Emotional Support Animals are becoming popular among patients battling mental and emotional health issues. Researchers and pet owners alike continue to discover the significant role animals play in boosting our mental health. Pets allow their owners to feel less isolated by providing a sense of companionship.
If you suffer from an emotional or mental disability, you may consider getting an ESA to lessen the physical signs of stress. Your therapist may recommend a pet to provide vital emotional support, issuing an ESA Evaluation Letter. Your dog will now become an official ESA.
ESA registration is voluntary and is not a legal requirement. However, if you wish to be at peace while out, booking a flight, or finding an apartment, the animal ID card can come in handy. An ESA card is official and eliminates the hassles and confrontations that come with having an emotional support animal.
Emotional Support Animal Rights
Any animal can become an ESA partner: snakes, dogs, cats, birds, and many more. While they may not require any special training during ESA registration, your pet may need to be ready for this responsibility. Find a trainer to correct their behavior accordingly.
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot deny you from renting an apartment or home, as long as you have an ESA evaluation letter. This protection holds even for properties with a ‘no-pets’ policy. You should not pay additional fees to live with your animal.
Under the Air Carrier Access Act, you have the right to travel with your emotional support animal without being charged a pet fee. Your animal may have to be on a leash, crate, or sit on your lap. Make sure to notify the airline that you will be traveling with your ESA.
Here are three tips for a smooth ESA registration
1. Understand What an Emotional Support Animal Is
An emotional support animal is a domesticated animal that provides mental or emotional health benefits to its owner. An ESA is an invaluable friend to persons facing anxiety, depression, PTSD, agoraphobia, and other mental disorders.
2. Link with a Licensed Mental Health Professional
The next step is to find a licensed therapist to assess if you qualify for a therapy animal. The counselor will then draft a legitimate ESA letter, legally recognizing your pet as an emotional support animal. The letter should have a professional letterhead, a genuine signature by the therapist, and their contact details. It should also have the address to their practice.
3. Online ESA Registration
Your emotional support animal may not need a digital service dog ID card. However, it may help reduce the hassles when interacting with other people. US Service Animal Registrar can provide a downloadable certificate as part of the self-registration process. You can also receive a US service dog id card, dog leash, or pet jackets that identify them as an ESA. It is important to remember that some institutions may demand to see the official ESA letter before letting you in.
Emotional Service animals are essential for patients with emotional and mental disabilities. You may have to pick an ESA evaluation letter from a licensed physician before registering your animal. For more information about ESA registration, US Service Animal Registrar is ready to provide you with all the answers you need to make your dog a legitimate ESA.