The use of Emotional Support Animals (ESA) has been helping those individuals that suffer from emotional or mental disabilities by giving them a new lease on life. In this post, we will cover where you can take your emotional support animals and some other facts you will want to know.
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
An ESA is defined as any animal that brings comfort and/or emotional stability to a person who suffers from a diagnosed mental or emotional disability. This animal can be any species including canine, feline, rodent, bird, snake and other reptiles.
In order to apply for an ESA, you must be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional and be recommended an emotional support animal to help with your everyday life. You can use an existing pet or adopt/purchase an animal specifically for the purpose of bringing you comfort and emotional stability.
How Can I Get an ESA Letter from ESA Doctors?
ESA’s and the Federal Laws
There are laws in place covering the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) and their emotional support animals. However, again, these animals are not the same as service dogs and therefore to not garner the same rights. For example, the owner of a business does not have to allow an ESA in with an employee. Hotels, camps, and motels also view ESA’s as pets, so you will have to follow the rules set forth by these businesses concerning animals. Furthermore, restaurants, malls, and movie theaters are also considered businesses, so an ESA will also not be allowed into these establishments.
Emotional Support Animals Allowed
ESA’s & the Fair Housing Act
The laws do protect people suffering from emotional mental disabilities and their ESA’s when it comes to no-pets housing. ESA’s are allowed into apartments and housing when the animal provides assistance related to the person’s disability. Under the Fair Housing Act, the owner of the building/home cannot charge you any extra for the ESA, but the animal will still be expected to behave in an orderly fashion.
ESA’s in College Dorms
College dorms and campus housing must allow for emotional support animals to live with their owners. There have been many colleges that have not allowed emotional support animals and they have been penalized financially for not following the Fair Housing Act. The HUD (Housing and Urban Development) enforces the Fair Housing Act laws by requiring colleges to allow emotional support animals.
Emotional Support Animals and Airlines
Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), people can travel with ESA’s without any extra charge or require the animal to be placed in the cargo hold. However, you must have the proper documentation from the mental health professional you are currently under the care of. Without this recently written letter or form, your ESA can be denied access into the cabin of the airplane.
Emotional Support Animals NOT Allowed
Unlike certified service dogs, ESA’s do not have the same rights and privileges when it comes to public access.
Emotional Support Animals in Hotels and AirBNB
Hotels are not required to allow emotional support animals since hotel stays are considered temporary housing. Airbnb’s are also not required to allow emotional support animals, but you can always contact them and ask them politely. Demonstrating that your ESA is trained and well behaved may allow you to stay in hotels and AirBNB’s. You can contact these establishments in advance and let them know that you have a well-behaved emotional support animal.
Emotional Support Animals in Restaurants and Stores
Contrary to popular belief, emotional support animals are NOT allowed in restaurants and other businesses. Unlike service dogs, emotional support animals do not have the same level of access and each business has the right to accept or deny ESA’s. If you want to take your ESA into a store, we suggest letting the store manager or employee know that your pet is an emotional support animal and is well-behaved.
ESA’s in the Workplace
Although emotional support animals can be beneficial to individuals suffering from mental disabilities, employers are not required to allow ESA’s into the workplace. Since emotional support animals differ from service animals, ESA’s do not have the same level of access when it comes to the workplace. You may petition your office manager to allow your emotional support animal into the workplace, but make sure that your ESA is properly potty trained and under your control at all times.
ESA’s Are Welcome
When you require an ESA you do have special rights under the Federal laws. However, always be sure to check in your specific state/country as to what rights you have as it can vary from place-to-place.
Having an emotional support animal can make all the difference to a person suffering from an emotional or mental obstacle, let’s as a society respect these individuals and give them the rights they deserve to live a better life.
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The problem is that people just label their dogs ESA so they can go everywhere they go, it creates issues for true service animals
Service animals and ESAs are not the same and have different levels of access. Legitimate emotional support animals are required to be well-behaved, but are not specially trained to provide a service.
Can i bring my esa dog to doctors with me
You should check with your doctor’s office to see what their policy is. ESAs do not have access to all public places. They only have rights in housing pursuant to the Fair Housing Act and in the cabin of airplanes pursuant to the Air Carrier Access Act.
I’m trying to get an esa for depression and anxiety (mainly social anxiety) how could I make sure my esa is allowed in public places with me, as that’s where most of my anxiety stems from.
To clarify, ESAs do NOT have general rights to be in public places. ESAs are protected in housing pursuant to the Fair Housing Act and on flights pursuant to the Air Carrier Access Act, they do NOT have the right to be in other public places such as restaurants or parks where dogs are not allowed. Only service animals which are governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act have the right to be in such public areas.
I think that’s why you need to have a letter from a licensed professional stating that your animal is part of your treatment. You don’t need to go to specifics as to what you are being treated for, just that this is your treatment.
