to find a real service animal (dog) due to a health need, people have a pet they feel entitled to impose on others, regardless of those others' safety and comfort. They just call their pet an emotional support animal. There need to be strict regulations on this abuse of the system.
Patricia Ducher 6 years ago
Extrmely allergic to animal dander...I flew Norwegian air to and from Paris Orlando with " emotional support dog" in the cabin. When I booked the flight I listed the DISABLING and dangerous condition as a severe health issue. At the gate, the gate agent brought a passenger with an emotional support dog over near me asking " How far away do you need to be from animals since you are allergic ". Is this person insane ?? my response was " not onthe same plane" as I began to wheeze. " Your airline was.informed at the time I booked, since when does "emotional support" of an anxious passenger out rank the health and safety of your other passengers ?" Lets face it..Its emotionally and physically " unsafe and disturbing enough being packed in like sardine with germs dirt and filth from the nasty flying public, their screaming babie and children kicking the back of your seat, without adding animals pooping bl9cking aisles and emergency exits, germs and dander into the a etc etc .
Valerie Lessard 6 years ago
same happened to my niece who's allergic to cats. Airline's reaction: "nothing we can do, sorry"
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Gillian Black 6 years ago
I have two pet pigs who are just out to make trouble for me at home let alone on a plane oh the very thought of it brainy they may be but they like their own way
Alejandro Vega 6 years ago
Pigs rule!!!! But they still don't belong on a plane!!! Take the bus!!! Or drug yourself to do things your too scared to do!! Like normal people!!
SuperCooper 5 years ago
I almost agreed.... until the 'drug yourself like normal people'. As someone with a service animal, and who has to 'drug themselves' daily just to get out of bed, let alone function in the real world, that comment was uncool.
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Lisa Larson 6 years ago
Pigs are nasty creatures. It's OBVIOUS to anyone that this one isn't trained in any way.
deanna woods 6 years ago
If you need all of these extreme emotional support animals then maybe you should just stay home. Or just stop using emotional support to travel with your pet.
#5
Pig On Flight
Hard 2 Guess 6 years ago
Here it is folks. If you ever thought you'll do something when pigs fly then you need to get started on that.
Robert Robi Z 6 years ago
Looking at the person holding the pig, I think it is the pig who should get emotional support
Ben Smith 6 years ago
“Emotional support” now means “I get upset if I don’t ALWAYS get my way” is a perfect quote
foofoofloofy 3 years ago (edited)
*clutches emotional support Thoroughbred horse indignantly*
Load More Replies... Lisa Larson 6 years ago
This is what the country has come to....idiots want to bring any animal they want on the plane calling it their "emotional support [insert animal here]. I'd tell them to F*** off.
#6
My Friend Had An 'Emotional Support Turkey' On Her Flight To Seattle
Easter the turkey was Jodie Smalley's support animal. Smalley found it 'as a shivering chick standing in the road on Easter Day', hence the name. “Easter came to me as a tiny poult at an emotionally difficult time in my life being in a mentally abusive and failing marriage,” Smalley explained
Jeff Requier 6 years ago
You Cant train a turkey to do anything for you, It doesnt care if your upset
Lisa Shaw 6 years ago
If she found it in the middle of the road and kept it, then it is a pet. Service animals, even emotional support ones, have been vetted and trained to do a job, seems everyone with a pet wants to claim emotional support, so they can bring them with them.
SuperCooper 5 years ago
An ESA is not a service animal, because they require no training and no task training under the law. Otherwise, yep!
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Maku Hernandez 6 years ago
I'd be scared out of my mind and need an emotional support scotch. My seat changed to the end of the plane too.
Meami 6 years ago
Turkey's are some of the stupidest birds in all of Aves. I grew up on a farm and cannot imagine why (even if you found a shivering poult beside the road during a difficult time in your life) one would think a turkey is a good emotional support animal. We've all had really difficult times in our lives. This had really gone too far.
Robert Slaney 6 years ago
There other ways to get through life’s difficult times. Some people take advantage of a system that is well intentioned. Besides the support animals consider all those using handicapped parking spaces when for some they would be doing themselves a favor walking a bit.
Gillian Black 6 years ago
the competition is on who has the weirdest support animal, for me it would be the trusty doggo
#7
Monkey Business! Meet Gizmo Who Stirred All That Trouble On A Las Vegas Bound Frontier Airlines Flight
Marmoset Gizmo got through TSA screening and boarded a Frontier Airlines flight from Columbus, Ohio to Las Vegas. Gizmo's owner, Jason Ellis, didn't warn other passengers or crew about his emotional support pet, so their surprise when Gizmo started poking its head out of Ellis's shirt was understandable. Gizmo was never loose on flight and stuck to owner's shirt the entire time.
