Emotional Support Snake?

Hello! I was reading an article someone posted on this forum about a student flushing her ESA hamster (which is horrible :(), and it made me realize that ESA's don't need to be dogs/cats. I have horrible anxiety, and some other stuff I won't really get into, and I've been very stressed out for these last couple years. I feel the most comfortable in my room with my animals. There's something about them that just calms me down 100%. So, I was looking into getting an ESA. I read the website's article about snakes, and I thought about my Geno. I love him more than anything :love: I am thinking about registering him as my Emotional Support Animal. I know I can't bring him into public places such as restaurants/school/stores etc. that's not what I'm getting at. I wouldn't want to anyway. And I don't mean this to draw attention to Geno or myself in any way, shape, or form. Do you think it's okay to do? I don't even know if I'd qualify, but I'd really like to. Geno is a 2-year-old male pastel ball python. He's very very tame and has never had any behavior issues. Thank you!

https://www.emotionalsupportanimalco...support-snake/

(Feel free to move this if it's in the wrong place)

So if you aren't planning to bring him around with you, how would he be any different than a pet? What exactly are you trying to do with him?

The ESA letter approving your pet will allow us to get through "No pets allowed" in houses/dorms, allows him to travel free on planes, and some other things. Basically making it to where you and them will never be seperated :)
(At least thats how I understood it)

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

hi GpBp,

from what i understand, u are young and a minor still. u should check in w/ your parents before registering any of your animals as an ESA esp. a snake.

we have several threads on the forum discussing ESA's in different settings; give them a read:
home - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...rrel-and-Condo
workplace - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...support-animal
airplanes - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...nd-her-Peacock

it is easy to register your animal as an ESA but still very difficult to deal with in real life. is it worth it to u or your animal? as an owner of many snakes, many BP's i know they do not do well away from their heat source and hides. they are stressed. do u wanna do that to your snake? it doesn't seem like a very nice thing to do to put your pet in that situation.

Be aware that the only way to get an animal registered as an ESA is to go to a doctor or therapist. There are lots of scam websites where you pay them to send you a certificate but those are not legit. Your letter needs to come directly from a professional that is seeing you.

Please tell me you're not serious about wanting to have Geno travel with you on a plane. Unless you are moving to a new permanent place to live (and even then I hope you're not imagining him curled up on your lap on the plane) I can't see any reason to justify bringing a snake on a who-knows-how-long flight and stressing him out with potential frequent travelling.

It's a nice idea to have Geno be an ESA but you need to think about what's best for Geno and not what you want him to do for you. Honestly everyone else already brought up some fine points and the sites/articles you've read are for sure not legit. Anything that claims you can register an ESA pet is a scam and won't hold up to anything.

As Kira pointed out you need an ESA note from a therapist that has had multiple sessions with you so they can evaluate and be familiar with your issues to see if an ESA is necessary. It's definitely not something you can drop in going "hi can I have an ESA letter for my snake? Thank you and bye!"

I think this idea is more selfish than it is practical and better not pursued. Just food for thought

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Originally Posted by Ax01

hi GpBp,

from what i understand, u are young and a minor still. u should check in w/ your parents before registering any of your animals as an ESA esp. a snake.

we have several threads on the forum discussing ESA's in different settings; give them a read:
home - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...rrel-and-Condo
workplace - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...support-animal
airplanes - https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...nd-her-Peacock

it is easy to register your animal as an ESA but still very difficult to deal with in real life. is it worth it to u or your animal? as an owner of many snakes, many BP's i know they do not do well away from their heat source and hides. they are stressed. do u wanna do that to your snake? it doesn't seem like a very nice thing to do to put your pet in that situation.