I have a letter that was to let my dog live in my college dorm and I never have it with me but it shows my need. Anyone can buy a tag or vest, so when i say i have an esa i hope people
Believe me cause i do. I
This may be true sir. There are always people who take advantage. I recently adopted a maltipoo and suffer from depression/anxiety. I found her a big comfort for me and decided to register her. When she goes with me she is kept in a pouch on my chest. She is so quiet people have commented that they thought she was just a purse.
So what are the “issues” that ESA’s are causing for regular service animals exactly?
When you are using a service animals it has to have the fact that it’s a service animal clearly marked. The only problem an ESA could cause a service animal would be if the owner with the disability forgot to put on the SA’s vest. Then the problem would be on the owner of the SA right?
I have A ESA and wanted to go grocery store. I won’t say the name of large chain. Store. One manager says yes and another manager says no. What do I do
ESAs do not have a legal right to be in grocery stores, only service animals do. ESAs only have rights in housing and on flights.
That has no effect on service dogs whatsoever!!! You clearly have your service dog papers you can take them anywhere unlike a ESA
I have a American pitbull and I live in a HOA area and I’m not allowed to have him because of his breed. I wanted to know how would I go to keep my dog?
Emotional support animals are exempt from breed restrictions. Your HOA does not have the right to discriminate against your choice of animal unless it causes a disturbance or damages to persons or property.
Not true exactly, if say an apartment complex will be dropped by its insurance carrier for having or allowing aggressive breeds, and your ESA would cause that, then yes they can have a breed restriction.
The Department of Housing has stated that if a housing provider’s insurance carrier would cancel, substantially increase the costs of the insurance policy, or adversely change the policy terms because of the presence of a certain breed of dog or a certain animal, HUD will find that this imposes an undue financial and administrative burden on the housing provider. This claim must be substantiated with the insurance company directly and comparable insurance coverage must be considered. In addition, according to HUD, if the insurance company has a policy that does not have an exception for ESAs, an investigation may be launched against the insurance company for potential disability discrimination
So airlines cannot discriminate on breed and size of dog?
Airlines can’t impose a categorical restriction on ESAs over a certain weight. However, airlines are allowed to determine “whether the animal is too large or too heavy to be accommodated in the cabin….” Under this rule, an animal may be excluded from the cabin if it is too large or too heavy to be accommodated in the aircraft. Breed restrictions are not allowed, but the airline can make an individualized determination of whether the ESA poses a health or safety threat to others.
It’s a pitbull. I’d be scared to see it in public since I knew someone who got attacked by a Pitbull.
I’ve seen someone get attacked by a Labrador. Please do not discriminate the breed. Pit bulls are just like any other dog.
That’s rude! It’s how they are handled and raised! All dogs can bite!
That’s an ignorant thing to say…as with any dog it depends on personality and what you teach them.
Not all pit bulls are aggressive. Is the same with chihuahuas. It just depends on how any dog is raised. Don’t judge by other acts. It’s like saying people are bad, not all people are bad.
Not all pits are the same it is how they are rasied iI have 2 pits and one of them grew up with my son and wont leave his side ans its always looking out for him. So just cuz a pit attacked ur friend deosnt mean every pit will attack.
First I want to say sorry about your friend, and yourself. That had to be very traumatic. I hope you both have mentally and physically recovered.
I have a Pit Bull. He knows and remembers all of his family, even when he hasn’t seen them in years…kids, cats and a new puppy. He is patient with the kids, yet very protective of his family and property. It’s not the breed that is the problem…..it’s the human that raises them.
Golden retrievers are supposed to be one of the best dog to ever have, however they have garnered the status of being #1 on the bite list.
We dock their tails, crop their ears, neglect them, abuse them, force them to fight and we call them monsters, they’ve asked for none of this we’ve forced it on them and because of ignorance and fear millions are killed each year simply for bearing a name we gave them and that name is monster.
Truly walk in with eye open and the real monsters are humans.
I’ve lived with this breed since birth I’m thirty years old and I’ve been through it all with them.
The same goes for pitbull they’re killed just for being pitbulls and if these dog were human it would be considered a travesty, not only that we’d be prosecuting the people that played a hand in their death no matter how small it was.
I can sit here all day and list off the different breeds that are more likely to attack someone, however I’d be here all day and I honestly don’t have the time nor the patience to deal with ignorance.
My dog is a German shepherd and shes sweet as hell. She goes to doggy daycare and the owner almost hot his thumb taken off by small dog there so dont tell me it’s the breed
I would check into obedience classes and service classes for him/her. Then you can register him/her. Do more research. Oh! Try the animal planet website. Tia from “Pit Bulls and Parolees” She may have some ideas for you too. I love her show!