Avimech 85 5 years ago
I don’t agree with any of the other animals on board, but Gizmo looks cool af haha
Elliebean13 3 years ago
Monkeys are literally trained in some places to be support animals and to aid disabled people. They are extremely smart, so I think it would be like having a smaller , fuzzier child on board.
#8
When My Mom Has A Kangaroo On Her Flight As An "Emotional Support Animal"
Rosesinmyhair 6 years ago
Kangaroos are not pets. Makes me boiling mad that you can buy Roos in Pet shops in the US.
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
That animal is terrified. Most of these selfish, ugly people are so busy trying to make themselves look cool that they don't have a problem with animal cruelty. kangaroos are wild animals. Cooping them up and is cruel.
Laura Campos 6 years ago
Gorgeous animal, but they are very strong and have no place on a plane.
Sharon Ingram 6 years ago
How do you know it was bought in the US. How can you tell this flight is US?
ForcedBy Playstore 6 years ago (edited)
American Airlines neck scarf on the air hostess. It certainly wasn't brought or done in Australia. Firstly there would be outrage and secondly it's not allowed, we can only have guide dogs on planes. Other therapy animals or dogs for other reasons aren't allowed onboard.
Load More Replies... Jeffrey Teston 6 years ago
I have to wonder if the change in the cabin pressure effects these animals. Personally I am in a lot of pain during descent and dread it every time I have to fly.
#9
Monkey Helper
Richard, a bonnet macaque monkey, belongs to Debby Rose, who suffers from agoraphobia, the fear of places and situations that causes panic, helplessness, or embarrassment. She brings her monkey everywhere and will even drive with him in the front seat.
Tracey Tait 6 years ago (edited)
That's illegal. Driving with any animals on your lap impairs driving and is a moving violation
Kristy P 6 years ago
I work in insurance and had a customer who killed his dog because it was in his lap, the dog was moving all around, the man flipped the jeep and crushed his dog. I felt horrible for him, he was devastated. But, it was totally preventable.
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Rosesinmyhair 6 years ago
1 sudden stop and that poor monkey will go flying into the windscreen.
Full Name 6 years ago
"Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed", yeah having a goddamn monkey on your lap in the car SHOULD make you feel embarassed.
Logan Scaggs 6 years ago
i laughed way too much at this. Thanks for making my day!
Load More Replies... Joley Hidaka 6 years ago
She should NOT be driving with it in her lap! Squish like a grape if she gets hit or airbag goes off
Mary Rose Kent 6 years ago
Airbags are NOT gentle. I had massive bruises after mine deployed in an accident, and they remained painful for a couple of weeks.
Load More Replies... Teri Donovan 6 years ago
He's NOT a service animal. He's an ESA so he's NOT working and yes, having him on her lap is illegal as hell.
Felicia Dale 6 years ago
Wow. I am totally against having anything on your lap when you're driving! Plus, if the car has an air bag and there's an accident that's the end not just of the poor monkey but likely the human, too. It should be sitting in the passenger seat and properly restrained just like a child of the same size.
Lauren Nunya 6 years ago
ESAs aren't legally allowed on flights anyway but because people don't understand the difference between a legit service dog/mini horse people will bring them along anyway.
Douglas Iley 6 years ago
imagine what the airbag would do to the monkey if she hit something omg.
#10
Woman Removed From Flight To Cleveland With Emotional Support Squirrel: 'You Will Not Take My Baby'
A passenger was removed from a Frontier Airlines flight when she attempted to fly with her “emotional support” squirrel and then refused to get off the plane when she was told no, according to the airline. A Frontier spokesman said in a statement that the passenger had alerted the airline that she would be bringing an emotional-support animal on the flight but did not mention it would be a rodent. “Rodents, including squirrels, are not allowed on Frontier flights,” the statement read. “
Parmeisan 6 years ago
I looked into it recently because I was curious, and it turns out that squirrels made absolutely terrible pets. They will race up your body with their claws made for digging into tree bark. They bite and chew without hesitation. And it's almost impossible to provide for their diet.
Mini Shnauzer 6 years ago
Again, animal abuse. This isn't cool. Squirrels are wild, and yes, you may have befriended one, they are mammals and are capable of friendship, but really? Dragging it around with you is NOT fair!
