How can we apply for Emotional Support Animals in Ireland?

SpaceCadet1995

Is this even a thing?

I have been suffering with a few mental health difficulties throughout my life and find everyday tasks difficult. Like going out in public alone, for example, terrifies me.

That's only one thing though.

I've had dogs in the past. And honestly, would not be alive right now if it wasn't for one.

Anyway, I know for a fact that if there is a way for Irish people to get emotional support animals, that I would be eligible, and I was wondering how I could go about applying for one? I'm in the public system. Currently waiting for a formal diagnosis of adhd/autism (although they have already been treating me for adhd until my new doctors decided they couldn't be bothered, and I noticed a massive decline in everything).

Anyway, I'd love to hear if anyone has had any experience with this, and how did you find renting? My current landlord doesn't allow pets at all, but I will be moving at the end of the year when my lease is up so I want to be prepared.

em_cat

As far as I know, ESA are not recognised in Ireland and tbh I’m not sure it will be a thing. It took a lot of political and sheer power from lobbyists to get Dogs for the disabled and Medical Support off the ground and I’m afraid there just isn’t much in the way for general ESA. As you probably are aware the situation around ESA in the US is ridiculously laughable and is heavily abused.

I do see people with the ESA leads on dogs in Dublin, however, they do not have any more status than a companion pet and more than likely will not anytime soon.

Most of the companies claiming to provide dogs for autism support are misleading and quite frankly preying on people that are desperate as living with Autism and or ADHD is very difficult and often incredibly misunderstood. Unless your dealing with Irish Guide Dogs or Dogs for the Disabled you’ll be fleeced & left with a well trained companion dog with no status.

I know renting with pets is difficult but there are places that allow it, like Vesta and if you can get into say a voluntary housing body like Cluid it’s possible. If you are renting from a private landlord then it’s up to them.

Ave Sodalis

ESAs do not have any public access rights, or any other rights compared to your average pet.

Psychiatric Service/Assistance Dogs do have public access rights. Unfortunately, the waiting lists are closed for Irish companies training them, and there are limited global companies that supply internationally. https://assistancedogsinternational.org/

I've looked into an Assistance Dog for myself, both for psychiatric and mobility reasons. Whilst there is financial returns for those who have got a dog from a company registered with the European branch of the ADI, it doesn't seem to stretch to international one. However, despite this, it would seem the best bet is to actually fly to the US and partake in one of their programs. Expensive but because SDs/ADs are more recognised over there, there is far more organisations that train dogs, and therefore a lot faster (still years though).

In terms of access: https://www.guidedogs.ie/what-we-do/assistance-dogs/access-rights-for-assistance-dogs

but keep in mind that this is for Assistance Dogs and Guide Dogs only. Not ESAs.

amdublin

Would a dog, that gives you emotional support, be what you are looking for?

cj maxx

I emailed uk assistance dogs and never heard z reply. Looking at their website and criteria it's only wheelchair bound adults that meet it I think. There are assistance dogs for various other conditions but they seemed only to apply to children.

cj maxx

A link to adni

https://adni.org.uk/our-dogs/disability-assistance-dogs/criteria/