If hes a esa or service dog then by law they cant tell you to remove him. Same with my lab pit mix
I have an ESA baby lemur. I take him everywhere and are never asked to leave. However I got escorted out of the mall because the security personnel said only service animals are allowed. There were more and more officers surrounding me every second. They harassed me and discriminated against me because my lemur didn’t fall under the guidelines of an assistant pet. I kept explaining he was my ESA, but they caused this big scene in the mall and made me leave. I felt my rights had been violated! I felt discriminated against and embarrassed!
Unfortunately, businesses and restaurants are not required to allow emotional support animals access. Only service dogs are allowed access to these locations. If you have a legitimate ESA letter, you may travel and/or live with your ESA.
Tell me this, what are our poor Veterans going to do when they are denied the rights with their ESA animal in a public place? Is it not time someone start standing up as a whole for everyone, why do we have to wait for the Veterans to press the issues for our sick people of the Nation. I have spent 4 hours alone just tonight looking for laws on ESA animals in public places, 3 out 4 says they have to be looked at as regular disability animals. But everyone of the website I come to wants $150 -$300 for a certified letter. Put that money to use and fight for our rights too!
If your licensed medical doctor does not provide you with the letter required then clearly they do not feel you need one. If you pay for the letter online and don’t go through a LICENSED doctor to prescribe your dog to you then you are just abusing the privileged like everyone else who ruins it for the people in real need. Why should I not be able to smoke in public? Because it bothers other people, well so do dogs and pet dander, but that’s ok. The day someone thinks their dog is more important than my newborn and allows it to jump up in the stroller is the day the laws will be changing because someone and / or someones dog will be dead. Not going to just “wait and see” if your out of control “ESA” is going to bite my baby or not, it already cant behave so why should I risk it? This is what always happens. Stop abusing the privilege people! For Gods Sake let the people who truly need it have it and you go get a damn life and pull your head out your ****. Not everyone needs a pill or fix or dog just because you feel sad, maybe you should look deep inside yourself and figure out why you are so **** up that you require all these things to feel better about yourself and the rest of the world is supposed to just be fine with your imposing on their rights, because “poor you” cant live. Well then while we are at it, lets leave the drug addicts alone too, they need their fix to feel better about life, so lets just legalize shooting up in public places too, hey its their right to feel ok right? All just a bunch of cry baby Idiots! SUCK IT UP PEOPLE AND TOUGHEN UP!! Its called life, grow a frickin pair!
We are strongly opposed to any company that “sells” ESA letters online. A legitimate ESA letter must always come from a licensed mental health professional. We believe your comments misconstrue ESA owners and also lack compassion. The majority of ESA owners are responsible and understand that their ESAs only have rights in housing and on flights pursuant to federal law. The vast majority of ESA owners do not try to access other public areas where ESAs are not allowed. Furthermore, it is not constructive and further adds to the stigma of mental health to call people who need help “cry baby idiots” and telling them to “suck up it…and toughen up.” This contributes to why we have a mental health crisis worldwide today. People need to stop diminishing the seriousness of mental health issues which makes it even harder for people to take the difficult step of seeking help. We applaud anyone that has taken the brave first step of reaching out to a mental health professional to address their mental and/or emotional condition. Mental illnesses are as serious as physical illnesses and we need to encourage everyone to find appropriate help. There is also no real evidence there is widespread abuse of ESAs. Even if a few individuals were faking their ESAs, we shouldn’t let that ruin the experience for the vast majority of ESA owners who genuinely need their ESAs and do not create problems for anyone – even those who do not like pets.
1. I think you are completely out of line.
2. Not all disabilities are visible.
3. I would not have a mental illness and need a “security blanket” aka ESA if it weren’t for a traumatic childhood. My parents were not addicts or neglectful. No one knows what will happen at school, slumber parties, extracurricular activities. OR how simple words or phrases can overwhelm a child and have a serious effect on their future.
4. I would not have a physical disability if Kara Sloane would have liked the song on her radio that afternoon **(SMASH***. YOU HAVE CHILDREN, RIGHT?? What happens in 1.2 seconds of being distracted? . Accidents happen.
5. Technically, the person suffering with anxiety, depression, etc is NOT the only one suffering. We become this ticking time bomb for those around us. If a freaking guinea pig makes us feel better, get over it.
6. None of us are immune to life’s challenges. Some of us admit we need a little more help. Some of us can get thru life without any significant traumas or out of control situations.
7. I hope you and yours never understand what I feel every single day. I honestly wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
You cannot abuse a ESA document for god sakes. They are not allowed in any place but a plane so stop it. People need their pets they are family and it’s like taking their kid away when they are traveling. They are not allowed in every other place a normal person cannot take them
I think hotels should have to allow them. That should be considered traveling too
Hotels are not obligated to accept ESAs but many will do so anyway as a courtesy. It is best to check with your hotel to see what their specific policy is.
Well ESAs do not have the right of public access and are considered pets under the ADA so anywhere that says no pets ESAs cannot enter Service dogs arent pets under the ADA theyre medical equipment
Unless it is on airplanes and “no pets” housing situations. Emotional support animals are protected under the Air Carrier Access Act and the the Fair Housing Act.