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Thank you. Yes, I am young. I've got my parent's permission, and my mom thinks it would potentially help me (I wasn't about to take an application and "register" him without her saying yes)

Those links are very helpful, I've read them. I guess I didn't really state this but I think the main reason I want to do this is so I'm able to keep Geno with me. I know (hope) this guy will be around by the time I'm in college, I don't think I could live w/o him! I'm not wanting to take him with me everywhere (as in inside/in public places etc.) I go, just something that says we should be together. So, he'd be in his tank with his heat and hides every day.

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Originally Posted by Kira

Be aware that the only way to get an animal registered as an ESA is to go to a doctor or therapist. There are lots of scam websites where you pay them to send you a certificate but those are not legit. Your letter needs to come directly from a professional that is seeing you.

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Thank you for mentioning! I thought I could just follow the process on Emotional Support Animal Co's website (https://www.emotionalsupportanimalco.com/) but is it not safe? Their process is:

1. Fill out our questionnaire
2. Select your service "We offer different therapy services to you whether you need one for travel or housing situations."
3. Connect with a licensed therapist "A Licensed Therapist will speak with you about your options of owning a therapy pet."
4. Recieve your confirmation

They also say "Here at EmotionalSupportAnimalCo.com, if you do not meet the need for an ESA after therapist review, you will receive a full refund."

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Originally Posted by GpBp

I think the main reason I want to do this is so I'm able to keep Geno with me. I know (hope) this guy will be around by the time I'm in college, I don't think I could live w/o him!

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I'm sorry but (IMO) that is an abuse of the ESA system (so you can 'legally' have him live with you in places that do not allow exotic pets; regardless if you have anxiety or not).
Not trying to offend you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Thank you for mentioning! I thought I could just follow the process on Emotional Support Animal Co's website (https://www.emotionalsupportanimalco.com/) but is it not safe? Their process is:

1. Fill out our questionnaire
2. Select your service "We offer different therapy services to you whether you need one for travel or housing situations."
3. Connect with a licensed therapist "A Licensed Therapist will speak with you about your options of owning a therapy pet."
4. Recieve your confirmation

They also say "Here at EmotionalSupportAnimalCo.com, if you do not meet the need for an ESA after therapist review, you will receive a full refund."

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A refund for what? ESA letters do not cost anything if they are legit. That sounds really sketchy to me.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Please tell me you're not serious about wanting to have Geno travel with you on a plane. Unless you are moving to a new permanent place to live (and even then I hope you're not imagining him curled up on your lap on the plane) I can't see any reason to justify bringing a snake on a who-knows-how-long flight and stressing him out with potential frequent travelling.

It's a nice idea to have Geno be an ESA but you need to think about what's best for Geno and not what you want him to do for you. Honestly everyone else already brought up some fine points and the sites/articles you've read are for sure not legit. Anything that claims you can register an ESA pet is a scam and won't hold up to anything.

As Kira pointed out you need an ESA note from a therapist that has had multiple sessions with you so they can evaluate and be familiar with your issues to see if an ESA is necessary. It's definitely not something you can drop in going "hi can I have an ESA letter for my snake? Thank you and bye!"

I think this idea is more selfish than it is practical and better not pursued. Just food for thought

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And no haha, I'm not trying to get Geno as a travel buddy! (I rarely even fly anyway) I just mentioned it as a benefit of having an ESA, not necessarily a snake. Again, I/m just so worried that I'll go somewhere and they just won't allow him. I'm not trying to be selfish in anyway, and I obviously want whats best for Geno. The snake ESA article wasn't legit? Well, actually I believe that it seemed pretty off. So... everything that says I can register an ESA is a scam? This one too? https://www.emotionalsupportanimalco.com/

I know I need a note, and I'm more than happy to have these sessions w/ a therapist. I know It'll take time.
And I'm really again not trying to be selfish, I just want to know I can always be with Geno. (For this 30 something years of his life)
(I have other snakes, Geno has a very special place in my heart. Don't tell the others!)

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Originally Posted by Kira

A refund for what? ESA letters do not cost anything if they are legit. That sounds really sketchy to me.

