Have you received a telephone call of the following nature? “Can you certify my pet to be an emotional support animal?”
If you are a professional counselor, then the likelihood of you receiving such a request is on the rise. This is because word is spreading that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 
(HUD) recognizes the benefits of emotional support animals and provides regulations allowing them to live with an owner in designated nonpet housing (with a few exceptions) without requiring a pet deposit fee.
Exercising this right does not require that an animal be certified. What it does require is documentation that an individual has a legitimate need for an emotional support animal. The responsibility of providing this documentation lies with professional counselors and other mental health or health providers. In 2008, HUD stipulated that “persons who are seeking a reasonable accommodation for an emotional support animal may be required to provide documentation from a physician, psychiatrist, social worker or other mental health professional that the animal provides support that alleviates at least one of the identified symptoms or effects of the existing disability.”
Documentation and other considerations
A counselor who chooses to provide such documentation must do so in letter format on the counselor’s letterhead. The documentation should state that:
1) The named individual is under the counselor’s care
2) The individual has an emotional or psychiatric disability
3) The counselor recommends the individual have an emotional support animal to assist with the disability
The letter is provided directly to the individual who wants to have an emotional support animal live in the home. The individual can then choose with whom to share the letter.
In the documentation, the counselor does not label, define or describe the particular disability of the client. Rather, the counselor must state in general terms that the client has an emotional or psychiatric disability and that an emotional support animal can alleviate one or more of the symptoms or effects of the disability. Individuals need only provide proper documentation to a landlord to have a pet live with them as an emotional support animal in housing typically designated as excluding pets. The judicial system has interpreted this right to fair housing to additionally extend to individuals who wish to have emotional support animals live with them in college or university housing facilities, such as residence halls, dormitories or university-owned apartments.
The responsibility of providing documentation that would allow individuals to have an emotional support animal live with them should not be taken lightly. Based on the accompanying symptoms of a client’s emotional or psychiatric disability, a professional must determine whether living and engaging with an emotional support animal in the home might provide the client with some relief from the disability. To make this determination, it may be useful to have some understanding of how an animal may alleviate symptoms or effects of an emotional disability. Fortunately, there is research that provides guidance in this area.
In my 2012 book, Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling, I reviewed several research studies on the psychophysiological and psychosocial benefits of positive social interaction with a pet, such as holding or stroking an animal. These benefits include calming and relaxing, lowering anxiety, alleviating loneliness, enhancing social engagement and interaction, normalizing heart rate and blood pressure, reducing pain, reducing stress, reducing depression and increasing pleasure. Based on the results of these studies, it is plausible that living with an emotional support animal may alleviate symptoms associated with a number of emotional and psychiatric disabilities. HUD states, “Emotional support animals by their very nature, and without training, may relieve depression and anxiety, and/or help reduce stress-induced pain in persons with certain medical conditions affected by stress.”
Another factor to consider in recommending that a client have an emotional support animal is whether the client has the ability and desire to properly care for an animal. Although human-animal interaction is known to assist people with developmental, emotional, social and behavioral disorders, it is important to assess whether any impairment is so severe that an animal would be neglected or harmed.
Dogs are the most common species to serve in the role of emotional support animals, but Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and HUD’s Fair Housing Act (FHAct) do not designate species restrictions for this role: “While dogs are the most common type of assistance animal, other animals can also be assistance animals.”
Emotional support animals vs. service animals
HUD legislation uses the broad term “assistance animals,” which is inclusive of both service animals and emotional support animals, when addressing the right to fair housing for individuals with these animals. In contrast, the fair housing rights and rights of access to other facilities included in the Americans with Disabilities Act addresses service animals only. To be clear, an emotional support animal is not the same as a service animal or a psychiatric service animal. Thus, emotional support animals do not have the same federal rights of access to facilities as do service animals. HUD provides the only current federal legislation that covers rights regarding emotional support animals, and this legislation is specific to allowing individuals to have animals live with them as emotional support in designated nonpet housing without financial penalty.
In 2013, HUD clarified that an emotional support animal is not merely a pet: “An assistance animal is not a pet. It is an animal that works, provides assistance or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability.” However, HUD also stipulated that emotional support animals “do not need training to ameliorate the effects of a person’s mental and emotional disabilities.” Furthermore, “For purposes of reasonable accommodation requests, neither the FHAct nor Section 504 requires an assistance animal to be individually trained or certified.”