If hes a esa or service dog then by law they cant tell you to remove him. Even in no pet housing. My former managers esa couldnt be removed for the same reason
Hotel li s should allow them for travel too and many do but charge you
Any veteran who has PTSD or other issues is eligible for a service dog free of charge. Many schools train dogs specifically for the use of those who have challenges due to trauma from war. So there are many legitimate service dog schools tackling the problem.
If you had researched well enough to obtain a legal ESA you would have known, just because it is an ESA, it does not fall under Service animal guidelines and therefore under Service animal lawd and accessibility. Service animals are allowed to follow the owner into public places, work enviorment, restaurants and markets. They are specifically trained to do certain task to help the owner, where as, ESA’s are not and are only protected under the Fair housing act and air craft laws. Not public buissnesses and places.
Can my esa dog accompany me to the doctor or hospital?
Emotional support dogs do not have full access rights. Only certified service dogs are entitled full access.
I’m soon going to get an ESA. This information does help me a lot to know more about the right that ESA have and what right that ESA don’t have.
The only problem is because ESA don’t have much rights like Service Dog do, some people would pretend to make their ESA a service animal by putting a Service jacket on just to bring it everywhere with them.
Too me, that is taking advantage of people that really need a Service Dog.
That’s why I would not depend on a ESA that much. Just when I really need it’s companionship and whenever I’m in the right place to be with it.
I understand the Fair Housing Act and how this means they need to allow me and my dogs; however, what are the requirements, if any, about notifying a landlord? Is it required? Because although they might be informed, it seems they may just find some other excuse to not allow you to live there if they don’t want the pets there.
You must submit your ESA letter to your landlord. If they try to remove you for owning an emotional support animal, there are many ways you can fight this. Please contact our customer support team if you have received an ESA letter from one of our therapists and we will be able to further assist you in your fight.
Courts are not required to allow emotional support animals access. You are welcome to contact your local court and see if they will allow you to bring your ESA.
I have an esa card for my parrot. I own a cafe in San Francisco and am curious if he is allowed to have a cage in my shop and accompany me at work.
An ESA card or ESA registration does not qualify your parrot to be an official emotional support animal. In order to qualify for an ESA, you must have an ESA letter from a licensed therapist.
if you own the cafe you should be allowed you own it so im not sure why there should be a problem
Hi, allowing your bird into your cafe (if kept in a bird cage) does not require your bird to be an ESA, especially since ESAs aren’t given exceptions to public areas.
I found this from my state’s DHEC website “Retail food establishments, including operations such as a “cat café,” may also apply for a variance to allow for indoor pet friendly dining areas. To be approved, the establishment must provide a plan that details how they will protect food from contamination by the animals and receive approval of the plan from the Department.”
There is likely a similar process in your state.
If you think about it all PET owners have them for companionship or comfort. Any animal that is owned for reason other than breading, sporting, working or showing for profit or competition is owned for the simple fact of it makes that person happy to have it in their life.
If you think about it all Pet owners have them for companionship or comfort. Any animal owned for reasons other than breading, working,sporting or showing for profit or compitition ect.. are simply owned for the fact that that they make the person feel good.
Yeah and what if the person actually needs the animal for emotional support in the middle of, say, a panic attack? I have a dog currently (she’s not an ESA) and whenever I’m in a panic attack, she comes and comforts me. The warmth and somewhat stability she provides when she lays on my stomach so I can hug her helps calm me down and makes me remember what I need to do to keep the attack under control. Now, tell me, is she a pet, or is she a genuine need in my life? Yes, I’m on medication, but sometimes that’s just not enough. When I go to university and live alone for the first time, what am I going to do? Let it pass and feel exhausted afterwards? Or keep myself calm when it starts? The latter. That’s what an ESA is for. A person with a pet doesn’t need a pet. A person with an ESA needs an ESA.
Thank you Cameron. You separated “pet” from “ESA” perfectly. I recently re-homed my young MiniAussie. Assuming he was a pet, under stress themselves, and annoyed by his occasional barking, my adult son and husband repeatedly “hinted” that I should give him up. I finally did, and now I truly know the meaning of an ESA animal. I might need counseling to learn to resist such pressure in the future, but the only “cure” for the sadness I feel now is to bring another gentle, funny, loving dog into my life.
I work at a restaurant in California and had a girl bring in her bunny that she said was allowed in. The bunny Had ended up pooping on the floor and the staff had to clean it up. What steps can I legally take to make sure this doesn’t happen?
Also we get a lot of dogs come in that bark or try jumping on tables (there is no outdoor seating and the tables are very close together), is there any way we can determine which are service animals and which are ESA?
Service animals can only be dogs and miniature horses. Emotional support animals do not have access rights in restaurants. You can ask a person to leave if their service animal is jumping on tables or otherwise disturbing other customers.
