u/Silent_Sun_8001

ESSA's should NOT be labeled as service dogs. I've seen some people doing so and it is frustrating.

It can cause the public to think a real breathing service animal is simply a comfort item like the stuffed animals are. It invalidates all the hard work and training that goes into a legitimate service dog. And a stuffed animal doesn't do tasks to help with a disability, it is emotionally supporting them by existing.

I have absolutely no problem with someone having a plush with them for comfort. That isn't the issue I have. Comfort objects can be a great tool for some disabilities to cope.

I have an issue with anything being misrepresented as a service animal when it is not. That includes untrained dogs and inanimate objects. I feel it will cause more of the public to think any random dog can be a service dog if they see an inanimate plush labeled as one.

reddit.com
u/Silent_Sun_8001 — 1 day ago