ESA certification

[AnotherMeOhMy]

Does anyone know if and how a chicken can be legally/officially certified as an Emotional Support Animal?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Talk to your doctor would be my suggestion.

I get emotional support animals... and suffer heavily from anxiety that sometimes stops me from leaving the house... but hopefully people won't keep trying to take advantage of the system just because they think it's cool to take unusual animals where they don't belong.

I have seen other animals allegedly registered to include things like iguanas... I imagine just about anything MIGHT qualify.

Good luck... and hang in there... I have one hen that would be an exceptional ESA!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I was thinking about this... as I do everything I read and post on..

And I realize that in order to have a chicken be an ESA... they will likely need to be NPIP certified or have some sort of compliance with health rules regarding importing poultry if there will be any out of state travel. Every state has their own rules for import... as chicken diseases can very heavily effect our food supply chain and national economy. With diseases like Marek's floating around, I wouldn't want a non vaccinated bird traveling like that with me... but worse a vaccinated bird can be carrying and spreading the disease without any indicators of such... possibly impacted others flocks. For me knowing too much and caring about other people and their flocks... I would not be able to choose a chicken as my ESA.

That being said chickens travel cross country for shows and such all the time... and Marek's is not considered a threat to our food supply chain or even report able by NPIP flocks. But New Castle has popped up in southern Ca... So I wouldn't be able to comfortably bring home a traveling chicken to my own flock... BUT maybe I wouldn't have a flock if had an indoor chicken friend.

Hope you will let us know how it goes, if you start looking into it.

 

[AnotherMeOhMy]

Talk to your doctor would be my suggestion.

I get emotional support animals... and suffer heavily from anxiety that sometimes stops me from leaving the house... but hopefully people won't keep trying to take advantage of the system just because they think it's cool to take unusual animals where they don't belong.

I have seen other animals allegedly registered to include things like iguanas... I imagine just about anything MIGHT qualify.

Good luck... and hang in there... I have one hen that would be an exceptional ESA!

Thank you for your reply.
I hate that too. It rude,wrong and pathetic when people do that crap. There should be a law preventing people from buying fake "service animal" emblems,halters,tags etc online. Its out of control.
I did rescue for a long time. I also did training. I know the basics of what genuine service animals behavior looks like.
On the other end of the issue,while these people are taking advantage of a much needed exemption and getting away with it,others who genuinely would benefit from extended exemptions regarding their ESA companions suffer due to restrictions because ESA are not technically legal service animals. We fall between the cracks because our disabilities are not "visible". The laws provide that a service animal must provide needed assistance for things such as working the blind,those with missing limbs or other physical issues such as those with debilitating diseases or birth defects that cause physical limitations.
These animals are not considered pets.
However the fact is most service animals play a duel role and are in fact companions and pets.
It is tragic that ESA hasnt been added to the books as service animals when so many including those who suffer from PTSD,GAD,BPD and more could have better more productive and happier lives if ESA specs were updated and integrated into a catagory of service animal.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

No. No. No. Just no, if you brought your chicken to my rental I would not let you in the door. Chickens belong outside. I have PTSD, I do not have a right to bring a chicken in the grocery store or to have my emotions supported by the general public.

Gary

 

[AnotherMeOhMy]

I

I was thinking about this... as I do everything I read and post on..

And I realize that in order to have a chicken be an ESA... they will likely need to be NPIP certified or have some sort of compliance with health rules regarding importing poultry if there will be any out of state travel. Every state has their own rules for import... as chicken diseases can very heavily effect our food supply chain and national economy. With diseases like Marek's floating around, I wouldn't want a non vaccinated bird traveling like that with me... but worse a vaccinated bird can be carrying and spreading the disease without any indicators of such... possibly impacted others flocks. For me knowing too much and caring about other people and their flocks... I would not be able to choose a chicken as my ESA.

That being said chickens travel cross country for shows and such all the time... and Marek's is not considered a threat to our food supply chain or even report able by NPIP flocks. But New Castle has popped up in southern Ca... So I wouldn't be able to comfortably bring home a traveling chicken to my own flock... BUT maybe I wouldn't have a flock if had an indoor chicken friend.

Hope you will let us know how it goes, if you start looking into it.