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Originally Posted by GpBp

The snake ESA article wasn't legit? Well, actually I believe that it seemed pretty off. So... everything that says I can register an ESA is a scam? This one too? https://www.emotionalsupportanimalco.com/

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I'm with Kira on this, the site sounds fishy as heck despite trying to look legit. I wouldn't trust it.

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

I'm sorry but (IMO) that is an abuse of the ESA system (so you can 'legally' have him live with you in places that do not allow exotic pets; regardless if you have anxiety or not).
Not trying to offend you.

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I guess I agree. I see where you're coming from. I don't like that bp's don't fit the domestic pet group, but it makes sense. Thank's for sharing, you make a good point. Probably not then.

What about this...?
https://www.esaregistration.org/

Thanks, I'm really glad you didn't take it the wrong way, as I was not trying to be mean or offensive.
I agree, I wish they were simply considered good pets as they don't make any noise, hardly smell and don't usually take up much room. So much easier than fish or birds. I wish landlords understood they are a very easy pet to keep and they don't (normally) cause property damage. It's taken me and my bf over a year to find a new place to rent that allows my 2 cats and our reptiles. We started seriously looking January 2017 and just now found a place. It's such a hassle but better to be on the up and up than to game the system or hide them from a landlord.
I wish you the best of luck once you are out on your own! Places can be found, it's just takes time.

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Thank you for mentioning! I thought I could just follow the process on Emotional Support Animal Co's website (https://www.emotionalsupportanimalco.com/) but is it not safe? Their process is:

1. Fill out our questionnaire
2. Select your service "We offer different therapy services to you whether you need one for travel or housing situations."
3. Connect with a licensed therapist "A Licensed Therapist will speak with you about your options of owning a therapy pet."
4. Recieve your confirmation

They also say "Here at EmotionalSupportAnimalCo.com, if you do not meet the need for an ESA after therapist review, you will receive a full refund."

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This is not legit, as are ANY "ESA register" websites... They are all scams. The ONLY legal way to get an actual ESA is through a mental health professional's note, and it is up to their discretion whether to write you an ESA note or not. You can request it through a mental health professional, but it is not your choice. Think of it as a medical prescription.

There are a lot of ESA lies out there, and unfortunately many average people, the public, and stores do not know what qualifies as a "real ESA" and showing them some fake certificate will make most of them think your ESA is legit. But if you are doing anything legal, such as housing or flights, they will know it is fake.

I personally don't think that snakes should be ESAs on planes, Like it or not, most humans have a deep seeded fear of snakes. Therefore your snake that keeps you calm may cause great stress to a great many people. The same could be said for spiders and other creatures that aren't "cute and cuddly." If larger public places people can choose to get away. On plane, not so much.

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

I'm sorry but (IMO) that is an abuse of the ESA system (so you can 'legally' have him live with you in places that do not allow exotic pets; regardless if you have anxiety or not).
Not trying to offend you.

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My thoughts exactly. Don't make a mockery of the ESA program. Too many people are jumping on this band wagon - thats a darn shame for the people who actually need this service. Sorry to be so blunt.

Esa's are not service animals and are not afforded the protections of ADA. There is some federal protection (from the ACAA) given to esa's for travel however it is largely up to the discretion of the travel provider and it explicitly forbids reptiles, rodents, sugar gliders and ferrrits Furthermore they are expressly forbidden if they are untrained or pose any threat of nuisance to other passengers.
Links for reference.

