Laws Regarding Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals (ESA), therapy animals, and service dogs are different. The laws for each type of support animals and for their owners are distinct. The laws for ESAs are very clear.

ESAs Laws Overview

Emotional support animals come under Federal Laws for two reasons:

  • The first is that ESA’s are not included in “no pets” policy housing. This law comes under the Fair Housing Act that owner, landlord, or builder manager must have proper space for the ESA. However, the accommodation for ESA can be denied if it imposes too much administrative or financial burden on housing provider. This can also be denied if the ESA is exceptionally large as in llama or horse. This guide will be helpful to renting the apartment with the ESA.
  • The second reason is that official ESA is permitted to fly with their handler inside the flight cabin. This law falls under the ACCA (Air Carrier Access Act. If ESA is the larger dog, the owner can request for the seat change so that ESA has the place to sit. It’s recommended to contact the airline services 2 days in advance to have all the essential documents rights.

ESAs are becoming common in air travel, with the estimated 100,000 traveling in airline cabins every year in the United States. Advocates argue that ESAs help with stress and lowers the blood pressure. These tips should be kept in mind when flying with emotional support dog:

Requirement For ESAs

The difference between a pet and the legitimate ESA is a letter from the licensed therapist. The pet may be kept as an emotional support animal, however until the owner qualifies for the ESA letter the pet is not recognized as an ESA in the eyes of law. The required letter is written by the mental health specialist which states that the person is suffering from the emotional disability which comes under the definition set by the American’s with Disabilities Act and the emotional support animal is the important part of the treatment plan. The letter must be printed or written on letterhead of therapist and must have sign and date including place, date and license number of the physician. Emotional support animal letters are valid for only one year from the date of issuance.

ESA Registration

Registering the ESA is legally not necessary. ESA letter is required to qualify for the emotional support animal. Items that will make travel easier are ESA vest and Identification Card. ESA letter is the only item that will make pet owner an ESA official and it’s the only item requested to see by the third party.

Don’t undergo the mental and emotional disability when a perfect ESA can help when needed and provide the stability to get back to live a normal life. The right way to secure the ESA letter is through the therapist. Certapet is the great place for anyone to get support if suffering from the mental or emotional disability. Certapet will help them to pair with the licensed therapist specialized in animal therapy.

For more vivid information regarding laws of emotional support animals. Please visit this link

https://www.certapet.com/faq/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-animal/

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About the Author

Fairfield County, Connecticut Attorney David Volman provided personalized legal representation for Family law, personal injury, bankruptcy, criminal cases, real estate & business law.