There are no qualification requirements for determining whether a specific pet is appropriate to serve as an emotional support animal. So, by default, an emotional support animal is basically a person’s pet that lives with that person and provides emotional support. HUD does stipulate that housing providers are not required to provide accommodations if an animal is destructive, poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or interferes with the ability of a facility to perform its intended purpose. So, in practice, most people with proper documentation can have a pet live with them and serve in the role of emotional support animal as long as the animal is not destructive, disruptive or dangerous.
Recommendations
Because federal law does not require emotional support animals to be trained or certified, the potential exists for some of these animals to be unpredictable and cause harm. Until there is greater oversight regarding emotional support animals, I recommend that counselors avoid a chain of liability and not name a specific pet to serve as an emotional support animal. When providing documentation, refer only to the benefit of the individual having an emotional support animal, but do not name a specific animal. The decision concerning the specific pet to be designated as an emotional support animal should be made by the individual owner of the pet. It is not the responsibility of the counselor or other mental health provider to sanction the appropriateness of a particular pet to serve as an emotional support animal. That is not to say that counselors should avoid assisting individuals in the decision-making process regarding emotional support animals.
For instance, counselors can recommend that clients have their pets evaluated by a qualified evaluator before designating the pets to serve as emotional support animals. A standardized evaluation can often determine if an animal possesses the appropriate stamina and temperament to serve in this role.
Evaluation is important for health and safety reasons. Some animals may find the role of emotional support animal to be too stressful, and the emotional and physical health of the pet will be damaged. We must not overlook the welfare of the animals when considering whether they might provide emotional support for individuals with emotional and psychiatric disabilities. In addition, some pets can respond to stress with overprotective tendencies and aggression, putting members of the public at risk.
Many individuals desire to have their emotional support animals accompany them to pet-restricted facilities outside the home. Many businesses and institutions today are wrestling with how to make this happen while still maintaining the safety of those who may come in contact with these animals. It is my opinion, as a very experienced handler and animal team evaluator, that if individuals were to have their pets’ temperament evaluated by a qualified evaluator, both initially and periodically (say every two years), and provide current documentation that the animal had passed a standardized temperament evaluation, then they might be granted permission by a business or institution on a case-by-case basis to have their emotional support animal accompany them to places where pets are typically not allowed.
Animal temperament evaluations
Animal temperament evaluations assess the animal’s social attitude and behavior toward both people and a neutral test dog. In addition, the evaluation assesses the animal’s ability to walk politely on a leash, interact with a small crowd of people and respond to a variety of basic obedience commands by its handler. Failing a temperament evaluation would not interfere with the right of an individual to have the pet live in the home in the role of emotional support animal. Federal law protects this right. Qualified animal temperament evaluators can be found through national organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program and the national Pet Partners program.
The AKC website (akc.org/dog-owners/training/canine-good-citizen/) provides information about the CGC evaluation, which is best suited for the simple purpose of determining if a pet is well-behaved enough to be around the general public. However, it is designed solely to evaluate the temperament of dogs, not other species. The CGC evaluation is relatively inexpensive, takes about 30 minutes to complete and requires the handler to take the dog through a series of basic obedience commands. Local CGC evaluators can be found at many large pet stores that offer dog training for handlers or at community obedience training clubs. The Pet Partners organization offers evaluations for a number of different domestic animal species, but the investment in cost and effort is higher. This is because the intended purpose is to register Pet Partners teams that can provide services to the public as handler and therapy animal (note that a therapy animal is not the same as an emotional support animal). The Pet Partners registration requires a rigorous handler-team evaluation — for temperament, skills and aptitude — and requires the handler to complete a training that is available online or through an eight-hour, in-person workshop. The training includes learning about risk management and infection control procedures that are valuable to follow when a pet is engaging with the public. The Pet Partners website (petpartners.org) provides information on training and finding a local evaluator.