Rose the Cook 6 years ago
Passenger on the train had a pet squirrel in her pocket. It wasn't long before it was running loose wreaking havock and getting tangled in people's hair.
Teri Donovan 6 years ago
The day the squirrel went berserk, In the First Self-Righteous Church in that sleepy little town of Pascagoula. It was a fight for survival, that broke out in revival. They were jumpin pews and shouting Hallelujah!!
Gillian Black 6 years ago
well it is small and cuddly and cute put a harness on it and no one would know
Alejandro Vega 6 years ago
Aren't rodents, and specifically squirrels, like the perfect vector for rabies?!?!? YAAAAAYY LOCKED ON A PLANE FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH A CRAZED RODENT!!!!!
Mary Rose Kent 6 years ago
Probably not if they’re kept indoors, as I assume this “baby” is.
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Viki Banaszak 6 years ago
Oh I've never seen a flying squirrel before...and technically still haven't
#11
There Is Such A Thing As A Service Pony And I Want One
Random Panda 6 years ago
That poor woman. I don't think people with emotional support animals should be allowed to make other passengers so uncomfortable.
comboplush 6 years ago
Judging from the glasses and the info from earlier in this article that mini ponies are used to help the blind, maybe it is her's and they both are travelling together.
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Ivana 6 years ago
That pony isn't for emotional support, is it for vision support. See the handle on the back? That handle is the same handle they use for seeing eye dogs, this is a seeing eye pony. The woman sitting by the window probably is either blind or has significant decreased vision. People are so judgemental. I would rather fly with any animal over any human.
Holly Hofmann 6 years ago
Mini Horses are recognized by the ADA as Service Animals. The woman looks to be sight-impaired. My guess is that this is a legitimate service animal and not an ESA.
Scott Lloyd 6 years ago
One of the two types of animals recognized as service animals. Service animals are protected by the ADA. These are not emotional support pets they work for a living.
Joshua Putnam 6 years ago
Plenty of room in bulkhead for mini horses or large service dogs. Either one is trained to stay comfortably in place for many hours without making a mess.
Vikki Nay 6 years ago
Again, what about the other people on the plane with allergies? I have a severe allergy to horses.
SuperCooper 5 years ago
It is the airline's job to ensure that every person is SAFE during their flight. So in you case, they would need to make accommodations for you to sit far away, or get you a new flight. They cannot, however, kick the disabled party off just because someone is afraid or allergic to the animal, as that is illegal under the ADA.
Load More Replies... Gillian Black 6 years ago
dont think that person is uncomfortable he is with her and just think if you were in the position these people were in and you had to have a support animal would you like these comments, I have a dog my best friend
#12
Emotional Support Kangaroo
"A customer tried to bring a baby kangaroo on the plane as a service animal," a retired airline customer service agent with 18 years of experience told Business Insider.
Kaisu 6 years ago
No, kangaroos are wild animals, not pets and definitely not service animals, especially young joeys like this!
Alejandro Vega 6 years ago
What kind of people would feel supported by tying up a wild animal an forcing it to go on an unknown scary environment????
#13
Don't Act Like You've Never Seen A Therapy Turkey Going Through Airport Security
This emotional support turkey was spotted at San Francisco Airport.
The turkey was seen going through security sometime last week by KTVU journalist Frank Somerville, who shared the story to his Facebook page.
According to the post, the turkey is an emotional support animal for a woman who lost her husband. The woman takes the turkey everywhere with her, and it even sleeps with her at night.
Parmeisan 6 years ago
Ah, that makes me remember my favourite show. "As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." I miss ya, WKRP. I wish I could re-watch on Netflix.
MammaG 6 years ago
"They were hitting the ground like bags of wet cement!"
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SuperCooper 5 years ago
Ok, but ESAs don't have any public access rights under the ADA so what she's doing (not in the airport but if she brings the turkey EVERYWHERE) is illegal and impersonation of a service animal, which is double illegal
#14
We've Got Cock!! Emotional Support Rooster For. The. Win
Full Name 6 years ago
OMG, I can't even process how mad I'd be if at the first ray of sunshine a rooster had at it.
Load More Replies... Jeremy Porter 6 years ago (edited)
There's one for her Tinder profile..."Looking for a guy who loves a girl with a c**k".
Robert Robi Z 6 years ago
So many people seek support fondling their d**k... or c**k, if you prefer
Iapetos 6 years ago
Don't female chickens make much better companions? They are very friendly and cute creatures - but what disturbs me about all this is that none of those idiots care about the emotional well-being of the animal that is kind of dragged along like... like... like a slave? Are they treated well? Are they cared for? Do they have companions of their species?!
