Emotional Support Ducks

[penybobeny]

I read an article in the NYT ( http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50B10FF3F5A0C778DDDAC0894DE404482 ) and what I just could not get out of my mind was the man who wanted to take his pet duck with him on a plane as his assistance duck! (I had to wonder if it was for a fear of flying and could not get the picture out of my head of the plane going down and the man grabbing the duck's legs like some living feathered parachute!)

With this in mind, I have kept an eye out for the following:
Emotional Support Service Dairy Cow- for people who are afraid Starbucks will only have non-dairy creamer
Protection Support Service Mouse- for people who are afraid of elephants

It may all seem like a joke, but many of the animals being paraded as emotional support animals that are exotics are just not geared to the mayhem and chaos of the average airport, subway... ect... and I have to wonder what kind of trauma they endure in emotionally supporting the people that parade them out claiming the ADA gives them the right.

I can see a dog being trained for a person with anxiety disorder to lead them out of an area if they sense a panic attack coming on in much the same manner as a seeing eye dog would lead their handler away from harm, but beyond that what true life tasks that are 'specialized' to a disability can the animal provide other than changing oxygen to carbon dioxide?  Yes, studies have shown that owning a pet can reduce stress and we all know the benefit of a wagging tail and those trusting eyes, just petting an animal can reduce blood pressure, but these are not tasks.

Even worse is when the animal does not have even a basic level of obedience training and the owner does not understand that the ADA of 1990 states that they CAN be removed if their animal is not under their control and they take no measures to control their animal within a reasonable time.

(Ok, now the visual is of the duck in a vest flapping down an airplane isle, feathers flying, people ducking (no pun intended) in mid-flight as the stewardess gives chase with a pillow that can be used as a flotation device in the event of a water landing)

[fledchen]

It's actually the Air Carrier Access Act, not the ADA, that applies to aircraft.

[penybobeny]

Sorry, my mistake

[fledchen]

I'm sorry if that came off as snappish. It was not intended that way. Figuring out what laws apply where, and the different qualifications and regulations attached to them, can be very tricky.

[magolin]

Still....a duck? 

Diesel is to be a PSD and will do things like leading me out of the area (anxiety).

I can't imagine what a duck would possibly do to help...even if it doesn't have to be task trained.  Unless trying to calm a very freaked out duck somehow helps the guy...I would think a freaking out ESA would make it worse for the handler...

Didn't Kirsten post something at one point about an uncontrollable 300lb pig on an airplane?

[Kirsten]

Emotional support animals aren't service animals either.  Yes, there are all sorts of odd choices being made.  So long as the animal is under control and does not disrupt the service provided by the airline nor pose a direct threat, then generally it is permitted.

There was an infamous pig incident several years ago.

Remember that emotional support animals are not covered under the ADA and there are no public access rights for persons partnered with ESAs.  There are only two places where legal protections are offered under federal law regarding ESAs:  housing and aircraft.

The aircraft thing was a mistake.  They didn't understand the difference between ESAs and PSDs.  Their bad for not doing their research.

The key to a service animal is training, including task training.  History has shown dogs are best suited to this job.

[responsiblek9]

Oh Boy I could just see some enterprising tom cat ripping his way out of a cloth lap crate and chasing the duck using all the human heads as launching pads... Wicked laughter

(Ok, now the visual is of the duck in a vest flapping down an airplane isle, feathers flying, people ducking (no pun intended) in mid-flight as the stewardess gives chase with a pillow that can be used as a flotation device in the event of a water landing)

[magolin]

Oh Boy I could just see some enterprising tom cat ripping his way out of a cloth lap crate and chasing the duck using all the human heads as launching pads... Wicked laughter 

I like the visual!

[my4winds]

How bout an emotional support boa constrictor?

[hopesclan]

I think a duck could be a wonderful ESA.  I had one growing up that we raised from a little hatchling, they definately get attached and develop responses to their owner.  Followed us around everywhere we went. They are great little creatures.

That said, no I would never take them on a plane nor in public places.  It would be an ESA, not a psychiatric service animal.  Honestly, I think the Air Carrier Act was a little off when they desided ESA's be allowed in flights.  It has caused a ton of issues and also confused the defination between an 'emotional support animal' and a 'psychiatric service animal' for a lot of people.  There is a big difference.

How bout an emotional support boa constrictor?

I know of one that was passed off as an ESA with the owner believing it has full rights of the ADA in my area recently.  The same happened with rabbits and rats.  No cows that I've heard of though. 

Cera and Hope

[hivin]

No cows that I've heard of though.

Well ... not unless they give chocolate milk!

Hivin

[hopesclan]

Ohhh, now I could use that.  A chocolate cow to serve my need of unlimited supplies of chocolate milk.  Move over, Hope... Now, if only I can get this cow houseborken. 

Cera

[penybobeny]

I'm sorry if that came off as snappish. It was not intended that way. Figuring out what laws apply where, and the different qualifications and regulations attached to them, can be very tricky.

no worries on that front, 

[my4winds]

maybe there are cow diapers.  they have them for guide horses.

[penybobeny]

I have raised cows, and the thought of diapering them is enough to make me need an emotional support daiquiri!