Can Your Pet Become an Emotional Support Animal?
Pet owners know how comforting their furry friend can be, especially after a rough week at work, a tough break-up, a stressful day, or anything else that may take an emotional toll on us. While anyone can benefit from a good cuddle sesh with your favorite companion, people struggling with mental health may find it necessary to have their pet by their side during particularly hard times.
However, what happens if those suffering with a mental illness need the extra support when they're shopping in an over-crowded store? Or when they're on a plane with turbulence? Having our pets with us during times when our stress and anxiety can be at an all-time-high can be the difference between staying calm or having a breakdown.
Due to certain rules and restrictions, some places don't allow pets - that is unless they're proven to be a necessity for your quality of life. Whether you have a pet already or not, you can register your seasoned pal or newly adopted friend as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). Learn more about the criteria and requirements of registering your pet as an Emotional Support Animal.
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
Unlike service dogs, Emotional Support Animals are not specifically trained to perform certain tasks for their owners. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are defined as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.”
Conversely, an ESA is intended to provide emotional and therapeutic benefits to people with mental illnesses or psychiatric disabilities and cannot qualify as service dogs. These animals are not legally considered a "pet" and are also not restricted to any type of animal.
That means, not only can your dog provide you with emotional support, but so can your cat, rabbit, bird, guinea pig, ferret, and even bearded dragon.
However, in order to qualify as an ESA, the animal must be manageable in public places and must not be a nuisance in any way. So, even if your rowdy pup might bring you emotional support at home, they may not be able to legally provide that same support elsewhere.
Should I Get an Emotional Support Animal?
There are several different reasons a person may feel they need a little extra comfort from an animal on a daily basis. If you suffer from a mental illness, it may be a good idea to look into getting an emotional support animal.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, pets can help provide companionship, especially with those who live alone, while also helping reduce anxiety and depression, boost self-confidence, and provide structure for individuals with ADHD.
Registering your animal as an emotional support animal can help you bring your pet public places that may not typically allow pets as well as bypass rules of some no-animal housing. Under the Fair Housing Act, animals that work or provide assistance are obligated to be permitted. Be sure to check with your landlord as each place may have different rules and restrictions.
How to Qualify For an Emotional Support Animal?
You may already consider your four-legged friend as your emotional support, but there are certain criteria the pet and you need to meet in order to legally qualify as an Emotional Support Animal.
To be legally qualified to have an ESA, a licensed mental health professional such as a therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, etc must diagnose the pet owner with a qualifying mental health condition. These conditions may include but are not limited to: PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar, OCD, social anxiety, panic attacks, and stress.
When you are officially diagnosed with one or more of the qualifying types of mental illnesses, you can start the registration process for an Emotional Support animal.
How Do I Register My Pet as an Emotional Support Animal?
Due to different state requirements, emotional support animal registration may vary from area to area. However, the first part of the process is pretty universal, which is getting a letter from your mental health profession stating that an emotional support animal is necessary.
Then, to begin the registration process, you can visit the US Service Animals website. You'll need to input information about you and your pet, as well as pay about $90.
Once approved, you'll receive an animal ID card with your pet's photo and information on it, along with a certificate of registration. From there, you can start taking your emotional support animal with you almost anywhere. It's important to carry your animal ID card with you to show proof of ESA, however, some places, such as restaurants, may only allow service animals inside.
Be sure to check with an associate to see if your ESA is allowed to come with you.