Home Page › Blog › Emotional Support Dog Requirements
Emotional Support Dog Requirements
Are you confused when it comes to emotional support dog requirements? You’re not alone. There is a lot of information out there on this important subject, some of which is misleading or just plain false.
If you want to designate your dog as an emotional support dog (ESD), it’s important to understand all of the requirements, rules, and regulations.
In this post, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about emotional support dogs/animals.
1. What is an emotional support dog?
An emotional support dog (ESD or emotional support animal, ESA) is a dog that is recommended by a licensed doctor, therapist, counselor, or social worker to help those that suffer from an emotional or mental health condition.
Emotional Support Dogs have rights that normal pets do not:
- An ESA has access to almost all types of housing regardless of no-pet policies. ESAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act so that they can live with their owners.
- Under this law, an ESA owner cannot be charged any fees for having an animal in their home.
2. Can I qualify for an emotional support dog?
You can qualify for an emotional support dog if you have an emotional or mental illness(es). If you suffer from one or more mental conditions listed below, you may qualify for an emotional support dog.
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Learning disorders
- Autism
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Gender dysphoria
- Bipolar disorder
- Cognitive disorders
- Depression
- Severe anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
It is up to a licensed healthcare professional to determine whether you have an eligible condition for owning an emotional support dog.
3. Emotional support dog training requirements
ESAs do not require specialized training, unlike service dogs, which require extensive training. Service dogs must perform specific tasks to aid in their handler’s disability.
While ESAs do not need any specialized training, they should still be well-behaved and under your control at all times. A landlord can kick out an emotional support dog if it is acting in an unsafe or destructive manner.
4. Emotional support dog registration requirements
Federal and state rules do not require you to register your emotional support dog. You also do not need a vest or ID card for your emotional support animal. Many ESA owners, however, choose to voluntarily register their animals and obtain ID cards and other accessories.
These items are helpful in buildings that normally don’t allow pets. They notified staff and other tenants that a legally protected assistance animal accompanies you. However, remember that your landlord can insist on seeing your ESA letter but not any other form of documentation.
5. Where to get an emotional support dog certificate
Many people think they need to obtain an ESA “certificate” to qualify their dog as an emotional support animal. They are often confusing a certificate with an ESA letter. You can obtain a certificate for your emotional support dog after getting an ESA letter, but a certificate alone will not qualify your dog as an ESA.
You must have an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional confirming your need for an emotional support animal. An ESA letter should have the following:
- The ESA letter should be dated within one year of submission
- The ESA letter should be on your provider’s official letterhead
- The ESA letter should include the provider’s license number, date, and direct contact information
6. Emotional support dog vest options
Emotional support animals can live in “no-pets” apartments and condos without being charged rent or fees. An emotional support dog does not need to wear a special vest when on the premises.
However, some owners prefer to have one. The ESD vest is a great way to identify your canine as a legal assistance animal and will help prevent any confusion and questions you encounter from building staff and neighbors.
7. Can my ESD go into restaurants or markets with me?
No, emotional support dogs are not allowed in public places that prohibit pets. ESAs have rights under federal and state housing laws but not under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The only type of mental health assistance animal that has public access rights are psychiatric service dogs.
8. Are there breed or weight restrictions for emotional support dogs?
No, your emotional support dog can be of any size and breed. This rule even protects breeds that are commonly discriminated against, such as Pit Bulls or Dobermans. You can even have more than one emotional support animal if your therapist recommends it.
Emotional support dogs work
If you believe you or a loved one may benefit from an ESD, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your mental health professional to start the process.
If you do not have access to a healthcare professional or are intimidated by the idea of reaching out for help, consider using an online service to get your ESA letter. ESA rules specifically allow for remote online providers to write ESA letters, so your letter will be just as valid as one obtained in person.
About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.
212 comments
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Latest Posts
How to Bring a Service Dog to Disneyland
Trained service dogs are more than welcome to join their handlers at Disneyland. In this guide, we’ll explain Disneyland’s policies and give practical advice for bringing a service dog to Disneyland for the first time. Disneyland’s Service Dog Policies The Magic Kingdom is happy to welcome trained service dogs across most park locations! They kindly […]
Read More
Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
Yes! Dogs can safely enjoy tomatoes, but there are a few risks to be aware of so you can feed your dog responsibly. Fully ripe tomatoes (without the stems and leaves) can actually have nutrients that are good for your pup. Tomatoes have chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant that can have anti-inflammatory effects in cells. They’re […]
Read More
Can a Primary Care Doctor Write an ESA Letter?
