topic Re: Comfort Pets? in Community Chat

Comfort Pets?

sunala — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 04:35:03 GMT

My girlfriend lives in Florida. She was at the movies with her husband. The theater was pretty full, and this lady walks in, looks around, and sits down right next to my girlfriend. The lady was holding a teeny tiny dog, the size of a rat. My gf said, "Oh no, please don't sit here. I'm allergic to animals." The woman responds, "She's my comfort dog and I can sit anywhere I want. Besides, she doesn't shed."

My gf tried to explain to this woman that it doesn't matter; it's not only the fur, it's the dander and the saliva. Finally the woman got up and walked away.

Have you ever heard of a "comfort dog" being brought to a movie theater? I don't know if this is legal in all states, and what the deal is, but I've never heard of such a thing.

Have any of you heard of this type of comfort pet?

Re: Comfort Pets?

MyGirlsMom — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 04:54:17 GMT

Yes, I've heard of comfort pets.

A few years ago there was a commercial featuring a pair of elderly female twins (I don't remember the product or service) who were rater dry and a hoot. One of the networks did an expose on them and one of the ladies needed a comfort dog. He or she was a cute little munchkin.

<edit>

Here they are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaxrI3KbuoU

I think one of them suffered from depression and anxiety

Re: Comfort Pets?

Reba055 — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 04:44:27 GMT

The whole comfort pet thing is getting out of hand. It takes pretty much nothing to get the paperwork approved.. It's becoming a nightmare for the airlines. Once again, people and their selfishness are ruining it for those truly in need. We all love our pets and they provide comfort and reduce anxiety. It doesn't mean we all need to carry our pets everywhere we go.

Sorry, I'm getting so disgusted with people and their entitlements. Sounds as if this lady was in that camp otherwise she would have been considerate to those around her 😡

Re: Comfort Pets?

Desertdi — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:04:33 GMT

Maybe it was the dog who needed comfort................

Re: Comfort Pets?

151949 — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:10:50 GMT

They don't even do any paper work - they buy those vests on the internet. And it is disgusting that they get away with taking those animals everywhere. Stores, restaurants - church - everywhere. I wouldn't mind a well behaved dog in church - one that is well trained . However, more often than not they bark, and fuss and disrupt the service. People at our church leave their babies and toddlers in the nursery but bring these annoying dogs into church. A man at our church brings his golden into church every week and the dog whines and scratches - thumping his leg on the pew the whole hour.

Re: Comfort Pets?

Justice4all — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:12:03 GMT

@sunala

Indeed. Therapy pets. My husband was bemused at a patient in ER who would not relinquish her small therapy dog she had in a basket!

Re: Comfort Pets?

Kachina624 — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:36:31 GMT

How would you like to sit next to a pooping turkey on an airliner?

Re: Comfort Pets?

DoneTryin — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:40:18 GMT

I saw something about that on tv several months ago. This particular piece was about how a woman who rented an apartment didn't have to pay the pet deposit because she claimed her small dog was a comfort dog. As mentioned in other posts above, she just paid a few bucks to get the documentation online.

Thing is, if a person claims they need to have the animal, nobody can legally ask them why, because it's supposedly confidential health info. There are plenty of people out there who truly have problems & these scammers just ruin it for everyone.

Re: Comfort Pets?

151949 — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:38:34 GMT

Can you imagine being allergic to animal dander and having to sit next to one in an airplane - no escape. It happened to someone where I live. She asked for another seat - uncooperative stewardess, finally she asked to speak to whoever is in change and the pilot came out to talk to her. By then her eyes were watering and red and she was all puffy. He did move her to a seat in first class, but it was too late, the damage was done.

Re: Comfort Pets?

SunValley — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:42:24 GMT

I just got my paperwork online for my therapy shoes. I got a card and everything! Oh....wait, this looks like a credit card....oh, I am safe, it comes with easy pays!

Re: Comfort Pets?

DoneTryin — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 05:46:29 GMT

@SunValley. red suede stilletos?

Re: Comfort Pets?

Stray — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 06:04:18 GMT

@DoneTryin wrote:
I saw something about that on tv several months ago. This particular piece was about how a woman who rented an apartment didn't have to pay the pet deposit because she claimed her small dog was a comfort dog. As mentioned in other posts above, she just paid a few bucks to get the documentation online.

Thing is, if a person claims they need to have the animal, nobody can legally ask them why, because it's supposedly confidential health info. There are plenty of people out there who truly have problems & these scammers just ruin it for everyone.

