Emotional Support Animals

[Nikki]

Has anyone registered their bunny to be an official emotional support animal? If so, what website did you use? Do you have any tips or things that you wish you knew before you did it? 

[joea64]

Posted By Nikki on 8/05/2017 1:02 PM

Has anyone registered their bunny to be an official emotional support animal? If so, what website did you use? Do you have any tips or things that you wish you knew before you did it? 

I’m actually looking into this myself, as I’ve been in therapy for psychological issues for several years. My recommendation is that you should go first to your therapist, providing you have one, and discuss the subject with him or her; I have done this and my therapist is very receptive to the idea, as well as overall enthusiastic about the idea of my getting pet rabbits. I advise caution about going to for-profit sites to get your rabbit, or any other pet animal, certified as an ESA, because there’s a lot of fraud and scams going around in this area, and in fact you don’t really need the “registration kits”, vests, ID’s, etc. that many sites will try to sell you; according to Federal law, all you need is a letter written by a licensed mental health professional, preferably someone whose patient you already are, certifying that they deem an ESA a necessary part of your treatment. As opposed to service animals, which need specialized training, ESA’s don’t.

[Hazel]

I agree, your doctor should be able to help and tell you exactly what you need to do.

[Mikey]

I have! My Blue is my ESA

You go through your mental health doctors (therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist) in most cases. Dont buy online as online can be a scam/fake. Youll need a mental health doctors note anyway, to prove that you do have mental health problems and benefit from having an emotional support animal. The note from your regularly visited mental health professional will mean much more than an ID bought online anyway. The ID is mainly for quick glances, but if anyone (stores, doctors, landlords, ect) needs to see proof, you would whip out a copy of your mental health professional’s note for them to read through. The note is like a prescription and the animal is like your medication.

Note: ESAs (emotional/mental health, for things like anxiety, depression, ect) can be kicked out of public places. Example, if you go to a store with your ESA, the store is allowed to tell you to remove the animal from the store. Or, if youre on a train and they tell you that pets arnt allowed, they have a right to remove you from the train. Likewise in other public places (restaurants, fast food places, theaters, schools, ect). The only benefit for an ESA is that they are allowed on planes with you, and if you have to rent a living space, the landlord is not allowed to: remove your ESA even in a pet free apartment/townhouse/home/wherever you are renting, make you make a pet fee, make you pay pet rent.

Service animals (for things like autism, diabetes, PTSD, seizures, ect) are allowed anywhere and everywhere and cannot legally be removed. If youre in the US, the only animals allowed to be service animals are dogs, and in some states, mini ponies.

Note: Note: There is basic training youll need to go through with your bunny as well to become your ESA. The bun will need to be comfortable in large and loud crowds, leash and harness trained (even when carried, the bun will always need to be leashed and harnessed while in public outside of a crate), and be comfortable being carried.

[Nikki]

I have been doing research on the topic and I’ve read different articles stating that all you need is a note, which is basically what you are saying as well. Correct? You don’t need to register them online with any website? The particular website that I am talking about is nsarco.com, the national service animal registry. I am not trying to register her as a service animal, but they have emotional support animal registration too. If I am trying to get my landlord to let her live in my apartment, all I need is a note from my mental health professional? I don’t need an official document saying that she is an official emotional support animal?

[joea64]

Mikey, can you provide a link (if one is available) as to where you found that information about training being required for ESA’s? Everything else I’ve found online suggests that, in fact, no such training is required (e.g., in the link I provided below, one FAQ question states explicitly that no specialized training is required for ESA’s, though at least one court has disagreed). You’re correct, however, that no commercial establishment is required to allow ESA’s into their premises, as opposed to service animals.

 

Nikki, one of the most important benefits of having your pet(s) certified as an ESA is that you’ll be allowed to keep them in apartments and other residential areas that might not otherwise allow pets, and that the apartment complex management cannot charge you deposits or monthly rent for keeping ESA(s). Moreover, they cannot, under the relevant laws, ask you for any personal details about your medical condition; the letter of certification from your mental health professional is all that is legally required. I agree with Mikey that you should seek to get that certification letter – which is the really important document, most of the other stuff that for-profit sites like NSARCO will try to sell you is of debatable value at best – from your mental-health professional, if you have one. Please note that your family physician can’t write that letter, because they’re not specialists in mental health. Also, please note that if you are claiming certification for multiple ESA’s (for instance, a bonded pair of rabbits), then the letter would need to certify that each animal was a necessary component in the treatment of your disability.

