Emotional Support Dog Requirements
Are you confused by emotional support dog requirements? You’re not alone. There is a lot of information on this important subject, some of which is misleading or just plain false.
If you want to legally designate your dog as an emotional support animal (ESA), you need to understand all of the various federal and state rules and regulations, which can get complicated. That’s why our ESA experts have done the work of studying these requirements and explaining them to you in simple terms in this guide.
Emotional Support Dog Document Requirements
The required document you need so you can legally call your dog an emotional support animal is an ESA letter. The most important person in this process is a mental health professional — someone like a therapist or counselor who understands how your animal helps your mental health.
An ESA letter is required to have a few things according to HUD guidelines, like your mental health professional’s signature, license number and contact information. In the letter, your provider will explain that you’re dealing with a mental health condition and that your emotional support animal is part of how you manage it. The letter also needs the date, since these letters are like milk — they have an expiration date. Usually, you’ll need a new one each year.
So why is this letter required at all? It’s because, under ESA laws, you need to share one with your landlord if you want to live with your emotional support dog in “no pets” housing. You also need an ESA letter if you’re requesting a waiver of pet fees and deposits. An ESA letter is what you should be most concerned about if you want an emotional support animal — it is the only document your landlord can ask for as proof of your dog’s ESA status.
Emotional Support Dog Training Requirements
ESAs don’t require special training, they serve their purpose simply by being themselves — through their natural ability to provide comfort, companionship, and emotional stability to their owners. Your ESA might naturally help reduce your anxiety just by hanging out with you or giving you a reason to get up in the morning, but they don’t need special training to do this. It’s their presence and the bond you share that provides the therapeutic benefit.
Psychiatric service dogs, on the other hand, work in a fundamentally different way under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These dogs must undergo specialized training to perform tasks that directly help with their handler’s disability. For example, a service dog might be trained to detect oncoming seizures or perform deep pressure therapy for panic attacks.
To better understand this difference, consider how these animals help their owners in different situations. An emotional support dog might naturally lie next to their owner during an anxiety attack, providing emotional comfort through their calming presence. In contrast, a psychiatric service dog would be specifically trained to recognize signs of an impending anxiety attack and perform specific actions like creating space around their handler in crowded areas or leading them to a quiet place — actions that require extensive training to perfect.
While ESAs do not need any specialized training, they should still be well-behaved and under control at all times. A landlord can kick out an emotional support dog if it is acting in an unsafe or destructive manner.
Emotional Support Dog ID Card and Registration Requirements
The legal requirements for ESA registration are straightforward: you don’t need to register your emotional support dog anywhere, either with federal or state agencies. You also don’t need any type of special ID card to prove you have an ESA. You can, however, still choose to register your emotional support animal with us and get accessories like a linked ID card and tags.
You may wonder why ESA owners register their ESAs and get ID cards even if they don’t have to. There are practical reasons for doing it: these visual markers can help smooth daily interactions, especially in places that typically have “no pets allowed” policies like your building lobby. They notify staff and other tenants that a legally protected assistance animal accompanies you. However, remember that your landlord can insist on seeing your ESA letter but not any other form of documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Emotional Support Dog Requirements
1. Does my health condition meet the requirements for an emotional support dog?
You can qualify for an emotional support dog if you have an emotional or mental illness(es) that can be considered a disability, which means that your condition is so severe that it significantly limits your ability to do everyday tasks. These are some common conditions that healthcare professionals write ESA letters for:
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Learning disorders
- Autism
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Gender dysphoria
- Bipolar disorder
- Cognitive disorders
- Depression
- Severe anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Your therapist, doctor, or social worker can evaluate your condition and then decide whether it’s appropriate to recommend an emotional support dog.
2. Are there breed or weight requirements for emotional support dogs?
There are no height, breed, or weight requirements for emotional support animals, including dogs, and landlords, HOAs, co-ops, and other housing providers cannot discriminate based on these traits. This rule even protects breeds that are commonly discriminated against, such as Pit Bulls or Dobermans. You can even have more than one emotional support animal if your therapist recommends it.
There is a requirement, however, that your dog does not pose any sort of health or safety threat to other tenants and can comfortably be in your living space.
3. What are the requirements to fly with an emotional support dog?
Unfortunately, due to the latest Air Carrier Access Act regulations, emotional support dogs no longer have flying privileges in the U.S. That means your emotional support dog will be treated as a normal pet and subject to your airline’s pet policies and pet fees. However, you can still fly with a service dog and board the cabin free of charge.