The animal temperament evaluation procedure may resolve a prominent ethical dilemma. If an emotional support animal can alleviate or assist with a person’s emotional or psychiatric disability at home, why shouldn’t the animal be allowed to serve this purpose outside of the home as well, such as in the classroom or a work environment? At the same time, because no oversight exists regarding behavioral requirements for emotional support animals, how do businesses and institutions protect the public from danger posed by a potentially unruly animal? Because there is no federal regulation that requires facilities other than housing to allow the presence of emotional support animals, then businesses and institutions can establish their own policies around this issue.
Requiring a standardized animal temperament evaluation may be a reasonable solution to this
ethical quandary. The business or institution could provide a letter of access, for a designated period of time, to an individual accompanied by an emotional support animal if that person provides the institution with:
1) Official documentation from a professional counselor, or other mental health or health provider, designating the need for an emotional support animal (this could be the same documentation used for federal housing rights)
2) Proof that the animal passed a recently administered standardized temperament evaluation from a reputable source such as AKC or Pet Partners (the evaluation should have been completed within the past two years because appropriate animal temperament can deteriorate over time)
Advocacy
Perhaps the greatest source of confusion today is around the concept of emotional support animals. The general public may not be aware that emotional support animals are not the same as psychiatric service animals and therefore do not have all of the same federal rights to access facilities. Many people are unaware that current federal law does not require emotional support animals to be trained or evaluated. Thus, some emotional support animals with inappropriate temperament may pose a risk to the general public. Generally, the public does not realize that most emotional support animals are essentially a person’s pet serving in the role of emotional support.
I am an advocate for the idea of emotional support animals, but I firmly believe there should be greater oversight. This would include evaluation of the appropriateness of a pet to serve as an emotional support, taking into consideration both the prospective health and welfare of the animal and the health and welfare of the public, particularly if the animal is to accompany the individual to facilities outside the home. Current federal law clearly states that an emotional support animal does not have to be trained or certified to be allowed to live with a person, implying that the animal does not have to be evaluated either. But federal law does not make stipulations about access to facilities other than the home for emotional support animals. Thus, businesses and institutions are free to make policies that allow individuals to be accompanied by their emotional support animals, while also providing for the safety of the public.
Counselors can more effectively advocate for their clients if they understand federal regulations pertaining to emotional support animals. Additionally, this information is beneficial for protecting the general public from those who might misrepresent the role of their animal or the right for the animal to accompany them into pet-restricted areas. Unfortunately, profit opportunists exist who encourage such misrepresentation by selling (to anyone who is willing to pay) an official-looking — yet completely unofficial — vest for a pet to wear and a worthless “certification” document that may ultimately confuse the public about the legitimate role of the animal and the rights of the individual the animal is accompanying.
Federal advocacy for those with emotional or psychiatric disabilities, through recognition of the right to have an emotional support animal in the home, is a positive development in our society. Moreover, businesses and institutions that recognize the potential benefits of allowing an emotional support animal to accompany a person with a disability outside of the home reflects enhanced sensitivity to human welfare.
Animals are an excellent source of nurturance and companionship. Creating additional yet responsible opportunities for human-animal interaction enhances people’s lives. Movement toward greater integration of well-behaved animals into our daily lives at home, school and work is a reflection of enlightened social evolution.
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Related reading: See Cynthia Chandler’s second Counseling Today article on this topic, “Is there an epidemic of emotional support animals?”
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Cynthia Chandler is a professor of counseling and director of the Consortium for Animal Assisted Therapy at the University of North Texas. She is author of the book Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling (2012). Contact her at cynthia.chandler@unt.edu.
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This was a very helpful and balanced article. We are currently struggling with the issue of a person who has a somewhat unruly Rottweiler wearing a vest as a service dog. This person was upset because I wouldn’t allow access to an area with 15 two and three year olds. I’ve seen service dogs before and this dog was nowhere near calm and obedient. They stated it was an emotional support dog.. I’m hoping that I made the right choice in keeping them away from a crowd of bouncy, loud and unpredictable toddlers.
Safety for humans and animals must be a priority when humans and animals share a public space. As a public safety issue, it is reasonable to require that an animal in a public place be well-behaved. If this cannot be accomplished, then it is reasonable that the animal should not be allowed into a public area where it may harm others by its unacceptable behavior.
This is a great article! Dr. Chandler is such a fabulous resource at UNT!
