How Do I Get My Pet Registered as an Emotional Support Animal
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an emotional support animal as “any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”
Under the ADA and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), animals are not considered service animals if they provide emotional support.
One must have a letter from a mental health professional in order to be eligible to fly with their pet if it is registered as an emotional support animal.
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.[1]
How do I register my emotional support animal in Virginia?
How Can I Legally Get an ESA in Virginia? You’ll need to get an official letter written and signed by your licensed mental health provider in order to qualify for an ESA in Virginia. You’ll most likely have to meet with your licensed mental health provider first to explain your situation and desire for an ESA.[2]
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.[3]
How do I register an emotional support animal in Colorado?
If you’re thinking of getting an emotional support animal in Colorado, you’ll need to get an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. Certapet helps connect you with vetted, licensed mental health professional in your state. If eligible, you could get your ESA letter within 48 business hours![4]
Can a landlord deny an emotional support animal in NC?
Under the Fair Housing Act, tenants and homeowners with disabilities are allowed to have service animals and emotional support animals in their homes/apartments. They can also have them in common areas of a housing complex. You have this right regardless of whether your lease has a “no pets” policy.[5]
Does North Carolina recognize emotional support animals?
While emotional support animals are not protected under North Carolina Law, service animals are. Service animals provide an important role to their owner as it relates to a physical condition, rather than an emotional one in which emotional support animals assist.[6]
Can a landlord deny an emotional support animal in VA?
Landlords may not deny an ESA based on the animal’s breed, weight, or size as there are no restrictions for an emotional support animal. Additionally, landlords cannot require tenants to pay an extra fee for having an ESA.[7]
Does Virginia recognize emotional support animals?
Service Animals in Virginia Housing Pursuant to the federal Fair Housing Act, housing facilities must allow service dogs and emotional support animals, if necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the home.[8]
Does the VA provide emotional support animals?
If a veteran is experiencing significant physical, mental, or mobile limitations in their day-to-day life due to these disabilities, they may qualify for a Service Dog or an ESA. More on qualifying for an emotional support animal here. The VA has developed a program to provide qualified veterans with service dogs.[9]
Can a landlord deny an ESA in Kentucky?
ESAs in Apartments and Condos in Kentucky This includes units with a unilateral no pets policy, because, under this act, emotional support animals are not considered pets. A landlord is not allowed to discriminate against a person for having an emotional support animal.[10]
Can a landlord charge a pet deposit for an emotional support animal in Kentucky?
It follows HUD’s guidance that landlords may not charge any fees, deposits, rent, or other up-front amounts for the Assistance Animal. It provides that the landlord is not liable for injuries caused by Assistance Animals that are only allowed on the property as a reasonable accommodation based on disability.[11]
What is an ESA letter?
An emotional support animal letter is an official document that acts as proof of a person’s need for an ESA to treat their disability. These letters must be written and signed by a licensed mental health professional in your state, and can secure the ESA access to rental housing regardless of pet policies.[12]
