You Don't Need An Emotional Support Animal. You're Just Needy. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

You Don't Need An Emotional Support Animal. You're Just Needy.

It's a pathetic grab for attention that diminishes the legitimacy of people who actually need a service animal for a physical or mental condition.

967
You Don't Need An Emotional Support Animal. You're Just Needy.
Flickr

The latest craze seems to encompass people registering their typical, untrained (albeit, much loved) pets as emotional support animals.

The process is quick, inexpensive, and easy. All you have to do is fill out an application online, pay a small fee, and voila, you receive a kit and a license certifying that your pet is essential for your emotional wellbeing and that you should be afforded a number of unnecessary privileges as a result.

Once your pet is registered, you can get all sorts of special treatment that people with normal animals can't get. Landlords can't refuse to rent to you for fear of discrimination, even if the building has a "no animals" policy. Your pet also gets to fly with fewer restrictions than traditional, non-support animals.

These animals do not have to have any sort of training or experience, which can ultimately be dangerous if they don't know how to behave in public. Airports, in particular, are having a lot of issues surrounding the increase in animals being registered as service animals and misbehaving while there.

Registering your pet as an emotional support animal because you can't bear the idea of being away from them or because you want to get special treatment is a pathetic grab for attention that diminishes the legitimacy of people who actually need a service animal for a physical or mental condition.

Not only are the cases of people registering their pets as emotional support animals attention-grabbing and illegitimate, but they're starting to get ridiculous. For example, earlier this week, a woman tried to bring her emotional support peacock on a flight.

Delta Airlines reported that they've seen "comfort turkeys, gliding possums known as sugar gliders, snakes, spiders and more." The same study reports that "since 2016, there has been an 84 percent increase in people flying with animals in the cabin. "

If you're thinking about registering your pet as an emotional support animal you don't need, please reconsider.

Consider the people who are disabled and rely completely on the animal that they've had trained and certified.

Consider the people who could be harmed by your decision if something goes wrong.

Consider the landlords, the airline employees, and other workers who are put in a tough spot every time you ask for privileges you don't deserve.

Consider following the rules and not simply going for the most convenient option, like the rest of us.

You don't need an emotional support animal. You're just needy.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

6450
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less
Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.
Jenna Pizzi

There is always a time in the semester when you have about three papers, four tests, five assignments and two projects due within the same time period. Isn't that just the best?

It's almost as if the professors all plot against you just to make college even more stressful than it already is. No matter how many people try to make you feel better, no one ever compares to your mom. Moms always know exactly what to say.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Jobs Your Roommate Has

She's got your back with everything that college throws at you.

3981
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.

If you are anything like my roommate and I, you have a friendship with your roomie. You’re lucky to have gotten a roommate that is easy to get along with and more importantly cool to live with. Whether you found her on Facebook or went random, a roommate is a big part of life in college. This list goes through some of the jobs that a roommate has that help you get through college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

35 Things I Wish I Learned In My Freshman Year Of College

Just some relatable college student advice! Yes, you aren’t the only one!

3181
Towson University
YouTube

Freshman year can either be the greatest year, or the roughest year. It depends on your transition and how you adjust. For me, freshman year in college was one of the best years of my life. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I learned.

Now that I am a sophomore, I can finally do things a little differently. Here are a few things that I wish I learned my freshman year of college!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments