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How To Make Your Pet An Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
Updated on
- Written by Dr. Benjamin Kacner, PharmD
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Maya Frankfurt, PhD
Pets provide companionship and unconditional love, which can profoundly impact our emotional wellbeing.[1] Individuals facing mental health challenges may consider obtaining an emotional support animal (ESA) for support and comfort. If you are considering making your beloved dog an emotional support animal, we have a comprehensive guide to help you navigate and begin the process.
We will provide you with the essential information you need to know about the qualifications and benefits of ESAs. We will help you learn your legal rights and the requirements you need to know in the process. So, whether you are searching for relief from anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, join us as we explore how to make your pet an emotional support animal.
How To Make Your Pet An Emotional Support Animal?
- Get a screening test to see if you qualify.
- Talk to a licensed mental health professional for an evaluation.
- Obtain an ESA letter from your doctor.
How To Register Your Pet As An Emotional Support Animal?
An ESA letter[2] is all you need and registration isn’t required. Following our recommended steps to obtain an emotional support animal letter is easy. There are many reputable online sources for screenings to get the process started and we reviewed the best legitimate ESA websites to help get you started.
Use a screening tool to check if you qualify before meeting with a healthcare professional. You may use your own provider or one through a website. When choosing a provider to write your ESA letter, they need to be familiar with your emotional and mental disabilities in addition to any legal requirements.
What To Know About Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)?
ESAs are not the same as service animals or therapy animals.
- Service animals[3] are specially trained to perform tasks designed to help people with disabilities. They also can provide emotional support. For example, it is common to see a service dog helping a blind person walk.
- Therapy animals have specific treatment goals. For example, a treatment plan with physical or psychological goals that involve walking as part of the treatment may benefit from a support animal used to motivate and emotionally support an individual to perform the therapy.
- ESAs support the needs of individuals with disabilities. However, they do not have specific therapy goals[4] and no specialized training or evaluations for certification.
ESAs are not specially certified or trained and have few special public access rights. Exceptions exist for specific housing situations and ESAs have certain legal rights under the Fair Housing Act. Additionally, there is no legal limit to the number of ESAs you may have.
While there is no official registration or certification for ESAs, having an emotional support animal letter is essential. An ESA letter is a document from a licensed mental health professional that verifies your need for an animal to provide emotional support. It is crucial to consult with a licensed mental health professional for assessment and guidance on the best course of action.
What Types Of Pets Qualify As Emotional Support Animals?
ESAs are divided into two categories under the Fair Housing Act and other situations: common household pets and unique animals.[5]
Common Household Pets
These are the traditional animals kept as pets in a home. They primarily include:
- Dogs.
- Cats.
- Small birds.
- Rabbits.
- Hamsters.
- Gerbils.
- Other rodents.
- Fish.
- Turtles (but not other reptiles).
Unique Animals
Animals that are not commonly found in a home are considered unique animals. This type of animal often needs extra documentation justifying the need for the specific type of animal designated as an ESA. They include:
- Zoo animals.
- Farm animals.
- Reptiles other than turtles.
An example of a unique animal that can be justified as a service animal is a capuchin monkey. They can be trained to help a person with paralysis by retrieving items, providing food or drinks, and operating light switches.
How Can Emotional Support Dogs Improve Your Mental Health?
Emotional support dogs are one of the most common choices for ESAs. While there are a lack of studies[6] supporting the effectiveness of dogs as therapy for anxiety and mood disorders, other studies[7] link dog ownership to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, improvements in Parkinson’s disease, reversing the progression of multiple sclerosis, improving mood and cognition in dementia, and improvement in other neurological disorders.
Mental and physical health benefits attributed to dog ownership are from increased physical activity and the emotional bond that one creates. Dog owners are more likely to engage in physical activity which improves mood and emotions. In addition, dog owners live longer.
Emotional Support Animal Laws
Americans With Disabilities Act
While the Americans with Disabilities Act[8] (ADA) covers service dogs and miniature horses as a means for disabled people to access public accommodations, employment, and transportation, it does not discuss ESAs or grant them special privileges. Other animals are not eligible to be registered as service animals through the ADA.
Fair Housing Act
Under the Fair Housing Act,[9] an ESA will be allowed in a housing unit that has a “no pets rule” and pet fees can be waived. You may be required to present documentation from a medical professional such as an ESA letter. Housing providers may be skeptical about online animal registries and certificates and are allowed to ask for documents specifically from a healthcare professional. Unique animals may require an extra document from your healthcare provider to justify why and how they are helpful for your disability.
Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act[10] (ACAA) prohibits discrimination in commercial air transportation against people with disabilities. Among the many rights guaranteed is the right to be accompanied by a service animal free of charge on flights. The U.S. Department of Transportation[11] (DOT) interpreted the definition of service animals to include emotional support animals.
In 2020, the DOT issued a new rule[12] that excluded all service animals except for dogs registered and trained as service animals or psychiatric service animals; which emotional support animals are not. Unfortunately, the benefit of flying with an emotional support animal is no longer available.
ESA Letter: What Can It Do?
Obtaining documentation for your emotional support animals is key. To access the benefits for housing and travel with your animal an ESA letter[13] from a mental health professional adds legitimacy and credibility to your claim. Requirements for an ESA letter vary in each state and we highly recommend using mental health professionals who are familiar with the legal requirements of a given state.
Generally, an ESA letter should contain information about you, the doctor, your condition, and the rationale for having an ESA. It is signed and given a date of issue and expiration. We recommend following our guide on how to get an ESA letter to ensure you follow the correct process and obtain a legitimate letter without getting scammed.
How Do I Determine If I Qualify For An ESA?
The fastest way to check if you qualify for an ESA is to use a screening tool such as that provided by the online service, Certapet. The Fair Housing Act and ACAA provide the only federal requirements you need to follow. Check with your individual state’s laws to see if there are more requirements.
Federal laws[14] require you to have a psychiatric diagnosis included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), such as post-traumatic stress disorder, assigned by licensed mental health professionals. The mental illness diagnosis must qualify as a disability and the animal must relieve some of the symptoms of that disability. Ultimately, the final decision for diagnosis and designation as a mental disability is up to the healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Obtaining an emotional support animal greatly benefits individuals with mental health challenges. Pets, like emotional support dogs, service dogs, or psychiatric service dogs, are good companions and positively impact emotional wellbeing.
Knowing your rights and following the federal laws according to the Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access Act will ensure you have access to your full rights for your animal. Check with your state laws for other requirements needed for your situation.
Remember to follow our recommended steps starting with a screening to see if you qualify for an ESA. Make certain your letter comes from a licensed healthcare professional who you have met for an evaluation of you and your animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Service animals are certified and highly trained to perform tasks and assist disabled people. ESAs are not trained but still provide minor help in some ways.
ESAs do not require training. However, you will be required to demonstrate how they perform tasks to benefit your mental illness or disorder.
An ESA letter is an official medical document from a licensed medical professional establishing your relationship with the provider and demonstrating your need for a service animal to help with a disability related to a mental health condition.
A typical online service, such as Certapet, offers ESA letters for $150.
By far, the cheapest way to obtain an ESA letter is to utilize your current mental healthcare provider. They can provide the service at no additional cost.
+ 14 sources
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- Brooks, H., Rushton, K., Lovell, K., Bee, P., Walker, L.M., Grant, L.E. and Rogers, A. (2018). The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence. [online] 18(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1613-2.
- Younggren, J.N., Boness, C.L., Bryant, L.M. and Koocher, G.P. (2020). Emotional Support Animal Assessments: Toward a Standard and Comprehensive Model for Mental Health Professionals. [online] 51(2), pp.156–162. doi:https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000260.
- Fine, A.H. (2018). The role of therapy and service animals in the lives of persons with disabilities. [online] 37(1), pp.141–149. doi:https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.37.1.2747.
- Tin (2020). Emotional Support Animals: Considerations for Documentation. American family physician, [online] 101(5). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32109028/.
- https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PA/documents/HUDAsstAnimalNC1-28-2020.pdf
- Young, C. and Horton, J. (2019). Canine and Equine Therapy for Mental Health: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549209/.
- Boldig, C.M. and Butala, N. (2021). Pet Therapy as a Nonpharmacological Treatment Option for Neurological Disorders: A Review of the Literature. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.16167.
- Schoenfeld-Tacher, R., Hellyer, P.J., Cheung, L. and Kogan, L.R. (2017). Public Perceptions of Service Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, and Therapy Dogs. [online] 14(6), pp.642–642. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14060642.
- HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (2021). Assistance Animals. [online] Available at: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/assistance_animals.
- Ecfr.gov. (2023). 14 CFR Part 382 — Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel. [online] Available at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-382.
- US Department of Transportation. (2017). Service Animals (Including Emotional Support Animals). [online] Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals-including-emotional-support-animals.
- Transportation.gov. (2020). U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Final Rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals | US Department of Transportation. [online] Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-final-rule-traveling-air-service-animals [Accessed 21 Jul. 2023].
- Younggren, J.N., Boness, C.L., Bryant, L.M. and Koocher, G.P. (2020). Emotional Support Animal Assessments: Toward a Standard and Comprehensive Model for Mental Health Professionals. [online] 51(2), pp.156–162. doi:https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000260.
- Younggren, J.N., Boness, C.L., Bryant, L.M. and Koocher, G.P. (2020). Emotional Support Animal Assessments: Toward a Standard and Comprehensive Model for Mental Health Professionals. [online] 51(2), pp.156–162. doi:https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000260.
Written by:
Dr. Benjamin Kacner, PharmD
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
