Hello to all our readers, and welcome back to a brand-new edition of the CertaPet newsletter. This week, our team has compiled two news reports regarding the latest happenings in the Emotional Support and Service Animals Community. So, let’s get to it without wasting any more time!
A 9-year-old Boy From Newton Risks Of Losing His ESA Due To A City Ordinance
A 9-year-old boy in Vermont risks losing his Emotional Support pig due to a city ordinance. Owen thinks of Ginger (a pot-bellied pig) as more than just a pet. The Emotional Support Animal helps him keep his problems with anxiety and depression at bay.
Owen’s mom, Jessica Greigoreva, states, “Ginger interacting with Owen really just brought him out of his depression and made him a whole different kid…” Jessica also obtained a note from a licensed therapist stating that the pig helps her son manage his mental health concerns.
The family has received a citation and has been given 60 days to remove the pig from their home. The waiting period ends on April 30th. The city’s position is that allowing pigs to be kept as pets could lead to public health and safety issues.
However, Owen’s mother and supporters argue that Ginger is not a pet but an Emotional Support Animal and should be allowed to stay with the family. The family and their legal team are exploring options, including challenging the ordinance.
Meanwhile, the next city commission meeting convenes on April 25th to decide how to proceed. Jessica will be at the meeting, advocating for her son’s right to keep Ginger due to his depression and anxiety concerns.
Source: MSN.com
Visually Impaired Man Denied Entry To A Store Due To His Service Animal
A visually impaired man was recently denied access to a local business in Greenville, North Carolina, because his service dog accompanied him.
Landon Stevenson reported that he entered Insomnia Cookies with his dog but was immediately told to leave by an employee. Stevenson informed the employee of his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but the situation escalated until the cops were called.
The Greenville Police Dept. shared a statement about the incident stating, “Anyone can, of course, legally call the cops if they have a concern but, in this case, an officer informed the employee that they cannot deny entry or service to someone with a service animal. These are Federal ADA requirements, not local laws. It’s up to individual businesses to provide the proper training on these laws.”
Stevenson stated that the first officers on the scene weren’t familiar with the laws about Service Animals and that additional officers had to be called to deal with the situation. He also clarified that the store’s manager contacted him to apologize for their staff’s mistake.
Landon’s reaching out to others by sharing his story to ensure businesses provide adequate training to their employees relating to Service Animals.
Source: WITN
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
Our thoughts this week go out to the Greigoreva family, who are fighting to keep their son’s Emotional Support Pig. This case highlights the ongoing debate around ESAs and the laws surrounding their ownership. While some argue that emotional support animals provide vital assistance to individuals with disabilities, others in Newton have expressed concern about the potential for abuse and the impact on public health and safety.
We do not certify anything but cats and dogs and the occasional rabbit. We understand that other animals may have therapeutic value and we do not discredit that at all, but it is our policy to only recognize dogs cats and rabbits due to zoning restrictions, health concerns and regulations, and public safety.
If you’re living with a mental illness, getting an emotional support animal could really help your recovery. These loving animals could ease your symptoms and help you live a happier, fuller life. If you’re ready to start the process, take our 5-minute pre-screening test for free. We’ll connect you with a licensed mental health professional who will have a consultation with you. Then, if you qualify, you’ll get your ESA letter in no time.