In my experience most esa's are a joke and give true service animals a bad name.

http://www.jems.com/articles/print/v...t-animals.html

https://www.transportation.gov/indiv...upport-animals

I'm pretty sure I could get my ball python status as my "emotional support snake" from my therapist if I asked for it (~2 years of therapy with her, she's seen me both before and after getting him, it wouldn't be a rubber stamping). However, I probably never will because it's highly unlikely to be worthwhile. One of the major problems is that if you try to force the issue with a landlord that doesn't want to accept a snake in their property, there is a very high chance that they WILL fight it. Said fight would take time, money, and emotional energy and leave you in a bad spot with any landlords that ask for previous landlord references because that one will not be happy. You're better off spending your time and energy looking for a situation where the landlord doesn't care, or where they're swayed by the argument of it being silent, in a cage, and completely non-destructive. If living in on-campus housing, you'd again likely be better off speaking to housing accommodations first to explain your situation and garner any sympathy you can (and again explain silent/caged/non-destructive) and see where to go from there. As far as planes go, many carriers will not allow snakes, ESA or not. Essentially, ESA is not a widely-accepted set of rights, so it's easier to find what you want in other ways then to try to force your way to it. Obtaining a right that isn't widely accepted can be difficult and really require the person to be resilient and determined - a rather tall order with the types of issues that emotional support animals are generally for.

Anyway, tl;dr, getting anything worthwhile out of having an emotional support snake would be such a pain. Find appropriate housing or work with people instead.

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Originally Posted by GpBp

The ESA letter approving your pet will allow us to get through "No pets allowed" in houses/dorms, allows him to travel free on planes, and some other things. Basically making it to where you and them will never be seperated :)
(At least thats how I understood it)

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

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There are actually a fair number of colleges that have either pet-friendly designated dorms, or who allow pets in the dorms/in their on-campus apartments. A quick Google search brought up some pretty big names- University of Northern Colorado, Caltech, MIT (although that mostly seems to be cats), University of Washington, and many smaller colleges. I didn't look specifically at the policies of any of them, but at a quick glance was able to note that some mostly seemed in favor of traditional pets, but not exotics, while one would let you have anything that fit in a 20 gallon tank. So when searching for a college, you might take that into consideration and see what options you can find that would allow snakes.

You can get a certified therapy animal if your anxiety and other things are bad. Something to look into.

I also have episodes of bad anxiety, sometimes to the point of affecting my health and normal day to day activities. I have pets including my snakes and as much as they do help me at home, you must realize you can't cope with anxiety using pets alone. I have to learn methods of keeping calm, like counting to 20 out loud, deep slow breathing, talking to myself or keeping my husband on the phone until I calm down, etc. You are still young so you may still be able to get a better hold of your anxiety. It usually gets worse over time if you do nothing.

Ok. Thank you guys. I shouldve used common sence and just not consider it, but thank you so much guys. ☺

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Ok. Thank you guys. I shouldve used common sence and just not consider it, but thank you so much guys. ☺

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i think it was important that you considered it, and that you were receptive to people's advice and concerns. hopefully this thread brought some clarity to you about all this ESA hullabaloo and what their true function is.

i've been very open about my struggles with mental health, and how my snakes have helped me. they've reminded me to care for myself, and to keep my responsibilities. this does not mean i rely on them to function in society or care for myself daily.

i like to make the comparison of the ESA conversation to fidget spinners (bare with me! i promise it makes a little bit of sense): fidget spinners have been invaluable to kids with autism and other higher-functioning mental or learning disabilities when it comes to classroom settings or other areas where they need to focus. fidget "toys" have existed for a long time and have legitimate uses. once the Fidget Spinner patent ran up, everyone began producing them. then everyone had one. every other news story was about another school banning them. my aunt is a social worker at a school and works specifically around kids with learning and mental disabilities. she told me the fight she had to go through with administration to allow the kids who truly benefited from fidget toys them to keep them in school (because administrations are lazy and 'no tolerance' is the only administrating done nowadays). she eventually was able to convince the administration on behalf of her kids, but for almost a month some kids were unable to focus or continue to make progress, all because a large enough population abused something not meant for them. in the wake of all the crazy ESA stories, there is a whole group of people being forgotten about, and their means to a better life is mocked on the national stage.

