Woman Wants To Help Her Roommate With Their Issues, But She Can’t Accept ESA Dog Because She Knows She Would Clean After It

"How can I trust it won’t fall to me?"

Damjan

• Published in Animal Stories
• October 10, 2022

ESA is an acronym for an Emotional Support Animal. Doctors are well aware of the benefits that animals provide in terms of improving the quality of life of their owners, and they started recommending them to people with different medical issues.

The most common categories are people with psychological issues like anxiety, depression, and similar. And these animals do wonders.

But there is a catch. In order for them to work their magic, ESAs need to be taken care of.

It’s a two-way street. The animal gives their owners companionship and support, and they take care of them.

Well, it’s actually a one-way street when it comes to ESA because through these errands and small task pet owners have to take care of, they become more active, gain self-confidence, and maybe develop their social skills. The most important thing is – they start feeling useful because they have a living being depending on them.

So, you see, getting a dog is just a part of the equation. It won’t work if you don’t spend time with it, clean after it, etc.

Unfortunately, most people who get ESA don’t really understand how it works. One Redditor has a problem. They have a roommate (who is also a friend) who wants to get an emotional support dog.

However, this roommate doesn’t do any of the chores, so OP doubts they will clean after the dog, leaving it all on her shoulders.

OP says: "Jordan (21NB) has severe depression, anxiety, and CPTSD from prolonged childhood abuse. They are in therapy and take medication. I knew this when I chose to live with them.

I can’t recall a time we’ve lived together where the division of labor felt equal. Jordan grew up in a very untidy household, so their standard of cleanliness is much lower than mine or Allen’s."

OP and the third roommate do all the cleaning. They’ve had plenty of talks with Jordan, making the situation improve for a while. But it never lasted.

OP wants to help her friend, but she is afraid this will mean more chores for her. Now she asks the Internet to help her figure things out:

OP asks:

She has two roommates. One of them is her BF and the other is a good friend. They are a tight group, but with some problems

OP and her BF do all the chores. Jordan doesn't help at all

OP and her BF made peace with the situation

But now Jordan wants an emotional support dog

OP doesn't know what to do

Redditors agree:

Emotional support covers a wide range

Are doctors aware of the fact that Jordan doesn't help at all around the house?

Redditors shared some sound advice:

All sounds good:

Some things don't change

Not god for anyone...

OP posted an update:

Getting a dog is not a good idea

OP is in a really difficult situation. On one hand, she wants to help her friend. But, on the other, she doesn’t want to have even more chores.

There is no saying how the situation might evolve. Jordan might surprise them all and rise to the task. But what if they don't?

Damjan