Get Your Legit Emotional Support Animal Letter in California

New California Emotional Support Animal Laws (AB 468)

Firstly you should know that Emotional Support Animals are different from service animals due to the following reasons;

• The emotional support animals are adopted by individuals who have a disability under the DSM-V, whereas service animals are adopted by patients with disability under the American Disabilities Act.
• Emotional Support Animals don’t require any special training, whereas Service animals are trained to assist their owners.
• You can make almost any animal as your Emotional Support Animal, whereas Primarily dogs and, in some cases, miniature horses qualify to be service animals.

It is quite evident that service animals serve a much greater purpose; that’s why they are specially trained to assist their owners. For that very reason, they are provided with more privileges than emotional support animals. However, to savor these privileges, many fraudsters falsely claim their ESA’s to be service, guard, or signal dogs.

These activities are against the law, and in order to halt these fraudulent activities, the recent emotional support animals California law (AB 468) passed last year on September 16, 2021, became effective from January 1, 2022. All citizens are obliged to follow the new guidelines set by CA emotional support animal laws. The guidelines are for all businesses or individuals that sell or provide emotional support animals anywhere in the state of California. While giving an emotional support dog, they also have to provide written notice in 12 points bold type to the customer or recipient, stating that;

• The dog is not trained as a guard, service, or signal dog.
• The dog cannot savor any rights exclusively provided to guard, service, or signal dogs.
• If anyone intentionally and falsely claims themselves to be the owner or coach of a guard, service, or signal dog is guilty of violating Section 365.7 of the Penal Code.

Further, the law stated regulations for ESA certifications, ID, tag, vest, leash, or harness, providing individuals and businesses. Under which, while providing their services, they have to make it clear that over a written document too, that the certification, ID, tag, vest, leash, or harness is for an emotional support animal and in no case can provide the ESA with similar rights as a guide, signal, or service dog. Similarly, Intentional and false claims to be an owner or coach of a guard, service, or signal dog will be a direct violation of Section 365.7 of the Penal Code. Anyone who violates the above guidelines under California law on emotional support animals has to pay;

• $500 for the first violation.
• $1000 for Second Violation.
• $2500 for third and any subsequent offenses.

Talking about the health professionals who write ESA documentation, they can evaluate and approve a patient only if they follow mandatory instructions. As per the guidelines, it is compulsory that the ESA doctor in California;

1. Possesses a valid, active license and includes the effective date, license number, jurisdiction, and type of professional license in the documentation.
2. Is licensed to provide professional services within the scope of the license in the jurisdiction in which the documentation is provided.
3. Establishes a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing the documentation requested regarding the individual’s need for an emotional support dog.
4. Completes a clinical evaluation of the individual regarding the need for an emotional support dog.
5. Provides a verbal or written notice to the individual that knowingly and fraudulently representing oneself to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed as, to be qualified as, or identified as, a guide, signal, or service dog is a misdemeanor violation of Section 365.7 of the Penal Code.

If the health practitioner violates any of the above guidelines, they have to answer to the licensing board and pay for their consequences directly.

California’s legislation has passed this act which indicates that individuals with disabilities or medical conditions are free to use the streets, sidewalks, highways, or other public places. This act is codified as Civil Code section 54 that asserts the equal rights to disable or conditional medical individuals.

Places to Visit in California with an ESA

California has identified the need for Emotional Support Animals. So the state has passed several pet-friendly locations where the ESA owner can take the ESA and change the mood. Along with the hotels, restaurants, and parks, California has allowed the ESA on the beaches too. Some famous places in the top cities like San Jose, Chula Vista, Los Angeles, Oakland, etc are listed below

A perfect beach location to calm the mood and enjoy the sunbath with your Emotional Support Animal in San Diego.

This park is in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco. The park is less than 10 acres but is fenced in, allowing dogs to run off-leash.

The Grove offers shopping, dining, and enjoyment in a pet-friendly (and child-friendly) atmosphere in Los Angeles.

You’re welcome with your dog to romp off leash at the Todd Beamer Dog Park located in Fresno.

When it Rains, Inc. in Helena

This park is a perfect spot for touring and kayaking/canoe training. You can bring your leashed dog to this watercraft. But keep in mind that your pet should be under your control all the time.

Sacramento has offered North Natomas Regional Park, a fun time spot to enjoy the fun activities with your Emotional Support Animal.