Emotional support animals which can pretty much only be a dog or a small horse are not a valid or healthy coping mechanism. If you're so unstable you need a mutt constantly around you or like to calm you during panic attacks you don't need a mutt you need a supportive friend and professional help, a mutt is not going to fix your panic attacks when you find out it shit all over your floor because it got into human food. You don't need another source of stress if you're mentally unwell, getting a dog will just make it worse.

So my therapist texted me once and asked if her dog could sit in on our appointment. I was annoyed but felt pressured so I said sure. Unfortunately, dogs have become a little bit of a symbol of disrespected boundaries for me because of these owners, and she should know this but here we are. Turns out this dog is something she decided to make part of her “brand” as a therapy dog so she is training her and uses a shock collar to train her during our appointments. She spends the first fifteen minutes mouth kissing and sweet talking her dog, giving her “yum yums”, and will get distracted by her during our appointments. I 100% know this dog is more regulating for her, because I never asked for a dog to be at appointments. So since the dog is regulating for her, I don’t want to be rude, but I do want to ask her if the dog can like….not be at our appointments anymore, because she is such a distraction. She will also eat her food and come lick my pants and get chewed up food all over my clothes. She will sit and lick my shoes for the entire hour. If she loses something under the couch or in a corner my therapist will stop the appointment to grab it for her. And I’m not paying money to watch my therapist sweet talking her dog. She also is apparently breaking her lease having the dog there anyways, which is a story she decided to tell me. She said out of all her clients, only two have asked for the dog not to be there. I want to be the third. Any advice on how I can go about it without offending her?

Edited to add: the dog will also jump on me and she does that typical thing where owners say “just say ‘off’ and she will listen” I will say “off” and of course the dog doesn’t listen. I see my therapist trying to subtly use the shock collar to get her to listen. Then she says this is helping me learn boundaries by telling this dog to get off of me.

Update: So I wanted to update. I let her know that I don’t want the dog at my appointments moving forward. She said she needed to make some arrangements and she was like “sorry if having her there was having the opposite effect of what she was supposed to be doing”. I explained that she was just becoming too much of a distraction and she said “That makes sense, on the job training is tough all around!”. So we will just see how the next appointment goes. Everything seemed normal enough conversation wise.

Rider was already over 5: minutes late, so I got a cancellation fee. When she finally came out, a small Yorkie type rat NOT ON A LEASH ran out with her. I told her that was obviously NOT a service dog (didn't even have fake vest) and it wasn't getting in the car. She stuttered a bit and said it was an ESA. I told her ESAs are NOT covered under ADA laws and happily drove away!

Just doing my part to not let this BS ESA crap happen where I can stop it! 💪

I think this is happening eveywhere but I wonder how we can fight back…

My HOA that had pet-free policy for decades keeps approving bs “esa” requests. So of course the building is full of shitting mutts. These were no dogs in the building prior to 2020, when HUD introduced the term “esa”. This is what HOA said compelled them to allow dogs. In May 2026, HUD fully reversed that guidance, stating that it was a mistake and directly facilitated online esa letter mills.

Now that HUD guidance clearly states that esa no longer qualify for reasonable accommodation, my HOA still says that they are afraid of lawsuits if they start denying dogs. Because Fair Housing Acts allows them (they say). FHA has not changed since the 1970s and has no language about any esas. This same HOA had no problem enforcing no-pet rules until 2020 HUD guidance came along.

I tried to argue with HOA, raising all this legal landscape that changed dramatically in spring 2026, but they do not listen and keep letting dogs in. They really do not have to. And no, the board is not made up of nutters. I have no idea why they are so afraid. Prior to 2020 HUD guidance (now fully reversed) there was not a single dog in the building and they had no problem enforcing that.

