Support NeoGAF

[Hatemachine]

For the unaware, with minimal effort on their part people are unable to have a therapist declare their pet an "emotional support animal" which somehow gives them legal authority to take their pets places where they don't belong and burden others with their bullshit. For example:

'Emotional support' pig kicked off US Airways flight | CNN

Passenger takes miniature horse named ‘Flirty’ on plane as service animal | The Independent | The Independent


I don't doubt that these people have emotional problems, because it's self-evident that someone who thinks it's a reasonable thing to burden a cramped plane full of people with their filthy animal is fucked in the head. However, it's ridiculous that society plays along with this bullshit and entertains the notion. To their credit, airlines (finally) caught onto this bullshit and have recently cracked down. However, it's still widely abused. For example, I visited a friend's condo the other day and immediately struck by the amount of loud noise coming from the unit above. It turns out that the upstairs neighbor has some sort of large shepherd that runs around the unit making all sorts of noise. The HSA rules don't permit dogs larger than 30 pounds for this very reason, but the people got it designated as an "emotional support dog" to sidestep that rule and when my buddy complained to the HSA about it they told him there's nothing they can do. Complete bullshit.

I suspect that the overwhelming majority of use cases for "emotional support animals" is to thwart rules such as these that are intended to protect other people from having their comfort and privacy being intruded on by people's pets. Thoughts?

 

[AJUMP23]

I agree.

 

[Pagusas]

I mean I love my dog, and he is a type of emotional support system for me (helps make bad days better)., but I'd never incovience anyone with him, nor take him places he should be, and most certainly never get him certified as any sort of official support companion.

I always thought emotional support animals were for overweight people who felt insecure about going out in public and wanted their animal by their side as the one thing not judging them for their appearance.

 

[Punished Miku]

I want to live in Monster Hunter's universe where cats can go with you to restaurants and enjoy new food with people.

If this rule gets us closer to that reality, I'm all for it.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

I admit it's a foreign concept to me. It does strike me as a bit silly but I'm just an elder millennial and apparently I'm some kind of unicorn because I don't have any deep-seated emotional or mental problems.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Let me guess.

Nitwit who brings emotional animal on a plane gets to sit there chilling, while the flight crew has clean up any dumps it takes in the aisle.

I mean I love my dog, and he is a type of emotional support system for me (helps make bad days better)., but I'd never incovience anyone with him, nor take him places he should be, and most certainly never get him certified as any sort of official support companion.

I always thought emotional support animals were for overweight people who felt insecure about going out in public and wanted their animal by their side as the one thing not judging them for their appearance.

I'm a stocky guy, so sitting in a plane is always a pain in the ass where I'm cramped. Legs cramped. Even it it means I have to forcibly cram my legs in my area so I don't overflow into the guy's space next to me I'll do it. It's not fair I just let loose and assume he'll let me be annoying and overflow the entire row hogging room. Same with armrests. Don't just grab it.

In tight quarters, there's a certain minimum of respect to give everyone else sardined on the plane or rush hour subway.

I dont give a shit if youre half demented and need a pet snake to bring along. If you can maintain a pet, tou're smart enough to know not to hassle other people and workers with personal BS.

 

[TheMan]

I would say that in theory there are people who would benefit from these animals.
In practice, there is little to no regulation that goes into what qualifies as a support animal, nor is there any standardized training for the animals. The practice has been abused for sure.

 

[StormCell]

For the unaware, with minimal effort on their part people are unable to have a therapist declare their pet an "emotional support animal" which somehow gives them legal authority to take their pets places where they don't belong and burden others with their bullshit. For example:

'Emotional support' pig kicked off US Airways flight | CNN

Passenger takes miniature horse named ‘Flirty’ on plane as service animal | The Independent | The Independent


I don't doubt that these people have emotional problems, because it's self-evident that someone who thinks it's a reasonable thing to burden a cramped plane full of people with their filthy animal is fucked in the head. However, it's ridiculous that society plays along with this bullshit and entertains the notion. To their credit, airlines (finally) caught onto this bullshit and have recently cracked down. However, it's still widely abused. For example, I visited a friend's condo the other day and immediately struck by the amount of loud noise coming from the unit above. It turns out that the upstairs neighbor has some sort of large shepherd that runs around the unit making all sorts of noise. The HSA rules don't permit dogs larger than 30 pounds for this very reason, but the people got it designated as an "emotional support dog" to sidestep that rule and when my buddy complained to the HSA about it they told him there's nothing they can do. Complete bullshit.

