I have bipolar disorder was just recently diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder a month ago. I live in a house that we lease from our landlord through a property management company. There are some days I feel a service animal would be very beneficial but do I go under my landlord's nose and pull a fast one on him, no I don't. I have a dog as a pet and he is wonderful and my landlord knows we have a dog and he is ok with it. I see no need to be sneaky or deceitful like that.
Not only does what the OP did make other herp keepers look bad but I feel it has a bad reflection on people like myself that have legitimate mental illness and would actually benefit from an ESA. So shame on her.