Emotional Support Dogs Work
If you believe you or a loved one may benefit from an ESD, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your mental health professional to start the process.
If you do not have access to a healthcare professional or are intimidated by the idea of reaching out for help, consider using an online service to get your ESA letter. ESA rules specifically allow for remote online providers to write ESA letters, so your letter will be just as valid as one obtained in person.
About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.
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are there any restrictions on “how much an emotional support dog will cost” or financial assistance and where is the best place to adopt an emotional support dog?
My mother in law got her ESA, Mac, at our local shelter. He cost a little over $100. He was neutered, vaccinated, micro chipped, and was given 2 free vet visits, 6 months free pet insurance, and a year pass to our local dog park. He was an an abandoned 8 week old beagle puppy that had to have his front right leg amputated due to a severe break that could not be fixed. My mother in law has COPD and is prone to severe anxiety attacks that would almost always end in her being intubated and a week long hospital stay. It’s been 8 months and not one hospital stay.
How do you get help with vet bills for them
Emotional Support Animals and Service animals are different. ESA , primarily work to help people with emotional issues ( anxiety stress etc) .They are mot allowed EVERYWHERE. Service Dogs can help the blind deaf, the able challenged , some detect seizures etc. There is more training needed for Service Dogs.I think your in law has a Service Dog.
Do they have a certain age they have to go before ?
I adopted a 2 year old Silkie Mix just because I wanted a second dog. She immediately bonded with my husband, who has dementia. I wasn’t expecting a 10 pound dustmop to be a therapy dog. She has such a calming effect on him, and when I told my husband’s doctor, he offered to write an ESD letter.
I got her from a Rescue for $250.
Support Animals ….They need to be better regulated, I find people bring them into supermarkets al the time where I live, one person riding around in a motorize cart had a small dog checking out the vegetables and their dog was nose to nose touching one or two of them when these folks are confronted they get rather indigent.
ESA animals are not permitted in stores where food is sold (includes restaurants obviously). It is up to the store management to enforce this though and I think they are reluctant to confront people. I once saw a dog pee on a rug at a Home Depot and the owner witnessed it and just walked away. Gross!
Any dog is allowed in home depot. Not just esa or service dogs
I have a 3 year old who has severe anxiety. I cant get him into a therapist bc of the coronavirus. I was wondering if having a dog would help him with his anxiety.
hi i think a dog would greatly help your son with his anxiety, the best thing is to allow him to be involved in the picking of the dog because it helps create a greater bond between the two.
Is there a certain age I have to be in order to get an ESA, I’m 12-13 with anxiety and stress but my mom said I was too young but my doctor said that would be great.
What specifically should the letter from your mental health care provider say?
The ESA letter should mention that the letter owner has a disability and that an ESA is a recommended form of therapy. However, the letter should not include any details on the disability or the specifics of the animal. The ESA letter also needs to be on the doctor’s official letterhead with verifiable information, for anyone to look up if the doctor is licensed in the state. I found a sample ESA letter on another website: https://esadoctors.com/emotional-support-animal-letter/
I suffer from severe anxiety and have thought about getting an ESD but I am still in school. Am I allowed to take a support dog into school?
With experience from my college, it let me have my dog on campus housing but I wasn’t allowed to take it to classes with me. So check with the disability services at your school, they will have the specific answers for you.
I think so
I pretty sure you can
you know i am trying to find out the same thing i was talking to my principal and he said he is looking for the regulations on having one in school, you should definitely do the same.
I have severe anxiety and PTSD due to sexual assault. Last year it got so bad I passed out and got a concussion. I tried therapy before but they lost my appointment and it was so embarrassing. I’m almost afraid of going back. I’m not medicated but my doctors have acknowledged depression and anxiety. I think an ESA would help greatly but I don’t know how I could get one. Are animal support dogs eligible for certain things like discounts on healthcare or food? I’m a single mom also so an ESA maybe cheaper at first and might get me to muster up the courage to go to therapy.
Can anyone claim any dog as an ESA? Just pay for a certificate? I thought they had to be trained by a professional???
I have depression and bipolar disorder and anxiety and adhd ya alot of issues will i qualify i have to cats but they really dont comfort me when i feel like hurting myself
How old does your dog must be to become an Esa pet?