Dr. Chandler:
I enjoyed reading this clear and well articulated article. I have a disabled college student who recently, in conjunction with a multi-modality program including bio-feedback and brain re-training, was advised to have an emotional support animal. She attends a private liberal arts University in North Carolina. Although the administrators have declared her disabled based on the medical documentation provided by her neurologist, they have denied all but one of the reasonable accommodations suggested by the physician. The University did allow her to have an emotional support dog. Unfortunately the dorm room to which she has been assigned is so small and cramped that the small 8 pound dog and its necessary supplies make it impossible to stand up in the room. One must gingerly step over the dog’s crate, bed, food bowls and toy box. The desk had to be placed nine (9) inches from the bottom of the bed precluding the use of the desk chair. My daughter must sit on the end of the bed in order to work at her desk. So, while the University has “in principle” complied with the
FHA requirements for reasonable accommodation of a comfort dog, the University has “in reality” made it impossible for my daughter and the ESA to co-exist within the assigned although larger rooms are available. I am a lawyer and in my research in this area of FHA & Title 504 reasonable accommodations I have noticed that nothing addresses the fact that when a university allows a comfort dog they have a duty to put the dog and the student in a dorm room that is large enough to function in. What if I had provided my daughter with a 70 pound labrador, german shepherd, or standard poodle? There is no way that the dog itself would fit into the room. Moreover, the dog’s equipment would be triple or quadruple the size of the equipment need by a small 8 pound dog. I would like to suggest that knowledgeable persons in this subject, such as YOU, address the fact that emotional support animals are living creatures and when a university assigns a dorm room it should be of adequate size to house both the dog and the student. This aspect of adequate square footage in a university setting also needs to be immediately addressed by HUD. Anything you (or anyone reading this) can do to publicize this issue as a topic of treatises, journals or articles and encourage HUD to acknowledge and set forth guidelines that a dormitory space that is too small to accommodate the size and basic needs of the ESA is a spurious accommodation at best. and inhumane to the emotional or service animal. Any ideas on how to encourage HUD to act on this “loop hole?” A reply would be appreciated.
I am not an attorney thus cannot offer legal advice. But I might recommend you involve entities that could support your request for proper university living accommodation for your daughter and her emotional support animal. Such agencies might be a veterinarian, the SPCA, the University’s Office of Student Disability, the University’s Vice President for Student Affairs, the University’s Student Advocacy Office. You can file a formal appeal with the University for better accommodation based on your daughter’s disability requirements (in this case, proper living space for her and her emotional support dog). I have worked in a university setting for most of my career and have found that University’s are, for the most part, student centered and most often strive to serve the needs of the students. If a university administrator fails in this task then I have found it is useful for parents and the student to become somewhat of a squeaky wheel in pursuit of satisfaction for a reasonable request. This means involving other entities first within the university structure, and if not satisfied, then outside of the university structure. University’s prefer to avoid negative publicity. And failure to adequately comply with federal regulation can hinder the reception of federal funding that a university often relies on for support. The practice of a university providing proper living accommodation for a student with an emotional support animal is becoming common. The university where I work has done so on multiple occasions. I am hopeful you can receive satisfaction with your daughter’s situation at the university where she is in attendance.
I purchased a rescue Chihuahua 1 year old. He was starving when picked up approximately 6 months ago. He has good manors for a dog to be homeless so long, but, he has helped me much more than I thought. I hate going out most of the time to shop and now I say lets go Buddy and he stands …somewhat patiently ..for his leash! He is totally loved by all who but get a glimps at his little face. He never gets excited but waits with caution and when the petting starts. Well… The big People as well as little people are very kind to him.
I have obtained a letter from my psychiatrist and keep it in my purse. I went to the grocery store and I was almost finished when an employee approached telling me to remove my 6 lb Buddy from the cart. I did so but very confusing and very stressful. Buddy is always good to follow but I won’t remove him again. I put him in the small area you sit young children. I bring his bed which secures him pretty good. He does not touch the cart and I always feel I am protecting him and others from passing germs by using his bed. I don’t like the idea that he would again be forced to walk on that nasty floor. Chihuahuas are somewhat frail and I felt his request was more of a made up story, considering the fact that service animals are allowed to be there but in general I think they don’t appreciate the dogs being in thier store. He told me that the stores health codes and regulations do not permit dogs in carts. Even though the bed was big enough to cover the area Buddy was in. My question. For you is……. Not sure he had a right to kick Buddy out of the cart and making him walk. I remember some time ago a lady said she brings in her little one covering his area with a medium size blanket to protect from nasty germs. I vaguely remember her saying she was asked the same thing and now makes sure the cart is covered.
