An emotional support animal (ESA) can be a true lifeline for those facing mental health challenges. From providing companionship and stability in daily life to acting as a trusted guide in anxiety-inducing social situations, ESAs offer invaluable support in addition to the unconditional love that animals inherently provide.
However, emotional support animals aren’t pets in the standard definition. Nor are they service animals or therapy animals. Instead, ESAs come with their own set of legal stipulations. To enjoy not only the benefits of owning an ESA but also the legal rights, individuals must register their ESA. And that’s a process not everyone is clear on.
What’s the Difference Between ESAs and Service or Therapy Animals? When considering registering an emotional support animal, it’s important to understand what makes ESAs different from other types of “special” animals, most notably service animals and therapy animals.
At its most basic definition, an ESA is an animal that provides its handler with therapeutic benefits. Unlike a psychiatric service dog, for example, that might turn on lights before its handler enters a room to help them cope with phobias or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, an ESA supports humans through love and companionship.
Anyone who has ever shared their lives with a pet knows that animals have the ability to connect with humans on a profound level. A beloved animal companion can be the first person an individual turns to when they need someone to cry to or someone who can listen without judgment. This comes without any of the training that a service or therapy animal must undergo.
While they provide incredibly important services, emotional support animals are considered to fall somewhere in between the lines of service or therapy animals and standard pets. So, while they might not receive as many legal benefits, they still receive some. And that’s where registration comes in.
Emotional support animal rights are governed in two primary areas: travel and housing. Emotional support animals are allowed to fly on airplanes without the use of a carrier or additional fees and can be used as grounds to break no-pet policies in rental units.
Because of these allowances, you might notice some debate regarding the validity of ESAs, especially when it comes to air travel. But as it currently stands, emotional support animals and their handlers do have some legal rights that exceed those of typical pets and their caretakers. And for those individuals who rely on their ESAs for support, these rights are invaluable.
How to Register an ESA There is no official registration database for emotional support animals. Instead, any allowances requested for ESAs must be reinforced by a letter from a licensed mental health professional. This letter should:
Be legitimate — i.e. on professional letterhead and written by a qualified doctor and/or mental health provider. Include the provider’s license number, as well as their signature and the date the letter was signed. Clearly explain your need for an emotional support animal.
If you don’t already have a mental health provider, you have two options: You can schedule an appointment with one and obtain a letter that way, or you can use an online ESA letter service. Be aware that these services come with a fee, and you will be required to complete a mental health evaluation before receiving your letter.
Once you have your ESA certification, be sure to keep your letter in an easy-to-locate place, as it may be required when you are flying with your animal or when you are seeking housing. Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), landlords are not allowed to discriminate against tenants who use animals for assistance, including emotional support, but they can if you do not have a letter. While not required, you may also want to purchase a vest for your animal to designate them as an ESA.
