NM

[ZiggysFryBoy]

I may cook up another Screamin Sicilian calzone. Best stuff ever

you high right now, kin?

[Benny B]

I may cook up another Screamin Sicilian calzone. Best stuff ever

You do understand that Screamin Sicilian is like supercharged Kryptonite to 4ever, right? 

I'm sure he's already breaking out in hives reading this.

[GooooMarquette]

I had to look up Screamin Sicilian to see what everyone is talking about. Guess I'm out of the loop on frozen pizzas.

[tower912]

Golfing in December in the upper Midwest.    God bless global warming.   

[🏀]

Golfing in December in the upper Midwest.    God bless global warming.   

Sent my clubs to Florida two weeks ago....unnatural carnal knowledge me

[warriorchick]

Sent my clubs to Florida two weeks ago....unnatural carnal knowledge me

Talk about your first world problems.....

[Benny B]

I had to look up Screamin Sicilian to see what everyone is talking about. Guess I'm out of the loop on frozen pizzas.

'Tis only JayBee and myself... a far cry from "everyone."   Especially if we're (I'm) hoopaloopin'.

[Benny B]

Talk about your first world problems.....

Not for the inner-city kid in Miami who's got himself a new set of clubs.

[🏀]

Talk about your first world problems.....

I'm starving, chick. Starving.

Starving for some a hearty, fulfilling 18 holes of golf.

[NYWarrior]

All Hail Popeye's

https://twitter.com/NutmegRadio/status/1075441610152968192

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

All Hail Popeye's

https://twitter.com/NutmegRadio/status/1075441610152968192

As someone married to someone with a prescribed esa, I think this one missed the mark.

[warriorchick]

As someone married to someone with a prescribed esa, I think this one missed the mark.

You don't necessarily need a prescription to have an ESA.   That's kind of the point.  That notion has been completely abused and exploited.

An acquaintance of mine went online and got her Pomeranian certified as an emotional support animal just so she would would be allowed to take her out of the pet carrier on flights instead of stowing her under the seat.

[StillAWarrior]

You don't necessarily need a prescription to have an ESA.   That's kind of the point.  That notion has been completely abused and exploited.

An acquaintance of mine went online and got her Pomeranian certified as an emotional support animal just so she would would be allowed to take her out of the pet carrier on flights instead of stowing her under the seat.

People abusing and/or exploiting the right to use service animals and emotional support animals is one of my biggest pet peeves (pun not really intended, but kind of unavoidable).

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

You don't necessarily need a prescription to have an ESA.   That's kind of the point.  That notion has been completely abused and exploited.

An acquaintance of mine went online and got her Pomeranian certified as an emotional support animal just so she would would be allowed to take her out of the pet carrier on flights instead of stowing her under the seat.

This is incorrect. If it is not prescribed by a mental health professional than it is not an ESA. Now different mental health professionals have different standards for prescribing, some of them quite low, but they do need to be prescribed.

There are definitely those who have exploited it, though its not nearly as widespread as it is made out to be. And what those exploiters are doing is terrible. It adds to the stigma of mental health and makes it more difficult for those with a legitimate need.

This promotion is adding to that stigma not taking away from it IMHO. Which is their right, they can make money however they so choose. Popeyes was one of my flight layover foods of choice but now I will probably indulge my unhealthy love of Americanized Chinese food instead.

[StillAWarrior]

This is incorrect. If it is not prescribed by a mental health professional than it is not an ESA. Now different mental health professionals have different standards for prescribing, some of them quite low, but they do need to be prescribed.

There are definitely those who have exploited it, though its not nearly as widespread as it is made out to be. And what those exploiters are doing is terrible. It adds to the stigma of mental health and makes it more difficult for those with a legitimate need.

I don't disagree. You are correct that if it's not prescribed, it's not an ESA.  And if you're wanting to get one on an airplane or into an apartment that doesn't accept pets, you're probably going to need to show documentation.

The problem is people who feel they are entitled to take their pet with them everywhere they go.  They just claim it's an ESA and nobody requires them to prove it.  The more motivated people go on line and order a stupid little vest or a utterly meaningless certificate and then they take their pet everywhere.  They know that business owners are afraid to confront them.  If confronted, many of these people simply respond, "she's my ESA."

The problem with this is that in most places, ESAs are not allowed in places like restaurants, stores, hotels, etc.  Only service dogs are allowed in those places and business owners are only allowed to ask two simple questions ("is the dog a service animal required for a disability" and "what task has the dog been trained to perform").  By definition, service animals have been trained to perform a task.  If the dog isn't trained to perform a task, it's not a service animal and does not have a right to be in many locations.  If it hasn't been trained to perform a task, even an absolutely legitimate and prescribed ESA is not a service animal and may not be permitted in many places.

I realize that some states and localities have different rules.  But in my opinion, this is very widely abused.  Business owners are afraid to confront people out of fear of getting sued.  What I'd love to see -- and it is happening in some locations -- are laws that would penalize people who are abusing the system.  Give them a down side.  If a store owner kicks them out and it turns out that it was a legit service animal, the store owner has a problem.  On the other hand, if they get kicked out and decide to file a charge or a lawsuit, they've got a problem if it's not a legit service animal.

There are plenty of people out there that need service animals and real ESAs.  I don't begrudge them that.  But I'd really like to see the people who simply feel entitled to have their pets with them at all times stop abusing the process.

[Jay Bee]

http://m.startribune.com/an-arby-s-closes-and-a-fast-food-gap-emerges-in-downtown-minneapolis/502891931/

BTW, most fun I've had at a college football game was when my friend brought in a fake service animal (little dog). Dude was chillin at the Metrodome with 55k fans

[Benny B]

This is incorrect. If it is not prescribed by a mental health professional than it is not an ESA. Now different mental health professionals have different standards for prescribing, some of them quite low, but they do need to be prescribed.

