BLAKE BELLINGAR,, 6, on left, and Garrett Bellingar, 10, are allowed to have Tucker, a 1-year-old wire-haired dachshund, in their Meadow View apartments home in Battle Ground through the companion pets program. Their mother, Joy Bellingar, said Tucker helps with Garrett’s anxiety. Photo by Steve Kadel
Not many years ago, having a pet – especially a large dog – made it difficult to find rental housing. Owners and landlords more often than not had a strict “no pets” policy.
But things have changed.
Now, having an animal certified as a “companion pet” can open doors that once were closed. It requires getting written confirmation from a medical provider that the animal helps its owner overcome an emotional disability.
The certifications allow tenants to have their animal, regardless of size or breed.
“It is used more now than it was years ago,” said a spokeswoman for Whipple Creek Village apartments in Ridgefield.
Whipple Creek has breed restrictions for dogs, but the companion pet status usually overrides that, the spokesman said.
A representative of The Management Group, which operates Seasons on the Park apartments in Battle Ground Village, said they have the same policy.
“I, as a property manager, can’t turn them down,” he said. “It is a fair housing law. If they (renter) have a special need, I must make every conceivable effort to make the home livable for them.”
Some Seasons on the Park tenants currently have animals through the companion pet program, The Management Group spokesman said.
The benefits of owning a pet, especially for those with emotional problems, has become well accepted, according to Kate Brewer of the Animal Legal and Historical Center.
“Medical professionals have long recognized that animals can assist persons with physical disabilities, including blind or deaf persons,” she wrote in a recent article on the center’s website. “Recently, medical professionals have discovered the profound effects that animals can provide for persons with mental and emotional disabilities.
“When provided with an emotional support animal, depressed patients show decreased depression and children with severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder show an increased attention span.”
She noted that under the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, people with disabilities have an equal right to housing as those without disabilities. Under the statutes, disabled persons are also entitled to reasonable accommodations so they can equally use and enjoy the dwelling.
“Courts have held that a waiver of a ‘no pets’ provision is a reasonable accommodation for a mentally disabled person who needs and emotional support animal to lessen the effects of the disability,’’ Brewer wrote.