#15
Piggy Pilot. Hoggin' The Cockpit
Hamlet the Beach Hog is the emotional support animal of Megan Peabody who loves flying, but suffers from anxiety. According to Peabody, having her hog on board makes her feel "more comfortable and provides a lovely distraction."
Robert Robi Z 6 years ago
Thank God, it is not the pilot who needs emotional support, so what is the hog doing in the cockpit?
Maria Ines Molina 6 years ago
"loves flying, but suffers from anxiety"... rich people's problems
Casey Herman 6 years ago
Megan, hey?! I wonder ... Decades ago, I was an airline pilot in New Guinea when my only English-speaking passenger told me that a piglet had just escaped from a bilum bag. I asked him not to let it under our seats, because it could jam the rudder pedals. He managed to stop it, but only just. That piglet wasn't so much an emotional support animal as an upcoming dinner.
Patricia Ducher 6 years ago
Somebody call PETA! How about taking an " emotional support PERSON to help you " cope", book your next flight on Noahs Arch.Airlines, go by boat. Car or train and stop CRIPPLING the rest of the traveling public with this insanity..
Jason M 6 years ago
Tried this. Passengers kept staring at me petting them.
Load More Replies... Inservio Letum 6 years ago
...not to mention a wonderful thirty pound projectile the vehicle's designers never envisioned having to contend with in an accident
Florence Hastings 6 years ago
It doesn’t seem like she needs a suport animal if she loves flying.
#16
Just Your Everyday Emotional Support Kangaroo...
Full Name 6 years ago
Amen. Service dogs are full grown. This is a just joey. How this isn't considered cruelty is beyond me.
Load More Replies... Maria Ines Molina 6 years ago
Kangaroos are not pets! Like many animals in this post. This is so wrong.
Elliebean13 3 years ago
I feel so bad for this baby, he belongs in the wild with a proper mama not this idiot excuse of a human.
#17
Emotional Support Hamster's Owner Claimed The Staff Working For Spirit Airlines Told Her That Pebbles Would Have To Be Flushed Down A Toilet
Belen Aldecosea said she contacted Spirit airlines twice to confirm that her emotional support hamster can fly with her. But the animal was refused entry upon arrival, and an employee suggested she flush her pet down the toilet
Diana Eriksson 6 years ago
This is absolutely sick, why didn't she try giving the hamster to someone at the airport or something, anything would be better than literally being DROWNED IN THE SEWERS?
Ben Smith 6 years ago
This story has been disproven. The woman made the story up to shame the airline after they refused to let the animal on the plane
Jeff Requier 6 years ago
This proves the mental health problems. You can Only use an animal that can be Trained to Help you. Just because you feel better having a wild animal with you doesnt count. Id love to own a pig but they dont stay small and if they dont get their way they will trash your house. Theres no training that out of them
Felicia Dale 6 years ago
This story really pissed me off the first time I heard it and I'm still pissed. If you can't take your animal with you, GET OFF THE PLANE. I do get, however, feeling so upset by the treatment by the gate crew that you might not be able to think straight. I've been close to major melt downs just trying to get musical instruments on board planes even when the case fits perfectly in the over head and their own guide lines say they're allowed.
Felicia Dale 6 years ago
And that employee should have been severely reprimanded for suggesting such heinous animal cruelty!!!
Load More Replies... Elliebean13 3 years ago
That cage is TINY and this poor poor poor poor poor hamster! She didn’t have to die like that. Her life must have been horrible.
Theresa Tzitzira 6 years ago
........and she DID flush it???????!!!! Has that truly happened???
LisaBru2 6 years ago
Where does it say that she actually DID flush it down the toilet? Everyone is on her about it but all I see is that the suggestion was made, not that it was actually done.
Natalie Kirman 6 years ago
https://time.com/5140438/spirit-airlines-emotional-support-hamster/
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Filipa Menezes 6 years ago
Ok, so, I made my research on this and here's some facts: -She got a new hamster about a year ago (may the force be with it) -Her lawyer is called Adam Goodman. Guess we need to change his first name, cause he sounds like the lawyer guilty people hire
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What do you think ?
ravina nimje 6 years ago
I get the part where one needs Emotional Support but please mercy on those animals. Poor babies are not designed to travel in such congested seats.