 

Here’s a set of FAQ’s from an organization specializing in law relating to animals that may be of some considerable help (and also includes a link to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s official statement on assistance animals, including ESA’s):

 

FAQ’s on Emotional Support Animals

 

[Mikey]

Posted By Nikki on 8/06/2017 2:21 PM

I have been doing research on the topic and I’ve read different articles stating that all you need is a note, which is basically what you are saying as well. Correct? You don’t need to register them online with any website? The particular website that I am talking about is nsarco.com, the national service animal registry. I am not trying to register her as a service animal, but they have emotional support animal registration too. If I am trying to get my landlord to let her live in my apartment, all I need is a note from my mental health professional? I don’t need an official document saying that she is an official emotional support animal?

Correct You get the note from your mental health profession and if youd like an ID you can buy an ID for your animal. I bought my IDs from the website you listed. IDs are easier as they can be shown quickly, but its not proof your animal is an ESA and overall for ESAs, IDs dont mean anything. If you dont want an ID and just want her certified, you go to your mental heal professional for a semi detailed note as you what mental illness(s) you have that having an ESA would benefit

The mental health professional’s note is the official documentation that you would need. The mental health professional would sign it and you would sign it. Carry a copy or two in your wallet and leave the real document at home. It always helps if the doctor you get the note from is one you see often and signs their email or work number on the page as well, to verify they are real mental health professionals. 

[Mikey]

Posted By joea64 on 8/06/2017 5:02 PM

Mikey, can you provide a link (if one is available) as to where you found that information about training being required for ESA’s? Everything else I’ve found online suggests that, in fact, no such training is required (e.g., in the link I provided below, one FAQ question states explicitly that no specialized training is required for ESA’s, though at least one court has disagreed). You’re correct, however, that no commercial establishment is required to allow ESA’s into their premises, as opposed to service animals.

 

The “training” is as I noted in my first reply: leash and harness, and being comfortable in loud crowded areas. These need to be trained for rabbits as rabbits naturally do not like leashes, harnesses, loud noises, or crowded places.

Leash and harness training for rabbits who are not brought around in strictly a carrier crate, and being comfortable in large loud crowds which is often terrifying for a rabbit. Not all animals are fit to be ESAs If you have an animal that cannot be leash trained and/or is terrified of crowds and/or loud noises, that animal is not fit to be an ESA in public. In private, you wont have these issues. 

If you intend to keep the ESA at home, you dont need to do anything. But, if you want to take the ESA in public, it still needs to follow rules for having your animal in public, and you want the animal to be as happy as possible and feel as safe as possible. So a leash and harness training, as unlike for dogs, leashes and harnesses can scare a rabbit. Training your bun to be used to one might take a while, but it needs to be done if you plan to bring your ESA bun in public with you. Likewise, rabbits are naturally nervous especially in large crowds. You would need to slowly get your ESA rabbit used to being around a bunch of people. Its also natural for rabbits to be scared around loud noises. You would have to train your rabbit to tolerate loud noises.

[joea64]

I’ve just received the certification letter from my therapist, so I’m going to be talking to my apartment complex’s management people this week/weekend. I also confirmed with the bunnies’ foster mom yesterday that they’re used to loud noises (dogs/vacuum cleaners), so that’s one hurdle cleared if I ever need to take them outside/in public.

[Deleted User]

I’m just wondering why anyone would want to take their rabbit out in public? While I would love to have my little fluffs with me anywhere I go, I imagine it would be very stressful for them so I just don’t see why anyone would want to put their bun through that. What is the bun going to do for you in a carrier or on a leash in a public place?

*no offense, I am honestly curious what reason someone could possibly have for leash training their rabbit to be in crowded public areas*

[joea64]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/08/2017 11:20 AM

I’m just wondering why anyone would want to take their rabbit out in public? While I would love to have my little fluffs with me anywhere I go, I imagine it would be very stressful for them so I just don’t see why anyone would want to put their bun through that. What is the bun going to do for you in a carrier or on a leash in a public place?

