An emotional support animal (ESA) can be a lifeline for individuals struggling with mental health challenges. From providing companionship and stability in daily life to helping their owners navigate anxiety-inducing social situations, ESAs offer invaluable support alongside the unconditional love that animals inherently provide.
However, emotional support animals are not pets in the standard definition. Nor are they service animals or therapy animals. Rather, ESAs come with their own distinct set of legal stipulations. To enjoy the benefits and legal rights of an ESA, owners must register them. And that’s a process not everyone is clear on.
The Difference Between ESAs and Service or Therapy Animals
When considering registering an emotional support animal, it’s important to understand the difference between ESAs and other types of “special” animals, most notably service animals and therapy animals.
At its most basic definition, an ESA is an animal that provides therapeutic benefit to its handler. Unlike a psychiatric service dog, for instance, which might turn on lights before its owner enters a room to help them cope with phobias or symptoms of PTSD, ESAs support humans through companionship and affection.
Anyone who’s ever lived with a pet knows that animals have the capacity 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 will listen without judgment. This requires none of the training that service or therapy animals undergo.
While they provide incredibly important services, emotional support animals are considered to fall somewhere between the lines of service or therapy animals and standard pets. As such, while they may not receive as many legal allowances, they do still have some. And that’s where registration comes in.
Rights of Emotional Support Animals
The rights of emotional support animals are covered under two primary areas: travel and housing. Emotional support animals are permitted to fly without the use of a carrier or incurring extra fees and can be used as grounds to override no-pet policies in rental units.
Due to these allowances, you may notice some debate around the validity of ESAs, particularly when it comes to air travel. However, as it stands, emotional support animals and their handlers do have certain legal rights above and beyond those of typical pets and their caretakers. And for individuals who rely on ESAs for support, these rights are invaluable.
How to Register Your ESA
There is no official registration database for emotional support animals. Instead, any claim for ESA allowances must be backed 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/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 utilize an online ESA letter service. Note that these services come with a fee, and you will have to complete a mental health assessment before receiving a letter.
Once you have your ESA certification, be sure to keep your letter in an accessible place, as it may be required when flying with your animal or when you are seeking housing. Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), landlords cannot discriminate against tenants who utilize animals for assistance, including emotional support, but they can if you don’t have a letter. Although not required, you can also purchase a vest for your animal to designate them as an ESA.
