Posted on: January 15, 2019 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Pets improve the mental health of people, whether it’s a dog, cat or even less common animals like snakes and lizard.  Some pets are trained to perform tasks for the disabled, like service dogs, and others are used alongside traditional therapy and rehabilitation to put people at ease and help them feel less isolated.  Emotional support animals help those with a diagnosed and qualifying mental disorder by improving their well-being.  Wondering if you could be eligible for an ESA take this free 5-minute pre-screening and learn more about emotional support animals. 

Do I need an ESA or a Service Dogs?

Emotional support animals and service dogs are often confused.  Emotional support animals provide comfort and improve the health of those who have mental conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or OCD.  Emotional support animals do not need any formal training other than obedience.  Service dogs are specially trained to perform a function for someone suffering from a physical or specific psychiatric disability.  The ADA only recognizes dogs and miniature horses as service animals.  Common service animals are Seeing-Eye Dogs or Diabetic Alert Dogs.  Service dogs are allowed to accompany their owners anywhere, even in places that do not allow animals, unlike ESAs.

What Mental Disorders are ESAs used for? 

There are a wide variety of different mental conditions that could be improved by the use of an emotional support animal.  If you have been diagnosed with one of these disorders and have a pet that helps you cope, then you may qualify for an emotional support animal. Emotional support animals are prescribed as a case-by-case basis by a licensed mental health professional.  If you are already in-treatment or under the care of a psychologist/psychiatrist, talk with them about making your pet an emotional support animal, learn more here. 

Examples of qualifying conditions: 

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Autism
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Panic Attacks
  • PTSD
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Social Phobia

What Do You Need to Make a Pet an ESA?

In order for a pet to be considered an emotional support animal, it requires a diagnosis of a qualifying mental condition and a letter from a licensed mental health professional.  You can get your letter in less than 48 hours, read more here.  There are no legitimate emotional support animal registries, though you will find many sites online advertising as such.  All you need is your letter, and your ESA can travel with you on the aircraft of the airplane and can live in housing that prohibits pets.

Can You Buy an ESA?

Before you can get an emotional support animal letter from a licensed mental health professional, you need to have a pet that provides support and increases your well being.  Rescue animals make the best ESAs, learn more about rescuing your future emotional support animal. 

Can Any Animal be an ESA?

Yes, according to the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), any animal can be an emotional support letter, but that does not mean that therapists will recognize the psychological benefits of less traditional animals.  Landlords and airlines are required to give reasonable accommodation to those with a disability but are not always required to accept less traditional animals as ESAs if they could cause potential harm or disruption.  Many airlines have decided to only allow dogs and cats in their aircraft cabins whether or not they are emotional support animals.  If you want to live in an apartment, your landlord can say “no” to your emotional support goat.

Where Can I Take my Emotional Support Animal?

 The Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act protect emotional support animals. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) prevents landlords from discriminating against those with an emotional support animal.  If you have a legitimate ESA, you can not be denied housing on the basis of having an animal, and you are exempt from pet fees and pet deposits.  You can still be held accountable for any damages to the property caused by the ESA.  

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) allows emotional support animals to sit on their owner’s lap or in the space in front of them during flights.  There is no permitted pet-fee by the airline.  Many airlines only allow dogs and cats on the aircraft, and they can be denied boarding if they are misbehaving or causing a significant disturbance.  Emotional support animals are expected to have basic obedience training and to be friendly and quiet at all times while in the airport and aboard the aircraft.

I Think My Pet Qualifies as an ESA, Now What?

If you have a diagnosable mental condition and your pet improves your well-being and mental health, then the first step is to take the Certapet Pre-Screening it’s free and only takes five minutes.  If you have a qualifying condition, Cetapet will connect you with a licensed mental health professional in your state.  They will evaluate your case, and if they believe you need an ESA, they will issue you a letter.  

Emotional support animals help those with common mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.  ESAs help them cope with their condition and improve their mental health and well-being.  ESAs are not service dogs and do not have the same rights.  ESAs are only protected by the FHA and the ACAA, which allows them to live in no-pet housing and to fly with their owners in the air cabin.  ESAs cannot go to restaurants, grocery stores, or in other places that do not allow pets, only service animals.  If you would like more information about ESAs check out how to find a legitimate emotional support animal registration.

Common Questions About Getting an ESA

1. Do I talk to a therapist to get an ESA?

2. What conditions and disabilities qualify for ESAs. 

3. What’s the first step in getting an ESA? 

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