What is an emotional support animal and how can you get one? (2024)

The health benefits of pet ownership have been realized for years. The companionship, affection and unconditional love they provide can make owners happier and less stressed. A 2015 studyJournal of the American Board of Family Medicine, reported that owning a pet can “reduce stress, blood pressure, anxiety levels, and depression symptoms.”

When someone has an animal that alleviates the symptoms of their mental illness, it is called an emotional support animal.

“Emotional support animals provide comfort and companionship to a person with an intellectual disability,” explains Julie Morrissette, a training consultant at Service Dog Training School International, an online service dog training school.

What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is any pet that provides a psychological and/or emotional benefit to its owner.

“If a person spirals or gets into a bad mood, sometimes holding the animal can calm them down,” says Morrissette. “Having that animal next to them can keep them from going to a worse [mental] place.”

The capabilities of your ESA depend on how much you train them to better serve you. Many ESAs are not trained at all; their mere presence is enough for someone to reap the psychological benefits.

What is an ESA letter?

An ESA letter is the only legally accepted way to prove that your pet is an emotional support animal. You must obtain the letter from a doctor or licensed mental health professional, including a therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist. The letter confirms that you are dealing with a diagnosed mental health condition and that your pet provides you with mental and/or emotional benefits.

However, there are several places where ESA letters are not accepted. This is because, unlike service dogs, emotional support animals are not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is up to each business, such as restaurants and retail stores, to accept or reject your ESA.

How to get an emotional support animal

If you already live with an animal that benefits your mental health and you see a licensed mental health professional, you can ask them to write an ESA letter to prove it is essential to your well-being.

The process differs if you do not currently have an animal and would like to purchase one. You want to choose an animal that best suits your mental and emotional needs; most people choose dogs. The next step is to obtain an ESA letter from your licensed mental health professional.

Suitability for ESA animals

To qualify for an emotional support animal, you must suffer from a diagnosed mental illness or disability, such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Your licensed mental health professional or physician must recognize that your ESA provides you with a psychological and/or emotional benefit.

ESA dogs vs. assistance dogs vs. therapy dogs

Emotional support animals and service animals are not technically considered pets. An ESA mainly offers comfort and company. According to the ADA, service animals must be dogs and must always be trained to perform specific tasks that assist their owners in their daily activities.

“Assistance dogsare almost like medicines with four legs and a tail, because they are necessary for daily functioning,” Morrissette explains.

While emotional support dogs require an ESA letter for certain permits, service dogs do not need to be certified. It is against the law for anyone working at a business or public institution to request documentation of a service dog. Service dogs are allowed almost everywhere, while access for ESAs is at the company's discretion.

Therapy dogs, like ESAs, are used for companionship and comfort, except they have undergone extensive training and socialization for this purpose. You can see them used in senior centers, schools, libraries and hospitals.

“A therapy dog ​​must have a very calm character... It must be well trained, well behaved, socialized and able to listen very well to instructions,” Morrissette explains.

Can emotional support dogs fly on airlines?

Before 2021, emotional support animals could fly with their owners for free on airlines. However, due to a change in the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), airlines are no longer required to accept ESAs. Emotional support dogs are only allowed in the cabin on most airlines if they meet size requirements and the owner pays the pet fee.

If your ESA does not meet the size requirements, it may have to fly in the hold of the aircraft or not fly at all.

Psychological benefits of emotional support animals

There are numerous mental health benefits when it comes to emotional support for animals.

Here are some ways ESA dogs can benefit your mental health:

• Relieves anxiety."Just by looking at or stroking [an ESA], it can bring you back to, 'Okay, everything's fine now.' They can change your whole mindset emotionally if you end up in a bad place,” Morrissette explains.
• Relieves symptoms of depression. “Someone can be depressed and then he walks through the door and his dog is standing there looking at him. It can change their whole day,” says Morrissette.
• Providing support to people with PTSD.Trauma can make people feel tense, anxious and on edge. A dog's comfort can help alleviate these symptoms.
• Provide companionship to those suffering from loneliness or sadness.Someone suffering from loneliness or dealing with grief may benefit from companionship through an ESA.
• Reduce stress levels.Having a dog by your side can help you release stress. Dogs have even been shown to reduce the physical symptoms of stress, such as high blood pressure and increased heart rate.

Suitable pets for emotional support Animal designation

Any pet can be an emotional support animal; however, dogs are by far the most popular. Some popular dog breeds for ESAs includegolden retriever, Labrador retrievers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, poodles and Yorkshire terriers.

Other common ESA animals include cats, pigs, birds, rabbits and miniature horses.

Understanding the Legal Aspects of Emotional Support Dogs

The only legally accepted document that can prove that you have an emotional support animal is an ESA letter.

Landlords cannot deny you the right to live with your ESA, even if the property is listed as 'no pets allowed'. Your right to live with your emotional support animal is protected under the Fair Housing Act. If your request is denied, you can have your claim investigated by filing a discrimination complaint withInstitute for Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Emotional support animals are not protected under the ADA or ACAA. This means they are not considered essential service dogs and may be refused entry to any business or airline.

Pet insurance for emotional support pets

There is no special pet insurance policy for emotional support animals, but you will want to have your ESA equippedbest pet insurance. Make sureit is coveredgives you peace of mind for both your ESA and your wallet.