I suspect that the overwhelming majority of use cases for "emotional support animals" is to thwart rules such as these that are intended to protect other people from having their comfort and privacy being intruded on by people's pets. Thoughts?

Fully agreed.

The last apartment I lived in, I had a neighbor. This was no ordinary neighbor but a text book neighbor (ie. Freeloading baby-maker complete with baby daddy who didn't "reside there" but was there night and day anyway). Now I want to say this woman was mostly harmless and not a mean person, but I f'ing hated being next door to her. This apartment complex allowed cats. It didn't allow dogs at all. The complex was clear and transparent about its policy and why it would allow cats but no dogs of any kind. Yet we have baby mamma here living next door to me with child designated with special needs. Therefore we also got emotional support dog. The tiniest rat terrier thing whatever ever. Yap. Yap. Yap Yap. Yap yap yap. All the damn time. And when they weren't leaving that damn thing at home, alone, yapping its head off in sadness and/or fear, the live in baby daddy who doesn't reside there would turn his speakers all the way up and play COD or listen to really shitty music.

The reasons why this shit happens is west coast blue state with higher cost of living hands out huge amounts of support money to single mothers (unmarried). She gets her expensive groceries covered. She gets a housing allowance. He's allowed visitation but can't claim the dwelling has his residence (ie. his mail goes somewhere else). Child is special needs ($$$$) and they thought it would be neat to have a rat for a dog (emotional support animal).

Seriously, blue state, fuck off. You make the everyday working person's life f'ing miserable.

PS. I had no sympathy for them for these were the same couple who would party late at night, drunk and loud music, who somehow kicked a fucking window out at 12:30 at night and a domestic dispute followed. From what I heard from the apartment management, they were destroying that unit and the owner was seeking a long but legal route to removing them.

 

[Soltype]

People need to start making real relationships and stop investing in animals, It pales in comparison to real human contact and is unhealthy. Animals have a low level of acceptance, being needed by an animal is a small feat and shouldn't be leading source of emotional support in anyone's life.

 

[Burning Blade]

I’ve worked in hospital settings and nursing homes for over a dozen years. There is not a doubt in my mind that licensed therapy dogs can be of tremendous benefit to people. Those with dementia, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, and at end of life often do benefit emotionally from their interaction with licensed therapy animals and their owners. Buying a vest off eBay to strap on your dog because you can’t function is society without a security blanket is not the same fucking thing. Funny thing is now, I must see half a dozen people with their dogs just walking in Target, no fake emotional support patch/dog vest needed. People just don’t give a fuck anymore.

 

[dan76]

Well I love animals and flights are boring, so a pig or horse would be great. I disagree... but also agree about the whole asshole nature of it. It's not the animals, it their owners that are the problem.

 

[LMJ]

Just more proof is to how soft we have gotten as a society, I truly feel sorry for any veterans who have to sit back and look at us Masses and see what we have become lol

 

[poppabk]

Unfortunately it gets so badly abused that the people it is supposed to benefit are disadvantaged as instead of support from the animal they get dirty looks and people will assume they are just taking advantage.
People are just so damn selfish.

 

[eddie4]

so then I can also claim my spouse as an 'emotional support animal' and get them free flights?

 

[Raven117]

Absolutely garbage. I'm glad airlines have cracked down on this nonsense.

I don't give an eff about your pet or how you function without it. Its an airplane, not a living room.

 

[Fbh]

As with most things like these, I think there's some very specific cases where it might be justified, but it ends up being overused and abused.

 

[Soodanim]

The only solution I can see working is a proper issued ID with all of the usual stuff you expect from an ID to stop fraudulent cases. Punish people who commit that brand of fraud.

But even with an ID, the idea that anyone would even try and bring an animal on a plane is so ridiculously absurd that I never imagined it was a possibility.

Assuming for a second that it's a genuine need that you fly with an animal - they shouldn't be flying at all if they can't do it without it. Drug yourself to sleep before take off or travel a different way, because you've got bigger fucking problems than getting somewhere quickly if you can't do that without an animal on your lap, cage or no cage.

 

[farmerboy]

There are no doubt situations where this may be applicable. A mentally disabled child that cannot settle without their pet, for example.

But let's not pretend this situation isn't abused by fucking wankers and their entitlement.

 

[Goro Majima]

I saw these a lot in the 00s while in college or traveling and it seemed fine to me. But these were like super well behaved and trained labs and retrievers that would immediately lay down in class or wherever. Basically the exact kind of animal and temperament that you’d expect a therapy pet to be.

