There are Different Risks in Having an ESA or PSD.
Risks to Animals
● Neglect or other abuse; poor mental health may prevent adequate animal care
● Undue stress from consistent work during accompaniment, including stressful environments
● Undue stress from being handled by a person without specialized training
● Illness, undue stress, or injury from public interactions
Risks to Clients
● Inadequate treatment of a mental health disorder
● Injury or property damage from an inadequately trained or socialized animal
● Zoonotic infection or disease
● Animal allergies
● Potential fraud/legal concerns if ESA is misrepresented as a service animal
● Financial and emotional burdens due to potential behavior problems associated with inadequately trained and socialized companion animals
● Misconception that a relationship with an ESA replaces or substitutes for professional mental health care or human relationships
Risks to the Public
● Injury or emotional damage from inadequately trained animal
● Untrained or unsocialized animals may be more likely to be stressed or aggressive in public
● Unsocialized animals may be disruptive and interfere with normal activities
● Maladaptive interactions with other animals (especially toward service animals)
● Zoonotic infection or disease from animal
● Animal allergies and phobias
● Contributes to public skepticism, which hurts those with valid helper animals
● The more unsuitable the animal, the greater the risk (i.e. exotic pet, undomesticated/wild animal)
● When more fraudulent animals have greater public access, more public risk is incurred