Christine
Unless it is a trained and certified service dog, the guy had every right to make you remove the dog from the grocery store altogether. The ONLY animals that restaurants, grocery stores, department stores, etc., are required to allow are service animals. Emotional support animals do not fall under this category, so you are only protected in regard to housing.
Who do I address the letter to?
Thanks for the post. I really like the idea to have an ESA. I think they can really help those who suffer from depression or other emotional problems. I can totally see how it can give people a comforting experience. I also agree that it is important that the client is capable of taking care of the animal. These are living creatures and they feel emotions as we do, so they need to have the best care possible.
Good Morning, Ms. Chandler. Hoping you can help. I am on SS Disability due to PTSD dx’ed from my Psychiatrist. He has written a prescription for my dog as my ESA. My question is: Many people are abusing the ‘ESA’ letters going to various websites or even on Facebook. buying ‘fake’ ESA letters from afar. This concerns me as these companies are fraudulent. and would be considered customer fraud. I am looking for some Federal/State info quoting legitimate laws ie: ESA letters. Any advice you could provide, I would appreciate. Sincerely, Melinda Willette
Hello Melinda,
Feel free to contact the author directly with your question — her email is listed at the bottom of the article.
Melinda: The intent of the federal regulation regarding emotional support animals is that a person has a right to have a pet live with them as an emotional support animal (ESA) if they have the proper documentation from a health or mental health provider who has recently or is currently providing care for the person. The abuse of this right is when persons get documentation from someone who has not or is not providing proper care, such as websites and so forth. “Care provider” means that the licensed provider has seen the individual recently and completed thorough and appropriate assessment sufficient to provide a diagnosis, and based on that diagnosis can write a letter supporting how the patient or client, based on their condition, may benefit from an ESA. Websites who provide documentation for an ESA are more than likely violating the intent of the law, since the website staff are not satisfying the idea of proper provider care, that is, proper assessment and diagnosis. Because of the increasing frequency of websites improperly providing ESA letters, many disability accommodation offices on college campuses are refusing to honor letters provided by websites, and in instead, requiring the documentation must come from a licensed health or mental health provider from a local community, that is, from the community where the person has recently lived or is currently living. I believe this to be the proper approach. I believe a person must be required to obtain documentation recommending an ESA from a licensed health or mental health provider whom the person as seen in their local community, or in a community where the person has recently resided. And, since diagnosis can change across time, the documentation should be obtained fairly recently, within 12 months, and renewed every year. But, that is my professional recommendation and is not an existing law or regulation.
Thank You very much, Cynthia Chandler, for your information. I am an Advocate for those ‘legally’ needing /or having an ESA animal and thus requiring a ‘prescription’ letter from a local licensed health or mental health provider. I do have a f/b group called: Emotional Support Animals/Info/Letters. This is an informational site. We do not promote or sell items. We discuss topics such as tenant/landlord laws, post rules and regs per The Fair Housing Act and the Air Carriers Access Act. Your kind reply has helped to dismiss the notion of ESA letters from afar as some members in my group have asked.. Sincerely, Melinda Willette.
Hi,
I live in N.J.. And I have filed for Disability but I’ve been waiting 2 yrs so far till my court date..
My family Dr, has been taking care of me for over ten years and has suggested I get an Emotional Support Animal for AnxIety. I was on Workman Comp for 4yrs, and diagnosed 2 years ago with CRPS 11
My apartment complex mailed an Reasonable Accommodation Request Letter to my Dr and I have one for tenants..
On my Dr’s Verification Form, he checked (Yes) for Major Life Activity….
My Question Is..
Do I have to wait till my Disability goes through to request an ESA….
If I am unable to file now, will I be able to fill once I’m approved for Disability?
Are there other options?
