Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

What you probably don’t know about emotional support animals — but should

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

Whether or not you’ve met an emotional support animal, you’ve likely heard about these helpful assistance pets, who are most often dogs. They’ve recently made headlines for the wrong reasons, unfortunately, as many folks out there have committed fraud by falsely claiming that their pet is a licensed support animal.

On the other end of the spectrum, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 468, an order that will crack down on fraudulent online emotional support animal licensing. This has been a growing problem in recent years, so we’ll let you know the safe and legal way to have your pet registered as an emotional support animal.

Recommended Videos

In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about emotional support animals, whether you’re around them often or preparing to register your own pet. No matter who you are, these facts will help you stay informed and up-to-date so you can be an advocate for those whose lives are enriched by their emotional support animals.

What qualifies a dog to be an emotional support animal?

Unlike guide dogs or service animals, there are no breed, age, or training requirements for emotional support animals — or ESAs, according to the American Kennel Club. That means any pup from the tiniest of Chihuahuas to the largest of Great Danes has the potential to be an official ESA. Of course, there are other requirements that need to be met.

Most importantly, a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist must prescribe this animal to an individual who will benefit from their furry friend. Disability rights attorney Zachary Duffly defines an emotional support animal as “a dog or other animal that is not trained to perform specific acts directly related to an individual’s disability. Instead, the animal’s owner derives a sense of well-being, safety, or calm from the animal’s companionship and presence.”

Additionally, the doctor who provides proof of the person’s need for an ESA must meet a few requirements. For example, California law states that they must have a valid, active license to practice in their field, and they must have had an established relationship with the patient for at least 30 days. They must also give a thorough evaluation of the patient regarding their need for an ESA, and they need to provide that patient with all up-to-date documentation about the rights and rules of emotional support animals.

A man hugs his dog on the couch.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Is an emotional support animal a service animal?

It’s important to understand that an emotional support animal is more than just a pet, but does not meet the qualifications of a service animal. There is even a difference between an ESA and a psychiatric service animal, which is trained to provide some kind of support before, during, and after a mental health crisis.

Attorney Zachary Duffly explains just a few roles of psychiatric service dogs and animals:

  • “waking someone with clinical depression and coaxing them out of bed at a specified time in the morning
  • responding to an owner’s panic attack by initiating contact to comfort the individual, and
  • alerting a person exercising poor judgment due to bipolar disorder that they are driving dangerously.”

Although an emotional support animal won’t be able to do these things, they can provide immense comfort and confidence to someone who is struggling.

Can a landlord deny an emotional support animal?

Even though ESAs do not qualify as service animals, they do fall under the category of assistance animals. The Fair Housing Act protects individuals from discrimination due to disability, which can include owning an emotional support animal. As the American Kennel Club also reports, this rule waives pet bans or restrictions for people with support pets, as well as prevents individuals from paying any pet deposits for ESAs.

So — no, landlords cannot deny an emotional support animal if no health, safety, or major financial concerns are expressed.

A woman lies in bed hugging her miniature poodle
Rasulov / Adobe Stock

How do I qualify my dog to be an emotional support animal?

As the American Kennel Club states online, a healthcare provider must provide documentation regarding a person’s need for an emotional support animal. There is no other way to have your pet licensed as your emotional support companion.

Despite what you may see with a quick Google search, there are no trustworthy sites, programs, or companies to register your pet as an ESA online. Your psychiatrist or healthcare provider will have all the resources you need to help you complete the process, beginning with their letter of support.

The first — and best — step you can take toward registering your pet as an emotional support animal is contacting your psychiatrist, psychologist, or family doctor. Even if they themselves aren’t able to assist you in the process, they will surely be able to connect you with someone who is.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Hot spots on dogs: What you need to know
This is how to get rid of hot spots and keep them away
Puppy scratches his ear on the sand

Finding hot spots on dogs can lead to outright panic. These sores can look — and feel — painful, not to mention scary. They also spread frequently until the underlying condition is properly addressed, sometimes with the aid of your vet and medication.

But don't stress too much if you find itchy hot spots on your canine's skin, since they're almost always fixable. With a little help from you and the dog doc, you'll have your pup back to 100% in no time.

Read more
Why do dogs get eye boogers? What you need to know about this common problem (and when you should be concerned)
Eye boogers are rarely serious but sometimes can indicate an infection
Closeup of dog eye

Eye boogers: The truth is that we all get them. At least both humans and our canine companions. Nearly everyone will experience this at some point in pet parenthood (human parenthood as well, usually), and it's certainly nothing to worry about most of the time.

Standard eye discharge doesn't mean a dog eye infection, but the two can be linked. We'll go through when this isn't an issue and what to look for to figure out if there's more going on. Here's everything you need to know about puppy eye goop.

Read more
Why you should let your dog sleep in your bed every single night
Sleeping with your dog in your bed can benefit you both
A woman snuggles with her dog in bed

When you think about your dog sleeping in your bed, how do you imagine it? Many pet parents can picture their beloved pet sprawled out across the entire bed while they themselves toss and turn for most of the night, but is that truly the reality of co-sleeping with a fur baby?
It can be hard to predict — every pet has their own personality and sleeping habits — but what scientists and behaviorists have found so far may surprise you. Not only do dogs provide comfort and warmth for their sleepy owners, but they tend not to disrupt sleep, either (most of the time, anyway). It may seem too good to be true, but these are the reasons why you totally should let your pet sleep in your bed every single night ... or at least try it out. Trust us, they’ll love it, too!

It can be comforting to have a dog sleeping in your bed
Just think about all the ways your pup lights up your waking hours with their goofy antics and endless love. Why not bring that sweetness into your nighttime routine, too? Spending time with your fur baby can be a comforting and rewarding way to end your evening on a happy (and adorable) note, though researchers found that people suffering from anxiety and depression may find even more benefits.
As Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, explained to CNN, "People with depression or anxiety may benefit from having their pet in the bed because the pet is a big pillow, a big blanket, and they may feel that snuggly, cuddly, furry creature decreases their anxiety.” Big fluffy blanket? Yes, please! If you've ever felt comfort from a weighted blanket, being tucked into bed, or even a simple hug, you can probably relate. Either way, there's no way to deny it -- dogs are comforting!

Read more