Discussions

Just wondering if there was some kind of section where one can have a cat in a rental property if they require it for therapy purpose. Like a letter from a therapist? Just wondering as there are a lot of apartments out the that say no pets but I require my cat as he is a therapy cat.

I really do not think Manitoba rental laws would step in for a therapy cat or dog. Probably service animals only and they are trained. Training a cat is about as easy as herding them.  
 
Cat wise I think you have a good chance at a apartment if you ask even if the ad says no pets. They can only say no.  
 
The therapy angle has been abused recently in the USA. Again it does not hurt to ask.

I would not accept that. A therapy cat (or dog) isn't a trained cat (or dog) not the same meaning. I would feel more confident with a 'trained' pet for a better behavior (from the pet). If any damaged done the landlord is stuck with all expenses for irresponsible tenant and can cause issues with new tenant(s) if any allergies.  
Only my opinion

my understanding there is no actual accreditation for a "Therapy" animal. So with this issue in Mb, I can claim that I need my 2 80-100lbs GSD as "therapy" dogs and go to any Therapist and tell them the only thing that relieves my anxiety is my 2 un-certified dogs. So to me my dogs do this, to you it's a cat, to the next guy it's a huge cat eating snake.  
Now don't get me wrong, I know how great my dogs have helped me and they help my youngest son.....but they are not "therapy" dogs and are not trained in "therapy", they are just in-tune with our feelings and can sense when things aren't right (I would challenge the ability of a cat being trained to do this, as they are still way too independent). As an ex-landlord, I would still not allow a "therapy" animal in my rental as they are un-trained and un-certifiable.

BigDaddy 2 said "my understanding there is no actual accreditation for a "Therapy" animal. So with this issue in Mb, I can claim that I need my 2 80-100lbs GSD as "therapy" dogs and go to any Therapist and tell them the only thing that relieves my anxiety is my 2 un-certified dogs. So to me my dogs do this, to you it's a cat, to the next guy it's a huge cat eating snake.   Now don't get me wrong, I know how great my dogs have helped me and they help my youngest son.....but they are not "therapy" dogs and are not trained in "therapy", they are just in-tune with our feelings and can sense when things aren't right (I would challenge the ability of a cat being trained to do this, as they are still way too independent). As an ex-landlord, I would still not allow a "therapy" animal in my rental as they are un-trained and un-certifiable. "

Therapy pets can be almost anything and trained by there owner, miniature horse, pot belly pig, monkey, snake, lizard just to name a few are considered possible therapy pets.So its no wonder theirs no clear regulations or guide lines.

I got a friend who has a service dog, I will ask him and in the mean time google your question and contact the rental board and your local member of parliament. They should be able to steer you in the rt direction.

MANITOBA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION POLICY # I-9  
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS POLICY version 1.1  
 
SECTION: Interpretation  
SUBJECT: SERVICE ANIMALS  
Effective date: September 20, 2011  
REVISED DATE: February 13, 2015  
 
Purpose:  
 
This policy is intended to assist in the interpretation of the term “service animal” referred to in sections 1 and 9(2)(l) of The Human Rights Code (“The Code”). Where there is any conflict between this policy and The Code, The Code prevails.  
 
Context:  
 
A “service animal” is defined in section 1 of The Code as “an animal that has been trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability that relates to that person's disability.” Subsection 9(2)(l) of The Code protects people who have a physical or mental disability, and who rely on a service animal because of their disability, from discrimination. This protection from discrimination i:ncludes requiring service providers, employers and landlords to reasonably accommodate an individual’s need to rely on a service animal.  
 
The Commission recognizes that the definition of a service animal is evolving and will continue to review its policies to ensure they are in step with this evolution. The Commission is informed, in part, by the direction taken by human rights agencies in Canada, and the United States, in applying the protections set out in The Code.  
 
In determining whether or not a particular animal meets the definition of a service animal, the Commission will consider the circumstances of each case.  
 
Factors for consideration will i:nclude:  
 
1. Does the animal provide assistance to a person with a disability, which relates to the person’s disability?  
 
2. Has the animal been individually trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability that relates to the person’s disability?  
 
a. Examples of assistance i:nclude:  
 
• guiding a person who is blind or visually impaired:  
• alerting a person who is deaf or hearing impaired:  
• pulling a wheelchair:  
• alerting or protecting a person who is having a seizure:  
• reminding a person to take their medication:  
• calming or addressing other disability-related needs of a person with mental health issues.  
 
