You may have heard the term emotional support animal (ESA) mentioned with more frequency as of late, likely due to a rise in individuals seeking companionship of an animal for diagnosed mental health reasons. These dedicated animals provide comfort and support, helping to ease symptoms from mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A popular choice is an emotional support dog. Although emotional support dogs don’t require specialized training or receive legal protections like service animals, their role in providing support for those experiencing mental and behavioral health conditions is incredibly valuable.
Understanding emotional support dogs
Unlike psychiatric service dogs who alert their handlers to triggers and directly ease symptoms stemming from of conditions such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, claustrophobia, or autism, emotional support dogs offer support simply with their presence. They also give us that warm release of the feel-good chemicals of serotonin and dopamine. Seriously, it’s proven! Dogs are a mood-booster and we sure won’t deny the science.
Despite these benefits, critics still turn up their noses at emotional support animals. Some even call them a scam or merely an excuse to avoid housing-related pet fees. While ESAs are not given the same rigorous training as service dogs and offer a different type of support to their human companions, their benefit is still widely recognized among psychological professionals. Emotional support animals calm anxiety, reduce stress, stabilize emotions, and can also work in conjunction with different types of therapy.
Conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health challenges may qualify individuals for an ESA. Although ESAs are not offered legal protections like service dogs under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), there are still legal benefits to emotional support animal registration, particularly regarding housing.
Legal rights and protections
The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodation to tenants with ESAs. This applies universally, with the exception of situations where the ESA poses health or safety hazards for others on the property. The concept of “reasonable accommodation” grants emotional support animal owners specific rights, including the ability to keep their registered support dogs in their home, even in pet-prohibited housing complexes. This accommodation extends to exemptions from weight or breed restrictions. Additionally, this documentation alleviates pet-related fees such as additional rent or pet cleaning deposits. Proper ESA documentation ensures that individuals can benefit from housing accommodations granted by the Fair Housing Act.
A recent significant amendment to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) changed the allowance of emotional support animals (ESAs) during air travel. Formerly, ESAs enjoyed the privilege of traveling in the cabin for free, regardless of size. However, effective January 2021, the ACAA has revised its regulations. The updated policy subjects emotional support animals to the same rules as regular pets. Consequently, size restrictions and pet fees now apply. Notably, service dogs remain protected by both the ACAA and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals seeking canine comfort during air travel may consider obtaining a psychiatric service dog as an alternative.
How to get an emotional support animal
To obtain eligibility for an ESA, a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) must first diagnose a mental or behavioral disorder and assess an individual’s need for an emotional support animal. This evaluation will determine if an emotional support animal positively contributes to an individual’s diagnosed condition. An LMHP will further determine the therapeutic impact an ESA can provide within the context of their emotional health.
A licensed professional may conduct this consultation in person or through online assessments. This ultimately depends on the preferences and circumstances of the individual. If deemed appropriate, the mental health professional then issues a letter. This formal documentation recognizes an individual’s need for an emotional support animal. A verified letter from a licensed mental health professional is required to obtain an emotional support animal.
Protect yourself from online scams offering ESA letters by conducting thorough research. Pay close attention to the wording used and make sure the organization is reputable. Numerous scammers operate from foreign countries or lack the proper authority to issue legitimate letters. Only rely on reputable issuing organizations to ensure the legitimacy of the ESA letter provider.
What is included in an ESA letter?
As previously stated, an ESA letter is written by a practicing licensed mental health professional (LMHP). The letter should include details such as the LMHP’s license number, type, and the date of issuance. Additionally, the letter must include the date of issuance and a signature from the mental health professional who issued the letter.
Occasionally, the ESA letter may specify the chosen animal/breed, though this is not required. It also includes your name and pertinent details deemed relevant by the LMHP. Additionally, the letter includes the recommendation for integrating an ESA into an individual’s therapy plan. This recommendation emphasizes the ESA’s role in facilitating management of symptoms, healing, and comfort. This detailed letter provides a professional perspective that informs apartment complexes or landlords of the genuine purpose served by an ESA.
Choosing the right emotional support animal
While dogs are the most common emotional support animal, some ESA owners prefer to think outside the box. Aside from dogs and cats, other animals can serve as valuable emotional support animals. Unique ESAs may include guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, and in some surprising instances, domesticated skunks. When considering an ESA, assessing preferences, lifestyle, and specific emotional support needs required are essential. For instance, some individuals may find the greatest therapeutic benefit from a dog, particularly a breed known for affection. Others might feel more relaxed from the meditative, easygoing nature of a cat or the lively presence of a bird.
While opponents might scoff at this, certain mental health conditions benefit from sound therapy and birds may offer a particular type of mental support. To that end, it is never the responsibility of others to question an individual’s choice of emotional support animal. The decision is personal and involves thoughtful evaluation. Aside from therapeutic benefits and personal preferences, selecting an ESA also involves an honest understanding of lifestyle and budgetary needs. You may want to weigh several factors, including the animal’s temperament, energy level, financial investment, grooming requirements, and training needs.
Although emotional support dogs do not undergo specialized training relating to their handler’s specific condition, they should be well-behaved. They should also be properly socialized and responsive to commands. Basic training requires teaching fundamental commands such as sit, stay, and come. Additionally, it’s important to provide your emotional support dog with consistent routines. Addressing common behavioral issues like barking, anxiety, or pulling may require extra training.
Overcoming challenges
Despite growing attention to the benefits of ESAs, there can often be misunderstandings and biases. Managing public misconceptions about emotional support animals can be challenging, particularly because of scams illegally offer ESA eligibility and reports of the misuse of ESAs. Unfortunately, there are reports of individuals misusing emotional support dogs to gain unauthorized access to pet-free parks, restaurants, museums, bars, and public events. As a reminder, there are no legal protections for ESA access to public spaces. As a result of misrepresentation, it can be difficult to combat negative opinions about emotional service animals.
Navigating these difficulties requires self-advocacy, support from mental health professionals, and awareness. The most important thing to consider is the needs of those facing mental health challenges and fostering a more accepting environment for individuals who rely on the benefits of an emotional support animal.
