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whaletacochamp t1_j0zs05h wrote

Reply to comment by Realistic_Law1226 in Dear person who dislikes dogs by totallymike

No, it’s not. Using a poorly trained and poorly cared for dog as a band aid for your mental health meanwhile bringing it places where it’s not allowed and whatever risks are associated with that is neither good for you, nor the dog, nor society. Sorry it came across as brash, but it’s true. These people will literally destroy a dogs life for a temporary perceived improvement in their mental health meanwhile actually negatively impacting their overall mental health.

Just because I’m talking about mental health doesn’t mean what I’m saying is wrong or shouldn’t be said. It’s also not a dig at these people - they quite literally need more help than just the emotional companionship of a dog that is not trained to provide emotional support.

There are many people out there literally abusing their dogs in the name of mental health all the while detracting from actual service dogs.

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Realistic_Law1226 t1_j103jow wrote

You didn't say poorly trained. You were making a blow towards people who have animals for anxiety/mental health etc and acting like they shouldn't, I'm sure half of the people do have medical treatment but still need their dog to support them and that may be the only support that they have in real life, as long as the dog is behaving and by their side there should be no issue.

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whaletacochamp t1_j107ia0 wrote

K. It’s pretty clear you just want to debate because I said something semi critical relating to mental health, so I’m not going to belabor this. But when I say a non-service dog I literally mean a dog that is not trained to do the job that this person is having it do, and not trained to be in general public 24/7. I don’t agree that the person likely still needs it. I’m sure they THINK that they need it, but personally knowing multiple people who fall under this umbrella I can confidently say that owning and caring for these animals and putting the pressure of this on the animals has led to more strife and anxiety than it has alleviated for them. And many MANY are using it as a stand in for actual treatment, which is incredibly sad.

In the end both the dog and the owner are worse off for it.

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somedudevt t1_j117wir wrote

If you need a service dog GET A FUCKING SERVICE DOG! But every pet is not that. Just because you call it a support animal does it make it so a service animal under ADA. If you feel you are disabled and qualify under ADA for a service animal, then there is a process. But just because you get a little sad or lonely, or don’t like people some days doesn’t mean you can bring Fido in the gricery store to put it’s wet nose on the produce and bark.

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Eagle_Arm t1_j10fj0m wrote

People using animals as emotion support slaves need to seek actual help.

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