• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

What you need to know about getting an ESA certificate

Posted November 27, 2020

Man cuddles Jack Russell Terrier. If your doctor determines you qualify, he’ll write a letter or ESA certificate to recognize your dog as an emotional support companion.
If your doctor determines you qualify, he’ll write a letter or ESA certificate to recognize your dog as an emotional support companion.

In recent years, mental health has received unprecedented attention as people raise awareness on the importance of keeping people’s psyche healthy as much as the body. A person struggling with mental health tends to pull away from friends and loved ones, which aggravates its effects on the mind. One of the most realizations that people are beginning to accept nowadays is that these illnesses don’t tend to go away independently. That is why several treatments and therapy, including emotional support animals, are being applied to help patients cope.

People qualified to file for emotional support animals (ESA) are protected by law and have lesser restrictions when taking them out to public places. If you or someone you know would like to file for an ESA certificate, here are some things they should know:

Service animals vs. ESA

One of the most important takeaways from an emotional support animal compared to service animals is that the certification doesn’t require your companion to have special training. Their main difference is explained as follows:

  1. As mentioned, ESA doesn’t need special training because they are there only to offer emotional support and companionship, while service dogs may be required to do other things.
  2. ESA can help patients by providing relief from stress and anxiety. Simultaneously, service dogs also assist with the owner’s daily tasks like guiding a visually-impaired person, press elevator buttons, carrying a bag, and others.
  3. Although ESA doesn’t need special training, you still need to control them in public. You can train them by yourself or have them undergo training outside.

Qualifications

Many people mistake that they need to certify their dog to be an ESA. The truth is, there is no certifying body that examines your dog as a fit companion. What you really need is to obtain an ESA letter to qualify your dog as a support companion. In its simplest form, an emotional support animal registration only requires you to have a licensed mental health professional to recommend that you need a companion.

When you recognize that you need an ESA, get in touch with your licensed therapist, and demonstrate why you need a companion. If your doctor determines that you qualify for an ESA, he’ll write a letter that recognizes your dog as an emotional companion. The letter will have:

  1. Your doctor’s/therapist’s letterhead.
  2. An established mental disability that needs an ESA
  3. Recommendation of an ESA to ameliorate the symptoms
  4. Your doctor’s/therapist’s license number, signature, and date.

Legal protection

Once you’ve secured a certificate, your ESA or ESD will be afforded special permission or benefits under the protection of the Aircraft Carrier Access Act (ACA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The former allows you to carry your dog in-cabin without additional fees; however, your letter is only valid for a year, and you’ll need to renew it if you still need one. Also, airlines are allowed to have their policies to what constitutes an ESA. Currently, they only recognize dogs and cats as an ESA.

Earlier this year, the U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued new guidelines that affirm the accommodation of emotional support dogs (ESD) in housing. This basically enforces a previous directive for landlords to provide reasonable accommodations to tenants with a valid ESA letter from a licensed professional. It also allows for online application of ESA and other related services, making it easy for you people who find it difficult to see their therapist or doctor. Here are some details of the FHA regarding ESA:

  1. Landlords are not allowed to impose a breed, weight, and size limit on a registered animal.
  2. Landlords are not allowed to charge fees in connection to the ESA.
  3. Housing providers are not allowed to ask or require details of the tenant’s medical condition or history.
  4. Landlords can deny an ESA if it puts an “undue financial burden” to accommodate it and if the landlord determines that they pose a health and safety issue to the other occupants.

Choosing an ESA

If you haven’t chosen your support companion yet or already have a pet, the good thing is that you can have them as your ESA. You don’t need to spend exorbitantly on an ESA. You’ll also have to be careful about online services that will hustle you for your money, offering you an ESA letter but getting a fake one. Do your research, or the only approach trusted service providers to help you get your ESA letter.

Investing in an ESA is a great long term solution to work for your mental health. It ensures a steady and supportive companion and helps you in many ways to navigate your struggles in your daily lives. We need to stop putting a stigma on mental health issues and recognize those who need help. Handling these issues can be complicated and can be so simple as having a four-legged friend holding our hand as we rise above them.

Is it better to have two dogs?

Related Posts

  • woman hugs emotional support dog
    Emotional support dogs: Why make it official?

    People with emotional or mental health issues can qualify for…

  • emotional support dog regulations
    What laws regulate emotional support animals?

    If you have an ESA, know that there are emotional…

  • therapy dogs
    Mission accomplished: Service dogs, emotional support dogs and therapy dogs

    Therapy dogs help improve the lives of people living in…

  • rescue a dog
    Service animals vs. emotional support pets: What's the difference?

    Emotional support pets provide daily structure for their human companions.…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health Tagged With: Dog health benefits, Emotional support dogs

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

WaterVacation dog careSeparation anxietytraining tipsValentine's DayOutdoor activitiesPawSocializationPandemicWorking dogsSheddingThanksgivingTicksPuppy kindergartenTwo dogsPotty trainingPetfinder.comPet parentsVeterinarianPomeranianPit bullPet sitterSmall dogsPuppy-proofYorkshire terrierOld dogsService dogsRottweilerPoodleRescue dog

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort: The ultimate guide for dog owners
    Balancing cleanliness and canine comfort is crucial for the well-being of your pet. This guide is for you if you want to achieve this balance. […]
  • The importance of a balanced diet for dogs: Why and how you should care
    Feed your dog a balanced diet with the right mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Ensure they get the right amounts to stay healthy. […]
  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.