It is acknowledged that dogs remain the most common form of service animal, but other animals may be trained to be service animals.  
 
 
A dog or other animal that is not trained to provide assistance that relates to a person’s disability is not considered a “service animal”.  
 
APPROVED BY:  
 
“Yvonne Peters” February 13, 2015  
Chairperson Date  
http://manitobahumanrights.ca/v1/education-resources/resources/policies-pages/policies-i-9.html  
 
Now I don't know how this will actually apply, but this is what I found on it. So unless you can prove that your cat is actually trained to provide the care you claim it does/can it can not nor will not be deemed a "Service/Therapy" animal. It's like my first example of my 2 dogs, they are just in-tune with our feelings and emotions. I still do not know of any certified "therapy" trainers in Mb for emotional/mental situations.

I think there are service animals which as described above are trained formally. Like for Helping the blind, seizures etc... but I also think there can be emotional support animals - although they might not be trained they can be a great help for people with anxiety and other health issues.

A.G. said "I think there are service animals which as described above are trained formally. Like for Helping the blind, seizures etc... but I also think there can be emotional support animals - although they might not be trained they can be a great help for people with anxiety and other health issues. "

is and yes there can be. But where the problem lies is there (to my understanding) is no legal designation or training to make these "therapy" animals a legal thing (in mb). In no way am I saying they can not be, cause I know my son uses our dogs to relieve his anxiety, but they are not "therapy" dogs, nor are they trained to do this. Until there is proper designation and legit training this is just my word against yours. In my personal opinion I do not believe a cat can be trained to provide this service, more than just being a companion and snuggle partner. I also do not believe many of the animals that are being claimed as "therapy" animals truly are that, I think they are just a way for people to skirt the rules. It is far to easy for me to purchase a vest from an pet store and claim it's a "therapy" animal. And this is where the problem comes into play. It is your word against mine and my beliefs against yours. Looking at it from a (ex)Landlord perspective, if a tenant all of a sudden called me up and said "I have a note from my doctor/therapist and I need my cat/snake/budgie/dog to help me, so I will have one now" I would laugh at you and tell you to show me a legal and legit training certificate and designation from somewhere more reputable then Bigdaddy2's therapy dog academy.  
Now please do not think I am disagreeing with "therapy" animals or an animal hater....I am just merely saying until this is a legit designation and there is legit training endorsed by a government body, I don't think you will see landlords accepting this. Until all the people using this to skirt the rules and just slapping a vest on and telling people their animal is a "therapy" animal, the people that actually need this are going to be fighting an uphill battle. Animals are a great de-stresser, and bring great joy to my family, but I will not ever agree to using the term "therapy" dog to get a rental property, into restaurants, hotels or anything else, unless they are properly trained and certified to do that job.

If you were a landlord who OWNED the building. Then, as the owner of the building, that you bought with your money, that you own, who gets to make the rules for your building that you own, with your own money?

Some landlords will consider an extra $100 per month to allow for animals.

A.G. said "I think there are service animals which as described above are trained formally. Like for Helping the blind, seizures etc... but I also think there can be emotional support animals - although they might not be trained they can be a great help for people with anxiety and other health issues. "

Therapy Pets don''t fall under the service animal rules were in lies the problem, a therapy animals can be just about anything and can be trained by the owner right at the moment, you only need a doctors recommendation and you can get them designated as a therapy pet, but there is no laws to force a landlord to accept them like service pets so before you run out and get fluffy designated better check for your self you might not be any farther ahead with landlords.

TheScotsman said "If you were a landlord who OWNED the building. Then, as the owner of the building, that you bought with your money, that you own, who gets to make the rules for your building that you own, with your own money? "

sure where you are going with this or what your point is that you are trying to get across?  
If this is saying I can make whatever rules up regarding my own property that I rent out, that to my understanding is not the case when it comes to Service Animals. The way I read the one act regarding Service Animals (not to be mistaken with "therapy" animals) I can not put the same rules on them like I can to "therapy" animals or pets.  
So once again, I do not understand your question or see the relevance to it in this thread.

Reading up laws or acts etc regarding service animals and therapy animals. There many web sites for this Canadian, provincial, and American...  
So far from what I understand stand that service animals and therapy animals are the same but with slight differences as to documenting said animal.. on Monday contact the disability groups or centres of Brandon or Winnipeg or such.  
So ya a therapy animal or service animals can't not stop you or be the reason for denial of rental accommodation.  
You have a very good question here.