like when you see those commercials for a gadget that puts your socks on for you without having to bend over, or a fork that automatically twirls your spaghetti. a normal person would think: holy crap who actually NEEDS to buy that?? i think: well, old people! or people with physical disabilities, or arthritis, or someone who has a metal rod for a spine!

my point is: these things have their place, but it is important to understand just how much people can NEED something like this that might seem so trivial to a normal person. do you truly, without-a-doubt NEED Geno? probably not. but that's okay, and that's a good thing! imagine being in a place where you truly could not function without your pet snake, where taking him out of his home every day was the only thing keeping you from failing to function daily. you would never want to do that to your snake, and that's not a place i would ever wish to be mentally.

i'm very sorry for the rant, but i needed to get this out of me. lol. ty.

NO, just NO. It is ridiculous and you don't really need it at all.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i think it was important that you considered it, and that you were receptive to people's advice and concerns. hopefully this thread brought some clarity to you about all this ESA hullabaloo and what their true function is.

i've been very open about my struggles with mental health, and how my snakes have helped me. they've reminded me to care for myself, and to keep my responsibilities. this does not mean i rely on them to function in society or care for myself daily.

i like to make the comparison of the ESA conversation to fidget spinners (bare with me! i promise it makes a little bit of sense): fidget spinners have been invaluable to kids with autism and other higher-functioning mental or learning disabilities when it comes to classroom settings or other areas where they need to focus. fidget "toys" have existed for a long time and have legitimate uses. once the Fidget Spinner patent ran up, everyone began producing them. then everyone had one. every other news story was about another school banning them. my aunt is a social worker at a school and works specifically around kids with learning and mental disabilities. she told me the fight she had to go through with administration to allow the kids who truly benefited from fidget toys them to keep them in school (because administrations are lazy and 'no tolerance' is the only administrating done nowadays). she eventually was able to convince the administration on behalf of her kids, but for almost a month some kids were unable to focus or continue to make progress, all because a large enough population abused something not meant for them. in the wake of all the crazy ESA stories, there is a whole group of people being forgotten about, and their means to a better life is mocked on the national stage.

like when you see those commercials for a gadget that puts your socks on for you without having to bend over, or a fork that automatically twirls your spaghetti. a normal person would think: holy crap who actually NEEDS to buy that?? i think: well, old people! or people with physical disabilities, or arthritis, or someone who has a metal rod for a spine!

my point is: these things have their place, but it is important to understand just how much people can NEED something like this that might seem so trivial to a normal person. do you truly, without-a-doubt NEED Geno? probably not. but that's okay, and that's a good thing! imagine being in a place where you truly could not function without your pet snake, where taking him out of his home every day was the only thing keeping you from failing to function daily. you would never want to do that to your snake, and that's not a place i would ever wish to be mentally.

i'm very sorry for the rant, but i needed to get this out of me. lol. ty.

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Don't apologize! That helps so much! I found Brian Barczyk's channels a few years back and, it honestly changed my life. Then I got Geno and It's crazy how much he's helped me. But I understand completely now that there are people that really n e e d ESA's, and I'm not one of them. Yes, seeing him out looking around or curled up in his hides in the mornings makes me smile, and if I never saw him again I'd most likely not talk to anyone or ever come out of my room.. but I'd get over it. There are people that wouldn't get over it... I don't know what I'm trying to say. Point is, thank you so much.

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Ok. Thank you guys. I shouldve used common sence and just not consider it, but thank you so much guys. ☺

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk

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The good thing is that you asked and were open to feedback. There are a lot of nice ideas out there on how we'd like things to go with our pets, but in cases like this some ideas are better left as an idea and not followed through, especially once you learn about the possible consequences and headaches that may transpire.

So even if some words may have seemed harsh and discouraging (I'm sorry if mine were too blunt), it's good of you to double check on facts and get answers. This community is all about looking out for each other and the well being of our snakes, and we much rather tell you 'no' from the start of something problematic rather than later when trouble has already started. Just nipping things at the bud to save you and Geno from unnecessary difficulties and backlash.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

This community is all about looking out for each other and the well being of our snakes, and we much rather tell you 'no' from the start of something problematic rather than later when trouble has already started. Just nipping things at the bud to save you and Geno from unnecessary difficulties and backlash.

