If someone "needs" a wild animal (no matter how tame, it is still a wild animal) for emotional support - then why are they even out in public?

It is bad enough when the fat person takes up part of my seat on a crowded flight; there is no way I would tolerate having a wild animal next to me. Damn it - I have rights too!

You can get plenty of those if you're supervising graduate students.

You generally find "emotional support monkeys" in elective office. . . (evil grin)

So many questions. Would your dog be jealous? What is the symbolism of having your emotional support monkey on a leash? Would the TSA try to hire your emotional support monkey as a supervisor?

Seems the monkey go upset--did it need an emotional support animal?
And who exactly gives out the proper paperwork? Some shrinks will authorize any crazy thing: that you have multiple personalities, that no one can criticize you at work, that you need pot to relax...and that you need a monkey to fly with you.

Would the TSA try to hire your emotional support monkey as a supervisor?

Heh! I was gonna joke about the animal flying the plane!

Funny, my father (a 6'2", good 'ol boy from Tennessee) had a Pygmy Marmoset when he was in the army in Panama. He carried it around in his pocket, sadly it died from the shots when he tried to bring it home. I don't think dad would have tried to fly home with it in his pocket on a plane full of strangers, I doubt it would have liked it.

Great. I told her about this and now my wife wants a monkey.

Emotional support animals as service animals. The service animal concept has gone beyond ridiculous. What's next?

Didn't Paris Hilton try to get her purse dog declared an emotional support animal?

"Would you like to touch my monkey? Touch him!"

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9p5ey_sprockets-germany-s-most-disturbing_shortfilms?start=116

Sadly, it really HAS gotten ridiculous. I was flying a few years ago and there was a women with two small dogs who were NOT well behaved. They were yipping and pulling incessantly at the leads. Apparently, she had the "proper paperwork" for them to be on as service animals of some sort, but they were obviously NOT. I've taken regular animals on aircraft multiple times (cats). They need to be in a carrier. Service animals do not. Service animals also do not get an extra charge. So, there is incentive for people to get their pets listed as service animals.

Now, I've seen service animals - real ones and ones in training - and they should DEFINITELY be allowed. They are usually calm and exceptionally well trained - even the puppies who are just learning. They also serve a useful purpose.

But don't try to fool me that your ill mannered yip-go-lucky beast is a "service animal."

Apparently what makes this monkey an 'emotional' support monkey, is the fact the gets very emotional.

Do you know what the primary criteria is for an emotional support animal? - their size.

These aren't service animals, ESAs are simply animals whose name is on a registry. There are kits you can get for about $50 to register the animal and get a cute little vest that says they're a support animal.

You also need a shrink to give you a letter stating you have an eligible emotional issue, like fear of flying.

I don't actually mind if someone brings on a trained animal that is well behaved. But I fly a lot and have witnesses more than a few situations where the animal is obviously not prepared for flying. Spending hours trapped with a wimpering and barking dog that can't handle turbulence is no fun.

Hipster Support Monkey

I would rather have one of those fancy 'trunk monkeys'.

[Craig:] Seems the monkey got upset ...

Clearly, that monkey needs a spanking.

The desire to carry your pet with you at all times in public is sometimes called the Paris Hilton effect. The Paris Hilton effect might lead one down the "support animal" route.

But I don't believe Hilton ever tried to get her dog classified as a support animal.

My doctor has written "support animal" letters for people. All you have to do is ask. :-/