If I work in a restaurant, can I petition to be able to bring my dog to work?
Your employer is not required to accept your animal in the workplace unless they are a certified service dog. Emotional support animals do not have access to public places such as restaurants.
I have a ferret who is an emotional support animal, he helps me with anxiety attacks that are so severe they leave me disoriented for hours, I ran into trouble with him trying to go to lunch with family, my question is what’s the point in having an ESA if they can’t go with you to do there jobs?
Unfortunately, emotional support animals do not have full access rights, unlike service animals. You can only live and travel with emotional support animals.
I know emotional support dogs are allowed in dorms, but am I allowed to bring her with me to lectures? Should I contact my professors before the start of the semester to meet their individual needs?
Universities are not required to allow emotional support animals in lectures. You can contact your professors in advance and see if they will allow them at your school.
I know someone who’s been attacked by a black person. I’m not afraid of black people. A breed is just like a race, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with others’ actions.
I work in security and I’m in my car most all the time and I was told I couldn’t even keep my ESA with me in my own car at work, I suffer from extreme deep depression and completely shut down that I sleep for 18 hrs or more, I would be willing to go on strike to see that this is changed
Hello everyone. I do have an ESA letter from my psychiatrist. I am wondering where can I buy a little vest are what ever it is I would need if I do go in public for my dog to wear. About 5 months ago I went online and order this cheap piece of cloth that you put the dog collar in. In other words you put one in of your collar in it and pull it through. It was so cheap it didn’t last a week and you could not even read emotional support that was on the collar cover. Where can I get an inexpensive vest that would look good. I am on social security and cannot afford anything really expensive. if anyone could tell me if they know what would be good for my dog to wear and is made good as well but cheap. Thanks
We can get vests here: ESA Vests
I get tired of those who abuse the system and bring their pets into grocery stores. I have commented to the store manager and they say their is nothing they can do because the owners threaten to sue for ‘discrimination’. I call B.S.
people with service animals have a right to bring them in so please dont complain they need them, some people who have there animals could save there life and some have
I don’t feel it’s discrimination. Those people don’t have common sense. They’re bringing an untrained animal into an area with food that other people are going to have to eat. I personally have cleaned up those dogs poop twice in the isles. Trained service dogs don’t do that. Stores just need to post a sign like Walmart finally had to put up to keep them from coming in. I have all respect for real service dogs as they have a purpose to the owner.
ESAs are NOT allowed into public areas like restaurants or stores. They only have rights in housing and in airplanes. ESA owners should not attempt to pass their ESAs off as service dogs and bring them into public places where they are not allowed.
I was recently told by a store door checker that I can’t take my ESA Dog inside with me. I showed him the Dr.s Letter and he still refused to let me into the store. He told me that the sign outside the store states that Service Dogs only are allowed. Should I bring these to the attention of the Store Manager or should I just leave. I am a VietNam Vet and need my ESA support Dog when I’m out in public.
Unfortunately, the store door checker is correct. Emotional support animals only have access rights to no-pets housing and air travel.
The store door checker is properly informed. It’s a simple matter of bothering to know the clearly stated laws. If you can’t be bothered to look them up yourself. Ask your doctor to send the rules to you.
I have 7 year old begal could she be and emotional support dog?
Yes, your current dog can be an emotional support dog if you qualify.
Would my ESA be able to go to school with me? The people are usually too much for my social anxiety and I was just wondering.
You would have to ask your school about this. Not all schools will allow emotional support animals on campus.
How do you qualify?
How do you qualify?
Complete the questionnaire in the link below and a licensed mental health professional will assist you.
https://esadoctors.com/esa-questionnaire/
I have a letter from my therapist saying that my dog is being used to assist me to self-soothe and increases my calming responses and It is her recommendation that I should be allowed to have my dog as my companion in all my daily routines of life which would include attendance at social events and college. How do I register her and everything?
Registration is not required for emotional support animals.
Can you bring an ESA into a public park where dogs are not allowed?
Emotional support dogs do not have public access rights in public parks where dogs are not allowed.
Emotional support animals do not have access rights in public places like restaurants, grocery stores, etc.
My girlfriend has an ESA but my Home Owners Association says we have to remove the dog from the grounds because it is over 25 pounds and she is not an owner therefore she has no rights. Is this true and is there anything I can do?
If your girlfriend is currently living in your home as a primary residence, she has the right to keep her ESA.
I have a one year old bunny and I suffer from depression and anxiety, is there a way I can make him into a emotional support animal? I’ve also seen people who has lied about having emotional support animals in my local furniture store this lady took her dog the manager asked if the dog was emotional support or service animal. She said it like this: No- I mean yes! And then she preceded into the facility and then proceeded to take a nap and when the manager asked her to leave she refused and said she just randomly falls asleep that’s why she has her not so real service or emotional support animal and then proceeded to nap
Rabbits can be emotional support animals. Unfortunately, the lady with the dog does not understand the laws surrounding emotional support animals.
