Author: SPCAI Staff

Emotional support animals are controversial. Let’s talk about the difference between service animals and emotional support animals, why emotional support animals are increasing in popularity, and why they are so controversial.

Both service animals and emotional support animals serve a distinct purpose in their owner’s lives, but there are some key differences.

Service Animals:
Are trained to complete specific tasks to support a person with a disability such as blindness, limited mobility, or diabetes. Service animals’ access to all businesses and public spaces is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service animals usually receive extensive training before becoming a “working” dog.

Emotional Support Animals:
Provide companionship to a person with an emotional or phycological disability such as PTSD, anxiety or depression. These animals do not typically require special training. In most states emotional support animals do not have access to all businesses and public places, instead they are limited to being allowed to accompany their owner in no-pet housing, and to fly on an airplane with their owner if they are needed in-flight or at the owner’s destination.

Increase in popularity:
Anyone with a pet reaps positive emotional benefits from interaction with their animal. As humans, we adopt pets and treat them as valued members of our families. So, when furry family members are prohibited from housing or people fear having to leave a pet behind because of flight restrictions, they often turn to the option of an emotional support animal.

You might wonder why don’t people just find other housing or travel with their animal as checked baggage? There are many reasons: unavailability of housing, safety, cost, and restrictions for animals traveling as checked baggage, to name a few.

The controversy:
Service animals and emotional support animals are not required to be registered as such with any entity. That’s right, there are numerous voluntary registries, but no requirement. Because housing and airline documentation pertains to the person and not the animal, animals can often be untrained and even sometimes lack basic obedience. All that is needed is a letter from a mental health provider or physician stating that the person has a health requirement for the animal.

While the majority of service and emotional support animals are well-behaved, there have been instances of poor behavior, including accidents, barking, and even aggression- which has led the housing and airline industries to seek better controls for emotional support animals.

Here at SPCA International, we’re closely monitoring the debate. We know that both service animals and emotional support animals provide an extraordinary benefit to their owners, and we hope that any regulations are developed carefully and with the interest of the animals in mind, as well as humans.

Mason the Goldendoodle was almost left behind in Seattle. Thanks to SPCA International supporters and a grant from the Operation Military Pets program, Mason moved to Hawaii with the family he loves.
Like many newly married couples, Kristyna and Luis Aviles added a dog to their family shortly after their wedding. Both active duty military, the Aviles say that Mason, a Goldendoodle, was their first baby. Kristyna says, “he doesn’t even know he is a dog!”

When a human baby, Troy, came along the connection with Mason was instant. Like most new parents, Luis and Kristyna were a bit worried about their dog’s response to a new baby, but Mason was immediately dedicated to the new member of his family. This dog-baby duo is so bonded, they even share toys!

With a new baby, Kristyna made the decision to not re-enlist in the military, and the family tightened their belts to accommodate the loss of a paycheck. When Luis’s orders came for a change of duty station to Hawaii, they immediately started making plans and soon found out that Mason was too big to travel checked in the cargo hold – they would have to use an expensive pet moving company. The couple worried they wouldn’t be able to afford the costly move and would have to find a new home for Mason. They were heartbroken.
They turned to SPCA International for help, through the Operation Military Pets program we were able to help defray the high cost of the pet moving company. The Aviles are so grateful for the support from SPCA International, saying “it is a great organization that kept our family together.”

SPCA International is honored to serve military families, like the Aviles, and their beloved pets. We are grateful for the support of our many donors who make programs like Operation Military Pets possible. Thank you!

Most of us enjoy summer hikes, swims, and other outings with our pets… follow these tips to keep them safe from the heat. 

• Never leave your pet in a car! — A parked car quickly heats up and can reach temperatures 20 to 30 degrees higher than outside. Exposure to this high heat and low airflow can quickly result in the death of a pet. Please leave your pet at home or run that errand later. 

• Always provide water – In the summer, your pet will naturally drink more water than usual. Make sure they always have plenty of clean water available, especially when you are out of the house. There are some great collapsible bowls for when you and your pet are on the go.  Hiking anyone?

• Pets need shade – not a doghouse! If pets must be left outside during the day, hanging a tarp is a quick solution for a yard without tree cover. Unfortunately, a dog house can trap heat and become even hotter than outside.  

• Avoid Asphalt – Hot asphalt can burn our pet’s feet – Consider walking your pet in the morning or evening to avoid the midday sunbaked asphalt.  

• Trim haircut – Some dogs can benefit from a summer haircut, but they should never be shaved! Check with your vet to learn if you should trim your pet’s coat or not. Some long hair acts as a natural cooling system and daily brushing is the best advice.

If you detect any signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, such as excessive drooling, red or purple tongue, vomiting, and suspect your pet is at risk, contact your vet right away for medical care that may save your pet’s life.