Background: I have anxiety and PTSD. One of my pets has naturally picked up on my triggers and is able to alert me before I have a panic attack that I need to give myself space. If I have a panic attack this dog also knows to apply his full body weight to me to help me through the panic attack. This dog has never been professionally trained though, so he doesn't meet the criteria for my state or my work place to be a service animal. This dog is simply an emotional support animal since he hasn't had official training, and a lot of people think ESA's are a joke because of how many people use that label to get their pets into places.
I had a panic attack at work in late January. In early February I requested to bring my ESA with me to work. I work parttime, so my day is short enough I wouldn't need extra breaks to take him out to potty. There is plenty of space under my desk for him, so he wouldn't be in my coworkers' way. We are even a dog friendly business and carry treats that we hand out to customers who bring their dogs with them. My manager didn't see any problem with my request, but referred me to HR to get approval. HR requested information from my doctor. My doctor gave them a note which is sufficient in my state to allow tenants to have their ESAs in rental properties that don't allow pets, but HR didn't accept this. This week I had another meeting with HR. They have decided I am not allowed my ESA in the office, but they will allow me to move to a slower office at my same schedule. I have been given until Friday to make my decision.
I don't want to switch to a different location. I like my boss. I like my coworkers. I don't want to go through the anxiety of meeting a whole new team of people I'd work with daily. Plus, it would be harder to meet my sales goals at a slower office. I don't have time to meet with a lawyer before I have to give HR my decision to stay at my current location or move. HR's ultimatum just gives them a way out to say “Look we gave her accommodations and she declined.” I feel like they've painted me into a corner now and anything I say or do will be used against me.