I’m guessing the problem like everything is people taking advantage of the lack of central oversight and using their iguana, spotted leopard, or whatever instead.

 

[RavageX]

I find this to be another stupid trend. Some people may need that, I've seen a vet or two with a dog that is trained, etc.

Then you have people who just have whatever pet, can't control them and basically just make normal situations inconvenient for everyone else.

 

[zeorhymer]

It is completely stupid. Yeah like that Chihuahua people claim is a medical dog that you bring into a restaurant and have it bark all over the place.

 

[bender]

Further, I think it hurts people who truly need service animals.

 

[truth777]

Without a doubt, some people have a better quality of life from service animals.
For the rest, it’s a competition for attention until eventually someone is petting their anxiety-reducing Cobra as they stroll through the produce isle.
And those people, they are truly shit people.

 

[Billbofet]

Recently a co-worker of mine with kids at a very affluent high school in the area told me that during exams or times of high stress, they bring "stress puppies" in.
The kids (almost adults really) could go to one of the designated rooms with these puppies to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
I wonder how this prepares these kids to grow in to adults, but I guess now you can just take a stress puppy anywhere you want to go.
It makes me terrified about my children's future.

 

[TheAdlerian]

For the unaware, with minimal effort on their part people are unable to have a therapist declare their pet an "emotional support animal" which somehow gives them legal authority to take their pets places where they don't belong and burden others with their bullshit. For example:

'Emotional support' pig kicked off US Airways flight | CNN

Passenger takes miniature horse named ‘Flirty’ on plane as service animal | The Independent | The Independent


I don't doubt that these people have emotional problems, because it's self-evident that someone who thinks it's a reasonable thing to burden a cramped plane full of people with their filthy animal is fucked in the head. However, it's ridiculous that society plays along with this bullshit and entertains the notion. To their credit, airlines (finally) caught onto this bullshit and have recently cracked down. However, it's still widely abused. For example, I visited a friend's condo the other day and immediately struck by the amount of loud noise coming from the unit above. It turns out that the upstairs neighbor has some sort of large shepherd that runs around the unit making all sorts of noise. The HSA rules don't permit dogs larger than 30 pounds for this very reason, but the people got it designated as an "emotional support dog" to sidestep that rule and when my buddy complained to the HSA about it they told him there's nothing they can do. Complete bullshit.

I suspect that the overwhelming majority of use cases for "emotional support animals" is to thwart rules such as these that are intended to protect other people from having their comfort and privacy being intruded on by people's pets. Thoughts?

I'm a therapist and you are incorrect.

One of the biggest problems with mental health is that people don't have stable "Love Objects" in their lives.

There's a whole form of psychotherapy called Object Relations Therapy about this topic.

To keep it brief, there was a famous monkey study where monkey babies were put in different cages with a mother figure. One cage had a mother monkey, the next a warm stuffed animal monkey, the next a statue monkey, the next a wire model of a monkey, the next a pole, and the final cage nothing but the baby monkies.

The babies with the best behavior were with the real monkey and their behavior declined as the female monkey became less realistic. The babies that grew up alone were very neurotic, nervous, and crazy.

Most mental health issues come from being raised poorly by your parents. That's because they were "unstable objects" in your life meaning you could not cling to them or they were missing. A psychologically distant mother is worse than having one made out of wire, for instance.

Animals, especially dogs, are some kind of amazing blessing in that they are massively affectionate and tend to be very stable. So, the human with a "comfort animal" is like one of those baby monkeys holding on to a "mommy" surrogate.

On an unkind note, people with mental problems tend to be very annoying. They are like the crazy lonely baby monkeys with nothing to hold on to. So, they are going to be annoying, attention seeking, and so on. That's why they need the comfort animal.

 

[TheAdlerian]

Recently a co-worker of mine with kids at a very affluent high school in the area told me that during exams or times of high stress, they bring "stress puppies" in.
The kids (almost adults really) could go to one of the designated rooms with these puppies to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
I wonder how this prepares these kids to grow in to adults, but I guess now you can just take a stress puppy anywhere you want to go.
It makes me terrified about my children's future.

That's a really good question.

On one hand, it probably works but on the other hand, we need people to get pissed at stress and take action to change things.

For instance, I had a great college professor and he let people take tests with their books open. He said that he wanted people to know the answers to questions, not be tricked into getting them wrong.

