Reviewed by Vanessa Farner, DVM on July 08, 2021 Service dogs are special pets that aid people with disabilities. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs help their owners perform tasks directly related to their
disability. This is what distinguishes service dogs between emotional support dogs, working dogs, or psychiatric service dogs. Service dogs can be any breed or size, as long as they can assist their owner correctly. If you have a dog and want them to be your service dog, it's possible. However, it's helpful to adopt a dog that is already a trained service dog. The ADA has deemed that perfectly legal, as well. You have two options for training your dog to become a service animal. You could either train your dog yourself or enroll them in a dog service training program. Consider your dog's personality and ability. Unfortunately, some dogs may lack the characteristics needed to be effective service dogs. If you have a chihuahua, and you need a service dog to help you transition from your wheelchair, they might not be the right service dog for you. In addition to being able to meet the physical requirements of a service dog, the dog you choose as a service animal must have the right temperament as well. In service dog training programs, around 55%-70% of dogs don’t end up being suited to it. Some qualities that your service dog will need to have are: Housetrain your dog. If you think your dog can do these things and the physical tasks you need, you should start by house training your dog. This training should include your dog being able to relieve themselves
on command and in different places. Socialize your companion. Next, move on to socializing your dog with unfamiliar environments, people, scents, sounds, and animals. Focus on training your dog to stay present with you and ignore any distractions. Once you and your dog have covered
the basics, you can move on to training your dog how to assist you in the ways you need. Know the law. There are many programs available that offer service dog certification programs. But these certifications do not prove that the dog is a service animal. In fact, the ADA does not require any sort of certificate or proof that your service dog is trained. Research
whatever program you chose. If you decide to enter your dog into a training program, make sure you do extensive research to check that it’s reputable. Training programs can cost thousands of dollars, so it's crucial to make sure you get your money’s worth. Things like referrals and reviews can go a long way to ensure the best experience for you and your dog. Make sure you can answer two questions. The ADA says that you are only required to answer two questions if
it is not apparent that your dog is a service dog. Those questions are, “Is the dog service animal needed because of a disability?" and “What work or task has the dog been trained to do?" You need to be able to accurately answer both questions for the dog to be seen as a service dog. Be clear on required registration. Mandatory registration of service animals is illegal, according to the ADA. Any municipality that says so violates the ADA. However,
regional registration and vaccination rules for animals also apply to service animals. It's important to remember that the ADA leaves the training up to the dog owner entirely. As long as your service animal can fulfill your needs, they are a service animal. While this may require additional training to accomplish, it doesn’t have to. Dogs are natural sweethearts — most furry friends provide their owners with emotional support through cuddling, companionship, and quality time. However, some owners have mental health needs which exceed the run-of-the-mill desire for love and companionship. In some cases, people struggling with mental health challenges may be encouraged by mental health professionals to seek companionship from an emotional support animal, or ESA for short. We’ll explain everything you need to know about ESAs below including the particular registration requirements.
 Emotional support animals are pets that help their people cope with mental health challenges. Dogs are the most common examples (and the ones we’ll be focusing on here), but ESAs come in all shapes, sizes, and species. But while they are classified as pets, ESAs differ from typical family four-footers. For example, plenty of pups offer emotional support to their owners, but ESAs are prescribed by mental health professionals for their patients. Essentially, the therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist determines that an emotional support animal is needed for the mental health and well being of a patient. Emotional support dogs can be any age or breed, so long as they are actively alleviating some of the symptoms associated with an individual’s mental health challenges. This could be easing someone’s anxiety or stress, providing structure and focus through a routine, or any of the other mental health benefits pooches often provide. Is an Emotional Support Dog the Same as a Service Dog?Service dogs and emotional support animals share some similarities, but they are entirely different classifications altogether. While both ESAs and service dogs can provide emotional support for their owners, service dogs are trained to perform a specific task in relation to their owner’s disability. These tasks are not vague or instinctual (such as general canine cuddling); instead, they are specific to their owner’s needs. This could be guiding a visually impaired person around an obstacle, or alerting a deaf patient to an alarm. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals are strictly those that are trained to perform tasks for people with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities. Simple companionship or affection does not qualify as a distinguished service task. Emotional support animals needn’t be trained to perform these types of specific tasks (but training an ESA never hurts either). For a dog to be considered an ESA, they simply need to be important for the mental health and well being of their person and recommended by a licensed mental health professional. That being said, you can still have a service dog for anxiety, if the dog is trained to perform certain behaviors to alleviate anxiety, such as providing physical pressure during a panic attack. So, while there are obviously some similarities, service dogs and ESAs are clearly very different, and they’re treated very differently under the law. What About Therapy Dogs? Are They the Same as ESAs? ESAs and service dogs also differ from therapy dogs, which are pups that are trained to provide affection and comfort to many people, usually in settings like a nursing home, hospital, or disaster areas. Like emotional support dogs, therapy dogs do not receive the same accommodations as service dogs. The Rules and Regulations for Emotional Support DogsThere are certain rules that emotional support dogs and owners need to follow in order to qualify a pet as an ESA. Here are some things to keep in mind while seeking out an emotional support animal:
How Can I Get an Emotional Support Animal?In order to get an emotional support animal or have your current canine certified as such, you need to speak with a licensed mental health professional, demonstrate your need for an ESA in relation to your disability, and obtain a letter outlining these facts. So, if you already receive care from a licensed mental health professional, you can simply discuss an ESA with him or her. But don’t worry if you don’t currently have a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist: There are legitimate organizations that can help you obtain a letter from a licensed mental health professional. Legitimate Organizations That Can Help You Obtain an Emotional Support DogThere are a lot of sketchy companies offering unnecessary services (such as registration — more on this in a minute) for people in need of an ESA. But while you want to steer clear of these shady companies, there are a few legitimate organizations that can help people who don’t have a therapist or psychiatrist obtain an emotional support pet. We’ll discuss three of the best below. 1. CertaPetCertaPet offers certificates for travel, housing, or both, thereby allowing you to customize your consultation based on your needs. The service is licensed in all 50 states and also offers a quick free pre-screening to determine if you’re an eligible candidate for an ESA before committing to the entire process. Features:
2. PettablePettable is licensed in all 50 states and offers ESA certification for all pets and owners who qualify via a telehealth consultation. The service offers a free 3-minute pre-screening to make sure you’re eligible for the service before setting up an in-depth consultation with a licensed professional.
3. ESA CertificateESA Certificate connects you directly with qualified therapists to obtain a travel, housing, or combination certificate. The service provides an free online questionnaire for pre-screening purposes, and they will mail out a physical letter within 48 hours of the approved consultation session. Features:
ESA Letters Do Expire ESA letters are only valid for one year, so you’ll need to go through the process annually. It is a good idea to keep your letters from previous years with your other health records. Does Your ESA Require a Special Vest?The ADA does not require assistance animals to wear a vest or be labelled as an ESA. In effect, this means that any dog you see may actually be an emotional support animal. However, a dog service vest may still be a good idea, since they can help alert others that a furry friend is on duty, and therefore shouldn’t be distracted or engaged with as one might with a typical pet. It may also make business owners and others more likely to accommodate your canine companion. Additionally, service vests can also contain helpful pockets or compartments to hold medications or other essential items. Many also reflective for extra safety and look great. Some dogs may not like working with a vest, so owners may opt for a bandana, collar, collar, or leash wrap instead. Do You Need to Register an Emotional Support Dog?Unfortunately, there are a number of sketchy “emotional support animal registration sites” that seek to take advantage of people who aren’t familiar with ESA requirements. But let’s be crystal clear: These are not the same thing as the ESA services discussed above. You do NOT need to register your pet with a registry site — as long you have your licensed letter, you are all set (that is what the organizations above help you accomplish). In fact, there is no national registry for emotional support dogs and animals. If a service isn’t connecting you directly with a mental health professional, they aren’t worth your time. You aren’t allowed to “buy” ESA letters — they can only be obtained through a formal evaluation. *** Emotional support dogs can provide plenty of companionship, focus, and structure to the lives of those struggling with a mental disability. These pups aren’t to be confused with service or therapy dogs, and are classified through consultation with your licensed mental health professional by way of a letter. Do you have an emotional support animal? How does your dog help you? We’d love to hear all about your helpful hound in the comments below! How do I register my emotional support animal in NC?To qualify for an emotional support animal in North Carolina, you must have an ESA letter from a healthcare professional licensed for your state. If you are ready to connect with an online healthcare professional specializing in ESAs, you can get started by completing the questionnaire at the link below.
How do I register my companion dog in Australia?What you need. the relevant PDF form: ... . medical evidence of your disability.. documentation confirming the animal is registered with your local council.. a photo of the animal.. evidence that the animal has received training from: ... . documentation that details how the skills and actions the animal has been trained in:. How do I register an emotional support animal in Kentucky?To get a legitimate Emotional Support Animal, go through a licensed mental health professional in the real world or online. The ESA letter must be written on the licensed mental health professional's official letterhead and include their licensing information.
How do I register an emotional support animal in Wisconsin?It is quite easy to get an emotional support animal in Wisconsin. Simply contact US Service Animals to speak with one of our medical professionals. They will assess your situation to see if you and your animal qualify. If you do, you will be permitted to continue the registration process and receive your ESA letter.
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How to register your dog as a support dog
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