N S 6 years ago
Interestingly, the rest of the world manages just fine without this circus. Seriously, what is wrong with Americans? Why do people feel so entitled to bring along a nuisance like a smelly pony or loud peacock with complete disregard for other passangers. Get your act together for god's sake.
N S 6 years ago
you can downvote all you want, that does not explain why this is mostly an American thing though
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Monica Michelle 6 years ago
As a disabled person please knock this off! Our teams are in danger. Our dogs have been attacked by untrained 'support,' animals. I have almost been thrown from my chair. You are making it so hard for us to move in the world
Teresa Cline 6 years ago
Just like a 5 yr old girl on a flight to Alaska that was attacked by a fake pit bull service dog and had half her face bitten off, I believe last year. A lady had a Great Dane running around in the local Walmart a few weeks ago and no one said anything. There are all kinds of random dogs in there all the time and they are not all friendly, but it goes without being addressed. It's just a incident and lawsuit waiting to happen, then the backwards town I live in will want to kill the dog and will it have been the dogs fault ? No, it's not, but too little too late. Many people today are completely apathetic to everyone's life but their own and sadly it causes costly mistakes. Do my dogs whimper and cry when I leave them at home? Of course! But I'm not bringing them to the grocery store with me. Yes, I get stressed out there. It's overcrowded and I have agoraphobia as well, but I have to put on my big girl panties and get my items and get back home. Then I can manage my anxiety. Self indulgent a******s, need to get their heads out of their holes and grow up.
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Pamela24 6 years ago
I think I'm alright with an animal that is taught how to behave. That can be taught that - dogs, some cats (check out Thula and Iris - an autistic girl), some ponies (I know they're sometimes used for blind people). A peacock/kangaroo/squirrel/turkey? No way. People are getting entitled and we shouldn't be letting them.
John L 6 years ago
I agree with this. Small monkeys can also be useful to perform needed tasks. But if the animal cannot sit still or be relatively quiet, then your emotional support ends where others mental stability begin...
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Demi Zwaan 6 years ago
Are there no rules in the US about service animals? Here you can't just print out your own label and call whatever animal you want a service animal. It's ridiculous! Also, most of these animals are completely stressed out and not suitable for this 'work' at all.
Ed 6 years ago
There are. The ADA does not recognize emotional support animals. People are stupid though or think the rules don't apply to them.
Load More Replies... Lazy Panda 6 years ago (edited)
Former service animal trainer here, per ADA law an emotional support animal is not recognized as medical equipment, therefore it does not have public access rights. There are plenty of legitimate emotional support animals that work with their owners in pet friendly places, they’re well behaved, know to heel, and are paying attention to the person they’re supposed to be providing support to. That being said, just because you love your pet/it makes you happy doesn’t make it an emotional support animal and absolutely does not justify taking wild animals that could never task in the first place on an airplane
Kevin Donegan 6 years ago
There is a huge difference between service animals, emotional support animals and therapy animals. The only animal that should be allowed to travel in-cabin (aside from the small dog/cat that fits under the seat) are service animals. Service animals provide a much needed function for their owners. The rest are basically pets. Period. I realize that a person will justify and throw a tantrum because their "emotional support" snake can't fly with them but the snake (aside from a warped imaginary "emotional" connection) cannot provide emotional support. Period.
Just saying 6 years ago
Same with turkeys and peacocks - vicious birds, not known for their empathic ability.
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Nomadus Aureus 6 years ago (edited)
I don't get it. We're strapped into those seats as if our lives depended on it. Horses don't normally lie down. How the everloving hell are take offs and landings safe for them without a box? Birds s**t all over the place without much of a warning. Who's cleaning it up? Pigs smell to the high heavens, turkeys and peacocks are generally super aggressive. Yet I can't take my SAR Spaniel on board because I'm not afraid of flying. I don't like flying him in cargo either, but this is ridiculous.
Joshua Putnam 6 years ago
Please don't add to the confusion - #2 is NOT an emotional support animal as claimed in your headline. A "service animal" is entirely different from an ESA, and miniature horses and dogs are the only two species recognized in the US as service animals. People with service animals struggle constantly to make the distinction clear, because there's no such thing as a registered service animal, and flying with service animals is specifically protected by law, unlike ESAs.
WillemPenn 6 years ago
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Ugh, to see miniature horses posted twice here, where they are both clearly service animals, not ESAs, really got me got under the collar. The unfounded prejudice and vitriol around them is just astounding.
Load More Replies... ravina nimje 6 years ago
I get the part where one needs Emotional Support but please mercy on those animals. Poor babies are not designed to travel in such congested seats.
