No, emotional support animals don’t have the legal right to enter public places that ban pets, such as stores, restaurants, or theaters. Only service dogs and psychiatric service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Where ESAs Have Rights

Emotional support animals primarily have housing rights under the Fair Housing Act. Your landlord must allow your ESA, even in no-pet buildings. They can’t charge pet fees either. If you want to call your pet an ESA, you need a letter from a licensed therapist explaining why you need your animal for your mental health condition.

Rental units, HOAs, co-ops, mobile home parks, and university housing must accommodate emotional support animals. Check out our article on where you can take your emotional support animal for more details. 

You might be wondering whether ESAs are allowed in common areas of a residential building, as these are shared with others. The answer is yes, your ESA can be in common areas, like the lobby and elevator. 

At one point, ESAs had more access rights. Airlines used to allow ESAs to fly free in the cabin, but that practice ended in 2021. Now, airlines treat emotional support animals like regular pets, meaning they may incur cargo fees or face restrictions on travel. Only service dogs are allowed to fly in the passenger cabin of the plane. Check out our guide on how to fly with a dog if you need help with that. 

Many Businesses Say Yes Anyway

Many store managers will allow well-behaved ESAs inside, even though they don’t have to. Coffee shops, bookstores, and some restaurants often say yes. Your success depends on your approach and your animal’s behavior. A calm dog on a leash gets better results than one that jumps or makes messes. Either way, it doesn’t hurt to ask!

Call ahead when you can. Ask about their pet policy before you show up, and keep your ESA clean and under control. Have your therapist’s letter ready. It’s not an entry ticket, but it shows you’re legitimate.

If you can’t bring your emotional support animal, have a backup plan ready. Can you sit outside? Can someone watch your animal while you go in?

Your ESA doesn’t get automatic public access. But many places will accommodate you if you ask nicely and your animal behaves well.

How Can I Get an ESA Letter from ESA Doctors?

Three easy steps to get an ESA letter with ESA Doctors

Get started here