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Service dogs are remarkable animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities by performing various tasks. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a dog can become a service dog if it has been trained to perform a task that helps with the handler’s health condition. Service dogs can help with physical disabilities as well […]
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My experience has been that my neighbour who qualified for a ESA because of his mental health was not a good pet owner… probably because of his mental health..
I have a. Cat for depression and Panic attacks. Please tell me how to register her. My Dr wrote a note to apartment complex. I want to move plus fly and my cat (grace) I want to go. Getting ready take her to Vet. She is up to date on her shots. I want to no if she is a service cat or a theropy cat and do I need put her in class. Like to have vest to show what kind of cat she is. She has really help me allot. Thanks for your help. She is a inside cat unless she goes to Vet. I am sick and on oxygen so we don’t walk around out side. Thank you for your help
The article answers all of your questions
Hi, I hope all is well. I know you wrote this awhile ago but I wanted to answer your questions:
– There is no “official” registration hub for an emotional support animal. While having support from third-party organizations provides some relief for the owners in that they have more legitimacy in the form of a certificate, you are not obligated to have anything except the letter from whoever is overseeing your healthcare (especially a mental health worker). The letter is crucial and I believe it should name your conditions, how they impact your everyday life, and how the ESA helps diminish that negative impact. The note that your doctor wrote sounds like it’s in the right direction, and you’ll probably want to send something similar to your new apartment complex.
– As for what to call her, she is not a “service cat”. This is a title reserved for animals that go through extensive training; in other words, the more conventional idea of a service dog being a seeing eye dog for someone who is blind or a medical alert dog before narcoleptic or anxiety attacks. Also, personally, I wouldn’t call her a “therapy cat”. To me at least, this implies training and that she can benefit the people around you. While she can benefit you and the household, the idea of a “therapy cat” implies that she can give these feelings to anyone and that she has trainings to do so. In your case, the proper term would be “emotional support animal”, abbreviated as ESA, or “emotional support cat”.
– While the basics of training are expected in public places (don’t attack anyone, don’t be a disturbance, the most basic things for a pet owner to teach), you do not have to take your cat to any additional trainings. You also don’t have to have her in a vest. When you register for your ESA to live with you, you are providing confidential information about your mental/physical health and treatment. She is protected because of these things. However, you do not have to advertise it. No need for you to tell everyone if you don’t want to, and no one will be able to give you a hard time about your cat’s presence because she is an approved animal. This is especially the case as she is an indoor cat, the only time people would be seeing her is if she’s going to the vet, and you aren’t obligated to explain yourself to the people you pass in the hall! If you wanted to get her a vest so people would not approach her, you would have to get some measurements of her and get a vest with the “emotional support animal” or “ESA” Velcro patches.
I hope you are doing well. I know your comment was awhile old but I hoped my answers can help you or whoever else is reading. I just wanted to add that my experience is: – double major in Psychology and Neuroscience – very experienced with residential life at universities and schools – have my own ESA who has lived with me in many situations
Is there a way to find out if a cat is a true ESA if a person cannot find their paperwork?
There is no ESA registry to look up the animals. The owner of the ESA should be able to connect with the doctor or therapist who issued their letter and get a copy.
My cat named Rocky was a barn baby. He is an orange tabby with a beautiful personality. He luvs baby’s children and seniors as my parents are 84 and 79. I would luv to share him with people as he is leash trained.
Hello, I want to know if is any place in Michigan to training my cat as emotional support cat
Emotional support animals do not need any specific training. Their presence alone would provide the comfort and support needed. You do, however, need an ESA letter issued by a medical professional licensed in your state of residence that states that you benefit from an emotional support cat. You may find this article on how to get an emotional support animal letter interesting: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/