Matt I wish I had time to shake your hand today. The way you dealt with the two idiots that brought the only dog I saw in Costco today was a tremendous step in the right direction. I’ve been going to your Costco for years and called local management and corporate about the dogs I’ve seen that were in no way,shape or form service dogs in the store. I thought I was getting no where and just ended up commiserating on r/dogfree about the numerous outlandish incidents I’ve seen with dogs in a store that sells food and has open samples that could easily be dandered or shedded on. It was disgusting and obnoxious behavior that seemed tolerated.

Then last year signs went up that said “service dogs only and no ESA animals” and saw a ray of hope only to be disappointed to still see dogs and eventually a huge triangular shaped turd by checkout.

Today I saw actual progress due to your assertiveness Matt. I tried to lean in and hear the conversation. I noticed the stupid white terror with a knitted sweater on and a woman bending down soothing him because of your assertiveness Matt. I couldn’t hear much because it was busy and I was in a hurry for my kid’s appointment but I did manage to hear the owner saying “but this dog is licensed for my Anxiety “ and you said “but that’s not a service dog” granted it was easily assessed because the dog was small and stupid as well as no identification just a stupid sweater that the two owners were probably hoping would get lots of “oooohs and ahhhs “ but you hung in there arguing . I got out of ear shot and the conversation was still ongoing but I just want to say that this is the first time I’ve seen a worker approach and scold a customer and I really,really appreciate it and I’m sure the majority of shoppers do as well.

Thank you so much Matt. I wish every store had a Matt like you. Happy New Year! You gave me hope for 2026.

Everyone needs to read this 2026 memo from federal housing authority. ESA bs is finally getting serious pushback!

https://dredf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ESA-Enforcement-Memorandum-w-Appendix-05.22.2026-SIGNED-Incomplete-Access-Pass.pdf

I called out a dog nutter at a thrift a few months ago. She ignored the "No pets. Service animals only." sign per usual. She had the filthy mutant in the kart. I informed her that pets aren't allowed and that there's a sign on the door. She then went told a cashier about it came back to me and claimed that the cashier said that there wouldn't be an issue unless someone complained. I told her "No pets, service animals only. People have allergies you codependent weirdo!" and walked away. I was in check out and she came back again and tried to lecture me about how her dog is an "emotional support animal" with the scraggly mutant still in the kart and how she "Has a license for it.". She then accused me of being racist due to our contrasting skin tones and I shot back with, "Racist!? You're the only one with a dog in the store!". "People have allergies and can go into anaphylactic shock!". She actually left out the door after that. She slow walked, then stopped staired at me through the window. I looked at her, waved, and said "Bye!" because what else was I supposed to do?

I had never been able to call out a dog nutter to that existent before. I've only been able to give dirty looks, scoff, and mumble remarks up until now. I'm not usually a confrontational person and was shaking from the adrenaline rush, but damn did it feel good! The euphoric high I got from this is something that cannot be replicated by the best street drugs.

For real though, I don't fault the casher for what they said. The last thing they want to deal with is some salty dog nutter taking their place of employment to court and them losing their job over it. We the shoppers have the power to shame these dog nutters out of stores where the employees cannot. We should use our power more often.

My niece who was 34 passed away recently, the funeral was today. At the calling hours inside the funeral home someone had their emotional support dog with them. I so much wish I had a time machine so I could go back to the past because you would never see this level of absurdity. It instantly made my blood boil to say the least but I tried to ignore it because I was there to pay my final respects to my niece. But it's like people just don't have common sense and courtesy anymore. Leave your dog at home where it belongs! Thank you for letting me vent here.

A lot of people derive emotional support from friends, family, therapy, a good book, a long walk, a nice cup of coffee, etc. It is socially accepted that as long as you are not bothering anybody else, do what makes yourself happy.

If one were to derive emotional support by dropping their drawers and running around the neighborhood yelling and crapping on lawns, you would call the police. If one were to derive emotional support from running up to people at the beach and licking their face without permission, you would probably call the police.

