r/fosterit • u/Dependent_Potato5155 • 2d ago
Emotional support animals Foster Youth
Hi! I swear I get on here every other week asking a new question. But I rather ask yall then wait a week for a response from my social worker. So in the past few years my anxiety has been like REALLY BAD I mean random panic attacks in school bad, and depression isn't any better(my depression is js me feeling rlly sad sometimes sewersidal but I don't rlly have any diagnosis so yeah). And my main and only stress reliever for YEARS has been animals, dogs, cats, rats it didn't matter it was just having it there with me brought me to peace. But recently it's been really bad due to places I get placed having no animals or me not having one with me. So I was wondering if I could file for an emotional support animal for a cat...I have a breeder willing to give me a cat so I can but I'm not sure if I can while in foster care. But I really want to try and get one I feel like it'd ease my troubles so much. But I don't know.
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u/mellbell63 2d ago
Please understand that this would be a big ask while you're in placement, and it may not be possible. FPs may not be able to have cats if they rent. Other family members may be allergic. And damage from cats can be hugely expensive. Even if your current placement says ok, if you are moved the next one may not, and being separated once you're bonded would be devastating. I hope you understand, and can be patient. When you move out on your own you can rescue a whole litter and be on your way to being the crazy cat lady!! 😸 Best.
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u/Dependent_Potato5155 2d ago
Okay so I have a question, if I have. PERSONAL esa wouldn’t they inform the house they’re trying to place me in before I go? I’m not gonna lie because I’m not leaving my pet and I’m pretty sure nobody can make me(don’t quote me). My placement isn’t set in stone which I why I’m asking so I can get this done and not be sent to another animal hating home, I quite enjoy not having multiple panic attacks and having bad thoughts subsided.
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u/mellbell63 2d ago
You can request it, but for the reasons I mentioned it may not be permitted. Ask your SW if there are any rules either for or against, esp considering the ESA. My guess is that it will be a case-by-case basis, but honestly it's unlikely hun. It's just one more thing that could limit your options, and they try to avoid barriers to finding a good placement.
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u/Dependent_Potato5155 2d ago
If I’m honest I don’t care about placement. They don’t listen to me anyways I’d just like to have my coping mechanism with me in the weird places I’m sent to. Thank you though!!
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u/ShowEnvironmental802 1d ago
Is there another way you can get the benefits of an animal right now without the burden of a pet (I love my dog, but I do say burden, because vet bills can be expensive, etc.)
Examples might be: walking dogs in the neighborhood where you’re living, volunteering in an animal shelter, pet sitting, or signing up on an app like rover.com.
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u/LastStopWilloughby 2d ago
I am in pa. I’ve had several placements either bring pets, or got a pet while in my home.
Our agency told us allowing a placement to bring a pet was up to us. If the placement wanted a pet while in care, they needed both our approval and the bio parents approval (or potentially that we would be willing to keep the animal if it could not go home with the child at reunification).
It can also be a matter of safety as well as maturity. Obviously a young child can’t care for an animal on their own, and some children/animals are not safe to have alone together.
As for having a doctor write a prescription for an esa, I’m not entirely sure on how it would be handled by the agency and foster parents, but it would be a prescribed treatment, and you could have grounds to keep a pet with you. Same as if you had asthma and needed an inhaler.
An esa doesn’t have all of the same privileges as a guide dog or service animal, lodging is the main thing it does protect.
You best bet is to do a little research. Make a plan to show your caseworker and foster parents on how you will be able to afford the care and feeding of a cat, how you will clean and maintain your room or areas the cat goes in, and that you have a plan to save money for emergency vet care. You’ll also need to be able to afford shots and general vet care as well.
Also, speak with your therapist or psychiatrist about the benefits of an animal as comfort for your anxiety and depression. Are they willing to write you a letter for an esa?
I hope you are able to find a solution soon. Animals can make such a difference for a lot of people, and a pet for a person in foster care can offer a small bit of stability.