Emotional Support Dog (ESA Dog): How to Get an ESA Registration and Certification

An emotional support dog (ESA dog) is a type of companion animal specifically designated to provide comfort, emotional stability, and therapeutic benefits to individuals coping with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other emotional disorders. “Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are animals that provide therapeutic benefits to individuals with mental health or psychiatric disabilities, but are not considered service animals,” according to the study by Gatesy-Davis, A. titled “Emotional Support Animals: The Basics” published in the website of Psychiatry Information in Brief in 2021. An ESA dog is able to alleviate symptoms resulting from these conditions with its presence and soothing nature.

What is the Purpose of an Emotional Support Dog?

Unlike service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, the primary purpose of an emotional support dog is to offer unconditional companionship and alleviate emotional distress through their presence. 

Studies have shown that the mere act of interacting with or being near an emotional support dog reduces cortisol levels (a stress hormone), increases oxytocin (the “bonding” hormone), and improves mood. 
The role of an ESA dog extends beyond companionship; they help mitigate feelings of isolation, encourage regular activity through care routines, and serve as a calming presence during periods of stress or emotional upheaval, thereby improving the overall quality of life for their owners.

What are the Benefits of Having an Emotional Support Dog?

The benefits of having an Emotional Support Dog or ESA dog include a positive impact on mental health, physical health, and overall well-being, particularly for individuals with emotional or psychological conditions. Some of the key benefits are listed below.

• Emotional Support and Comfort: ESA dogs provide companionship and unconditional love, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Their presence offers comfort during difficult emotional times, such as anxiety, depression, or stress.
• Reduction in Anxiety and Stress: Interacting with an ESA dog has been shown to lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and increase the production of oxytocin (the “love hormone”), promoting relaxation and emotional well-being.
• Improved Mental Health: For people suffering from conditions like depression, PTSD, or anxiety, having an ESA dog is a therapeutic tool. The dog provides a sense of purpose, motivation, and routine, which helps improve overall mental health.
• Increased Physical Activity: ESA dogs often require regular walks and outdoor play, encouraging their owners to be more active. This increased physical activity has additional benefits for both physical and mental health, improving mood and overall well-being.
• Improved Social Interaction: Having a dog, especially an ESA dog, helps break down social barriers and increase social interactions. People feel more comfortable interacting with others when their ESA dog is with them, helping to foster connections and reduce social anxiety.
• Sense of Security and Safety: For people with PTSD or anxiety disorders, an ESA dog offers a sense of security. The dog’s presence helps individuals feel safer and more confident in public spaces or at home.
• Non-judgmental Support: Unlike human interactions, ESA dogs offer unconditional support and are non-judgmental. This makes them especially helpful for those who feel misunderstood or isolated because of their mental health struggles.
• Help with Routine and Structure: Dogs require regular feeding, walking, and care, which helps individuals establish a daily routine. This structure is particularly beneficial for people who struggle with motivation or managing time due to mental health issues.

Emotional Regulation: ESA dogs assist in managing emotions by offering a calming presence. Their companionship helps individuals better regulate their emotions, preventing feelings of overwhelm or distress from escalating.

Do you qualify for an ESA dog?

What is an ESA Certification?

There is no official ESA certification—no national registry or requirement exists to certify a dog as an emotional support animal. The only legal requirement for an ESA is a prescription from a licensed mental health professional, issued as part of a person’s treatment plan. Individuals dealing with emotional or mental health conditions may qualify for an emotional support dog to help manage and ease their symptoms. An ESA dog is officially recognized through an ESA letter, which is written by a licensed mental health provider following a consultation with the individual.

Is an Emotional Support Animal Registration Real?

No, there’s no such thing as an emotional support animal registration. There is no national ESA registry, and services claiming to offer ESA registration are often misleading or fraudulent. The only legitimate way to recognize a dog as an emotional support animal is through an ESA letter issued by a licensed mental health professional.

How to Get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA Dog)?

To qualify for an emotional support animal, you must be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who can prescribe an ESA as part of your treatment plan.

1. Start by contacting a licensed therapist, physician, or other LMHP to schedule a consultation to assess your emotional or mental health needs. Services like CertaPet simplify the process by connecting individuals with licensed professionals in all 50 states, allowing for convenient virtual evaluations from home.
2. After the consultation, the LMHP will determine whether you are a suitable candidate for an emotional support dog or other ESA. If approved, you’ll receive an official ESA letter that certifies your need for an emotional support animal.
3. If you don’t currently have a pet but are considering getting one as an ESA, take time to evaluate which type of animal best suits your lifestyle, living situation, and ability to provide proper care.

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What Dog Breeds Are Suitable for Emotional Support?

Emotional support dog breeds are chosen based on their temperament, adaptability, and ability to provide emotional comfort. While any dog is possible to be an ESA animal, the breeds listed below excel due to their natural qualities.