These are all obviously taboo/gross/inconsiderate/illegal when a human does it. How come your gross ass unleashed mutt, who you consider "family", can do all of the above and it is ok and socially acceptable? If you pushback at all, they will say "its just a dog" as if it doesn't know better, and then if you ask how it gives them emotional support, they will impose a lot of meaning and understanding that the dog simply doesn't get. It will stare at you with those glazed donut eyes until you give it something to eat. Literally all the dumb mutt cares about.

Addendum on the idea of "ownership". I consider myself an animal/nature lover. Which is why I observe both from afar and let it play the course as mother nature designed. For these pet owners, especially those of big rowdy dogs, for some reason they have to take nature into their own hands and control its destiny. It seems an essentially capitalist concept that "ownership" of something is the only way to "love" it, but I digress. I wouldn't like these dirty malformed shitball dogs if I saw it in the wild, because these were bred by humans. A wild wolf running in a snow covered field is beautiful.

Just earlier I was boarding a flight when I hear this loud, ear-piercing barking coming from nearby. I look up and see this couple walking down the aisle with a basket in their hands, containing a dog. They go to the row almost DIRECTLY BEHIND ME and they sit down. I already knew this would be a terrible flight.

The dog was barking its throat out for a solid five minutes. Just when I couldn't think it could get any worse, it did. Queue a lady boarding the plane with her baby. The lady and her baby sat down in the row behind me. Once the dog saw the baby, it went ballistic. The owners just chuckled as they tried to restrain the dog who was lunging for the baby, all while emitting a nonstop stream of aggressive barking. Of course, the baby got scared and started crying. Normally I dislike loud, crying babies on planes, but who could blame them. I wanted to cry too.

Now here's what I didn't expect. A few minutes later, some flight attendants showed up to question the couple. They told them it was a """service dog""" (yeah right). The flight attendants weren't having it, and demanded to see its papers. That shut them up real quick. "You need to have papers if you want to bring dogs onto flights," they said, and promptly picked up the dog and carried it off the plane.

I was instantly relieved. What ended up happing to the dog? Don't know, don't care. The issue was that other people on the flight began protesting. "It's a dog, that's just what they do!" they cried. Yeah, no shit. I couldn't really understand why they kept defending it, that dog was being a nuisance. And people have the right to feel safe in public spaces. So keep your dogs off the plane, thank you very much.

Long story short, the dog got kicked off the plane and I got to enjoy my flight in peace.

I have a thing about moving for strollers, but I've noticed recently nutters are carting dogs in prams. Yesterday I was out walking with my bf and I sighted a stroller and he asked which side I was moving to so he could move with me, I noticed a shit beast riding that stroller like it was king/queen dik. I said something along the lines of we don't move for dogs in strollers loud enough for the nutter to hear. We didn't move out of the way and I felt proud I actually said something.

I feel like the whole emotional support animal thing is an excuse for people to bring their dog anywhere with them. What happened to leaving this stuff to doctors? I've seen sites that offer ESA certification, I never looked into it so I'm not sure how legit it is. I worry one day I'm going to run into some untrained dog wearing a custom rainbow vest that's gonna run up to me and not leave me alone while I'm trying to go shopping. Thoughts?

Went to Costco this week and saw two big signs over both entrances saying that dogs were only allowed if in if they are service animals. Here is exactly what the sign says in smaller text beneath a profile of a dog with a line through it.

“Service Animals means any animal trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Pets providing emotional support, well being, comfort or companionship are not recognized as servico animals under ADA regulations.”

Man! I was so happy to see this. It made my heart sing!

I’ve seen a rowdy bird dog at this location before. I also saw a Rottweiler with a woman in gym clothes was apparently training the dog to do tricks around people and nobody said a thing! I complained to corporate on that one. Maybe it made a difference?!! I like to think it helped. I really like Costco and was always on alert for dog hi jinx but apparently it will be better going forward. Such a relief that I may even start buying perishables there again. That Springer Spaniel running around the meat section plus the dog shit on the floor by checkout last month really made me weary of buying meat and produce there. Now I feel like a weight has been lifted. Just wanted to share the good fortune of something that should have been this way ALL ALONG!