What’s the website that I can go to fo information about the Emotional support animal Or companion animals. My daughter has a doctor’s letter for a companion pet but her school won’t let me just drive on campus with the dog in the car.
I have a letter from my medical doctor stating that I would benefit form an ESA. I was told this is a medical need and therefore it should be considered ” equipment” is this it he case? I would in a high stress atmosphere within social services and would like to get a puppy as my ESA. I’ve read lot of the feeds and I’m curious why the ESA has different right then the service animal, they are both prescribed by doctors?
Service animals are specially trained to provide a service for their owner. Emotional support animals are not specially trained to provide a service. The ADA protects the service dog while the ACAA and FHA protects the emotional support animal.
I just got out of a in patient mental health facility for PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and not yet diagnosed but being treated for ADD/ADHD. My Psychologist from the hospital is writing me a doctors note saying my dog is my companion dog and the he thinks my dog would Benefit me and help keep me calm. He said I could take him in like Lowe’s and Home Depot but I was wondering if I would be able to bring him into Walmart with me? He is a black lab and is finishing up his training. We were going service dog route but decided to just go ESA. What place can I take him. Some examples would be appreciated. Thanks
Emotional support animals do not have special access rights except for housing and air travel.
I was wondering if I can have an AS A I am 13 and i go to Jr high next year is it topically ok yo take an AS A to a Jr high school?
Your school is not required to allow emotional support animals. However, minors are allowed to have emotional support animals.
My esa is a bearded dragon he calms me down tremendously. The veterans hospital told me i qualify for a service dog, but i really dont want a dog. Never really had. And a miniature horse? Na im good. Because the administration doesnt recognize aries as a service animal he cant go with me hardly anywhere. People see him and say oh he is not trained he cant help you with ptsd depression or anxiety. But he does all those. On a bad day he will climb out if his terrarium and climb up leg and lay on me and it always cheers me up. I can hold him and he’ll climb up on my shoulder and honestly its weird but i feel safe. When i feel like i have no reason he gives me a reason. When im angry he dosent care he just climbs on my and lays hishead on my chin and it makes me smile. Yes i understand the difference because of the training i have plnty of friends with service dogs i know. He makes life easier. When i feel like im going to have an attack i just rub his back and close my eyes. I fully support esa. They made it easier dor people like me. Its not that im a dog person i just live in a house with a room mate n they have a dog tht they’ve had for years n does not like other animals. So i respect tht. It just sucks that i cant have him with me threw the things i do during the day during the times i need him. When me and a buddy is eating out n the crowd freaks me out i dont have the crutch of him to relax me and i go full blown anxiety and get very paranoid. I suffer from ptsd severe anxiety depression and smaller emotional dissorders.
I went online and got my daughters Shitizu registered as her EMS dog. Doctor said did not need a letter, got an card showing dog is Registered EMS dog with owners name, dog name, breed and address. Is this correct. She got a tag for her collar that states she is an EMS dog. Certificate also stating she is an EMS dog. She is very well behaved and quiet. Has gone with her to Bingo halls and people said if they would not of known she was there if they had not been told she was. But your saying she is not allowed in a Restaurant or hotel?
ESA Registration is NOT recognized by the law. In order to fully qualify as an emotional support animal, you must have an ESA letter from a licensed health professional. Unfortunately, emotional support animals do not have access rights in restaurants and hotels.
I’m a sophomore in high school. I have an emotional support cat. I have multiple panic attacks a day that I can’t even focus very well in class. If I got a lettter from my psychiatrist that said I could bring her to school with me would I be able to? I’ve looked it up and so far it says that’s all I have to do as long as she’s trained properly for public places and my principal and nurse think it’s necessary. Would I be allowed to bring her with me to the place I need her most ?
I visited my friend at his appartment for a couple hours with my esd and now he is being fined for having a dog there. What should I do?
I would suggest talking to the person giving the fine, or have your friend do it. I’m sure they’ll understamd.
Your friend could talk to your landlord and explain to them that your dog is an ESA to see if they would make an exception but it sounds like he violated his lease agreement. The Fair Housing Act only gives rights to ESA animals that are prescribed to the tenant. Since your ESA is not prescribed to your friend and you are not listed on the lease agreement the landlord is under no obligation to allow special rights for your ESA. It is best for your friend to look over his lease agreement to see what the animal policy is before allowing guests to bring animals onto the premises.
My ESD is a 55 lb dog. Is there any law stating she is not allowed in a small dog area dog park? I prefer staying in a small dog section, big dogs give me anxiety and fear. Does her being an ESD allow her to stay in a small dog section, if she has passed temperament tests at boarding school and goes to a dog day care with a variety of size dogs. Thank you.
