Anyone hearing the "therapy animal" workaround for "pets?" I am !

[Todd Powell]

I have owned and operated properties since 2007, and have always had a NO smoking and NO pets policy. As of late, I am getting a lot of requests for needing a "service animal" or "therapy animal". I don't know if this varies from state to state, as I live in Oregon, but it feels like people of finding the legal workaround the no pet policy

Obviously, if someone needs this therapy animal, I can fully appreciate it. But, why bring it up right after you get approved, or be sneaky later on? Anyone else have knowledge about this, or does it vary from state to state? Oregon seems to be "animal" friendly. Thank you!

[Steve Vaughan]

In my for rent ad I ask "How many animals?"  in addition to some other specific questions like How much do you smoke?  They need to answer the questions to get a response from me.

I am animal-friendly where possible, but don't do surprises.  If they weren't truthful when they answered my questions in the ad or during pre-screening, then I can reject based on that and it's no longer a pet or animal issue.  

Folks need to have an animal policy these days, not a pet one. Therapy, ESAs and comfort animals are not pets.