So, maybe tests that produce a lot of anxiety are bad. Do we want people who know or people who pass tests?

I have done lots of positive things after being upset and angry. If I was always soothed, would I have done them?

 

[Blade2.0]

I'm happier when I've got a pet than when I don't.

 

[Billbofet]

That's a really good question.

On one hand, it probably works but on the other hand, we need people to get pissed at stress and take action to change things.

For instance, I had a great college professor and he let people take tests with their books open. He said that he wanted people to know the answers to questions, not be tricked into getting them wrong.

So, maybe tests that produce a lot of anxiety are bad. Do we want people who know or people who pass tests?

I have done lots of positive things after being upset and angry. If I was always soothed, would I have done them?

Agreed for the most part. I find I am more creative and productive when under stress or feeling anxious. When I am soothed, I am lazy. That is just me though. I think stress can be a good thing if you learn from it.

 

[Hatemachine]

I'm a therapist and you are incorrect.

One of the biggest problems with mental health is that people don't have stable "Love Objects" in their lives.

There's a whole form of psychotherapy called Object Relations Therapy about this topic.

To keep it brief, there was a famous monkey study where monkey babies were put in different cages with a mother figure. One cage had a mother monkey, the next a warm stuffed animal monkey, the next a statue monkey, the next a wire model of a monkey, the next a pole, and the final cage nothing but the baby monkies.

The babies with the best behavior were with the real monkey and their behavior declined as the female monkey became less realistic. The babies that grew up alone were very neurotic, nervous, and crazy.

Most mental health issues come from being raised poorly by your parents. That's because they were "unstable objects" in your life meaning you could not cling to them or they were missing. A psychologically distant mother is worse than having one made out of wire, for instance.

Animals, especially dogs, are some kind of amazing blessing in that they are massively affectionate and tend to be very stable. So, the human with a "comfort animal" is like one of those baby monkeys holding on to a "mommy" surrogate.

On an unkind note, people with mental problems tend to be very annoying. They are like the crazy lonely baby monkeys with nothing to hold on to. So, they are going to be annoying, attention seeking, and so on. That's why they need the comfort animal.

No one is stopping people from having these pets as "love objects" in their life. But we shouldn't be enabling people to inconvenience others because they can't stand to be briefly separated from their "emotional support animal".

 

[FreedomOfSpeech]

In order to run a functioning society, some things have to be off the table.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

I'm a therapist and you are incorrect.

One of the biggest problems with mental health is that people don't have stable "Love Objects" in their lives.

There's a whole form of psychotherapy called Object Relations Therapy about this topic.

To keep it brief, there was a famous monkey study where monkey babies were put in different cages with a mother figure. One cage had a mother monkey, the next a warm stuffed animal monkey, the next a statue monkey, the next a wire model of a monkey, the next a pole, and the final cage nothing but the baby monkies.

The babies with the best behavior were with the real monkey and their behavior declined as the female monkey became less realistic. The babies that grew up alone were very neurotic, nervous, and crazy.

Most mental health issues come from being raised poorly by your parents. That's because they were "unstable objects" in your life meaning you could not cling to them or they were missing. A psychologically distant mother is worse than having one made out of wire, for instance.

Animals, especially dogs, are some kind of amazing blessing in that they are massively affectionate and tend to be very stable. So, the human with a "comfort animal" is like one of those baby monkeys holding on to a "mommy" surrogate.

On an unkind note, people with mental problems tend to be very annoying. They are like the crazy lonely baby monkeys with nothing to hold on to. So, they are going to be annoying, attention seeking, and so on. That's why they need the comfort animal.

Doesn't matter.

No airplane full of customers, as well as the big thing about safety on plane (which somehow gets overridden with animals standing there) should need to deal with this. What happened to the big hoopla about customer safety, clear aisles, no standing and everyone needing to be buckled in?

And no flight crew should be forced to know how to deal with pet snakes or horses or clean up giant dumps.

Something happens and you got a Mini Mr Ed clogging the aisle.

emotional animal pony plane - Google Search

.

 

[nush]

A mentally disabled child that cannot settle without their pet, for example.

A soft toy or blanket functioned in that regard for many years.

 

[dr_octagon]

I asked to have my pet rock and their family on individual seats on an airplane. I also requested additional food for them but was refused. I assumed their policy allowed would permit my request. Never take things for granite I guess.

 

[BigBooper]

People are disgusting. Why not just go live in a barn you filthy animals.

 

[Lanrutcon]

My cat makes me feel better.