Your family doctor, also called a primary care physician (PCP), can write a letter recommending an emotional support animal. We’ll explain what legally gives them that ability and explore what better options might be available for you. Why are Physicians Able to Write an ESA Letter? To turn your pet into an emotional support animal, […]
Read More
This article was very helpful
Thank you for the compliment!
I don’t plan on flying with my dog, but I would love to be able to take her out to my boyfriend’s shows because large crowds really make my anxiety worse. Lots of his shows are outside. If I got her a vest just to keep people from coming up to constantly try to pet her and try to call her over, would she still need some form of certificate?
That is one reason that service dog owners use vests – to keep people from interacting with their dogs while they are on duty. Please see this link for info on certifying service dogs: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-certify-a-service-dog/
My emotional needs are from stress and anxiety and depression I deal with due to brain surgery that was done 30 years ago.
If you haven’t already, we suggest discussing your mental health issues with a licensed healthcare professional. Please see this link for more details: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
My aunt supposably has an ESA dog and she allows her to get pregnant is there a law or something that an ESA dog can’t get pregnant when being an ESA
We don’t see any reason why an ESA couldn’t have a litter.
If a married couple are getting a divorce and their pet was later trained to be the wife’s service dog and has been so, for the past 3 years from (2017 to October 2021); but, the husband files for a divorce 7 months ago (February 2021) than, has his doctor write him a Medical Support Letter that only states, “My Patient has an emotional support service dog;” which is not even a legitimate or recognized classification, plus, the letter does not say the Doctor “Recommends and Prescribes an Emotional Support Animal” for their patient; is it considered an ESA Support Letter? Do you have or no of any Court Divorce Custody Cases over a Service Dog for the wife, where the husband filed for divorce then had his doctor write him a Medical Support Letter? I am the Professional Dog Trainer who trained and issued a Certificate of Training conferring the Title of Service Animal for a Female Navy Veteran. I am trying to help her be reunited with her service dog, but, her husband is using a fraudulent act to cause her and her service dog to remain separated. The husband has been abuses to her service dog, several times in my presence, causing me to intervene on behalf of the service dog. I am sure her service dog is suffering from separations anxiety, fear and emotional neglect. How ironic that he would fraudulently, secure a letter for an emotional support animal. Thanks for any concrete information you can send me.
We can’t comment on the divorce proceeding or any legalities, but we can say that you do need any type of healthcare letter for a trained service dog. ESA letters are only to qualify an emotional support animal which does not have the training required for service animals.
I want my pit and lab mix to be a ESA because I have more than 1 of those illnesses.. But i don’t know if it’s ok and I don’t want to get in trouble with him because I have anxiety attacks almost every time when I’m in places and no one is there to help and every time when I have one around him he alerts and helps me get through it.. We are looking at ESA training vest and I wanted to know if I’m able to continue training him and if we can get one..
To qualify for an ESA you need a letter of recommendation from a licensed healthcare professional. You do not need a vest or any specialized training for an emotional support animal.
If my dog is a certified ESA can my son, who is the person in need due to his anxiety disorder can he bring the ESA to school with him?
ESAs do not have an automatic legal right to be taken to the classroom.
My neighbor started therapy and went to regular appointments at Noon every Wednesday. Then she got a dog. Immediately after getting her dog, she quit going to therapy. Now she’s claiming she has an ESA, which is her dog. The dog stays home at all hours of the day. I never see anyone walk it. It barks all the time too. I think my neighbor is committing ESA fraud, just so she can have a dog. That’s illegal in my state. Is there any way to report this fraud?
Anyone claiming to own an emotional support animal must be able to show a signed ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional to their landlord.
I have a situation regarding rule #3. I live in an apartment complex. My neighbors below me have a supposed ESA dog. It’s a new puppy.
The rule: Your ESD must be well behaved and under your control at all times.
My situation: Their dog barks all day long when they’re not at home, for hours on end, none stop. It also runs back and forth from the balcony doors to the front door, shaking my unit because it’s running so hard. If you walk by their front door, you can hear it scratching at their door and you can see visible scratches on the outside. It has also destroyed their balcony and window blinds.
The rule: Your ESD cannot threaten the health and safety of others.
My situation: I am now smelling dog poop wafting into my unit, from below me. I don’t even own a pet. They’re the only ones with a dog. Let alone, I am smelling it from my vents/chimney. It’s a very strong odor too.
Also, this dog has been left alone for days on end. They leave around 6/7am on workdays to come home around 10pm and not walk their dog, to then turn around and leave 5 minutes later. Not even turning off their car engine to go inside to grab something and leave.
I’m starting to get concerned for this dog’s well being. As well, since I can now smell dog poop inside my unit now, it’s affecting my own physical health. Is there anything that can be done?
This seems like an issue you should report to your building’s management. They can notify the tenant of the noises and smells which are not acceptable.