Emotional support skunk? Meet Mr. Sushi

TIFFIN, Iowa (KCRG) - When you think of Emotional Support Animals, you often think of dogs or cats. But one animal many people try to stay clear of is working to draw people together as a unique ESA.

It’s not every day you see a skunk making visits to cheer people up.

But that’s exactly what Mr. Sushi does.

Mr. Sushi is a fully domesticated, de-scented skunk and is a registered Emotional Support Animal.

”I’ve always wanted to give back, in a sense... in any way, I can really. And I was like, he brings so much joy to me and my husband and everyone around us. Truly, I was like this would be a great opportunity,” said Chris Alberts, Mr. Sushi’s owner.

Iowa is one of 17 states where you can legally own a domesticated skunk.

And while he’s only about 10 months old, his owner Alberts said they’re also working to get him certified as a Therapy Animal.

”I’m hoping that I can find someone that will work with me and help me to yeah, just get that as an end goal because, yeah, it would be really cool and I don’t know any therapy skunks! So it’d be cool to have him as that,” said Alberts.

As he works toward that certification, he’s been making visits around Eastern Iowa.

Earlier this month, Mr. Sushi stopped by the Coralville Police Department for a visit.

”You could just tell like, just from the morale and the boost, the interest, like everything that Mr. Sushi brought was, like, exactly what they’re going for,” said Anthony Detwiler, Community Relations Officer for the Coralville Police Department.

A nonprofit called Hanging with Heroes is also in the works for Alberts.

She said the goal is to not only continue sharing Mr. Sushi but also to educate people about skunks.

”They’re very misunderstood. They’re very sweet. They’re so... their personalities are extremely social. They’re very sensitive,” said Alberts. ”I just want to bring him to people, to just share him and like I keep saying like just that happiness that he brings.”

Earlier this month Iowa House lawmakers passed a bill changing how the crime of misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is charged.

Now someone who misrepresents an animal as a service animal will be charged with a simple misdemeanor instead of getting a warning.

Alberts emphasizes right now Mr. Sushi is just an ESA but she said it’s important to know the difference.

“ESA’s, therapy and service are all different. But oftentimes, I’m not sure, I’m sure you’ve seen the same thing... you’ll be walking through the store and there will be this little yapper dog. Like, pulling the leash and it has the service vest on and it’s like it’s misrepresenting for those who actually have gone through all that training and have done all the things that they’re supposed to do,” said Alberts.

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