Friend lied about having emotional support dog.

[Otins]

A friend of mine has a dog. He is a pet. She loves him, but he is a pet. Nothing else.

She recently went on a day out to a stately home. Dogs not allowed inside.

She told them it was an emotional support dog and they let him in.

She thought it was really funny and clever to do this.

I told her that I didn’t approve - and we moved on, and it was fine.

But the more I think about it, the more it winds me up.

For transparency, I am not a dog lover (not a dog hater either) and the sense of entitlement I see from many dog owners annoys me, and I think dogs being allowed (emotional support or not) in cafes and shops is inappropriate.

Whatever happened to leaving your dog at home to snooze on the sofa while you went out?

AIBU

Yes - how does this affect you if she takes her dog into places when you’re not there.

No - she was wrong to deceive the stately home in this way.

Yes it is infuriating, especially as most dogs are not service animals and are treated as a fashion accessory.

The equality act barely covers anyone!🤬

Nope

Prove what? That I'm disabled? There is no proof in UK law under the Equality Act 2010. Out prove that I have an Assistance Dog? Same reply.

Do people with diabetes have to prove they have diabetes?

And who am I proving this to? Just when I have my dog or when I wear my sunflower lanyard when I need to sit or I'll faint?

This is true and many of us who have Assistance Dogs agree with this.

But even "proving" a disability can be difficult (costly) when it comes to hidden disabilities like mental health.

I’m confused about all this thread. We got our dog because my son has complex needs with ASD, motor and language etc. I most certainly would not pretend that he was a support dog. As it is my son actually struggles to do any journey independently and is at life skills for that. A dog would,be great to help him access busy buses etc which he will refuse. When I enquired into it you have to accept a provided dog that has been trained by an agency and this is quite expensive. There are a few places that will train your dog but the dog needs to be young enough. You can’t just randomly put on a sign and say ‘assistant dog.’ Also the dog has to be the right type or else they are just pets!

My son has severe issues of not being able to get out and about and a dog would hugely help although he might get panicked about his dog’s well being.

We actually got the dog because 8 years ago my 12 year old son hid in the coat cupboard and burst into tears with the words ‘ I’m so lonely, no one knows how lonely I am’ as he had those huge sobs my heart broke.

But to pretend any dog is a support dog is a disgrace. One day my son might actually need a properly trained dog as he moves to independent living and this is making it really hard for him along with the abuse of sunflower lanyards. They should insist on a new lanyard and people have to apply for them with medical evidence.

I loathe people who abuse the system as it makes it far worse for my son who will need the system his entire life.

You can owner train which means you don't pay the fees to an organisation. You can go it solely alone but that is tough, so many owner trained teams work alongside a trainer.