Home Page › Blog › Is an Emotional Support Animal the Same as a Service Dog?
Is an Emotional Support Animal the Same as a Service Dog?
![Service Dog vs Emotional Support Dog](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/service-dog-sd-vs-esd.jpg)
The terms “service dog” and “emotional support animal” are often incorrectly used interchangeably. While they fall under the same umbrella of assistance animals, these two types of dogs provide different services to their handlers. In order to find the most fitting, beneficial support, it’s important for handlers to know the difference between the two types of dogs.
In short, a service dog is a trained dog to help an individual with specific tasks and often accompanies their owner at all times. An emotional support animal (ESA) provides comfort in times of distress and does not need any specific training. While ESA’s do need an official ESA letter issued by a licensed medical professional, service dogs do not need any documentation. However, some service dog owners find it easier to communicate the dog’s purpose when they obtain a registration or id card.
Show everyone that the rights of your service dog should be respected. Get your service dog registered below.
What is a Service Dog?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is a dog that performs tasks specifically related to a person’s disability. Examples of disabilities are:
- Visual impairment. The service dog would be trained to guide their handler.
- Physical disability. A service dog could help retrieve items for a person in a wheelchair.
- Chronic health problems. The service dog could alert its handler with diabetes when the blood sugar is low.
These tasks relate directly to the individual’s disability and help improve their quality of life.
![Service dog or therapy dog or emotional support dog chart](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/service-dog_esa_therapy-dog-902x1024.jpg)
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal (ESA) provides support to an individual solely through companionship. Specialized training is not required.
Anyone suffering from one or more of the mental illnesses listed below may qualify for an ESA:
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Learning Disorders
- Autism
- General Anxiety Disorder
- Gender Identity
- Bipolar
- Cognitive disorders
- Depression
- Severe anxiety
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The emotional support animal doesn’t need to meet any specific requirements regarding training or registration and doesn’t have to be a certain type of animal. The owner of an ESA benefits from having the animal nearby, rather than having them complete certain tasks.
![An Emotional Support Animal can be any type of animal](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Emotional-Support-Cat-.jpg)
Qualifications for a Service Dog
A person qualifies for a service dog if they have an official diagnosis of a disability from a medical professional. While the ADA doesn’t require a prescription or documentation to obtain a service dog, there are certain requirements that the dog must meet in order to qualify.
- The dog must be under control at all times.
- A service dog cannot display any aggressive behaviors,
- The service dog must perform one or more tasks that directly related to their handler’s disability.
If the dog is highly trained and can meet these standards, the handler will be allowed to bring them to most public places.
![](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/How-Service-Dogs-Should-Behave-750x500-1.jpg)
Qualifications for an Emotional Support Animal
Similar to service dogs, there is no official registry for emotional support animals. However, there are more limitations to where an ESA can be brought. Under the current ADA and Fair Housing law ESAs are allowed only in:
- Housing with no pets policies
- College dorms
- Places you can adopt an ESA, such as animal shelters
In order to legally own an emotional support animal, the handler is required to hold an ESA letter issued from a licensed medical professional. The therapist must agree that the handler’s pet is part of the treatment for their mental or emotional disability.
How to get an ESA Letter Online
Which One is Right For Me?
Whether a person chooses a service dog or emotional support animal depends on their individual needs. A person who is diagnosed with a debilitating disability may prefer a service dog, as they’ll be able to help them with their day to day tasks.
On the other hand, somebody with a mental illness may prefer an ESA to support them during certain anxiety-provoking situations. No matter what, the dog is there as a support for their handler in times of need.
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.
2 comments
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Latest Posts
![How to Spot Fake Service Dogs](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/catching-fake-service-dogs-800x418-1-300x157.webp)
How to Spot Fake Service Dogs
If you suspect someone is lying about having a service dog, there are ways to tell whether the person is being truthful or not without violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. You can separate real service dogs from fake ones by knowing a few rules, observing the dog’s behavior, and questioning the owner. In this […]
![](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/themes/maya-child/images/link-shadow.png)
Read More
![Guide to Dog-Friendly Foods at the Airport](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/airport-dog-foods-800x418-1.webp)
Guide to Dog-Friendly Foods at the Airport
Being able to fly with your dog is one of the great benefits of modern air travel. But if you’re not fully prepared — or if your flight itinerary doesn’t go according to plan — you could end up with a hungry pup in a place with limited options for dog-friendly food. More than two […]
![](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/themes/maya-child/images/link-shadow.png)
Read More
![Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/can-dogs-eat-marshmallows-800x418-2.webp)
Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows
Smores, crispy cereal treats, and marshmallows are a year-round staple, from summer camping trips to Halloween treats in the fall, from ski trips in the winter to a colorful snack in spring. There’s nothing better than bringing your four-legged friends with you to the outdoors or sneaking samples when cooking. And that’s where smart food […]
![](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/themes/maya-child/images/link-shadow.png)
Read More
My landlord is trying to evict me because I have a service dog which is 11 pounds which is my emotional support dog does she have the right to do that all of a sudden
It is illegal 😡 I am battling the same issues with my Service Dog