What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
DISCLAIMER: Everything stated below is based on the research, personal experience and/or opinion of Sarec’s Cattery. We are not medical professionals or lawyers and therefore are not providing medical or legal advice.
An emotional support animal (ESA) is meant to provide in-home companionship, comfort, support and love to their human with an impairment or disability.
In order to be deemed an ESA, a licensed medical health professional must document that the animal’s presence provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of the person’s impairment or disability.
These animals are typically prescribed to those with mental and/or emotional impairments or disabilities such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
ESAs are recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act requires associations to grant reasonable accommodations from association rules and policies to allow a person with an impairment or disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy the person’s dwelling and association common areas, which may include allowing emotional support animals that might otherwise violate association rules or policies.
While ESAs are critical to their human’s wellbeing, they do not require any “special training” like you’d find with a service or therapy animal.
Back to
Sarec's ESA Program Information
How is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) different from a Service Animal or Therapy Animal?
DISCLAIMER: Everything stated below is based on the research, personal experience and/or opinion of Sarec’s Cattery. We are not medical professionals or lawyers and therefore are not providing medical or legal advice.
A service animal is one that is trained specifically for their human’s impairment or disability. For example, for those that are blind, their service animal aids them in navigation. For those with epilepsy, their service animal alerts them to an upcoming epileptic episode. For those with sensory issues, their service animal screens environments for the potential of sensory overload, etc. Federal law also provides for special accommodations for service animals, such as acceptance into public locations like stores and restaurants, as well as public transportation including buses, trains and airline flights.
A therapy animal typically lives with their handler and are utilized to provide comfort and support in environments like nursing homes, hospitals and schools. While they do require special training, it is typically not focused on a specific individual, but rather more generalized so their presence can be a benefit to many people.
An emotional support animal (ESA) is meant to provide in-home companionship and emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of their person’s disability.
Current federal laws (as of Sept 2023) do not recognize ESAs as "service animals" and therefore they are not provided the same accommodations as a service animal. They are however recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act requires associations to grant reasonable accommodations from association rules and policies to allow a person with an impairment or disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy the person’s dwelling and association common areas, which may include allowing emotional support animals that might otherwise violate association rules or policies.
Check out this YouTube video by Dr. Tracey Marks that speaks to ESAs, service animals and therapy animals – how they are all defined and what accommodations are made for each.
Back to
Sarec's ESA Program Information
How do you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
DISCLAIMER: Everything stated below is based on the research, personal experience and/or opinion of Sarec’s Cattery. We are not medical professionals or lawyers and therefore are not providing medical or legal advice.
In order to qualify for an ESA (and/or qualify your existing animal as an ESA) a licensed medical health professional must document (write a letter) that the animal’s presence is required for your wellbeing and provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of your impairment or disability.
Your relationship with your medical and mental health professional/team is personal and unique to you. If you’re thinking about talking to your professional/team about an ESA, check out this YouTube video by Dr. Tracey Marks that talks about ESAs and dives into what questions your medical/mental health professional might be asking themselves as they determine your qualifications for an ESA.
Back to
Sarec's ESA Program Information
