How to declare my dog an emotional support dog

[Hummingbrd52]

Hello, my name is Rhonda. I have been disabled both physically and mentally for over ten years. I could never afford to get a service dog. But I bought a mini shih tzu. Now what do I have to do to get him declared an emotional support dog ? 

[Kirsten]

Here's our article all about emotional support animals:  http://servicedogcentral.org/content/esa

At the bottom of that article are links to two others, one about ESAs in housing and the other about them on commercial aircraft.  The requirements for housing and for flying are different (two different laws apply, the FHAA and ACAA, respectively), so you need to choose the one where you need her to be considered an ESA and follow the steps listed.

Remember that the ADA (which deals with public access, like stores and other businesses) does not apply to the use of ESAs.  So other than those two areas ("no pets" housing and commercial aircraft), an ESA is legally the same as a pet.

[Roxie]

Hey Rhonda!!!  Happy you are here!!!!

[marktahoe]

This sounds really interesting, now I can judge my dog too.

[Kirsten]

I don't understand what you mean about judging your dog.  There isn't anything particularly special about an ESA except that it belongs to a person with mental illness severe enough to disable them.  It's your doctor who determines whether you are substantially limited mentally because of illness and writes the necessary letters.  The dog itself just needs to be a well behaved pet, in the company of a person with a mental disability, and recommended as part of that person's treatment plan by their treating physician.

[Magesteff]

Just saying a pet is an ESA to get around housing no-pet rules will not go very far here. If your doctor or therapist feels that having an animal in yor life is beneficial to your treatment plan then they can write a letter to the Landlord or manegment company on your behalf.

Please note your pet should also have some form of obedience training just so it does not cause issues with either the landlord or the other tennants. It should be well behaved around strangers, meaning the dog does not bark or growl at them, the dog should know some basic commands like sit, down, stay, and not pull on the leash.

WHile you can't prevent a dog from barking all the time, if it barks more than a few times before calming down and becoming quiet, that may be a reason for the landlord to ask the dog be removed from the property.

The landlord may set a specific area you may use to toilet your dog, but you will still be responsible to picking up all fecal material and disposing it in the trash.

The landlord also has the right to refuse an ESA should including the ESA cause unreasonable changes be made such as a financial issue - such as higher insurance liability premiums for  the Landlord (usually this would involve banned or large breeds, but would depend a lot on how the policy is written). 

Again, you cannot just get your pet declared an ESA, you have to have a disability where pet therapy is part of your treatment plan.

If you have no qualifying disability then you cannot have your dog declared an Emotional Support Dog, and you should look for more pet friendly housing.

[Roxie]

About getting your dog declared and ESA?

Start by talking to your Dr.s and therapist.