Emotional Support Animals

December 2020 - The Department of Transportation (DOT)
​has changed its regulations  to no longer allow Emotional Support Animals on flights. 
This final rule defines a service animal as a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. It allows airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets, rather than service animals, and permits airlines to limit the number of service animals that one passenger can bring onboard an aircraft to two service animals.

Emotional Support Animals

Check Out the Infographic >>
​For a Quick Review of the Differences Between Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs.

What is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides therapeutic benefit, such as alleviating or mitigating some symptoms of the disability, to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability. Emotional support animals are typically dogs and cats, but may include other animals.

​Who Can Receive an Emotional Support Animal?
To qualify for an emotional support animal, a person needs to have a mental or emotional disability, and been provided a letter stating the need for the animal by a physician or treatment provider.

What Laws Support Emotional Support Animals?
Under Federal Laws, emotional support animals are allowed in traditionally non-pet housing. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals, and thus are not allowed in public places.

How Do I Get an Emotional Support Animal?
Because ESAs do not go in public places, they do not require any training. Thus, you can adopt a pet at your local shelter or rescue. Or, if you would like a dog, that has been obedience trained, you can adopt a dog with obedience training (varying levels) from Domesti-PUPS.