Everything You Need to Know About Emotional Support Animals

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides therapeutic support to individuals with emotional or psychological conditions. Unlike service animals, which are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, emotional support animals are not required to undergo special training. Instead, their presence and companionship alone are believed to have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of their owners.

Emotional support animals are often prescribed by mental health professionals as part of a treatment plan for conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other emotional or psychological disorders. These animals can be various species, including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and more, depending on the individual’s preferences and needs.

It’s important to note that emotional support animals are not granted the same legal rights and access as service animals, which are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States. However, some housing and airline regulations may allow for certain accommodations for individuals with emotional support animals. The rules and regulations regarding emotional support animals can vary by country and region. Always check the local laws and guidelines to understand the rights and responsibilities associated with having an emotional support animal.

Emotional support animals are also referred to as companion animals or comfort animals, which often leads to confusion about what the animal technically is, so we recommend referring to is as your emotional support animal.

The primary role of an emotional support animal is to provide companionship and emotional support to individuals dealing with mental health challenges.

While ESAs don’t have the same legal rights and access as service animals, they can still offer various benefits to their owners. Some of the potential ways in which emotional support animals may help individuals include:

1. Providing Comfort: The mere presence of an emotional support animal can have a calming and soothing effect on their owners, helping to alleviate feelings of anxiety and stress.
2. Offering Unconditional Support: Emotional support animals are known for their non-judgmental and unconditional love, which can be especially beneficial for individuals experiencing feelings of loneliness or isolation.
3. Encouraging Physical Activity: For animals like dogs, their need for exercise can encourage their owners to engage in physical activities such as walking or playing, which can have positive effects on both physical and mental well-being.
4. Routine and Structure: Caring for an emotional support animal can introduce a sense of routine and responsibility into the owner’s life, which can be beneficial for those dealing with conditions like depression.
5. Reducing Feelings of Isolation: Emotional support animals can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and provide companionship, particularly for individuals who may be socially isolated.

It’s essential to understand that emotional support animals are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability, as is the case with service animals. The benefits of an emotional support animal are generally based on the emotional and psychological support they offer through companionship.

The qualification for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is typically determined by mental health professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, or other qualified healthcare providers. These professionals assess an individual’s mental or emotional condition and determine whether the presence of an ESA would be beneficial as part of the person’s treatment plan.

Common mental health conditions for which ESAs may be prescribed include:

1. Depression
2. Anxiety disorders
3. Panic disorders
4. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
5. Bipolar disorder
6. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
7. Phobias
8. Other emotional or psychological conditions

To qualify for an ESA, an individual typically needs to have a diagnosed mental health condition, and their mental health professional must believe that the presence of an emotional support animal could provide therapeutic benefits as part of the treatment plan.

The recommendation for an ESA must come from a licensed mental health professional after a thorough evaluation of the individual’s mental health status.

Learn how to enroll your dog as a Emotional Support Animal at no cost: Enjoy complimentary emotional support animal registration with National Service Animal Registry.  Input your dog’s details and upload a photo of your furry companion. After completing these steps, your dog will be officially registered in the National Service Animal Registry database.

Many individuals will tell you that emotional support animals (ESAs) are not allowed in public places like service dogs, as they don’t have the same rights and privileges.  However, that’s half correct.  They may not have the same rights and privileges as service dogs, but it is management’s discretion to allow access for an emotional support animal.  With management’s approval an emotional support animal may go in many public places:

1. Businesses and Public Spaces: Request management approval for access
2. Public Transportation: Request management approval for access
3. Workplaces: Check with your HR department about receiving accommodation at work
4. Educational Institutions: Colleges and universities must legally provide accommodation for an emotional support animal when you submit the formal documentation – ESA letter.
5. Housing: Housing is covered by the Fair Housing Act, individuals with disabilities are allowed to keep their Emotional Support Animals, even in housing that has a “no pets” policy.
6. Medical Facilities: Request management approval for access
7. Government Buildings: Request management approval for access

No, but it may often help assist an individual receive accommodation from management.  Identifying and officially designating your emotional support animal (ESA) can offer several important benefits for individuals who have been prescribed an ESA by a mental health professional. Here are some of the key reasons why identifying your emotional support animal can be important:

1. Accommodations in Housing: Identifying your emotional support animal allows you to request reasonable accommodations in housing. Under laws such as the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in the United States, landlords are generally required to make accommodations for individuals with ESAs, even in housing with a “no pets” policy.
2. Legal Protections: Having proper identification for your emotional support animal can provide legal protections in situations where you are entitled to accommodations. This documentation may serve as evidence of the legitimacy of your need for an ESA, helping to protect your rights in cases where disputes or challenges arise.
3. Reduced Housing Restrictions: Identifying your emotional support animal can help reduce restrictions related to breed, size, or species that may apply to regular pets in certain housing situations. This can be particularly beneficial if your ESA is not a typical domestic pet, such as a dog or cat.
4. Clarification for Others: Officially identifying your emotional support animal can help avoid misunderstandings or conflicts with landlords, neighbors, and others who may question the presence of an animal in housing or other public spaces. Proper documentation can serve as clear evidence of the legitimacy of your ESA.

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in the United States, housing providers are allowed to ask for reliable documentation when an individual requesting a reasonable accommodation has a disability and disability-related need for an accommodation that are not obvious or otherwise known.

Here are some points to consider:

1. Verification of Disability: Housing providers may ask for information that verifies that the individual has a disability. This information could come from a healthcare professional, doctor, therapist, or other qualified individuals who can confirm the existence of a disability.
2. Need for an Emotional Support Animal: Individuals may be asked to provide information about why they need an Emotional Support Animal to address their disability. This could include details about specific tasks the Emotional Support Animal is trained to perform that are directly related to the person’s disability.
3. No Proof of Certification: Housing providers are not allowed to request proof of certification or training for the Emotional Support Animal. Certification is not a requirement under the FHA, and Emotional Support Animals come in various breeds and sizes.

Basic Information: The information provided by the individual should be limited to what is necessary to establish the need for the accommodation. Housing providers are generally not entitled to detailed or intrusive information about the nature of the disability.

In HUD’s experience, such documentation from the internet is not, by itself, sufficient to reliably establish that an individual has a non-observable disability or disability-related need for an assistance animal. 

By contrast, many legitimate, licensed health care professionals deliver services remotely, including over the internet. One reliable form of documentation is a note from a person’s health care professional that confirms a person’s disability and/or need for an animal when the provider has personal knowledge of the individual.  

National Service Animal Registry offers legitimate psychiatric Emotional Support Animal letters through licensed mental health professionals that deliver remote services, compliant with Housing and Urban Developments (HUDs) requirements.

Starting from January 2021, significant changes have taken place in the regulations governing ESAs on US airlines. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) no longer mandates airlines to provide free accommodation for ESAs or exempt them from standard pet policies. Consequently, each airline is now empowered to establish its own guidelines for ESAs, treating them similarly to regular pets.

It’s essential to note that ESAs do not fall under the protection of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), a law designed to safeguard the rights of service animals. Airlines now have the authority to refuse boarding to ESAs based on factors such as size, breed, or behavior, even if passengers possess appropriate documentation.

1. Check Airline Policies: Prior to booking your flight, acquaint yourself with the specific ESA policies of the airline you plan to travel with. Policies vary widely – some airlines still allow ESAs, some charge additional fees, while others have implemented outright bans.
2. Obtain an ESA Letter: Even if an airline permits ESAs, it’s likely that you’ll need a letter from a licensed mental health professional. This document should clearly state your disability and explain how the presence of the animal helps alleviate symptoms. Ensure the letter is on the professional’s letterhead, dated within the past year, and includes their license number and contact details.
3. Follow Airline Procedures: Airlines may stipulate advance notice, specific documentation, and perhaps health certificates for your ESA. Adhering to their instructions diligently is crucial to avoid any complications at the airport.

• International Travel: Regulations regarding ESAs vary significantly outside the US. Before traveling, research and understand the specific requirements of each country you’ll be visiting, as some may not recognize ESAs at all.
• Consider Alternatives: If airlines pose substantial challenges, explore alternative travel options like trains or buses, which may have more lenient pet policies.
• Be Prepared for Fees: Even if an airline permits your ESA, be aware that they may charge pet fees, which can be substantial.