If I tried to take it with me out of my home it would pull out a switchblade though.

Yeah, I'd rather keep all my fingers. Kitty stays at home.

 

[Kev Kev]

 

[triplestation]

yeah, im a rhino mom!

 

[FreedomOfSpeech]

Doesn't matter.

No airplane full of customers, as well as the big thing about safety on plane (which somehow gets overridden with animals standing there) should need to deal with this. What happened to the big hoopla about customer safety, clear aisles, no standing and everyone needing to be buckled in?

And no flight crew should be forced to know how to deal with pet snakes or horses or clean up giant dumps.

Something happens and you got a Mini Mr Ed clogging the aisle.

emotional animal pony plane - Google Search

.

Looks like the emotion comes from torturing that poor horse

 

[Kenpachii]

Only dogs, everything else can gtfo.

 

[highrider]

Fuck your fur baby doggo.

 

[TheAdlerian]

Doesn't matter.

No airplane full of customers, as well as the big thing about safety on plane (which somehow gets overridden with animals standing there) should need to deal with this. What happened to the big hoopla about customer safety, clear aisles, no standing and everyone needing to be buckled in?

And no flight crew should be forced to know how to deal with pet snakes or horses or clean up giant dumps.

Something happens and you got a Mini Mr Ed clogging the aisle.

emotional animal pony plane - Google Search

.

What is the data on this causing problems?

I have never heard of it being an actual issue on any regular basis.

 

[TheAdlerian]

No one is stopping people from having these pets as "love objects" in their life. But we shouldn't be enabling people to inconvenience others because they can't stand to be briefly separated from their "emotional support animal".

Why not?

I am asking that seriously.

It is great to inconvenience yourself, in my opinion.

Do you get what I mean by that?

 

[StreetsofBeige]

What is the data on this causing problems?

I have never heard of it being an actual issue on any regular basis.

What data is there to support bringing a horse, snake or pet pig to someone's wedding isn't an issue for everyone in a church?

My neighbour sometimes leaves trash on the side of his house for a month before bringing it to the curb for pick up (we share a tight corridor leading to each person's backyard gates), what data is there showing neighbours leaving trash on the side of the house for 30 days isn't a pain in the butt for the other person?

See? Pretty dumb to assume it's ok just because there isn't forensic research saying yay or nay.

You even said you've never heard of issues on a regular basis which means you've seen or heard issues. It's a plane ride (which is probably the most strict things you need to follow in order to do it). No need for extra hassles.

 

[Hatemachine]

Why not?

I am asking that seriously.

It is great to inconvenience yourself, in my opinion.

Do you get what I mean by that?

What the fuck? People should have to sacrifice their own personal comfort so pet owning narcistic fucks can run rough shod over everybody else's personal space? Get fucked.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

What the fuck? People should have to sacrifice their own personal comfort so pet owning narcistic fucks can run rough shod over everybody else's personal space? Get fucked.

Exactly.

As I said above, I'm a stocky guy. And unless you fly first class with a giant seat or those nice individual mini booths, we are all crammed into economy seats. And getting the middle seat is always the worst.

I do my best to keep within my area even if it means sore legs.

If I want, I can be an asshole and spread like legs like a giant V and take up half the guys room beside me, make noise like an animal, or even take a dump on the floor expecting the crew to clean it right before they serve sandwiches and drinks.

But expectations on a plane is to be chill, keep your distance in tight quarters and don't be a nuisance.

And what happened to safety protocols that pets can be standing there taking up room? You get some turbulence or an emergency landing and you got pet Fido or Mr Ed bouncing up and down the aisle. Lets say an animal goes nuts, how is it expected a flight crew is educated how to handle an animal?

 

[Sgt.Asher]

A buddy of mine had a fat land whale sister-in-law(from his brothers marriage) that demanded an emotional support cat. She was living in his parents basement and the fat cunt just brought a cat home one day. She never took care of it and when she was forced to move, she left it. Leaving the parents in charge of the cat.
Situations like that sour "emotional support" animals. And really grow the fuck up, you don't need to take a pet with you everywhere. Fucking pathetic.

 

[Brian Fellows]

I’d rather they ban children from flights than pets.

 

[nush]

You get some turbulence or an emergency landing and you got pet Fido or Mr Ed bouncing up and down the aisle.

 

[Peggies]

Come on guys, compared to screaming children with snot all over their red faces, a cuddly doggo is heaven.
Or even better, a cute little monkey sitting next to you .

 

[The Pleasure]

My support animal