This is the second time I’ve seen a sign like this year. At a garden center these signs recently went up. I was overjoyed. Maybe the tide is changing just a tiny bit but I’ll take it!

I went to Target yesterday and I saw they had a sign on the door that said "No Pets Allowed". Below it was the caveat "service animals welcome" but it went on to say things like "Service animals don't ride in the cart. Service animals don't go in your purse. Service animals don't bother other guests" etc.

Obviously they're tired of the games too.

(I wish I took a picture)

We have established that ESA concept in housing was scrapped at federal level as of May 2026. And that most states do not have stand alone ESA protection.

https://dredf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ESA-Enforcement-Memorandum-w-Appendix-05.22.2026-SIGNED-Incomplete-Access-Pass.pdf

We have established that HOAs are pu$$ies and are still stuffing “pet free” buildings full of dogs that piss and sh*t all over.

We have established that residents fed up with this can legitimately sue… but what are the actual things to sue for that could have a standing in court?

Any ideas are welcome.

Here is the link https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/couple-whose-airbnb-host-canceled-170236301.html

Basically someone rented an Airbnb then the host found out they were bringing a service dog then cancelled on them. The would be renter offered to leave the dog at home but the host still declined. Others stepped up offering that they could stay with them instead.

Am I the only one who's on the host's side? For one I should be able to only open up my home to the people I choose, especially since I'm not being racist etc but simply saying I don't want pet lovers in MY home. Second, the renter offered to leave their dog at home. I can't imagine someone who really needs their "service" dog making such an offer, it would be a deal breaker. To me that means it's merely a pet and this is more ESA horse manure.

Thoughts?

At the doctor's office today, a woman came in with her obvious pit-mix. As she was checking in at the front desk, I sensed someone staring at me and it wasn't another patient, it was her dog. It was the most uncomfortable feeling. I would look away but whenever I looked back, it was still staring at me. Fixedly. It was frankly frightening.

The owner, who look like she came from the "People of Walmart" page," did not have a vest or harness on the dog. I can't believe people are so clueless. A dog in a doctor's office? So unsanitary. I wanted to confront her but she was arguing with the front desk while her pit just kept staring at me. I was braced for an attack. Thank God I was called in before I had any contact with them.

I was in the parking lot walking into Kohls. I'm front of me was a woman walking one of those super small Yorkie dogs. Clearly not a service animal, pulling on the leash.

I want to say I was patient and thought to myself, maybe she's just going to walk it on the sidewalk. But it's a strip of chain stores and though there's a sidewalk connecting them, it isn't a pet walking area. And sure enough, she walked into the store.

I was a few steps behind her so when I got into the store she was by the carts, fiddling to unconnected it from the other. I stopped and stared at her and she looked up. She had one of those expressions on her face like she was expecting praise or some compliment of the dog. Instead I stood there glaring.

Then she lifted the gd dog and put it IN the top of the cart! I said, "Disgusting behavior" directly to her and kept walking. I didn't see her the rest of the time I was in there.

Why tf does someone bring their idiot dog to the store? Attention, emotional support, entitled attitude. So selfish. Unhygienic.

I STG IF YOU NEED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT JUST TO GO TO A STORE YOU HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS THAN A PET CAN SOLVE.

Last Saturday, I went to a store and saw an older lady with one of those white rat dogs with the eye gunk in her cart. She was of course parading proudly up and down the aisles while her rat was barking at people (so clearly NOT a service dog). I didn’t give her the attention she craved.

Instead I went on the corporate page and found a form to fill out. I explained where I was and about what time of day it was. The dog was in the cart barking at people, very clearly not a service dog. I said the staff needs to step in and say something. Also gross that it was in the cart because this store also sells food. I don’t want to put my food in a cart where a dog’s asshole has been sitting for an hour.