Hello Maryann,
The author’s email is listed at the end of this article — feel free to contact her directly with questions.
Its very informative article.and its very helpful.Thanks for sharing..
I appreciate how you addressed the individual’s ability to care for the dog as well as need for the support animal to deal with symptoms. I wish you had also addressed the fiscal responsibility as most animals can be very expensive:
immunizations and preventative care, emergency vet care, crates, beds/bedding, bowls, food, treats, medicines, toys, training, grooming or grooming tools, shampoo, pet walkers/sitters, etc. The American Kennel Club recently estimated this would cost $2500 year for an average dog and more for a large dog. I am an occupational therapist working in mental health and have seen some wonderful results, and have also seen some disasters where a counselor or psychiatrist wrote the letter when the patient asked without thinking the individual could not care for themselves, let alone a dog and I had to call in the SPCA. I agree some sort of standard test is needed.
Yoga has more evidence to back its use to allieviate/reduce/manage anxiety or depression than emotional service animals. Shouldn’t we insist that a person first engage in a six month yoga program before writing a vague general letter stating that an animal might help someone with a disability—notice the letter does not mention what animal or what the disorder is. Notice also that mental health professionals are often trained to diagnose/identify disorders…..rarely are they trained to identify disabilities, unless they are in a vocational rehabilitation track. If hugging an animal calms you down, it is because you will yourself to calm down while hugging the animal. The animal doesn’t have some unknown force over the owner….you want a pet, get a pet. Wouldn’t having a friend do a lot to reduce anxiety or depression; will be writing letters for that anytime soon? Or wait, we cant force a person to live with someone with a disability….but we can force animals to do that. Don’t get me wrong, I have two dogs. I get it. But when did disorder and disability become the same thing and when did our profession get roped into documenting disabilities for people who want a pet where pets are not allowed. Seems like a lot of hand holding, enabling, and bad science going on here.
Karl Laves – Several points I wish to address to you. 1.) Your 1st sentence “Yoga has “more” evidence to back it’s use..” Pls cite the Source/s. You don’t seem to understand that mental disabilities/disorders are chemical imbalances in the brain, Neuro disabilities/disorders, etc. and as such, persons affected by a mental disability/disorder did NOT opt in to be dx’ed with a mental disability/disorder, rather, to be diagnosed by a Psychiatrist, treating with medication, usually, continuing to have a patient/Psychiatrist “history” relationship following up on patient with continued appointments and med checks. 2.) Per HIPAA, it is against Federal Law for a Psychiatrist or any other Legitimate Physician to write a person’s diagnosis to anyone else Except releasing Medical Records to patient’s other treating physicians and/or hospitals. 3.) Per HUD, The Fair Housing Act, with a legitimate ESA letter, as aforementioned, ALL apartments, Condos and Houses rented out by a realtor (not homeowner) have to ALLOW, BY LAW, “Accommodations”, in other words, ALLOW ESA Animals, aforementioned, in “No Pet Housing”. If the above properties Refuse “Accommodation”, they will be facing “Discrimination”. Do your research – you have no idea how the Government, Department of Justice, ruling over Both the ADA (Service Dogs) and HUD, The Fair Housing Act – Air Carriers Access Act (Emotional Support Animals) Works!
Thanks for breaking down the difference between service animals, emotional support animals, and regular pets. My sister has extreme anxiety, and I think she could benefit from an emotional support pet. I wonder if she can meet a few before she decides to get one of her own.
It is interesting that the federal law does not require emotional support animals to be trained or evaluated. If something bad were to happen it would be good to get a pet lawyer for protection. Maybe even it would be good to get the pets trained and evaluated.
I think it is interesting that comments are suggesting pets should be professionally evaluated. It was not long ago family pets were allowed to roam off leash. I agree society did need certain law to protect against irresponsible pet owners for obvious reasons. However, when do laws overstep our personal rights?
Hi. I’m an LCSW who is seeking training / credentials to conduct ESA evaluations in the State of Florida. Can you pls. direct me to an entity that provides this training for ACA AAT-C Competencies for Emotional Support Animals? Thank you in advance.
Hello Mary, The author’s email is listed at the bottom at the article — feel free to reach out to her directly.
I love this article thanks for sharing. :)