ESD’s do not have special access rights in public. Your local laws may or may not restrict where your 55 lb dog can go in a dog park.
I have a chihuahua and dachshund mix who will be turning one in two days. Is this breed of dog okay for emotional support dogs? Also, I am under the age of eighteen and am looking to have my dog become an emotional support dog. I was looking on some websites to register him. All of the websites I visited asked for the owner’s name. Since I am not over eighteen should I put one of my parent’s name as the owner’s name or my name, the person who needs the emotional support dog? Also can you take an emotional support dog to stores, for example Walmart?
Just about any animal can be an emotional support animal! Emotional support dogs do not have access rights in stores such as Walmart.
I’ve been wondering wether or not ESA’s have access to schools. I have a friend who has an ESA and she wants to take it to school with her. Thanks so much!
Emotional support animals do not have access rights in schools. They do have access rights in school dormitories.
I really wish that law could be changed. I panic when out in public especially in stores. I freeze or just stand there unfocused and can’t move. I suffer depression, anxiety and ptsd I’m getting a dog soon. It really calms me down to pet him and refocus. I want to be able to grocery shop and go in stores again without having to wait for family to be with me. If I can’t take him in the store with me then I’m at the mercy of family
Since ESA’s are allowed to travel by airline, what about when you get to your destination and rent a vehicle? Are you allowed to have them in the rental?
Emotional support animals do not have special rights in rental vehicles. You may have to pay additional pet cleaning fees if your animal sheds in the car.
Can I take my ESA cat to school since I am a young teenager
Emotional support animals do not have access rights in schools.
If your dog is registered as an esa dog already for trigger anxiety due to depression; and you got special training for him/her to meet your required needs in public, could you take him/her to an official for the testing and get them transfered from esa to a service dog with your therapist’s recommendation letter?
Your dog can qualify as a service dog as long as the animal provides a service for your disability.
With thanks! Valuable information!
Are ESA animals allowed to go to public schools with their owners? Would I need to contact the school board and possibly set up a meeting to see if they will allow it?
Do you need to possess a dog, cat or other support animal before applying for an ESA letter?
No, you can get your letter first and then get your animal.
If my ESA is a cat, can I take him to a hotel that advertises “pet friendly” but discriminates against cats?
Emotional support cats or dogs do not have special access rights in hotels.
I know many places do not have to allow ESA dogs like they do have to allow service dogs but if a business WANTS to allow a ESA dog public access can they? I read a comment at another site that any business or company allowing a ESA is breaking Federal law because public places are not allowed to accept ESA. is that true? I would think that while they don’t have to allow them that they can if they want to?? It’s not inside a eating place or a grocery store. I have searched and sure can’t find anything that reads a business HAS TO refuse ESA.
Businesses can accept emotional support animals if they choose to allow them inside. It is up to the business owner.
What service could an ESA provide to a passion with bipolar/anxiety/ADD to qualify him as a service dog?
There are a lot of people who “brag” in Airports about how easy it is to get their animinals registered as ESA’s so they can fly with their pets at no extra charge. I am wondering about people that have severe allergies or asthma who fly. Those people are often told that nothing can be done because of the ESA’s rights under the law. Aren’t people with severe allergies and asthma also protected under the ADA, heartbreaking to hear people talk about how easy this process is
I suffer from social phobia and generalized anxiety. I have been considering asking about an ESA during therapy due to the overwhelming issues i have going outside alone. We do not have the ability to take in another animal as a service companion. I just want to cover all my bases before diving further into the consideration of making my dog an ESA.
There’s no such thing as having your dog registered as an ESA and any company that wants to sell you a fancy little vest and send you a card is ripping you off. You need a letter from your therapist or whoever is treating you stating that you have a condition in which you can benefit from having an ESA
Correct. As we tell our audience time and time again, you need a letter from a licensed healthcare professional in order to validly qualify an emotional support animal.
@CW It’s entirely up to the business if they want to allow an ESA onto the premises. A business owner can even say it’s ok to allow a regular companion pet in their place of business. There is no Federal law, that I’m aware of, that says pets cannot go into a business. There are pet friendly establishments out there that are not pet stores for example. I’ve stayed in hotels that allow pets and have even gone into regular department stores where small dogs were allowed. It just depends on the owner/manager.
I live in the state of mass and went to dollar general to buy a few things w my ESA and the manager was very rude to the point where they called the cops and said they will trasspassed me if I go in;there w my lil chihuahua again, btw I did showed I’d and registration…lol. Very embarrassing moment for a handicap person just trying to shop…
Unfortunately, emotional support animals do not have public access rights in stores or restaurants.
I agree with you Jill. Same thing applies in a grocery store. I had a guy come in with a not very well behaved dog last night and I asked do you really need an emotional support dog? He said not really. I couldn’t go any further with it due to store policy, but that gives you an idea of how people lie to get their pets in with them. They have no consideration of other people and have no sense
You must have an ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional to qualify.