*no offense, I am honestly curious what reason someone could possibly have for leash training their rabbit to be in crowded public areas*

I have to admit I’ve wondered that myself, and at least in the near future I don’t anticipate taking my new bun friends outside the home except for necessary things like vet visits and bunny-sitting; and for such outings they’ll be in a nice snug carrier.

[Mikey]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/08/2017 11:20 AM

I’m just wondering why anyone would want to take their rabbit out in public? While I would love to have my little fluffs with me anywhere I go, I imagine it would be very stressful for them so I just don’t see why anyone would want to put their bun through that. What is the bun going to do for you in a carrier or on a leash in a public place?

*no offense, I am honestly curious what reason someone could possibly have for leash training their rabbit to be in crowded public areas*

Blue goes with me to doctors and stores when I need to go alone. I have horrible anxiety that results in ER visits if not brought down quick enough, and Blue being around helps that a lot. He loves people, loves being in his carrier bag (large shoulder bag modified/customized to hold Blue), and loves seeing new things. Hes an adventure bun! He doesnt mind his leash and harness as I had him trained early on when he was a few months old. When he is with me in public, I also carry around some greens and/or treats to give him occasionally which he never says no to 

Hes also been trained further, though. If I pass out (I can sense when I am about to pass out; I have a few seconds to sit/lay down before going unconscious), he will dig on me to help me come to quicker. When Im holding him or hes in his bag pouch against my chest, he can feel my heart beat. If my heart beat rises, he will nudge my hands and chest until I pet him. Petting him really calms me down. Ive been training with him since a few months after I got him. Our emotions are very in tune with one another, and its so helpful when Im put in stressful situations that I cannot avoid. 

[Deleted User]

Posted By joea64 on 8/08/2017 11:31 AM

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/08/2017 11:20 AM

I’m just wondering why anyone would want to take their rabbit out in public? While I would love to have my little fluffs with me anywhere I go, I imagine it would be very stressful for them so I just don’t see why anyone would want to put their bun through that. What is the bun going to do for you in a carrier or on a leash in a public place?

*no offense, I am honestly curious what reason someone could possibly have for leash training their rabbit to be in crowded public areas*

I have to admit I’ve wondered that myself, and at least in the near future I don’t anticipate taking my new bun friends outside the home except for necessary things like vet visits and bunny-sitting; and for such outings they’ll be in a nice snug carrier.

I understand if it’s a dog…they are totally comfortable with it. But a rabbit? Personally, it seems really selfish to me. It’s fine to register the animal as an emotional support animal for the purpose of travelling/landlords…but if someone were to try and use the rabbit in the capacity that people use service animals…that is just not fair. You’d be causing them a great deal of stress and discomfort, so essentially you are compromising their emotional well being for your own, which totally unjustified in my opinion. I’m sure that isn’t anyone’s intention here, but that’s just my opinion on the matter

[Deleted User]

Posted By Mikey on 8/08/2017 12:16 PM

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/08/2017 11:20 AM

I’m just wondering why anyone would want to take their rabbit out in public? While I would love to have my little fluffs with me anywhere I go, I imagine it would be very stressful for them so I just don’t see why anyone would want to put their bun through that. What is the bun going to do for you in a carrier or on a leash in a public place?

*no offense, I am honestly curious what reason someone could possibly have for leash training their rabbit to be in crowded public areas*

Blue goes with me to doctors and stores when I need to go alone. I have horrible anxiety that results in ER visits if not brought down quick enough, and Blue being around helps that a lot. He loves people, loves being in his carrier bag (large shoulder bag modified/customized to hold Blue), and loves seeing new things. Hes an adventure bun! He doesnt mind his leash and harness as I had him trained early on when he was a few months old. When he is with me in public, I also carry around some greens and/or treats to give him occasionally which he never says no to 

Hes also been trained further, though. If I pass out (I can sense when I am about to pass out; I have a few seconds to sit/lay down before going unconscious), he will dig on me to help me come to quicker. When Im holding him or hes in his bag pouch against my chest, he can feel my heart beat. If my heart beat rises, he will nudge my hands and chest until I pet him. Petting him really calms me down. Ive been training with him since a few months after I got him. Our emotions are very in tune with one another, and its so helpful when Im put in stressful situations that I cannot avoid. 