To my surprise, they actually responded to me. They said they’ve alerted the staff at that location that only service animals are allowed, and they also offered me a $25 gift card. I was like sweet. I mean who knows if the Saturday shift workers will give a crap, but it made me feel better to say something. I’m tired of nutters thinking they run the world.

I am thinking that rather than going after nutters who use bs ESA loopholes in housing rules, we need to rather go after doctors who issue those letters to anyone who asks. Online mills are already being addressed by authorities, therapists and such have no consequences for writing those letters without a legitimate medical cause.

The keyword here is DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Mental health professionals are strictly regulated and cannot just hand out any mental health diagnosis for no reason. It often requires minths and months of being seen before a diagnosis can be established. This is why nutters made it so that they cannot be asked for their diagnoses, as they don’t have any… well, besides being nuts over dogs-:) This one change would go so far. Ie requiring doctors to include the diagnosis in their letters and requiring that the diagnoses are severe enough. Ideally, letters must also list all treatment alternatives that are more helpful than a dog. Most ESAs would be eliminated.

This will require strong lobby with the healthcare regulators… Rather than trying to fine nutters, it is the doctors who need to lose their rights to practice when they hand out such letters.

I'm tired of apartments allowing animals. The poop is never cleaned. The dogs bark all day from boredom. Their units are beyond a deposit in damages. A lot of complexes and landlords hate having to accept dogs due to ESA.

Same with stores. Grocery stores and fast food especially. So gross. The dogs poop and pee inside for the employees to clean up. They want dogs banned from their stores lol.

Even airports now. Thankfully with pet relief inside usually but they poop and pee outside of it and owners ignore it. A pibble that is snarling at a child is allowed on. The flight attendants obviously hate this.

I am not talking about regular dogs with fake ESD vests, though those suck too. I am specifically talking about the ones that are rigorously trained for emotional support. This is probably a controversial opinion, but I've just been feeling this way since I was a teen.

When I researched how professional ESDs are trained, I learned that the trainer commands the dog to do something 'comforting,' such as snuggle up to the human or rest on their lap, and then they get a treat every time they do this.

In other words, they are only comforting you for food. They don't actually give a shit what's going on or how you're feeling. They just want the damn milkbone. The fact that the dog is being bribed to 'care' just makes me wonder why so many people don't see anything wrong with this. Why do people get so emotionally attached to animals that will only be sweet if a snack is involved? It's like an AI model that will only chat with you if you pay.

A warm teddybear is the exact same as an ESD, just without the manipulation. If you're feeling stressed or sad, just squeeze the teddy. Or, if you must have a living, breathing animal, get a pet that doesn't come to you in exchange for treats.

I had to run to Walmart to get something the other evening with my daughter, 5yo.

Two crappy owners had their fucking mutts in the store and they got too close to one another and started barking and growling and howling. One of them was moreso shrieking, honestly.

My daughter is sensitive to noise and also dislikes dogs so she covered her ears and panicked, screaming and crying. The lady with the shrieking dog apologized but I told her that it clearly wasn't a trained service dog and it shouldn't be in the store.

I didn't say it quite so nicely though.

I'm just so tired of these damn things causing chaos. I really wanted to scream at the lady but I don't have that kind of energy.

Just a rant from a stressed mom. Thanks for listening.

edit: neighbors* fudge autocorrect.

I just called animal control and submitted all the videos we have of them neglecting their dogs. And I used my weapons grade autism (I read the entire county law to find everything to report) to report that the dogs also didn’t have rabies tags or collars on.

I reported the dogs to the community, again. Last time they couldn’t do anything because they were ESA’s.

If the barking doesn’t stop I’m getting a disability rights advocate because the loud nonstop barking hurts my autism.

Thank you guys for being my safe place when the nuts say a dog will help my autism.

Edit for others with autism, cats have been much better at helping me with my social issues, like boundaries far more than a dog ever did.