I love your thought process.

If I decide to travel witj August I would have her/him tested for Mareks and salmonella first. Then vaccinated.

August is an indoor pet.
We are the flock.
She? spends a lot of time outside with me,supervised. I was inable to integrate her/him back in to the flock on the ranch where I live.
I keep her? Clean and she is well fed on healthy foods and she gets lots of attention from us.
I did not set out to bond with a chicken. It was just an odd happenstance. I rescued August from deaths door and it unfolded from there.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If I decide to travel witj August I would have her/him tested for Mareks and salmonella first. Then vaccinated.

August is an interesting name.

Testing for Marek's can only be done on deceased animals is my understanding... and I know that Marek's vaccine is ONLY effective if given shortly after hatch... Marek's is not actually considered reportable or a threat to our food chain, but just our own flocks. And vaccine for MDV does not prevent the spread of it, just prevents the tumors from forming that cause paralysis. I don't actually know anything about salmonella or what test and such will help or be needed for you... so I really just meant examples to get things on your radar.

I read today someone noted an ESA on their plane reservation. And when they showed up wit a squirrel were adamantly told by the airline that rodents were not accepted. The whole plane was emptied while they dealt with the situation... which I don't know the details to like was it in a kennel or lap or what... but good for you look into these reports to see what kind of questions or challenges you might face.

I do understand Gary's sentiment above... we do all have issues and things are often being taken just way to far. It really calls into question "one's rights"... It seems we all want our right to life... but where does ones' right end and another's begin... My son, taking a philosophy class this year... recently told me that one's rights END when they start impinging on another's. Living in California, where our children's school restrooms have become co-ed to accommodate the transgender individuals... this is a very sensitive topic... It's like on one hand... why can't we all just get along... but on the other hand ! It's completely ridiculous the absurdities that are taking place where a business can't ask to see the credentials of "working animal" for fear of violating the individuals rights. They CAN ask what job the animal performs but NOT to perform it. And they can ask them to leave... but come on... when I see a giant dog wearing a pinch collar... that CLEARLY is not a working animal or it would need a pinch collar!

You did make the distinction between ESA and service animal... it would be great to see some legislation (though over regulation is a whole other subject) defining the differences! Maybe you can get the ball rolling in your location... making connections and talking with your local law enforcement, animal control, physicians, politicians, and such.

Pics of August and you always welcome!

I notice you don't have a gender identity for your bird... depending on age, I might be able to help ya out there. I'm guessing an August hatch?

 

[BrindleFinch]

No. No. No. Just no, if you brought your chicken to my rental I would not let you in the door. Chickens belong outside. I have PTSD, I do not have a right to bring a chicken in the grocery store or to have my emotions supported by the general public.

Gary

You're actually right and wrong. If you stopped someone from renting because they had an ESA, that's discrimination. So long as there is proper documentation, they can be housed in any (proper) housing with their owners. So long as the owner can own the animal (so no exotics/etc), and the animal is being taken care of to animal welfare standards/not being destructive, you CANNOT discriminate against someone for living with their ESA. That would be illegal. I mean, you can. And clearly you said you would - but in the eyes of the law, it is illegal. Birds are domestic animals, and are allowed to be kept indoors. Even in your rental.

You are right that you (probably) could not bring a chicken in a grocery store, though! ESAs do not have public access - the only animals that currently have true public access are dogs and miniature horses. ESAs are support animals, not service animals. Service animals are the ones allowed public access. The only problem is that the legal definition of service animal is piss poor. Technically there is no legal precedent for types of animals - although dogs and miniature horses are the only ones with actual training organizations that I know of - and the amount of tasks they are required to perform has no precedent, either. They have to be trained tasks, and most people will tell you at least two, that relate to supporting/aiding the owner in some way. I mean, if you could train a chicken to perform at least two tasks that relate to PTSD aid, technically it would be legal. However, there arises the issue that any animal considered a threat to public health/safety/a disturbance in general can be asked to leave - whether you have a thousands of dollar seeing eye dog who spent years in training or an ESA just meant to block/comfort, if they act up in any public location the owner can ask you to leave.

