Hedgehog Emotional Support Animal

A hedgehog emotional support animal is a real thing that is certified by doctors. Because they aren't a traditional service animal, there may be conflict that arises when trying to travel or live with your supportive hedgehog. But, the necessity for emotional support animals is protected by rules and regulations. Also, hedgies (and other animals) are allowed in certain situations which we will discuss below.

Service animals are trained to help and behave calmly. Whereas, emotional support animals don't require such a high level of training or strong behavioral demands. Below are some more similarities and differences between them.

Similarities: They both provide security for their human companions. Often, health care providers suggest that physically and/or mentally disabled persons get a service or support animal. This is because support animals and service animals help their human live a healthier and more fulfilled life. They do this by being present and providing some kind of response to emotion. These two types of animals are protected by their own laws and both require documentation. And, both make their human counterparts emotionally strong.

Differences: Service animals are trained and need to graduate programs that last many years. Whereas, support animals do not have this requirement. Most service animals perform tasks for their owner that cannot be done by that person. For example, they may signal oncoming and existing dangers by communicating with others to receive help. This can include barking, hitting 911 alert buttons, and retrieving medications. Emotional support animals detect symptoms of depression, anxiety, or excitement, which helps their human's mental state. Hedgehog emotional support animals have not been trained for anything other than litter training or bonding.

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Naturally caring and intuitive hedgies are a blessing to us. Documents show that some hedgehogs DO respond to their owners voice. They can respond to their caretakers emotions by offering their cute characteristics and responses as support.

Often able to sense ill feelings and appear sympathetic, they also sometimes mimic their owners emotions. Which is why people who admit to be generally grumpy themselves also report their hedgies to be grumpy – just like them.

Hedgie Fun Fact: Rescued hedgehogs can become trustful again with new owners and return the favor by offering comfort and companionship back!

Forming a good relationship with the hedgehog starts at the very beginning. Hedgehogs often comfort their owners with cuddles, licks, and offer their paws or cuddly bellies for rubs. Their defenses completely drop if they are able to form a close connection with their hedgie parents. Sharp and fortified quills become soft and relaxed making themselves available for emotional therapy and mental support.

Techniques, like the ones we mention in our bonding article, are being used to gain the hedgehog's trust. Once you have a hedgies trust, you have their love. In turn, that love forms a strong bond. A bond that enables the hedgehog to respond to your emotions. And the hedgehog seems to know how to respond to those emotional signals quite well.

It may take a year or so to get to that point of trust. But when it happens, both the hedgehog and human benefit from the happiness such a relationship can bring. Having a hedgehog emotional support animal increases serotonin (the happy chemical) levels in the human brain, encouraging a healthy self image.

If you're serious about getting your hedgehog to that level of comfort, check out these waterproof bonding bags.

Calopreteens, like a few other therapy programs, are offering hedgehogs to their students as a therapy pet option. Through education, bonding, and experiences, these adolescents gain the confidence and skills they need to face awkward social interactions and fearful situations. It allows them to development into a strong and responsible individuals.

A troubled adolescent, who feels on guard all the time, can relate to the hyper-protective hedgehog. Because of this common ground, it makes a great beginning for emotional therapy. Hedgehogs really have that, “you're just like me” vibe.

Only a doctor's recommendation validates an animal as an emotional support officially. The following professionals may be able to provide you with one:

• Doctor
• Therapist
• Psychologist
• Psychiatrist

There are rules for everything, and if those rules get challenged, it begins a journey to resolution. The voice of the people has been the catalyst for change and protection over the course of history. Knowing what laws are applicable, and what you can do, is the first important step in protecting your rights.

The following is not legal advice. So, always reach out to your local community legal aid office for further guidance.

The landlord has a duty to protect the health and safety of all residents. Because of this, they must accommodate you and your hedgehog (as an emotional support animal) to the best of their ability. If the hedgie becomes a danger or nuisance to other residents, the landlord may ask you to remove your hedgehog.

Landlords often complain about individuals who misrepresent their animals as emotionally supportive to get around paying extra fees. There are penalties for those who are not honest about their disabilities requiring supportive animal assistance.

You can read the Fair Housing Act here.

Inside this piece of Canadian legislation, rules and guidelines are stated about tenant rights. The most relevant ones to this topic are:

• Protection against discrimination
• Right not to be harassed
• Any clause refusing the allowance of pets is void

If the dispute over your hedgehog emotional support animal cannot be resolved, request help from the Landlord and Tenant Board. A free mediation session with a lawyer or paralegal and adjudicator may also be an option.

In section 15 of The Charter, it protects Canadian citizens from the discrimination against mental or physical disability.

This paired with the Human Rights Code and Tenant regulations, leaves no grey areas when it comes to a landlord allowing a hedgehog to stay as an emotional support animal.

Under the ACAA, emotional support animals can be proven with official medical confirmation. Mental or emotional disabilities must be recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to be considered.

However, airlines are not discriminating when they refuse to accept our hedgehogs inside the cabin. Because hedgies may cause safety risks and disruptions to other passengers, they must guard ALL passengers.

The Air Transportation Regulations mention that an aircraft with 30 or more passengers must allow a passenger their service animal. Alongside those regulations, ferries and trains are also required to accommodate their passengers. If you are planning on using a ferry, ask if they allow animals! In Canada, most allow dogs on leashes. If they allow dogs on leashes, then grab a hedgehog carry bag, and keep your hedgehog close to you as you board.

Nevertheless, their foremost responsibly is to keep passengers safe from harm during their journey, so always check first if it is okay. On a ferry or a train, if the hedgie is contained in a waterproof carry bag and not able to escape, we don't see why you would not be able to bring your quilly friend with you. As for airplanes though, we don't recommend just boarding with one. At this time, hedgehogs are not allowed inside the cabin of an airplane. Read the next section to find out why.

More about traveling inside Canada with animals that provide disability related assistance can be read here.

Airliners are only accepting small dogs or cats inside the cabin of the airplane, at this time. Despite the duty to accommodate passengers, airlines are not required to accept unusual and potentially dangerous pets. It may seem preposterous that a hedgehog ESA might be considered dangerous. However, danger is often a perception.

While some hedgehogs may have flown inside airplane cabins in the past, this is no longer accepted in 2019.

Interviews of past flight passengers have cited several reasons:

• Some passengers fear that the hedgehog may be able to escape their travel carriers, creating mayhem.
• Others fear being bitten
• A few have cited salmonella or possible parasites
• Lastly, the odor of feces and/or urination is offensive

If you must travel with your lap cactus, find an airliner that will allow them in the cargo bay. If the airline allows your pet inside the cargo area, keep in mind that the cargo bay is usually kept around 15°C/59°F. Hedgehogs need around 26°C/78°F to thrive, as mentioned in our heating article. Supplemental heating is a must!

Hedgehogs have hibernated before on short plane rides.

Hedgehogs have incredible hearing that may be affected negatively. With the air pressure changes, loud engine, and shaking from turbulence, it may be better to pick a different travel method.

Rules and regulations could change in the near future. We just have to be loud enough to be heard.

HeavenlyHedgies.com

Planning a trip with your hedgehog? Check out this guide and packing check-list here!!

Instagram accounts showcasing Hedgehog ESA's: Mazie the Ouch Mouse, Napolean the Hedgie, and Hazel the Hedgehog.

Not sure if your hedgehog will travel well? See what Quilly has to say about this important question!

Hedgehogs have common illnesses and symptoms. Read about the common reasons for vet visits here to be prepared for the future

Have a questions you don't see answered on our website? Our animated hedgehog, Quilly, can help! Check him out here, he's probably wearing something adorable