@DoneTryin- we live in a pet friendly building (condo) with a dog run and dog park but we have people with non visible disabilities who abuse animal behavior rules. Ie Bringing their dogs to the pool and one resident actually placed her dog in the pool with people swimming. A condo assoc. or landlord can question comfort dogs with owners with non obvious disabilities. A private entity can request medical documentation, minus a diagnosis, stating that the dog is a comfort dog ordered by the physician for the wellbeing of his/her patient. No confidentiality is broken in a generic note and people who just pay a fee over the Internet rarely produce the note. You can not, of course, ask a blind person for such documentation nor a severely disabled person with a therapy dog but they rarely are the problem. public places wouldn't bother too much of a hassle ....airlines could but animals traveling with people with phobias or fear of flying might be legit....but, I think animals can travel cabin for a fee and not be comfort dogs today? It depends on the type of venue but it can be questioned without compromising confidentiality.

Re: Comfort Pets?

colliegirls — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 07:22:13 GMT

I feel all these therapy pet claims are a load of cr@p!

Re: Comfort Pets?

KateinOK — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 07:39:18 GMT

The entire concept of service pet has gotten out of control....IMHO. There are legitimate circumstances that warrant service animals, but now people are taking advantage of the system by buying certificates online or getting certification for a service animal from a doctor that is afraid of being sued if denying the patient. I know of a young lady who has very bad health problems.....she is anorexic. Her doctor wrote a medical note so she could get a comfort pet, which is a type of service animal. She is legally allowed the same rights with her dog as anyone else with a service dog. She can take the dog into any store and park in handicapped parking. She can fly on a commercial flight with her dog sitting in the seat next to her and no one has the legal right to force her to move her dog....even if you've paid for a seat and end up sitting next to her dog and you are allergic. I think a dog is great for her to have as a comfort pet or companion, however, I do not feel as though it gives her the same rights as a person who needs wheelchair assistance or is blind. This new trend is another step in the "we must be politically correct" direction.
Kate

Re: Comfort Pets?

missy1 — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 11:31:37 GMT

It seems like anyone these days can get a 'emotional support/comfort dog'. These are not service dogs IMO..

i like dogs, but people just want to be allowed to take them everywhere. The Walmart here doesn't tell people to leave with their dogs and don't ask for proof . The don't want to be sued.

If you have a breed that is not allowed, does having one of these comfort dogs overide tt?............ (I am not talking about a true service dog that has lots of training)

...

debic — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 11:25:53 GMT

I have a friend in Montana that told her doctor that she slept better with her dog there and he made the dog a therapy dog. I would hope she doesn't take it into restaurants, stores, whatever. She wouldn't admit that to me.

Re: ...

YorkieonmyPillow — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 12:50:25 GMT

It wouldn't bother me, but then I'm not allergic. I must say I've never heard of people taking dogs to church. That's a new one.

Re: Comfort Pets?

CelticCrafter — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 13:11:24 GMT

@151949 wrote:
Can you imagine being allergic to animal dander and having to sit next to one in an airplane - no escape. It happened to someone where I live. She asked for another seat - uncooperative stewardess, finally she asked to speak to whoever is in change and the pilot came out to talk to her. By then her eyes were watering and red and she was all puffy. He did move her to a seat in first class, but it was too late, the damage was done.

A couple of years ago my husband had to travel to Florida for training on new equipment.

The Westminster dog show was taking place and when he got to his seat, in the seat next to his was a large dog.

He is afraid of dogs, was bit in the face when he was a kid and told the attendant either the dog had to be moved or he had to have his seat changed.

The owner, who was in another row, became indignant when the dog was moved.

I'm not afraid of dogs, but I'm sure I wouldn't want one as a seat mate on a 3 hour flight.

Re: Comfort Pets?

Marp — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 13:39:39 GMT

@colliegirls wrote:
I feel all these therapy pet claims are a load of cr@p!

There is a huge difference between THERAPY pets and COMFORT pets and it is rare that someone uses a therapy pet deceitfully. I will concede that a significant number of individuals are being deceitful about their pet being a comfort animal that entitles them to take the pet anywhere.

However, there is also a very real need for comfort pets, particularly for those that suffer anxiety/panic attacks. If you have never seen someone going through of these attacks consider yourself lucky. Also keep in mind while unusual the fear that causes the attack can also trigger aggression, violence and unusual behavior as seen with increasing frequency on flights when someone panics and tries to flee by opening an aircraft door.

Not "all" therapy (or comfort) claims are "cr@p".

Re: Comfort Pets?

Marp — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 13:43:57 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:

A couple of years ago my husband had to travel to Florida for training on new equipment.

The Westminster dog show was taking place and when he got to his seat, in the seat next to his was a large dog.

He is afraid of dogs, was bit in the face when he was a kid and told the attendant either the dog had to be moved or he had to have his seat changed.

The owner, who was in another row, became indignant when the dog was moved.

I'm not afraid of dogs, but I'm sure I wouldn't want one as a seat mate on a 3 hour flight.

Considering some of the people I've had to sit next to on a long flight I'd take a well behaved dog anytime. Even better, I'd take a well behaved dog in the seat in front of and the seat behind me too.