Understanding Emotional Support Animals

It is very important to understand exactly what an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) is. The most important thing to know is that they are NOT the same as service animals. Service animals are protected by Americans with Disabilities Act, whereas ESAs are not. However, it is required under the Fair Housing Act that landlords and apartment complexes allow ESAs without additional charges, even if pets are not allowed. In 2020, the changes to the Air Carrier Access Act were released and they stated that, beginning in 2021, ESAs, comfort animals, service animals in trainings, and companionship animals are not considered "service animals" under the Department of Transportation's new definition. This also means that airlines can create their own rules on the allowance of "non service animals" on their flights.

Maggie Bishop and her ESA Stormi!

It is also good to know that ESAs are not psychiatric service dogs. ESAs do not require training, while psychiatric service dogs require thorough and comprehensive training to help individuals who need their animals to notice the symptoms of a psychiatric episode and begin to assist in minimizing the effects. Many people think this is similar to how an ESA helps, but the difference is the amount of training the animal has and how the tasks are performed to assist the person. For example, a service animal may remind a person to take medication or go get someone else for assistance. However, if just the presence of the dog or animal helps the person, that doesn't qualify as a service animal.

Do you know someone with an ESA? Or, do you think an ESA could benefit you?