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i was honestly kind of worried about how the forum was going to react to this thread, but overall i felt everyone was respectful enough.

we do look out for one another; no one is here just to disagree with and upset you OP.

i firmly believe ESAs have their place and they should be respected a heck of a lot more than they are, but bad apples, bunches and all that.

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Originally Posted by GpBp

But I understand completely now that there are people that really n e e d ESA's, and I'm not one of them.

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bingo. [emoji3]

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Please tell me you're not serious about wanting to have Geno travel with you on a plane. Unless you are moving to a new permanent place to live (and even then I hope you're not imagining him curled up on your lap on the plane) I can't see any reason to justify bringing a snake on a who-knows-how-long flight and stressing him out with potential frequent travelling.

It's a nice idea to have Geno be an ESA but you need to think about what's best for Geno and not what you want him to do for you. Honestly everyone else already brought up some fine points and the sites/articles you've read are for sure not legit. Anything that claims you can register an ESA pet is a scam and won't hold up to anything.

As Kira pointed out you need an ESA note from a therapist that has had multiple sessions with you so they can evaluate and be familiar with your issues to see if an ESA is necessary. It's definitely not something you can drop in going "hi can I have an ESA letter for my snake? Thank you and bye!"

I think this idea is more selfish than it is practical and better not pursued. Just food for thought

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Emotional Support Animals are similar to medical marijuana. A good idea, poorly written regulations, and massive abuse.

In case you missed it, there was a story in the media a few days about about a woman trying to board a plane with her emotional support Peacock. http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/0...ed-flight.html

You can't make this stuff up.

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Don't apologize! That helps so much! I found Brian Barczyk's channels a few years back and, it honestly changed my life. Then I got Geno and It's crazy how much he's helped me. But I understand completely now that there are people that really n e e d ESA's, and I'm not one of them. Yes, seeing him out looking around or curled up in his hides in the mornings makes me smile, and if I never saw him again I'd most likely not talk to anyone or ever come out of my room.. but I'd get over it. There are people that wouldn't get over it... I don't know what I'm trying to say. Point is, thank you so much.

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if you EVER need support or guidance from a random stranger on the internet, i would be happy to help you. i have dealt with depression and anxiety to the point i thought only medication could help. i am now medicated, but nothing crazy or common for abuse like most anxiety meds.

you are young, and have not learned coping mechanisms that work for you. i've dealt with anxiety/depression since my early teens, and am now 26. i'm much better for the defense mechanisms i've learned against intrusive thoughts and the coping mechanisms ive learned for when the defense falls short. you CAN win but the work NEVER ENDS.

you are young and strong. don't forget that. [emoji3]

I don't necessarily agree that a person should need to be completely unable to function without an ESA to have one. Like anything else prescribed, I feel that significant benefit with very minimal side effects is sufficient. Of course, the tricky part with ESAs appears to be that people have decided that said "side effects" don't include other people's discomfort and inconvenience since it's not theirs. With the snake stigma, I doubt a snake on a plane, even if allowed, would ever bring the overall level of anxiety on that flight down (someone's probably going to be panicking over their fear of snakes). Untrained ESAs in public places in general can be a real problem. And I have all sympathy for a landlord who doesn't want a squirrel ESA that likely isn't well trained because that's probably going to be more damage than the security deposit. Anyone who does get an ESA has a real responsibility to minimize disruption and discomfort to anyone who could be affected by their ESA in my opinion. If anyone wants to be an exception to a rule, they need to make sure they're not part of the reason for the rule. :snake:

I don't think reptiles make good candidates.

Look into some natural things to help with anxiety like Ashwagandha and L-Theanine, they can really help.