You can make any breed of animal aggressive if u raise it to be mean no matter how big or small the animal is plus all animals can be aggressive if feels screwed and will bit or make a mean sound
ESA are not service animals. They are pets. They have not had the same training as certified service animals. When I see one on a plane or at the store I think, “Just another hustler bringing their stupid animal in to the store.”
Because 9 out of 10 people just want to bring their pets with them. It is unhygienic to have a dog/cat/wombat in a store crapping on the floor and then the owner just looking and walking away. Or worse putting their animal in the cart.
Most people claiming to need an ESA are just liars who want to bring their dirty animal in to the stores because it makes them feel superior. Like people pulling a fast one to get pets where the policy is no pets.
All of you have no consideration for people with allergies. People who don’t enjoy hearing your “fur baby” barking all night. Or don’t want to avoid your animal’s poop on the floor in the store.
Just stop it and grow a pair. No one needed this emotional support garbage until all the coddled millennials finally found themselves in the “real world”. Buck up, buttercups.
You have no clue what it is like to have major depression,extreme anxiety disorder, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, freezing up ,unable to move, or you voice changes and you sound like a special needs person,or your mouth is frozen and you can not talk, or you hit your head hard and you can not control it and you can not stop. or how about going to the mail box and you freeze up and your out there for 15 minutes stuck. I wear big huge noise cancelling head phones in public people look at me as a freak.I just want as normal of a life as possible. If having my cat in his stroller and he is zipped up in it so ,guess what he is not going to poop on your store floor imagine that. Buttercup you are just a nasty mean hateful person , if you had to deal with all of these tics , maybe you would understand.
There are trolls in the comment section.
You don’t belong here if you have no interest in ESA information.
The attacker here is a bully.
They’re here to put down people many of whom are disabled.
They try to justify this bullying by pointing to the few spoiling the bunch.
There will always be people who need help.
It is scientifically proven that animals are a good for health.
Your welcome to discuss solutions when faced with health problem due to animals.
But, gaslighting and bullying is easily spotted.
You fool no one with your hateful comments.
Good luck you’re going to need it with your special needs and challenges stemming from having your head up your ass.
I believe that for ESA dogs there should be rottweilers involved because they aren’t bad dogs. I have always grown up with them but i m almost 13 and i had to leave the house because of abuse but the rottweilers I have grown p with were very good dogs.
i have very bad anxiety and i am soon getting a esa and i do not like being around a lot of other people i was thinking about getting a service dog but they were to much hich would do you recomend?
Our recommendation is to seek the help of a qualified mental health professional that can assess your condition and provide a recommendation.
I loved that you talked about how emotional support animals are not allowed in restaurants, I never knew that! My childhood best friend recently told me that she was thinking about getting an emotional support dog, but she wanted to know all that goes with it first. In my opinion, she should talk to a professional so she can get the help that she needs.
I get all this and how people will make their pet a esa to just take it everywhere but what about people who really need it? I myself dont have much friends or family to rely on, ive been suggested to get a service animal but im scared. What if I cant take my esa everywhere? I slip into anxiety attacks quite easily, Yea I could technically one labeled as a service animal instead for my athsma or eyes but im able to see just a tiny bit to not be considered legally blind and my athsma could be delt with by myself. Ive tried to get pro help and they just send me somewhere else , give me some shit medication, or say I need a companion like a esa, and I dont know what to do?????
There appear to be a couple of misconceptions about your post: ESAs are not service animals and do not have the right to be in all public places. ESAs only have rights in housing and on flights, pursuant to the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. In addition, you cannot just “label” your animal as an ESA or a service animal. Service animals need special training and ESAs require a recommendation letter from a licensed mental health professional who has assessed your condition.
I have been reading all the various comments on ESAs, and this is what I can say…I was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder. What is it you ask? It means that when I was a baby I suffered from so many ear infections that I actually got used to the pain and no one discovered it until I was almost two years old. So I didn’t hear language like the rest of the world. As I grew I struggled in school, I had to apply myself more than a ‘normal’ student. With this came extreme anxiety. And with the anxiety came chronic migraines, migraines that led to seizures. I then became a patient of a neurologist who helped me obtain the letter I needed for an ESA rabbit. Why a rabbit? because they were easy to train and handle and with the help of a carrier I can take him everywhere with me. My rabbit gives me a sense of comfort and tranquility. Attending college (with my rabbit) was easier because he was with me to comfort. Now I take my rabbit with me to help others, he sits on their laps, or sometimes they just want to pet him, and that helps them. My rabbit is always kept in his carrier when I go inside a facility, and he is TRAINED not to poop, or jump on anyone. Your ESA animal should be trained and kept in a carrier when away from home (if they are small) not dogs of course. When I traveled by plane he sat on my lap and NEVER jumped on anyone.
Thank you for sharing your story!