Judge OKs Woman's Dog As Depression Aid

[HuckleB]

Judge OKs Woman's Dog As Depression Aid

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040810/ap_on_re_us/depression_dog_2

"A judge has upheld an order blocking an apartment complex from evicting a woman who says she needs to keep her late mother's dog because it helps her fight depression over the mother's death.

Christine Emmick has a disability and is entitled to keep her Shih Tzu, Max, despite the no-pets rule at Royalwood Cooperative Apartments, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission ruled.

The apartment complex "refused to reasonably accommodate her mental disability by allowing her to keep a dog," and violated the state's Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, the commission ruled earlier this year.

The ruling was upheld last week by Oakland County Circuit Judge Fred Mester."

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Hooray! A victory for holistic treatment!

:)

[CheshireCat]

1. Great decision!

I really hope a higher court doesn't overrule it. Depression is truly a disability.

I found myself to be more disabled by depression than by the physical ailments I have today.

[prodigal_green]

2. Pets do SO much for our health

blood pressure, general activity levels go up with companion animals, heart rate goes down cortison levels drop, etc. etc.

I guess if pharmeceuticals could come up with prescription companion animals, then there would be broad acceptance of them as therapy.

[jobycom]

4. I don't know

My four cats and three dogs cost a fortune in food and litter, and that raises my bloodpressure and gives me that horrible sinking depression of being trapped in a neverending cycle of spending beyond my means just when I think I've got a handle on it all and this definitely leads to more stress and depression.

But when I get that frustrated, Rac Attack climbs on my lap and starts purring, and I feel better. So maybe.

[WinterStorm]

3. I hate condo rules

Good for her!

[meti57b]

5. There was a case here in CA where the condo assoc changed the rules....

and wanted a homeowner to give up her dog. Her attorneys argued that having an animal companion prolonged life, which indeed studies has shown that it does. But a lower court was overruled by a higher court, who ruled that a condo association is entitled to change their rules to reflect the changing needs of the homeowners and that they can prohibit animals.

This is a bad deal because condominiums are in general less expensive than single family homes and are all some folks can afford. So, selling and moving to another condominium isn't the solution because for all they know, that new condo association will change their rules after they move in and prohibit animals.

[jobycom]

6. And, a victory against evil, hearless landlords!

Jesus Christ, they are trying to make a woman get rid of her deceased mother's dog? Judge should sentence them to community work at a retirement community, or something. How inhuman can someone be?

[WinterStorm]

7. I use to live in a Townhouse and it went Condo

They decided that they didn't want kids and I was living with my parents and I had just turned 19. The condo association didn't stop until they got rid of all of the families with children in the complex. The board members hated anyone outside of their race also and we ended up moving.