Exploring the distinctions between emotional support animals and service animals, highlighting the essential tasks performed by service animals for individuals with disabilities while shedding light on the misuse of laws by some pet owners. Discussion also includes the unique benefits and considerations of using miniature service horses as alternative assistance animals.
Are too many people abusing laws that allow service animals to accompany the legitimately disabled? Michael Regilio walks us through this Skeptical Sunday!
On This Week's Skeptical Sunday, We Discuss:
- If you've noticed a proliferation of people threatening legal repurcussions if they aren't allowed to go absolutely everywhere with their emotional support animals, you're not alone. They're just hoping you don't know the difference between emotional support animals and service animals.
- Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities and are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), while emotional support animals provide comfort to their owners but do not have the same level of training — and are not covered by the ADA.
- There are some legal allowances for emotional support animals, but they vary depending on the state.
- Those who abuse the system by insisting their emotional support animals be allowed to accompany them everywhere undermine people who legitimately rely on their service animals to get around.
- It's important to understand the difference between these two types of animals so we can provide appropriate care and support to both animals and their handlers (and call out the fakers who ruin it for everyone).
- Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com and let him know!
- Connect with Michael Regilio at Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and make sure to check out the Michael Regilio Plagues Well With Others podcast here or wherever you enjoy listening to fine podcasts!
Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/974
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