• Labrador Retriever: Friendly, gentle, and highly trainable, making them ideal for offering comfort and companionship.
• Golden Retriever: Affectionate and intuitive, they provide unwavering emotional support and are great with families.
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:  Small, affectionate, and calm, these dogs are perfect lap companions for reducing stress.
• Poodle: Intelligent, hypoallergenic, and adaptable, suitable for individuals with allergies or specific needs.
• Yorkshire Terrier: Compact, loyal, and attentive, making them ideal for those seeking a devoted and portable ESA animal.

These ESA dog breeds are celebrated for their ability to bond closely with their owners, offering emotional stability and comfort tailored to individual needs.

Can Any Dog Be an Emotional Support Animal?

Yes, any dog can be an emotional support animal (ESA), as long as it provides the emotional support needed by its owner. Unlike service dogs, which require specialized training, emotional support animals do not need specific training to qualify. The key requirement is that the dog must offer comfort and companionship that helps alleviate symptoms of a person’s emotional or psychological condition. ESA animals are any breed or size, as long as they are well-behaved and reliably provide the necessary emotional support. However, it’s important to note that a medical professional must prescribe the dog as an ESA for it to receive the legal protections and benefits that come with being an emotional support animal.

What Basic Training is Recommended for Emotional Support Dogs?

The basic training recommended for emotional support dogs includes teaching the dogs essential commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “heel,” which help manage the dog’s behavior in different environments. 

Leash training is also important to ensure the dog walks calmly beside its owner without pulling or causing distractions, especially in public settings. 

Socialization is key, as emotional support dogs must be comfortable around different people, other animals, and various environments to avoid anxiety or aggression. 

Crate training helps with creating a safe and secure space for the dog when traveling or staying in unfamiliar places. 

Although these are not strict requirements for an emotional support dog, providing basic training ensures that the dog comfortably and safely supports its owner, making the experience more rewarding for both the dog and the person. While emotional support dogs do not require the specialized training that service dogs undergo, basic training is still highly recommended to ensure the dog is well-behaved and assists its owner effectively. 

Can you Adopt a Dog for Emotional Support?

Yes, you can adopt a dog for emotional support. However, it’s important to understand what an emotional support animal is and how it differs from a regular pet. 

While it is possible to adopt a dog and later designate it as an emotional support animal (ESA), the key is that the dog must help alleviate symptoms of a mental or emotional condition. To officially qualify as an emotional support animal, owners need an ESA Letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who confirms that the dog provides therapeutic benefits for the patient’s specific condition. 

Adoption is done through a shelter, rescue, or breeder, but the emotional support role is determined by the need for emotional assistance. Once the dog is adopted, ensure it is well-behaved and suited to the patient’s needs. Remember that an ESA does not require special training, but the dog must offer comfort and companionship to help manage emotional or psychological challenges.

Are Dogs the Best Emotional Support Animal?

No, dogs are not the best emotional support animals, but they’re among the most common. ESAs are expected to be well-behaved and manageable in public situations and shouldn’t constitute a nuisance at home.  Dogs are an extremely popular option to become ESAs because emotional support dogs tend to be easy to train and are typically allowed in a greater variety of places, such as dog-friendly public parks and other dog-friendly locations.

Are there any Breed Restrictions for Emotional Support Dogs?

No, there are no breed restrictions for emotional support dogs under the Fair Housing Act regulations.

How do Emotional Support Animals differ from Service Animals?

Emotional Support Animals differ from Service Animals because ESAs do not need to undergo any type of specialized training to carry out tasks. ESAs are meant to be companion animals that help reduce symptoms related to emotional disabilities such as anxiety, depression, social phobias, and more.
Service animals, on the other hand, are specifically trained to complete tasks for their owners, for instance: mobility assistance, retrieving objects, alerting, and more.

Service animals are legally protected under multiple laws and regulations, and they’re allowed public access and traveling rights, while ESAs are only safeguarded under fewer laws, such as the Fair Housing Act.

Is Getting an Emotional Support Dog different for each State?

The process is generally the same for each state, but a few states have specific stipulations that must be followed in order to obtain an ESA dog. We have built the Certapet platform to accommodate the state and federal regulations for each state, and you will be notified of those stipulations before purchase when you select one of the following five states: Arkansas, California, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana.

Do you qualify for an ESA dog?

What are the Rights of Having an Emotional Support Dog?

The rights of having an emotional support pet are listed below.

1. Housing Rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA): The Fair Housing Act allows individuals with emotional support animals to live in housing with a “no pets” policy. Landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations for emotional support pets, as long as owners provide the necessary ESA Letter from a licensed mental health professional.
2. Public Access Rights (Limited): While emotional support pets are not granted the same public access rights as service dogs, they are allowed in housing and air travel, where they have specific protections. However, they do not have unrestricted access to public places like restaurants or stores, unlike service dogs.
3. Exemption from Pet Fees: Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must not charge additional pet fees or deposits for emotional support pets. This ensures that owners do not face financial barriers to keeping their emotional support animal in their home.

