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VPR's coverage of arts and culture in the region.

Emotional Support Animals Raise Questions Of Policy And Public Space

Emotional support animals are increasingly found in public places like stores, businesses and school campuses.
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Emotional support animals are increasingly found in public places like stores, businesses and school campuses.

Emotional support animals are an increasingly common sight in public, in stores, on campuses and at airports. But accommodating these animals in crowded public spaces isn't easy, and the rules on what's allowed, and where, aren't always clear. We're talking about emotional support animals and how we're making space for them in public areas.

Dawn Ellinwood, vice president of student life at St. Michael's College, talks about the "dramatic" increase the school has seen in ESAs on campus and how they've reshaped policies and housing to meet those needs. 

Also joining the show is Karen Richards, executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, discussing the differences between emotional support animals and service animals procted under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Broadcast live on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 at noon, rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
Matt Smith worked for Vermont Public from 2017 to 2023 as managing editor and senior producer of Vermont Edition.
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