FAQs

Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are animals that provide therapeutic benefits to their owner through affection and companionship. A Service Dog is specially trained to perform a task to help someone with a disability. A seeing eye dog is one example of a Service Dog. Unlike a Service Dog, an emotional support animal does not need specialized training to handle a task. Further, Emotional Support Animals come in different breeds and animal types and are not just limited to dogs, while Service Animals are either dogs or mini horses. Read more

As of January 2021, the US Department of Transportation announced that ESA’s are no longer a protected class of animal on domestic airlines. It is up to the airline itself to determine whether they will allow ESA’s. Prior to January 2021, any airlines asked that you notify them in advance when traveling with an Emotional Support Animal. Each airline has their own individual policies so please check their ESA policy before booking a flight. Some airlines may require a reasonable accommodation form to be signed off by the therapist who has evaluated you. Please notify ESA registration of America before purchasing a travel letter if we can accommodate that specific airlines request. Read more

As of January 2021, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines have all banned emotional support animals from traveling free of charge on their flights. We recommend all customers to check with any other individual airline to get their most up to date ESA policy. Housing letters for ESA’s do not face any problems.

No. There is no size discrimination allowed when it comes to Service Dogs and ESA’s. ESA’s come in various shapes and sizes and airlines are required to allow ESA’s dog to accompany you to your seat regardless of the size. It’s important to note that there is no size limit for Service Dogs. Read more

Unlike service dogs, Emotional Support Animals do not have access rights to all public areas. However, ESA’s can live in pet-free housing. Service Dogs, however, are allowed to accompany their owners wherever they go, including most airlines. Read more

The law requires all ESA’s to have a letter written by a mental health professional. The letter states that the Emotional Support Animal provides therapeutic value to its owner and verifies the validity of the ESA. If you do not have your ESA evaluation letter yet, you can schedule an assessment with one of our mental health professionals via a HIPAA compliant video conference call. The therapist will determine if you qualify for an ESA letter. It is important to note that certain airlines have legally banned ESA’s from flying, so contact your carrier before purchasing a letter specifically for air travel purposes. Read more

As of January 2020, Emotional Support Animals are no longer considered a protected class of animal by US airlines. Airlines may now disallow ESA’s on commercial flights or require travelers to pay a fee. Airlines that do allow ESA’s require an ESA prescription letter from a licensed mental health profession as well as advance notice in most cases that the passenger will be flying with an ESA.

Landlords and property managers must make reasonable accommodations for tenants or prospective tenants with Emotional Support Animals, even if the apartment, house, or college dorm does not allow pets. A reasonable fee may only be asked by the landlord if there is any damage to the property as a result of your animal, otherwise no other fees may be imposed. Property managers/landlords may require the tenant complete a mental health professional Third Party Verification form. If you’re wondering whether you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), you can sign up for an evaluation letter from one of our mental health professionals.

Federal law does not require Service Dogs or Emotional Support Animals to wear any type of clothing or harnesses. However, we strongly encourage this since harnesses, leashes, patches and identifying items cut down on the hassles and unnecessary explanations when in public. We have found that these products drastically save time and frustration. We also recommend you carry around your prescription letter from a therapist as well. Read more

If you would like to register your dog as a service dog, please visit our sister site:www.servicedogregistration.org. It’s important to note the difference between the two types of dogs. Service Dogs are specially trained to perform a task, while Emotional Support Animals provide therapeutic value. Read more

To have your dog qualify as an Emotional Support Animal (therapy dog) a licensed mental health professional must determine whether the animal provides therapeutic value to its owner. If you do not have your ESA evaluation letter yet, you can sign up for an assessment with one of our mental health professionals. They will complete a psychological evaluation to determine whether you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal.

If you have run into any legal issues or discrimination concerning your ESA and housing please contact HUD.

  1. Phone: 1-800-669-9777
  2. Online: Click Here

If you run into any issues and want more clarity on ESA laws you may contact the Department of Transportation.

  1. Phone: 202-366-2220
  2. Online: Click Here

We offer an easy way to schedule an assessment with a mental health professional who is able to prescribe an ESA letter should you qualify. To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional for an ESA evaluation letter you can click here. Alternatively you can also find a local therapist in your area if accessible. You will have to do some online research though. Read more

Emotional support animals do not require specialized training. However, they do require a therapist letter in order to be considered valid. Service Dogs require specialized training because they perform a specific task for their owner such as acting as a seeing eye dog or calming someone down who has PTSD. Read more

No. Landlords are not allowed to charge emotional support animals additional fees since an ESA isn’t considered a pet.
ESA is short for Emotional Support Animal. An Emotional Support Animal is an animal that provides therapeutic support to its owner and is protected by the Fair Housing Authority (FHA

A qualified Emotional Support Animal requires a letter from a mental health professional stating that the animal provides therapeutic value to its owner. We offer an easy way to schedule an appointment and select a time for an assessment with a licensed therapist. It is important to note that we do not guarantee a person’s qualification. The therapist is the one that makes the determination on a case by case basis. To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional for an ESA evaluation letter you can click here. Read more

No. ESA Registration of America is not a governmental agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by HUD, the Department of Transportation or any other governmental agency. Registration of an emotional support animal with ESA Registration of America does not give you any additional legal rights. Rather, registration allows a person to receive timely updates on legal changes pertaining to emotional support animals along with discounts on products.

Fill out the short form on the homepage to receive updates on the laws relating to emotional support animals. Registering your animal does not automatically make it into an ESA. The ESA Registration of America has teamed up with a network of licensed mental health professionals to provide online live video consultation services to prescribe written recommendations to those who qualify. We also offer products to help ESA owners distinguish their animals in public.

An emotional support animal letter can be written for a pet or companion animal that is deemed to provide therapeutic support for its owner. A mental health provider is the one who diagnoses an individual and determines if they will benefit from an emotional support animal via an in-depth assessment. ESA letters can be used by renters and by students for on-campus housing. It is up to the owner to determine the type of animal that provides them emotional support.
The United States Department of Housing determines the obligations for housing providers as it relates to the use of service animals, psychiatric service dogs, and emotional support dogs. On May 17, 2004, the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) clearly outlined the reasonable accommodations that apply to emotional support animals via the Fair Housing Act.
Individuals suffering from psychological disabilities, mental disabilities, mental illness, and emotional disabilities diagnosed by a licensed mental health provider such as a therapist or social worker can qualify for an ESA.
ESA letters can be written for both types of support animals should someone qualify. Emotional support dogs are more common, but a healthy amount of cat owners have emotional conditions that qualify them as well.
Therapy animals are typically found in hospital settings along with schools, old age homes, hospice facilities, and even at locations after natural disasters. A therapy dog, for example, is well trained, relaxed, friendly, and helps provide a calming environment to those around them. There are professional trainers that can help a therapy animal, but many times it’s the owner who spends the time and effort to ensure the happiness and safety of others.