More and more individuals are turning to emotional support animals (ESAs) to assist with their mental health. As the popularity of ESAs has grown, so too has the need for clarity around exactly what qualifies a dog as an emotional support animal. Under the federal laws of the United States, emotional support animals do not require specialized training and are not considered service animals, yet they do provide invaluable emotional and psychological support for those who suffer from mental health conditions and/or disabilities. In this blog post, we will examine the legal requirements (at both the federal and state level) for a dog to be designated as an emotional support animal, as well as what rights and protections ESAs are granted. A better understanding of these regulations will help those in need access the support they require in order to thrive.
Emotional Support Dog vs. Service Dogs
ESAs offer support through company and can help with phobias, depression, and anxiety. ESA users do not, however, receive the same accommodations as service dog users because they are not service dogs.
Anywhere the general public is permitted, a service dog, such as a guide dog or psychiatric service dog, is typically permitted; ESAs are not. For instance, ESAs typically cannot enter restaurants or shopping centers with their owners.
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” The act clearly states that animals that simply provide emotional comfort do not qualify as service animals. Some state and local laws have a broader definition, so be sure to check with local government agencies to learn if ESAs qualify for public access in your area.
The main distinction between a service dog and an emotional support animal is whether the dog has received special training to carry out a particular duty or job that is directly related to the owner’s disability. Service dogs can be trained to alert a hearing-impaired person to an alarm, lead a blind person around a barrier, or apply pressure to a PTSD patient having a panic attack, for instance.
Although comforting, actions like cuddling on command do not qualify To lessen a specific disability, the tasks must be specifically trained and not something the dog would naturally do.
Emotional Support Dogs Are Not Psychiatric Service Dogs
There are service animals, referred to as psychiatric service animals, that need extensive training to work only with people whose mental illness has caused a disability. These dogs can identify the start of mental health episodes and lessen their effects. Although this sounds similar to an ESA’s job description, a psychiatric service dog’s duties and the training it received to carry them out are what set them apart from an ESA.
The ADA has designated psychiatric service dogs as service animals because they have received special training to perform tasks that aid their handler in managing a mental illness. For instance, the dog could perform room searches for a person with post-traumatic stress disorder, keep a disoriented person in a dissociative episode from wandering into a dangerous situation like traffic, or remind a person to take prescribed medications. If having the dog around simply makes the person feel better, then it is not a psychiatric service dog.
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Take the free, 5-minute pre-screening test right away to find out if you are eligible for an emotional support animal and get immediate results. If you are eligible, you will have the choice to proceed with an ESA Letter Consultation with a certified mental health specialist!
FAQ
Does anxiety qualify for an emotional support animal?
Anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, chronic stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder are some typical mental illnesses that make someone eligible for an emotional support animal (ESA).
How do you classify a pet as an emotional support animal?
Even though all dogs provide their owners with an emotional connection, a dog must be prescribed by a qualified mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness in order for it to be recognized legally as an emotional support dog, also known as an emotional support animal (ESA).
Can any dog breed be an emotional support animal?
There are no breed or weight restrictions on emotional support animals, so you can have any breed you want. Even breeds that are frequently subject to discrimination, such as Pit Bulls and Doberman Pinschers, are protected by this law.
Can my therapist write an ESA letter?
If you think you would benefit from having an ESA letter, your therapist who is a licensed professional such as a licensed clinical social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse, or licensed counselor can write one for you.