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Therapy Pets?

I am getting an apartment with two friends next year and we want to get a cat. Pets aren't allowed, but we visited one apartment where a girl had a therapy guinea pig. Apparently it calms her down and there is special paperwork or something. This is okay with landlords because it is comparable to like a seeing eye dog... (at least this is my understanding) I am curious if anyone knows about this and how to go about getting approved to have a "therapy pet"

Public Comments

1. Typically therapy pets are animals that someone owns and takes to nursing homes, schools, hospitals, etc. so that other people can spend time with animals. I've never heard of anyone getting a pass with a therapy pet for their own benefit. I will say that many people who have service or assistance animals are bothered by the people who try to get into places where dogs aren't allowed by claiming the dog is a therapy animal. A therapy animal is no the same as a service animal.
2. dogs
3. Usually, therapy pets are trained, certified, etc. and are used to take to hospitals, nursing homes and so on. Some people with diagnosed mental, emotional or physical disorders or illnesses get pets for therapy. There would be a whole medical process involved. I don't think you can just say it's a therapy pet to skirt around the rules.
4. You have to have a problem to have a therapy pet. Your friend obviously has a health condition. I'd find another apartment complex if they don't even allow rodents, thats crap.
5. People who have therapy pets have a need for them. These people have diagnosed physical, mental conditions, etc. You cannot simply fill out a few forms and expect to be able to keep a therapy pet. The woman in the apartment probably has a diagnosed anxiety disorder. You cannot get a therapy pet simply because you want to keep an animal that is otherwise not allowed. That would be like applying for a seeing eye dog so you would be allowed to take your dog into stores.
6. GET A FERRET! they are so awesome