There are definitely those who have exploited it, though its not nearly as widespread as it is made out to be. And what those exploiters are doing is terrible. It adds to the stigma of mental health and makes it more difficult for those with a legitimate need.

This promotion is adding to that stigma not taking away from it IMHO. Which is their right, they can make money however they so choose. Popeyes was one of my flight layover foods of choice but now I will probably indulge my unhealthy love of Americanized Chinese food instead.

The problem with this line of thinking is that only a physician can actually "prescribe" something.  Most people are going to mental health professionals for ESA's, a broad category which includes psychologists, behavioral therapists, social workers, and shamans (seriously... there's more than one in Lake County).  An MHP can "suggest" or "recommend," but they can't "prescribe," which implies some sort of medical necessity and is privilege reserved for MD's and those working under their supervision (and tooth jockeys on a limited basis).

If your wife has been told by a physician that she needs an ESA, that's fine.  Otherwise - taking you at your word that she isn't gaming the system - it's quite likely that her MHP is half-assing it, and/or she's probably not getting the care she should.

[GooooMarquette]

The problem with this line of thinking is that only a physician can actually "prescribe" something.  Most people are going to mental health professionals for ESA's, a broad category which includes psychologists, behavioral therapists, social workers, and shamans (seriously... there's more than one in Lake County).  An MHP can "suggest" or "recommend," but they can't "prescribe," which implies some sort of medical necessity and is privilege reserved for MD's and those working under their supervision (and tooth jockeys on a limited basis).

If your wife has been told by a physician that she needs an ESA, that's fine.  Otherwise - taking you at your word that she isn't gaming the system - it's quite likely that her MHP is half-assing it, and/or she's probably not getting the care she should.

Yep.

I agree with what TAMU said about the exploiters - it's appalling that anyone would exploit the situation and further stigmatize mental health by using an ESA when it isn't truly warranted.

But you are right - it is WAY too easy to get the necessary approvals. This website (https://therapypet.org/who-qualifies/) is one of many that capitalize on the situation. The following statement is particularly galling: Essentially anybody who feels that their pet is a key source of comfort and well-being can qualify for an emotional support animal. They are clearly exploiting the rules and making a mockery of a real issue.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I agree with the idea that there should be laws that penalise those who lie about ESAs. My wife and I are the first people to call out those who pull sh*t like that. Id also be for tightening up the standards (though not too tight). The problem that has been created (in addition to the culture of litigation that StillW was talking about) is that now it seems like people assume an ESA is fake before they assume it is for a legitimate mental health disorder.

My big concern is the training aspect of ESAs. I have met people with "real" (for lack of a better word" ESAs who have not properly socialised or even house trained their dogs. You have to train your dog if it's going to be an ESA

[StillAWarrior]

But you are right - it is WAY too easy to get the necessary approvals. This website (https://therapypet.org/who-qualifies/) is one of many that capitalize on the situation. The following statement is particularly galling: Essentially anybody who feels that their pet is a key source of comfort and well-being can qualify for an emotional support animal. They are clearly exploiting the rules and making a mockery of a real issue.

Agreed.  And, at the risk of belaboring the point, even if someone does qualify for an ESA, that doesn't give them the right to take the animal into restaurants, bars, stores, etc.  There is a huge difference between ESAs and service animals, and huge differences between the rights afforded to the two groups.

[jesmu84]

It is very easy.

Service Dog Cards - 50 ADA Service Dog Information Cards State Your Rights - Service Dog ADA Info Cards state your legal rights - Give them to people that don't know your rights which allow you to bring your dog anywhere https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006OLNBKU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bTTgCbK56BDE0

[StillAWarrior]

I agree with the idea that there should be laws that penalise those who lie about ESAs. My wife and I are the first people to call out those who pull sh*t like that. Id also be for tightening up the standards (though not too tight). The problem that has been created (in addition to the culture of litigation that StillW was talking about) is that now it seems like people assume an ESA is fake before they assume it is for a legitimate mental health disorder.

My big concern is the training aspect of ESAs. I have met people with "real" (for lack of a better word" ESAs who have not properly socialised or even house trained their dogs. You have to train your dog if it's going to be an ESA

I try not to automatically assume that an ESA is fake.  But, often it's completely obvious.  Lack of socialization and training is a huge giveaway.  People carrying their dog is a huge giveaway.

In my mind, the fundamental problem is that people have learned that it is pretty easy claim your dog is an ESA (either legitimately; through doctors who don't scrutinize things very closely; and/or totally bogus "certificates) and then people who have an ESA treat it as if it's a service animal.  Honestly, the rights afforded to an ESA (at least under federal law) are pretty limited -- relating to housing and air travel.

[StillAWarrior]

It is very easy.

Service Dog Cards - 50 ADA Service Dog Information Cards State Your Rights - Service Dog ADA Info Cards state your legal rights - Give them to people that don't know your rights which allow you to bring your dog anywhere https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006OLNBKU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bTTgCbK56BDE0

Those are a good thing.  But, it's important that people understand that Service Dog =/= Emotional Support Animal.  Those apply to service dogs only...not ESAs.

[tower912]

I'm starving, chick. Starving.

Starving for some a hearty, fulfilling 18 holes of golf.

It was so, so, so good.    I was finding myself just looking around and laughing and breathing deeply. 

[GooooMarquette]

So has anybody started their Christmas shopping yet? I decided to start early this year, so I hope to start later today.