That’s very sweet!! If it works for you both that’s great. I didn’t think they could be trained like that, to be honest. Kinda jealous of your relationship now

Have you tried any meds? I don’t mean to pry, I have anxiety as well and I found great relief in having Xanax or Ativan to take when I began to feel overwhelmed.

[joea64]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/08/2017 12:24 PM

Posted By joea64 on 8/08/2017 11:31 AM

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/08/2017 11:20 AM

I’m just wondering why anyone would want to take their rabbit out in public? While I would love to have my little fluffs with me anywhere I go, I imagine it would be very stressful for them so I just don’t see why anyone would want to put their bun through that. What is the bun going to do for you in a carrier or on a leash in a public place?

*no offense, I am honestly curious what reason someone could possibly have for leash training their rabbit to be in crowded public areas*

I have to admit I’ve wondered that myself, and at least in the near future I don’t anticipate taking my new bun friends outside the home except for necessary things like vet visits and bunny-sitting; and for such outings they’ll be in a nice snug carrier.

I understand if it’s a dog…they are totally comfortable with it. But a rabbit? Personally, it seems really selfish to me. It’s fine to register the animal as an emotional support animal for the purpose of travelling/landlords…but if someone were to try and use the rabbit in the capacity that people use service animals…that is just not fair. You’d be causing them a great deal of stress and discomfort, so essentially you are compromising their emotional well being for your own, which totally unjustified in my opinion. I’m sure that isn’t anyone’s intention here, but that’s just my opinion on the matter

I actually do agree here – one important reason I had my therapist certify Panda and Fernando as ESA’s, besides the central fact that, in her professional opinion, I do need them as part of my therapy (we’ve discussed the issue at my last few sessions) is to ameliorate any problems I might have with my current and future apartment managements/landlords with regard to shifting policies on what types of pet can be kept. For instance, my apartment complex allows rabbits but doesn’t allow ferrets (which, in terms of smell, I can certainly understand; I’ve met several recently and while they’re cute and playful, they smell…strong is the politest way I can put it. Bunnies, by comparison, smell exceptionally nice as compared to many other domestic animals, providing of course they’re healthy and have been well-taken care of and living in a clean environment!  

P.S. For the record, my own psychological issue is depression. I started getting interested in having my buns certified as ESA’s when I researched half-remembered things I’d read about therapy animals and found out that pets/companion animals can be a powerful therapy tool for depression by getting people motivated to take care of their furry (or feathered, finned or scaled as the case may be) friends, and especially when I learned about organizations such as Pet Partners that not only employ rabbits in the therapy role but give them specialized training.

[Deleted User]

Oh yeah, I totally understand that! My landlord did not want me to have a rabbit at all….everyone thinks they are these monsters who chew and dig and destroy everything…but since there is not currently a pet restriction, and I took it over her head to a senior company manager, I am allowed my rabbits

I actually got my rabbit for the same reason as you. I have been diagnosed with depression since I was 10 years old. I refuse to take meds for it, I think that deep down, we ALL have reasons to be depressed and I truly believe that we all do feel that way from time to time. I chalk it up to being part of the human condition. My psych recommended I get a pet because what does help me find purpose and meaning in my life is having responsibilities, something depending on me rather than my own self.

[joea64]

Perfect honesty compels me to add that saving $200 in pet registration fees, plus $50 per month on rent thereafter (at $25 per bun), when my rent is already $1,101/month, doesn’t hurt either.

[joea64]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/08/2017 2:01 PM

Oh yeah, I totally understand that! My landlord did not want me to have a rabbit at all….everyone thinks they are these monsters who chew and dig and destroy everything…but since there is not currently a pet restriction, and I took it over her head to a senior company manager, I am allowed my rabbits

I actually got my rabbit for the same reason as you. I have been diagnosed with depression since I was 10 years old. I refuse to take meds for it, I think that deep down, we ALL have reasons to be depressed and I truly believe that we all do feel that way from time to time. I chalk it up to being part of the human condition. My psych recommended I get a pet because what does help me find purpose and meaning in my life is having responsibilities, something depending on me rather than my own self.