My previous therapy cat of 17 years passed away and with all that was happening around me I landed in the hospital as I was torn from her death and family members. The one I have now I had fostered (from a young age with his mom and falimy) to make sure he was the right one and meet my emotional and companionship needs. He keeps me active and never leaves my side. Obviously I live where I can keep him right now but situation might be changing soon, and I don't want to leave him behind.

Pretty sure you cant be turned down flat because of animals. If I remember correct, something about companionship  
Here's the actual laws. (one google search later)  
 
https://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/39-4/b218e.php

The bill you're referring to was never passed. Landlords can still refuse pets. They cannot refuse service animals.

Bill 218 did not pass.  
Service animals are not the same as therapy or support animals.

All I know when I left my previous place due to the attitude and the lack of care/responsibility from landlord my place was in better shape than I arrived. When I arrived in my last place the tub was full of dirt, the walls were full of holes and looks like something was ripped off them and carpets were really dirty. Had to really clean before I could really move in as they didn't want to clean it. And the bathtub didn't even drain and it took them 7 months to finally fix, and some are worried about a cat that that is supposed to be there for support. My cat was tidier than the previous tenant. No damage to carpets was there for 5 years!

I have a friend that has a service or working dog, it has had extensive training for him, he can bring his dog into a store/restaurant/etc....the dog was trained for a year and then he had to go out and take training in Ontario with the dog for a couple weeks so he could see how he was trained handled....  
I work in a retail store, people always bring their little yappy, growling, yanking on their leashes dogs and claim they are emotional therapy dogs....they have no training at all and yet they feel they can bring their dogs into the public, the rules don't apply to them.....frustrates me!

They do not legally have to accept it, but a letter from a therapist or mental health worker may help. When I was first looking for an apartment I was accepted into one that wasn't "pet friendly" with my cat because my therapist wrote a letter saying a therapy animal/emotional support animal would greatly benefit my health.  
 
It definitely wouldn't hurt to try! But just know that a letter won't guarantee that you will be able to have an emotional support animal in a non pet friendly apartment. It depends on the landlord.

It is against the law to discriminate a person who requires a service animal of any type. That means you can't not be denied a rental property due to your service animal. Also the landlord can not charge you a pet damage deposit for the animal.  
I suggest you report this person the the Manitoba Residential tendencies board for them to take action against him/her.  
Also make a complaint to the Manitoba humans right and the Manitoba peoples with disabilities and have them get involved.  
Landlords and businesses need to get educated on discriminating against disabled people's and their service animals.

A trained service dog, it is a pet.  
 
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/travel/news/woman-denied-emotional-support-peacock-on-united-flight/ar-BBIti2U?li=AAadgLE&ocid=spartanntp

Lowkey said "It is against the law to discriminate a person who requires a service animal of any type. That means you can't not be denied a rental property due to your service animal. Also the landlord can not charge you a pet damage deposit for the animal.   I suggest you report this person the the Manitoba Residential tendencies board for them to take action against him/her.   Also make a complaint to the Manitoba humans right and the Manitoba peoples with disabilities and have them get involved.   Landlords and businesses need to get educated on discriminating against disabled people's and their service animals. "

what if your 'emotional support' is a big honking python? Or a pot bellied pig?

I have a legitimate question that I have been wondering about. What if a landlord has allergic reactions to dogs? The landlord has to be able to enter the building sometimes for repairs and even once the tennant leaves to inspect it and have it ready for the next tenant.  
 
If I owned a rental property (and I fully support service animal use...it is important), I could not have a tenant with a dog on this basis. I kind of like to breathe. How does a landlord with this issue protect their own health? Can they?

That allergic then I guess you have to hire some one to inspect and clean and do maintenance.

Flutterby said "I have a legitimate question that I have been wondering about. What if a landlord has allergic reactions to dogs? The landlord has to be able to enter the building sometimes for repairs and even once the tennant leaves to inspect it and have it ready for the next tenant.     If I owned a rental property (and I fully support service animal use...it is important), I could not have a tenant with a dog on this basis. I kind of like to breathe. How does a landlord with this issue protect their own health? Can they? "

I don't believe you can turn them away if it's a trained service dog. You can definitely not rent to pet owners but trained working dogs are needed for daily life. I could be wrong however, you would have to give the Manitoba rental board a call to find out a definite answer

I read up on the subject and refusing a service dog is not legal. Sure, take the landlord to court, force them to let you in. That would only take a couple years to work through the system.  
 
Pretty much a red herring as it would not occur often and followed up on even less.  
 
I would imagine that the vast majority of tenants and landlords, work together on this issue.