General Discussion > Emotional Support Animals (publicly viewable board)
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 ? :paw:
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.
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