Have we reached Peak Support Animal?

[nickfromeastryde]

Got to say after watching the video that the peacock did look better trained than probably a lot of other support animals deemed acceptable

 

[bPeteb]

Best thread ever. I've been waiting for it!

 

[brickmark]

Google "Support pony on plane"

I saw this on the web a few years ago ... ponies on plane is going too far

 

[BCons]

Ahh America, where nothing exceeds like excess...

 

[QF WP]

I've seen a couple of posts on LinkedIn and the like discussing this question.

In 2003, the Department of Transportation updated its policy regarding animals in air transportation (PDF) to say that "animals that assist persons with disabilities by providing emotional support" qualify as service animals.

At check-in, the person needs to prove they have a disability (medical certificate/report) that requires an emotional support animal. No report, no emotional support animal.

To my knowledge, they aren't allowed on other forms of transport like Amtrak or Greyhound; so why planes?

Service animals - now they are a whole different question. No issues there AT ALL. I see one regularly at industry functions (a blind person). They are trained prior to taking up the role (both the animal and the owner).

Can't wait to see an emotional support animal on one of my flights later this year (or even seeing one in a terminal). My kids will love it.

I think you should be required to have them either in a cage or under the control of a responsible adult - in case there are issues. Any issues with the behaviour of the emotional support animal or their carer on board prior to departure - see ya!

 

[QF WP]

An even better description about what is eligible as an emotional support animal:

An 'emotional support animal', says the National Service Animal Registry, is 'a pet that has been prescribed by a person's licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. The animal is part of the treatment program for this person and is designed to bring comfort and minimize the negative symptoms of the person's emotional/psychological disability.'

 

[turnip666]

Google "Support pony on plane"

I saw this on the web a few years ago ... ponies on plane is going too far

Nah....extra horsepower!

 

[Mattg]

An even better description about what is eligible as an emotional support animal:

An 'emotional support animal', says the National Service Animal Registry, is 'a pet that has been prescribed by a person's licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. The animal is part of the treatment program for this person and is designed to bring comfort and minimize the negative symptoms of the person's emotional/psychological disability.'

(My bolding above) Except that there are websites like this one that allow literally anyone to register their own emotional support animals...

ESA Registration Of America - Emotional Support Animals

 

[Archipelago]

The woman in question, is an 'artiste' of sorts. And was told prior to arriving at the airport the animal would not be allowed to board.

Smacks of self promotion a little. Any publicity is good publicity as they say.

^ This

There was a post on the peacock's instagram following this incident. (Yes, the peacock's instagram - goes by the name of Dexter).

For anyone who has the slightest doubt that this may in fact be a genuine emotional support animal - this article will put it to rest once and for all.
The Support peacock that couldn't get on a flight has its own Instagram page

A bit annoying for the rest of us with genuine needs for therapy animals. Have had a hard time getting my Emotional Support Walrus on board since this clown tried the peacock stunt.

 

[drron]

^ This

There was a post on the peacock's instagram following this incident. (Yes, the peacock's instagram - goes by the name of Dexter).

For anyone who has the slightest doubt that this may in fact be a genuine emotional support animal - this article will put it to rest once and for all.
The Support peacock that couldn't get on a flight has its own Instagram page

A bit annoying for the rest of us with genuine needs for therapy animals. Have had a hard time getting my Emotional Support Walrus on board since this clown tried the peacock stunt.

Weird.Also the publication that article is in with links to other articles.Was this the favorite of POTUS-

How to Incorporate Urine into Your Sex Life

 

[fn0]

A woman was denied boarding on United when she arrived with an emotional support PEACOCK!

Woman denied emotional support peacock on United flight

Should I take old man emu with me next trip? He's a good conversationalist.

A Tasmanian devil I could understand they wouldn't want, but totally banning hedgehogs is silly. If my companion hedgehog is contained in a carrier that fits under a seat and I pay the fee, why not treat it the same as other small mammals. .

 

[Denali]

When is your emotional support animal claim a total farce?

When you can flush it down the toilet and still get on a plane.

If true, disgusting pet owner.

RUSH HOUR: Student told to flush hamster at airport

 

[Deleted member 29185]

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

Is that a typo? Should it read a "Mental Support pig"?? She might have it running for president next ... and it'd likely have a good chance of winning!

Passenger takes turkey on flight as 'emotional support animal'

I bet that was just before Thanksgiving!

 

[Flying Fox]

If true, disgusting pet owner.

RUSH HOUR: Student told to flush hamster at airport

This is truly weird behaviour. Why the heck would you flush the poor animal vs let it go free outside the airport? Who came up with that wacky idea?

Why isn't the American RSPCA all over this person???

You should only flush deceased pet fish (and small ones at that).

 

[Denali]

....You should only flush deceased pet fish (and small ones at that).

Actually no, you shouldnt. Cant remember the tech explanation but its a big peeve of one of my regulatory specialists.

You put waterways at risk of disease (fish died from what?) or foreign species can be introduced (live fish dumping).

Even fish tank plants shouldnt be dumped. Kakadu has a water weed issue from introduced species.

 

[Flying Fox]

Actually no, you shouldnt. Cant remember the tech explanation but its a big peeve of one of my regulatory specialists.

You put waterways at risk of disease (fish died from what?) or foreign species can be introduced (live fish dumping).

Even fish tank plants shouldnt be dumped. Kakadu has a water weed issue from introduced species.

Did not know about that. I was aware that 'flushable wipes' are terrible for the sewers.

 

[Dee#]

Nah....extra horsepower!

what do they do with the poop? no roses at 30,000 feet? Do they wear nappies?

 

[Dee#]

what do they do with the poop or wee? no roses at 30,000 feet? Do they wear nappies?[

Fantastic conversation!

A pony or a labrador dog can do a shopping bag full. I seem to remember this happening on a US airline yet they still permit them in the passenger compartment. How long is it from LA to NY. must be longer than an animal can hold on!!!!. In flight wc's are hard to use anyway. How would you stop a bird from letting nature take its course?

Isn't it a public health issue? too bad about emotional support for one person, when it can pose a risk to the other 100 passengers.
also
Do they have to pay for a seat for their pet. What happens on a totally full airline is your dog or pig/great-dane on your lap?

When flying in Oz I think all animals always travel in an air-conditioned hold-and you pay- even guide dogs (a friends dog escaped once and he had to climb in to get it in Alice Springs, you could hear it barking the whole way too!). I have never seen an animal in the passenger cabin.

 

[Denali]

Most dogs can hold it it, otherwise you would come home to pop'ageddon if you leave them home alone in a cage or the house while at work during the day. Same with pee, MOST dogs and cats seem to have a sense of control.

But there was the case a couple of years ago where a flight had to land. Dog Poo Forces Flight to Make Emergency Landing - NBC News

 

[Dee#]

Most dogs can hold it it, otherwise you would come home to pop'ageddon if you leave them home alone in a cage or the house while at work during the day. Same with pee, MOST dogs and cats seem to have a sense of control.

But there was the case a couple of years ago where a flight had to land. Dog Poo Forces Flight to Make Emergency Landing - NBC News

Wouldn't have wanted to be on that flight. I wonder how many other incidents go unreported in the USA?

Yes some dogs do some don't. I am a dog lover and I had a dog that could last-to a certain point, but my cousins small maltese- no way will it hold it--cat flap to garden is a necessity.
PER-SYD 4.5hrs in air plus check in 0.45hr before in terminal, let alone holding pattern around Sydney. I know I don't last.