My thoughts exactly. Depression has been informally defined, or so I’ve read, as the feeling of perpetually being stuck in a rut, of letting things slide as long as they’re not totally falling apart, of not really caring about yourself or your surroundings beyond what you need to do to continue just existing. It was particularly bad for me several years ago before I went into therapy. It’s better now, but getting motivated when it’s just myself is still often a real issue. I think I need to have these little long-eared fluffballs trustingly periscoping as I enter my apartment returning from work, awaiting their dinner and their playtime, to check them every week to ensure that their basic systems are all go, to groom them regularly (and have my clothes liberally coated with bunny fur), to suck it up and pull their litterbox out of their cage every couple of days to dispose of the used litter and bunny berries, refresh the bedding and the hay layer, to keep a weather eye on them to make sure they don’t perform a daring jailbreak from their playpen and wreak havoc on my classic-cinema library and DVD collection.

[Mikey]

@ BunNoob<3 (page was stretching )

I wasnt completely sure either but he really took to it! My other two buns had some training, but didnt really stick to it like Blue did. I am happy he did though as it definitely brings us closer

As for my anxiety, Im allergic to a lot of things and have a few failing organs so meds are a no go. I tried a few and got incredibly sick so my treatment now is just therapy + Blue, and in the future Ill be getting a service dog for places where Blue cannot go and to help with my other issues

[Deleted User]

Sorry to hear that Mikey! I’m glad that is working for you and Blue That’s the sweetest bunny bond I have ever heard of!!

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Mikey on 8/08/2017 12:16 PM

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/08/2017 11:20 AM

I’m just wondering why anyone would want to take their rabbit out in public? While I would love to have my little fluffs with me anywhere I go, I imagine it would be very stressful for them so I just don’t see why anyone would want to put their bun through that. What is the bun going to do for you in a carrier or on a leash in a public place?

*no offense, I am honestly curious what reason someone could possibly have for leash training their rabbit to be in crowded public areas*

Blue goes with me to doctors and stores when I need to go alone. I have horrible anxiety that results in ER visits if not brought down quick enough, and Blue being around helps that a lot. He loves people, loves being in his carrier bag (large shoulder bag modified/customized to hold Blue), and loves seeing new things. Hes an adventure bun! He doesnt mind his leash and harness as I had him trained early on when he was a few months old. When he is with me in public, I also carry around some greens and/or treats to give him occasionally which he never says no to 

Hes also been trained further, though. If I pass out (I can sense when I am about to pass out; I have a few seconds to sit/lay down before going unconscious), he will dig on me to help me come to quicker. When Im holding him or hes in his bag pouch against my chest, he can feel my heart beat. If my heart beat rises, he will nudge my hands and chest until I pet him. Petting him really calms me down. Ive been training with him since a few months after I got him. Our emotions are very in tune with one another, and its so helpful when Im put in stressful situations that I cannot avoid. 

What a special little bun! 

***I’m now tempted to research ESA’s in the UK…***

[joea64]

It’s not just mental health that pets can help with. I’ve found several sources online that strongly indicate that pet ownership can help reduce stress, and thus help control various stress-related conditions, including high blood sugar. Which becomes directly relevant to me because I’ve been living with type II diabetes for close to a decade now (having been diagnosed in 2008, I might well have had it before then). Who knew that bunnies might be able to replace Metformin?

[Mikey]

@ BunNoob<3 & sarahthegemini

Thank you both!

I agree Joea, animals are very good at helping a lot of health problems. Their kindness is much more helpful than they will ever know

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By joea64 on 8/08/2017 5:33 PM

It’s not just mental health that pets can help with. I’ve found several sources online that strongly indicate that pet ownership can help reduce stress, and thus help control various stress-related conditions, including high blood sugar. Which becomes directly relevant to me because I’ve been living with type II diabetes for close to a decade now (having been diagnosed in 2008, I might well have had it before then). Who knew that bunnies might be able to replace Metformin?

Fellow diabetic here! 

