An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal, or pet transformed into more than just a pet.
Who Needs an ESA?
To qualify for an emotional support animal, one must be diagnosed with a legitimate psychological disability by a licesned mental health professional – not by your friends or family. This disorder significantly impacts one or more major life activities. Examples are anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress-disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, phobias, depression, and social anxiety.
What Does it Mean to Have an ESA?
In the United States, disabled people with ESAs are exempt from some rules that pertain to the ownership of animals in most housing and travel circumstances. There are two laws that relate to these situations; the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA).
1. The Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects people from discrimination because of their disability. According to this act, an emotional support animal can be viewed as a “reasonable accommodation” in a house or flat that has a no pets’ policy. By law, ESA owners can keep their support animal with them, even in a building designated as a no-pet zone.
2. The Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) ensures that individuals with disabilities in need of an ESA are not discriminated against when traveling by plane. People with a legitimate emotional support animal can travel in-cabin with them by plane without incurring an extra fee. An airline cannot refuse transportation to an individual or their ESA if they have the correct documentation.
What is the Difference between an ESA, a Therapy Dog, and a Service Dog?
An emotional support animal is neither a therapy dog, nor a service animal. An example of a service animal is a guide dog – trained to lead its visually impaired human safely through public spaces and traffic.
A therapy dog does need training. But this training is brief and not as intensive as that of a service animal. A therapy dog accompanies its handler on visits to places such as hospitals, care homes or schools. The therapy dog will comfort the sick and/or elderly. Or be a patient companion for a child with learning difficulties while they learn to read out loud.
Beyond basic obedience training, an ESA requires no official training.
ESAs, service animals, and therapy animals enjoy different transport and accommodation privileges. Because of the extent of their responsibility, service dogs are allowed in most public places as they accompany and assist their humans. Therapy animals are only allowed to enter public spaces where they will be doing their therapy work.
What is an ESA Letter and Why Do You Need One?
An emotional support animal letter is essentially a prescription dictating that you need your pet as part of your treatment plan. It is a letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), who you are currently a patient of. The letter states that a support animal will be beneficial to the improvement of your mental or emotional condition. The letter is written on the LMHPs letterhead and contains the following information:
* The date when the letter was written.
* The type and date of the license that your LMHP carries.
* The license numbers and state of issue.
The ESA letter must confirm that:
* You are under the care of this LMHP
* You are being treated for the specified disability.
* You are significantly limited in performing or participating in at least one of life’s major activities because of your condition.
* An ESA is being prescribed as an integral part of the treatment for this condition.
Do You Need to Certify Your ESA? No!
You most certainly do not need to certify or register your emotional support animal! All that you need is the letter from your LMHP. Be wary of sites that offer ESA certification or ESA registration. They are more than likely fraudulent.
Which Animals Make Good ESAs?
Almost any animal can be an emotional support animal. However, most therapists will only recognize dogs, cats and the occasional rabbit as an appropriate ESA. Due to health and safety considerations, there are limitations about the kinds of animals that can be allowed on board airplanes and in various housing facilities.
For centuries, man and dog have been mutually co-dependent. Because they have a 6th sense, a unique way of tapping into our souls, dogs make for awesome ESAs!
Owning a cat can be as rewarding and rejuvenating as owning a dog. For “cat people”, there is nothing more satisfying than having your feline friend cuddle into your lap with a loud purr!
5 Benefits of Having an ESA? There are so many benefits to having an ESA as part of your therapeutic treatment.
1. First and foremost, your ESA is a companion!
2. An ESA can lessen anxiety.
3. Your ESA can help to decrease stress levels.
4. A support pet can distract you from troublesome and worrying thoughts.
5. Your ESA can help to increase sociability and improve interactions with others.
How Do You Get an ESA?
Do you already have a beloved pet that fulfills many of the roles that an ESA does? All that there is to do, is to see whether you qualify for an emotional support animal and get an ESA letter. A quick and easy way to check is to take the Certapet 5-min pre-screening!
Can you relate to what you have read here? Do you want to investigate getting a dog or a cat as an ESA? Once you have an ESA letter in hand, you can start your search for a furry friend of your very own!
Where Can You Find an ESA?
For information about pets looking for new homes, or litters of puppies or kittens for sale. Keep your eye on the notice boards at your local vet and pet stores. To find out about animals looking to be re-homed, you can ask at your local animal shelter or rescue group.
The American Kennel Club website is a good place to start your search for a breeder of a specific dog breed. If a feline friend is what you are after, check out The Cat Fanciers Association.
Adopting Your Perfect ESA! There are so many dogs and cats waiting in shelters to find a new loving home. Do you fancy a purebred pup? There are many breed-specific rescue groups that will be able to help you find the perfect canine companion. By adopting a dog or cat, you are giving them a second chance at the life that they deserve. This can be both healing and rewarding for you and your new bestie!
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