Emotional Support Animals-What You Need to Know

As a society, we have developed a deeper understanding of mental health. One thing we’ve learned is an animal’s presence can be helpful in our fight against mental illness. Unfortunately, people have misconceptions regarding emotional support cats and dogs.

In this article, we want to help clear things up regarding emotional support animals. Our goal is to answer the most common questions so you better understand their role.

Are Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals the Same?

It’s important to understand that emotional support animals and service animals are different. The biggest difference is the training the cat or dog receives.

Service animals receive training to perform certain tasks to assist their owner with a disability. Specialized training is unnecessary for emotional support animals  because their primary purpose is companionship.

Are Restrictions Placed on Where They Can Go?

Another difference is emotional support animals and service animals have different restrictions regarding where they can go. Service animals can accompany their owners everywhere.  Emotional support animals have less freedom of movement.

According to the ASPCA, current laws in place do grant some protections to emotional support animals. For instance, an emotional support animal can accompany you inside an airplane cabin and home with a no-pet policy.

On the other hand, emotional support animals normally aren’t allowed in public spaces like stores and restaurants.

Do You Need to Register Your Emotional Support Cat or Dog?

Registering your emotional support animal is unnecessary but you may need written documentation.

A mental health professional might need to write a note indicating that you need an emotional support animal. When boarding a plane or moving into a new apartment, the note might be a requirement.

Understanding emotional support animal rules will prevent stress.  Hopefully, you have a better understanding about emotional support animals.

While running errands, your emotional support animal might need company. Allow us at TAILored Pet Services to watch over your emotional support cat or dog as you attend to those matters. Learn more about our walking services by calling 425-923-7791 or browsing our website.