Emotional Support Animals vs. Service Animals
Dr. Nikki’s Fur Babies
For many of us, our animals are part of our family. We love them unconditionally, we say hello to them when we get home, say goodbye to them (and give kisses) when we leave, and snuggle up with them whenever we can. Overall, our furbabies allow us to feel additional comfort and joy throughout their lives. Numerous research studies have shown the positive effects of having a pet, including:
Decreased stress and anxiety
Decreased loneliness
Increased mood
Increased social support
One might argue that our pets are emotional support pets. In recent years that phrase has been a catch-all phrase to mean a variety of different things. Yes, our animals can support our emotional health. Personally, when I walk through the door after a long day and am greeted by my two dogs, I can’t help but bring a smile to my face. However, the term “emotional support” animal doesn’t mean the scenario I just described.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not the same and do not have the same rights as service animals (SAs). Emotional support animals provide therapeutic support to their human companions that have a documented and real mental health diagnosis. Service animals obtain specialized training for what they will help their human companion with in the future. Service animals are included under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), emotional support animals are not. Emotional support animals are included under the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Service animals may accompany their owners anywhere, emotional support animals cannot.
In recent years, many people have gotten paperwork off the internet classifying their animals as providing “emotional support animals.” They answered a few questions, paid a fee, and then were able to print out a certificate and even purchase items showing their animal was an ESA. This paperwork allowed them to bring the pet on the airplane with them, or even live in an apartment that doesn’t allow pets. Stop doing this. Emotional support animals are for individuals who have a real and documented mental health diagnosis. If you believe you might fit into this category, please find a provider that can complete an actual evaluation for your needs. An evaluation that includes meeting with you and often the animal, lasting longer than 5 minutes that you cannot do just on your computer by putting in your credit card number and clicking print.
Going on the internet and paying a small fee for false paperwork is unethical. It also hinders the process for people who actually need animals for their diagnosis. The increase of people abusing the system has now caused several businesses to crack down on what they will and will not allow. You can read the Air Carrier Access Act’s final rule on this from 2020. Due to recent issues with ESAs and SAs, ESAs are no longer included in their definition of SAs. Under the final ruling, the animal, whether you are trying to call it an ESA or SA is required to have individualized training. This would fall under SA. The rule also states that the SA is a “dog.” So, for people who were trying to have their mini horse or chickens come on the airplane, that’s no longer an option. Psychiatric service animals are considered SA’s by airlines. Please read that again. A psychiatric service animal (not an emotional support animal) is allowed on the airline and considered a SA. Psychiatric service animals are different from ESAs as they often receive specialized training for their human companion.
I get that you want to bring your pet with you on vacation. However, do it the right way. Find hotels and modes of transportation that allow you to bring your pet, without going on the internet and claiming them to be an “emotional support animal.” If you cannot bring your animal, ask a trustworthy friend or family member to watch them while you are away. If that’s not possible, consider changing your plans and not going away. When you decided to get the animal, you made a commitment to that animal.
If you were thinking about getting a family pet or adding to your already family of pets, the short list above shows the benefits. For families with children, it’s also a great way to introduce responsibility, chores, and caring for others. Have the entire family help out with feeding, bathing, walking, etc. Thinking ahead about where the pet will go when and if you travel will be helpful in the long run when it does come time for that awesome family vacation!