Emotional Support Dog Laws

The federal fair housing act requires landlords and housing facilities to 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.

Emotional support dog laws.

The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual s disability. To fall under this provision you must have a disability and you must have a disability related need for the animal. However before any animal can be determined to be an esa their owner must first be diagnosed with a mental disability that significantly limits one or more of their daily major life activities by a qualified mental health professional. An esa does not need any special training to work or perform tasks for its owner.

An assistance animal is not a pet. Obligations of housing providers. Learn more about the fair housing act and air carrier access act. An assistance animal is an animal that works provides assistance or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified effects of a person s disability.

The airline is not allowed to charge fees in connection with your emotional support animal. An emotional support animal in florida is an animal that provides assistance or therapeutic emotional support to its owner by its mere presence. Airlines must accommodate dogs cats and miniature horses that are esas. If you meet the criteria of these provisions you are entitled to an emotional support animal in the air and in your housing unit.

Although emotional support animals do not have the same rights as service dogs under ada they are protected under the fair housing amendment act fhaa and the air carrier access act acaa. Other species of animals whether wild or domestic trained or untrained are not considered service animals either. Under the acaa and guidance from the dot airlines and passengers with emotional support animals must comply with certain rules. While typically dogs or cats emotional support animals may include other species.

Frequently asked questions about service animals and the ada us dept. An emotional support animal is a type of assistance animal that is recognized as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability under the federal fair housing act provides an overview of assistance animals in housing. What are the laws protecting emotional support animal owners. An emotional support animal is an animal typically a dog or cat though this can include other species that provides a therapeutic benefit to its owner through companionship.