The world can be a stressful place and the worries of everyday life can be overwhelming. To help cope with these feelings, many people turn to pets as a source of comfort. But an Emotional Support Dog is much more than just an ordinary pet. Individuals that suffer from a disability in the form of a mental illness have found that the presence of a loving, devoted dog can help them navigate their way through the struggles that arise from their condition. In this article, we will dive into what it means to have an Emotional Support Dog, how you can go about qualifying for one, and how to “certify” an Emotional Support Dog. We will explain how to actually legitimately qualify your animal companion as an ESD.
Emotional support dogs can live in “no pets” housing and cannot be discriminated against based on breed, age, or weight. If you are suffering from mental health issues and would like to see if you qualify for an Emotional Support Dog but do not have a licensed therapist, we can help connect you to one at the link below.
Disabilities that Qualify for an Emotional Support Dog
Many people who suffer from a variety of illnesses, including mild to severe depression, phobias, PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks have found relief with the companionship of an Emotional Support Dog, sometimes when the use of prescription medications failed or had adverse side effects. To qualify for an ESD, your therapist or other licensed healthcare professional will determine whether you have a disability and whether an ESD would help alleviate symptoms of your condition. Please note that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Emotional Support Dogs are not considered Service Dogs and are therefore not given the same rights and privileges. Service Dogs have the right to go places Emotional Support Dogs may be disallowed, such as restaurants and grocery stores. Emotional Support Dogs have the right however to accompany their owners in their home and on flights pursuant to two federal laws: the Fair Housing Act and ACAA. Emotional Support Dog owners have that right even if their building has a “no-pets” policy.
How Do I Get an Emotional Support Dog?
You can find great emotional support dogs in shelters and rescues. You can get your ESA letter before or after getting a dog. An Emotional Support Dog can be any type of canine companion that helps alleviate symptoms of the owner’s mental illness or emotional distress. An ESD can give its owner the confidence and support they need to live a normal and productive life.
Any breed of dog could make a wonderful Emotional Support Dog. You can find dogs in shelters and rescues that could potentially make great Emotional Support Dogs. You can qualify for an ESA letter before or after adopting a dog. Unlike a Service Dog, Emotional Support Dogs do not need to be specially trained to perform tasks for their owners, they are intended instead to provide comfort and support through their companionship. Any breed can be an Emotional Support Dog, but when searching for the perfect companion, be sure to look for a dog that is manageable for you. For example, if you live in an apartment, a small dog may be easier to handle versus a large dog that may need greater amounts of exercise and room to roam. You will also want to consider how the dog may affect you. For example, if you have severe anxiety a canine that is hyperactive may not be the best choice, and you may want a dog that has more of a calming influence. Visit a number of canines and ask questions about different breeds until you find a dog that is right for you. It is important to find the right type of dog for you, and also to be able to provide the right type of environment for the dog.
How Do I Certify My Emotional Support Dog?
Some people use the phrase “certifying a dog” interchangeably with getting an ESA letter. Here is a spoiler: you do not actually “certify” an Emotional Support Dog! Certifications are meaningless when it comes to qualifying your dog as an ESD. This is a common mistake, and there is a very important distinction between “certifying” a dog and obtaining an ESA letter. There is no such thing as a certificate or a certification program that officially qualifies a dog as an emotional support animal under law. The only legitimate way to qualify your dog as an Emotional Support Animal is by obtaining a recommendation letter from a licensed mental health professional. If you do not have a therapist or are having trouble finding one, you can connect with a mental health professional through an online platform. A landlord or anyone else that asks you for a registration number, certificate, or ID proving your dog is an emotional support animal is misinformed. The only proof you need is the ESA letter written by a licensed professional stating your need for an emotional support dog.
To be absolutely clear, if you do obtain an ESA letter, you are not required to “register” your dog on any website. Fair Housing and Air Carrier Access Act rules do not recognize certifications or registrations of emotional support animals.
Steps to Certifying your Emotional Support Dog
- Recognize your need for an ESA
- Connect with a licensed therapist/doctor
- Demonstrate your need for an ESA
- Get your document(s)
- That’s it. No need to register your dog.
Note however that sometimes landlords and airlines may require additional forms regarding your ESD be submitted in addition to the ESA letter.
Click here to get started on qualifying for your ESA letter.
The ESA Letter
To make your dog an Emotional Support Dog, you must qualify for an ESA letter written by a licensed health care professional.
If you qualify, the ESA letter from your licensed mental health professional (LMHP) will:
- Be written on your LMHP’s letterhead
- Establish that you have a disability
- Recommend an emotional support animal to help alleviate symptoms of that disability
- Contain the LMHP’s license number
- Contain the LMHP’s signature and date
Note that for purposes of air travel, the ESA letter is only valid for one year and must be renewed after that. Having a valid ESA letter can help ensure that your Emotional Support Dog is accommodated in housing with “no pets” policies and in the cabin of an aircraft without paying additional fees. Normal policies that apply to pets do not apply to Emotional Support Dogs. That means if your building restricts dogs because they are a certain weight or breed, those restrictions cannot be applied to an Emotional Support Dog. If you are interested in seeing if you qualify for an Emotional Support Dog, you should speak to your existing therapist. If you do not have a therapist, you can look for a therapist in your area or connect to a licensed professional through a website like ESAcertificate.org
Emotional Support Dog Rights
Emotional Support Dogs have the right to accompany their owners in their homes and on flights pursuant to two federal laws: the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Emotional Support Dog owners have the right to be accompanied by their ESD in their home even if their building has a “no-pets” policy.
Housing Rights
In January of 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing released new guidance regarding the accommodation of Emotional Support Dogs in housing. HUD’s guidance affirms that landlords must provide reasonable accommodation to tenants who have valid ESA letters from a licensed health care professional. HUD specifically warns against sites that sell certifications, licenses, and registrations to qualify emotional support animals. In addition, HUD also confirmed that licensed health care professionals can provide ESA-related services remotely, including online. That is great news for anyone suffering from a mental illness that is unable to see a therapist in person for any reason, including due to cost or a busy schedule.
Travel Rights
The U.S. Department of Transportation is considering changing its rules regarding Emotional Support Dogs on flights which may impact the rights of Emotional Support Dogs. It is unclear whether and when the rules regarding Emotional Support Dogs on flights may change, but for now, airlines must continue accommodating passengers with Emotional Support Animals on flights.
You & Your Emotional Support Dog
Having an emotional support dog is not a sign of weakness. There’s no shame in needing a “helping paw” to deal with your mental health issues and emotional distress. Emotional Support Dogs are giving a new lease on life to many suffering individuals and the effects ESDs have can be profound.
If you think you could benefit from the presence of an Emotional Support Dog, talk to your doctor or mental health professional. If you do not have access to a doctor or mental health professional, ESA Certificate can help connect you to a professional licensed for your state. To begin the process, you can click the link below.
Get your emotional support dog letter online
Get the Love and Support you deserve!