Dear Dog Lady,

Have you written on the matter of "comfort dogs" in no-pet buildings (condos and rental apartments)? I have letters from my doctors supporting my need for such a dog because of my medical condition (atrial fibrillation). However, I expect push back from some Board members even though we have had three comfort dogs in the condo thus far. There is much literature on the subject and growing. I would like as much documentation on the subject presented up front when I make my case. I very much enjoy your column and value your comments.

Robert

Dear Robert,

You refer to "comfort dogs," technically known as "emotional support animals." These are not "service dogs"—specifically trained animals that assist people with disabilities. Service dogs enjoy rights under the law; emotional therapy dogs do not. Still, there are accommodations made for emotional therapy pets in pet-less housing with the proper certification .You are doing the right thing getting a detailed letters from your doctor; you should also check out the American Journal of Cardiology, which ran a study showing how pets are linked to the heart's ability to handle stress.

Proactively work with the Board to determine what type of dog (large or small; breed or mixed) is preferable. Let them know you take this very seriously. Continue to do research. There's plenty to read about "emotional therapy dogs" on the Internet. Finally, you must assure the Board members you will care responsibly for the animal and you are not doing this to bend the rules.


Dear Dog Lady,

My friend has hired many dog walkers over the years. None seem to last. His last dog walker claimed to be walking the dog, but he wasn't. My friend would set traps to see if the walker was showing up. He would put a piece of tape at the bottom of the door to see if it was opened or place the leash in a specific position on the table to see if it was moved. Even though the guy wasn't showing up, he would bill my friend for the walks. After my friend fired him, the walker wouldn't give the keys back.

Greg


Dear Greg,
You must take a walk on the wild side when you hire a dog walker. The service is famously unregulated, unmonitored, unsupervised. Because dog walkers' canine clients can't talk, unscrupulous people can take advantage of the situation, as you sadly discovered.

However, technology is catching up. Certain services, such as Charlestown's Monumentails, use apps to track the walk and the walker. The dog walker scans a barcode displayed in the entryway of the home to prove he or she has been there; what time the walk began and ended. The walker leaves a note sent directly to the owner's email as well as a GPS map of the route. The system is very modern and above board.

Check the Internet as well as your veterinarian's office and local pet store for referrals to dog sitters and walkers. (If any money is taken by a dog walker, bring a small claim. If abuse occurs, call the police and the Animal Control office.

The best to do about a negligent dog walker is to spread the word through your neighborhood's dog pack. Dog people talk to each other. They're always swapping information about the care and feeding of their animals. Woe the walker who bumps up against the dog crew.

Write askdoglady@gmail.com.