IMO the correct path from the get-go was only allowing licensed therapy dogs. It's still not perfect, but unlike "emotional support animals" there are actually

IMO the correct path from the get-go was only allowing licensed therapy dogs. It's still not perfect, but unlike "emotional support animals" there are actually pretty strict testing guidelines. I went through it with one of my old dogs to volunteer at a children's shelter and the testing authorities that I worked with took it VERY seriously. Likely because I'm sure they'd face pretty serious backlash if a dog they passed were to attack someone at a nursing home/hospital. The support animal thing of "I just need this animal near me" without any regards to the temperament of the animal itself never made sense to me.