Don't let anyone fool you, OP. There are NO certifications for ESAs - all those registries for dogs and such are scams. All that is required, technically, is a doctor's order for the animal. Be aware that you still have to comply with the ordinances set forth by your community, though. If chickens are zoned as livestock specifically, that's a no go for housing/transport. If they allow "birds," or fowl as indoor pets, though, you should be in the clear.

Don't waste your money trying to go through a fake registry. They have no legal standing, and giving them money just gives them more power.

DO be aware that transportation services are not REQUIRED to make exceptions for unusual animals, domestic or otherwise. If you are doing this to try to get the bird on a plane or whatever, as some people like to try to do, it's not going to fly (no pun intended). If Airline A doesn't ship birds and fowl at all, they are not required to let you bring your bird on board. If Airline B does ship birds, it's a little more fuzzy - I don't know of any precedents concerning it. I don't know if the FAA would allow them to consider it an "unusual animal," if they regularly transport them anyway.

Sorry for the long rant-y post. I have pretty bad anxiety/depression and have an ESA myself, who is just a cat. It's still a pain in the butt trying to do anything with him, though. No, he doesn't have public access, but he is allowed in homes with me. I try to be very up front about the fact that I have him, that he is legal and has doctor documentation, and I've never even had a reply to any housing application I've put in. I can't imagine how difficult it would be with a chicken. Dogs and miniature horses just don't fly for everyone, though. Sometimes you need support from a different kind of animal, and that's okay - so long as you're not trying to circumvent the law of the land and your animal isn't a nuisance

 

[AnotherMeOhMy]

August is an interesting name.

Testing for Marek's can only be done on deceased animals is my understanding... and I know that Marek's vaccine is ONLY effective if given shortly after hatch... Marek's is not actually considered reportable or a threat to our food chain, but just our own flocks. And vaccine for MDV does not prevent the spread of it, just prevents the tumors from forming that cause paralysis. I don't actually know anything about salmonella or what test and such will help or be needed for you... so I really just meant examples to get things on your radar.

I read today someone noted an ESA on their plane reservation. And when they showed up wit a squirrel were adamantly told by the airline that rodents were not accepted. The whole plane was emptied while they dealt with the situation... which I don't know the details to like was it in a kennel or lap or what... but good for you look into these reports to see what kind of questions or challenges you might face.

I do understand Gary's sentiment above... we do all have issues and things are often being taken just way to far. It really calls into question "one's rights"... It seems we all want our right to life... but where does ones' right end and another's begin... My son, taking a philosophy class this year... recently told me that one's rights END when they start impinging on another's. Living in California, where our children's school restrooms have become co-ed to accommodate the transgender individuals... this is a very sensitive topic... It's like on one hand... why can't we all just get along... but on the other hand ! It's completely ridiculous the absurdities that are taking place where a business can't ask to see the credentials of "working animal" for fear of violating the individuals rights. They CAN ask what job the animal performs but NOT to perform it. And they can ask them to leave... but come on... when I see a giant dog wearing a pinch collar... that CLEARLY is not a working animal or it would need a pinch collar!

You did make the distinction between ESA and service animal... it would be great to see some legislation (though over regulation is a whole other subject) defining the differences! Maybe you can get the ball rolling in your location... making connections and talking with your local law enforcement, animal control, physicians, politicians, and such.

Pics of August and you always welcome!

I notice you don't have a gender identity for your bird... depending on age, I might be able to help ya out there. I'm guessing an August hatch?

Good afternoon thank you for being so civil and well spoken.

August waa hatched August 23rd
Now 7 weeks old <3
I have actually been thinking about legislation and bringing more attention to the ESA side of things. Becoming regulated could really make a difference and put a dent in all these people taking advantage of the current "accommodations" for ESA and Service Animal.
Aigust is a barnyard mix.
There are many breeds on the ranch.
A Faverolles was the broody hen she/he was hatched by. There are Marans Wyandotte,Leghorn,Rhode Island Red, some golden color breed there was a silkie but he passed a few months ago. August comes from a generation of hens that are the products of mixing. So its anybodies guess what breed make up my lil chickadee
Some pics I took last night I tried to include in this reply but they would not upload.
I will try to reply again with photos

 

[AnotherMeOhMy]

Recent pics of August.
She/he is starting to grow little tufts of feathers coming out of the sides of the head