Do Landlords have Rights with a Tenant that has an ESA Dog?

Yes, landlords have rights when it comes to a tenant that has an ESA, as well as obligations.

First of all, let’s clarify that, It is unlawful for a housing provider to refuse to rent or sell to a person simply because of a disability. A housing provider may not impose a different application or qualification criteria for those with mental or physical disabilities.

The rental fees, sales price, or rental terms or conditions cannot differ from those required by non-disabled persons.
A landlord is entitled to verify the ESA dog’s documentation. Tenants must provide documentation from a physician, psychiatrist, social worker, or other mental health professional that their animal provides support that alleviates at least one of the identified symptoms or effects of the existing disability.

This does not mean that any animal providing some benefit to a tenant must always be accepted. The mental health professional must connect the tenant’s possession of the animal with an alleviation of at least one symptom of the disability. Landlords are protected insofar that they can deny aggressive or noisy animals and still charge for damages and cleaning fees after the fact, just not upfront. 

Landlords are more than welcome to verify an ESA letter. The letters should come on the professional letterhead of the mental health professional and must  include their contact information, phone number, and email address. The letter will also include the therapist’s license number.

Landlords can verify ESAs letters in a number of ways. Keep in mind, however, that you may not, for any reason, have direct contact with your tenant’s therapist. Attempting to do so may be considered a violation of federal law and the client could have cause to report you or your business to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

What are the Best Care Practices for an Emotional Support Dog?

The best care practices for emotional support animals are listed below.

• Regular Veterinary Care: Keep up with veterinary visits for ESAs, especially if pet owners are used to traveling with them. Most airlines require up-to-date documentation when it comes to vaccinations and other treatments for dogs and cats.
  
• Proper Nutrition: Feeding your ESA healthy and balanced food (protein, mineral,vitamins, and carbohydrates) is extremely important to guarantee a longer lifespan, less medical issues, and an overall happier pet. It is also crucial to keep ESAs well hydrated.
  
• Exercise and Playtime: Ensure the ESA (specifically dogs and cats) get plenty of exercise and playtime. If you have a dog try to take them on regular walks, teach them agility tricks. Provide adequate toys for your pets that will keep them entertained and busy.
  
• Training and Socialization: Training an ESA is fundamental to ensure that they will help you in social situations. ESAs are supposed to be well-behaved and not cause issues, so a certain level of basic training is required. Commands like “stay”, “recall”, or “leave it” can be extremely useful.
  
• Safe Environment:
  Providing a safe environment for your pets is of utmost importance not only for their physical wellbeing but also for their mental wellness. Make sure to remove any harmful object or material from around the house, anything that could be chewed on or injected by pets.
  
• Routine and Consistency: Establishing a routine in which pets perform specific activities such as eating, going on walks, etc. around similar times can help animals feel secure and happy.
  
• Mental Stimulation: Engage an ESAs with mental stimuli such as teaching them a variety of different commands.
  
• Quality Time: Make sure to allocate specific time to dedicate to your ESAs, which include not leaving them alone for extended periods of time, which could negatively impact pets’ mental wellbeing.
   

What are the Ethical considerations of having an Emotional Support Dog?

Before trying to have your dog identified as an emotional support dog, there are multiple ethical considerations that individuals should consider.

Consider genuine need: Does the person trying to have their dog recognized as an ESA have a genuine and legitimate need for an emotional support  animal to alleviate a condition that they’re dealing with? If there is no actual need to rely on an ESA as part of someone’s care treatment plan, pet owners should not try to have their dogs prescribed as ESAs in order to gain monetary benefits.

You should also consider animal welfare, meaning that individuals should think if they are capable of taking care of and house dogs, including ESAs in an adequate and fair manner. For instance, they should consider spacing issues, and the availability of having green areas nearby to allow animals, specifically domestic pets to spend time outdoors.

Respect for Others. People should consider if they are capable of properly training and controlling their dogs so they will not represent a nuisance, or worse, a danger to others. This is especially true for ESA dog owners that live in apartment buildings, where they would need to be able to limit noise disturbances, and any potential aggressive behavior.

Honesty in Documentation. Pet owners should go through the appropriate and legal channels in order to have their dogs designated as an ESA. This means that no one should try to claim their dog as an ESA without having had a consultation with a LMHP and having their animal prescribed as an ESA and obtain a legitimate ESA letter.

Beware of online scams that either claim to register your pet as an ESA, or offer free ESA letters. These sites are scams and you could be penalized for not having appropriate documentation.
Responsible Ownership. Dog owners should not abuse or misuses having an ESA because their actions and attitude can lead to or increase the already existing skepticism surrounding ESAs, thus making it harder for those with legitimate needs to be taken seriously.

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