There is no age requirement for a dog to be an ESA pet.
Does my dog have to be neutered to stay with me even thou the complex requires it?
We want to visit national parks
Which parks will allow support dogs into ?
Before making plans to visit any park, it’s best to call or check their website for their pet policies. Due to the limited rights of emotional support animals, they may not have any special access rights. If you require the support of your dog at all times, you might consider training a psychiatric service dog. Service dogs have access to most national parks. You may find this article on taking service dogs to national parks interesting: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/taking-a-service-dog-to-a-national-park/
I have the same question. My ESA is too young to be fixed (5 months) and they are saying I can’t have her since she is not fixed…
Dogs have to be 2lbs or 2 months old to be spayed or neutered.
Is there an age limit or requirement for an ESD
There is no age limit. The doctor or therapist may be able to help make the assessment if an ESA is the best treatment option. A legal guardian would need to be present if the patient is a minor. You may find more information to get started in this article – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-qualify-for-an-emotional-support-animal/
I would say I’d yes. Disabled have rights. They have a right to allow you not a “pet” … … it’s now your support. Educate them. Perhaps you are smarter than they are m.
I was wondering if there was a program that covered medical care for ESD Dogs if the person is Disabled, Depressed and has Anxiety. Because I really do need a ESD, I’ve always had dogs in the past, and I never realized how much they helped me ever since now that I don’t have one.
All suggestions will be greatly appreciated 🌿🌹🌿 thank you
It says specifically that the animal DOES NOT have to be spayed or neutered to be a qualified ESA. So… They legally can’t deny you.
I’m in 6th grade and have depression, anxious add, and servers anxiety. Would my esa be allowed in my school? (School is to pre-K – 6th grade)
My dog is already a therapy dog and goes to hospitals. Could he qualify? I have a physiatrist that has recommended getting an esa.
I have anxiety, but I have medications for it and want to stop taking it so how do i tell my counselor i think i might need a therapy dog?
Just say”I think esd will work better than the meds you give me.”.
Be honest. I’ve been there. Please! Back off if it’s too much.
Is it required to own the dog before you get your ESA letter? I’m thinking about adopting a companion dog and getting an ESA letter for my housing, but I don’t have the dog yet. Any help is appreciated, thanks!
Is the an age limit to own a esa
I got my dog and immediately asked for a letter for her I had no problems getting it the same week. It shouldn’t be too hard to do the same with most therapist/docs.
My apartment complex has breed restrictions. I have a German Shepherd puppy and would like to have him as my ESA. I live in Florida and I’m afraid they will ask me to get rid of him.
I’m 18 with bad social anxiety. And I’ve had problems with it for years, I’ve gone to therapy and it worked for awhile but my dog that I’ve had for 11 years has helped me get through my anxiety and panic attacks. And I was wondering do I need to get a therapist to say I need an ESD to take my dog with me or can I just take him with me without the ESA letter. I live at home as I haven’t graduated yet from high school so housing isn’t a problem but I’m still not sure if I need documents to say I can take him with me when I go somewhere. Can someone please tell me if I need documentation to take him with me?
Yes, you need to have a therapist issue an ESA letter. The letter will state that your dog is part of your therapy. However, access rights of an ESA are limited to housing and inside the cabin of an airline. For other establishments, such as restaurants and schools, you’ll need to check with them beforehand if they accept ESAs. You may find this article on how to get an ESA letter interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
Are we allowed to bring them into our school? Because i suffer from anxiety,deporession,bipolar,and for physical things its probably anger…and dogs have always been a comfort zone to me they let me know they are there and they seem to be very attracted to me as i do to them…and i have a whole history with dogs and many ups and downs. Will i be allowed to bring my ESD(Emotional Support Dog) into school with me?
My daughter has the same issues. She brings her esa animal with to high school with vest that says working dog and the other students respect that. It is in school records.
👍amazing. I’m glad to hear that👍
i’m looking into getting an ESD due to anxiety and breaking out in anger. What requirements would i have to go through to be able to get my dog trained and certified to be an ESD
ESAs do not require special training or certification. Talk with your doctor and a mental health provider to determine if an ESA is an appropriate option for you.
I need to register my dog as a Service Dog not Emotional Support Dog. How can i go about it and; why landlords Perferrance service dogs over emotional dogs. Finally, what I did not say at beginning is I have MS and PTSD plus my kids ages 7 and 9 years old has Autism.