N S 6 years ago
Interestingly, the rest of the world manages just fine without this circus. Seriously, what is wrong with Americans? Why do people feel so entitled to bring along a nuisance like a smelly pony or loud peacock with complete disregard for other passangers. Get your act together for god's sake.
N S 6 years ago
you can downvote all you want, that does not explain why this is mostly an American thing though
Load More Replies... Monica Michelle 6 years ago
As a disabled person please knock this off! Our teams are in danger. Our dogs have been attacked by untrained 'support,' animals. I have almost been thrown from my chair. You are making it so hard for us to move in the world
Teresa Cline 6 years ago
Just like a 5 yr old girl on a flight to Alaska that was attacked by a fake pit bull service dog and had half her face bitten off, I believe last year. A lady had a Great Dane running around in the local Walmart a few weeks ago and no one said anything. There are all kinds of random dogs in there all the time and they are not all friendly, but it goes without being addressed. It's just a incident and lawsuit waiting to happen, then the backwards town I live in will want to kill the dog and will it have been the dogs fault ? No, it's not, but too little too late. Many people today are completely apathetic to everyone's life but their own and sadly it causes costly mistakes. Do my dogs whimper and cry when I leave them at home? Of course! But I'm not bringing them to the grocery store with me. Yes, I get stressed out there. It's overcrowded and I have agoraphobia as well, but I have to put on my big girl panties and get my items and get back home. Then I can manage my anxiety. Self indulgent a******s, need to get their heads out of their holes and grow up.
Load More Replies... Pamela24 6 years ago
I think I'm alright with an animal that is taught how to behave. That can be taught that - dogs, some cats (check out Thula and Iris - an autistic girl), some ponies (I know they're sometimes used for blind people). A peacock/kangaroo/squirrel/turkey? No way. People are getting entitled and we shouldn't be letting them.
John L 6 years ago
I agree with this. Small monkeys can also be useful to perform needed tasks. But if the animal cannot sit still or be relatively quiet, then your emotional support ends where others mental stability begin...
Load More Replies... Demi Zwaan 6 years ago
Are there no rules in the US about service animals? Here you can't just print out your own label and call whatever animal you want a service animal. It's ridiculous! Also, most of these animals are completely stressed out and not suitable for this 'work' at all.
Ed 6 years ago
There are. The ADA does not recognize emotional support animals. People are stupid though or think the rules don't apply to them.
Load More Replies... Lazy Panda 6 years ago (edited)
Former service animal trainer here, per ADA law an emotional support animal is not recognized as medical equipment, therefore it does not have public access rights. There are plenty of legitimate emotional support animals that work with their owners in pet friendly places, they’re well behaved, know to heel, and are paying attention to the person they’re supposed to be providing support to. That being said, just because you love your pet/it makes you happy doesn’t make it an emotional support animal and absolutely does not justify taking wild animals that could never task in the first place on an airplane
Kevin Donegan 6 years ago
There is a huge difference between service animals, emotional support animals and therapy animals. The only animal that should be allowed to travel in-cabin (aside from the small dog/cat that fits under the seat) are service animals. Service animals provide a much needed function for their owners. The rest are basically pets. Period. I realize that a person will justify and throw a tantrum because their "emotional support" snake can't fly with them but the snake (aside from a warped imaginary "emotional" connection) cannot provide emotional support. Period.
Just saying 6 years ago
Same with turkeys and peacocks - vicious birds, not known for their empathic ability.
Load More Replies... Nomadus Aureus 6 years ago (edited)
I don't get it. We're strapped into those seats as if our lives depended on it. Horses don't normally lie down. How the everloving hell are take offs and landings safe for them without a box? Birds s**t all over the place without much of a warning. Who's cleaning it up? Pigs smell to the high heavens, turkeys and peacocks are generally super aggressive. Yet I can't take my SAR Spaniel on board because I'm not afraid of flying. I don't like flying him in cargo either, but this is ridiculous.
Joshua Putnam 6 years ago
Please don't add to the confusion - #2 is NOT an emotional support animal as claimed in your headline. A "service animal" is entirely different from an ESA, and miniature horses and dogs are the only two species recognized in the US as service animals. People with service animals struggle constantly to make the distinction clear, because there's no such thing as a registered service animal, and flying with service animals is specifically protected by law, unlike ESAs.
WillemPenn 6 years ago
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Ugh, to see miniature horses posted twice here, where they are both clearly service animals, not ESAs, really got me got under the collar. The unfounded prejudice and vitriol around them is just astounding.
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