[sarahthegemini]

I have lung disease as well as diabetes and I was always told as a child that I shouldn’t have animals. Not that I listened, but I’m glad to hear my rabbits could be helping me

[joea64]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/09/2017 6:44 AM

I have lung disease as well as diabetes and I was always told as a child that I shouldn’t have animals. Not that I listened, but I’m glad to hear my rabbits could be helping me

I went to look for further reading, and found this:

Pet Therapy for Diabetes

The most interesting thing here is that pets can apparently be trained as a sort of alert system for hypoglycemia (excessively low blood sugar). As rabbits are good at reading emotions, this seems worth looking into further.

[Nikki]

Mikey, how did you train blue to do all those things? That is seriously impressive.

[Nikki]

Update: Fiona got approved as an emotional support animal with only a letter from my doctor!

[Lisa]

Just FYI: Check in advance with the individual airline if you plan on taking your emotional support bunny with you. Every airline has their own rules when it comes to ES animals. I work for an airline and bunnies are not allowed onboard as ES animals.

[Mikey]

Legally airlines cannot deny certified ESAs. Reading through the laws, Im not seeing anything that says rabbits (or any species that fits on a plane) are allowed to be removed when certified. As in, you could not legally remove or deny someone with an ESA rabbit from a plane. Person with the ESA does need to call ahead (48+ hours ahead) though, and calls may be sent out to your mental health professional to further verify proof. If a call cannot be made to your mental health professional, you are allowed to be denied or might have your flight changed to another time/date. Atleast, flying within the US. 

(edit to clarify) Any ESA cannot be removed if the process is legally correct. If youre going on a plane with your ESA, you need to call atleast 48 hours before your flight. You may need to give them the name and number to your mental health professional so the airline can contact your mental health professional to ensure your animal is certified and not a fake. Fakes are on the rise since the worlds largest rabbit died in cabin. People will do what they can to fake any animal onto the flight in their lap, so its reasonable for the airline to call your mental health professional to ensure your animal is needed and your condition is real. When you arrive to the airline, arrive atleast two hours early. Make sure to have your certification letter with you, and your ESA. Any animal under a certain weight (I believe 350lbs? Im not finding an exact number) that is a certified ESA is allowed on the plane as long as these rules are followed. If even one rule is broken (calling airline 48+ hours early, airline calling your mental health professional, you arriving early, you having your certification letter and animal early), the airline is allowed to deny your ESA and/or reschedule your flight. If an airline denies your ESA when all rules are followed, talk to a lawyer as suing is very possible as the airline wouldve broken the law by denying your ESA when you met all legal requirements. 

Sorry this turned out to be a novel. I didnt want to create confusion because there are a few cases where you can legally be denied, but ESA species is not one of them.  Again, this is if you are flying from one US state to another US state. Flying out of the US has an entire different list of laws that need to be followed regarding all animals on the flight, ESA or otherwise. (/edit)

@Nikki, congrats! I hope things go a little smoother for you now

Blue really trained himself. He saw me pass out one time and freaked out and started to dig at my and nudge my hands. He now does that, calmly, whenever I pass out or lay down without warning him first. Training him to react to my heart beat took some time, but was pretty easy. Im autistic and have a sensitivity to touch and feel. Soft things really calm me down when in any kind of panic. Blue’s heart beat training (for a lack of better word) came when I would freak out, I would pick up Blue and hold him close while petting him. When Im in a panic/stressed/upset/ect, my heart beats rapidly and ‘deep’ (you can see the beats if you look at my chest in these moments). As time went on doing this with him, I believe he learned that if my heart beat is speeding up, he gets cuddles and pets

[joea64]

I have to admit that ever since that tragic fiasco with United Airlines (though I now hear there appears to have been fault on both sides), I’m leery of transporting any pet on an airplane, let alone rabbits. Heck, I’m worrying right now about finding the right carrier for Panda and Fernando to take them on short car rides!

I’ve never been formally diagnosed as such, so take it with a HUGE grain of salt, but when I first went into therapy nearly 4 years ago, my sister (who accompanied me to the first meeting) told my therapist she thought I might be an Asperger’s person (her own son, my nephew, might be somewhere on the autism spectrum himself). My therapist has never experienced a definitive opinion one way or the other. In any case, I know I definitely share a number of personality traits with rabbits!

Anyway, I’m going to go by my apartment management office Saturday morning with the ESA letter from my therapist. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!

[Author]

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