How To Certify An Emotional Support Dog?

An emotional support dog is an excellent source of happiness for people with mental health illnesses as they offer unconditional love and support. Your dog provides you comfort if you have a mental illness like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to help you control your mental health symptoms.
However, you are not automatically eligible for an emotional support animal just because you have a dog as an ESA. Therefore, getting an ESA certification is crucial to legally own an emotional support dog. With the help of a valid ESA letter, you can keep your dog with you easily when you travel or move to a new home.

What Is An Emotional Support Dog?

An emotional support dog is more than just a companion that offers comfort and support to a person with a mental and emotional disability. To get the assistance of an emotional support dog from a licensed mental health professional, you must obtain an emotional support animal letter or an ESA Letter, which serves as the prescription that provides a person all the legal rights and privileges of having a dog as an emotional support animal.

What Rights Do Emotional Support Dogs Have?

However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects emotional support animals and their owners. Individuals are permitted to keep their emotional support dog in their homes under this federal housing law, even if there is a no-pet policy in the building. Furthermore, this law guarantees that people with mental disabilities won’t face housing discrimination because they require an emotional support dog. As a result, the landlords must make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, without charging any extra fee or a pet deposit.

Can Emotional Support Dogs Go Anywhere?

If you are taking assistance from an Emotional Support Dogs, you’re federally protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA provides equal rights to persons with mental or emotional health disabilities to live on any property they choose. Under this Act, housing providers or landlords cannot discriminate against ESA owners and cannot charge any extra amount for an ESA. You can also live on a property prohibiting pets because your emotional support dog is considered a part of your mental health treatment and not a normal pet. Since ESAs are not protected by the ADA, they are not allowed to enter public places like restaurants, theatres, government buildings, shopping complexes, etc.

Emotional support dogs can also enter college dorms with their owners. This means the federal Fair Housing Act also helps students live on college premises. This rule requires universities and campuses to make accommodations for students who are diagnosed with mental disabilities and want to live with their emotional support dogs.

Can Emotional Support Dogs Fly?

Before January 2021, ESAs are also allowed to accompany their owners on flights. But as per the new rules passed by DOT, emotional support animals are not allowed to travel with their owners. However, if your emotional support dog is trained to assist you in your daily life by performing tasks, you can apply for a PSD letter. When you get your PSD letter, you can fly with your psychiatric service dog in-cabin under the Department Of Transportation guidelines.

How much Do Emotional Support Dogs Cost?

The cost of Emotional Support Dogs depends on a couple of factors like the dog’s breed, size, and weight. If you own a dog and are planning to make them an emotional support dog , you can apply for an emotional support dog letter online. The cost of an emotional support dog letter lies between $150 to $200 only. By applying for an emotional support dog letter, you will be able to benefit from the ESA Federal laws and rights. Since emotional support dogs are no longer protected by the Air Carrier Access Act, obtaining the ESA letter for housing is best.

How Can I Make My Dog An Emotional Support Dog?

In order to make your dog an emotional support dog you must require an ESA letter signed by the LMHP. A mental health professional must prescribe an emotional support dog for a person who is affected by a mental disability in order to be eligible for the rights under the laws that are granted to emotional support dogs.
Although there is no need to register your dog as an emotional support animal, only a valid ESA letter written by the mental health professional is enough to state that you are suffering from a mental health disability and the dog is an emotional support animal which is essential for your well-being.

How To Get Emotional Support Dog Letter Online

The only way to certify your dog as an emotional support dog is by obtaining an ESA letter. An ESA letter is a legitimate document that qualifies you to get an emotional support animal. To know whether you are eligible for an emotional support animal is by getting evaluated by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). If you do not have any prior therapist or are having trouble finding one, you can connect with the Fast ESA Letter mental health professionals. The Fast ESA Letter offers a simple online process to get an Emotional Support Animal Letter for your dog. Follow these steps:

• Apply online
  Start the process by filling up the form. Mention your details and a summary of your medical health condition. Once completed, submit the form by clicking on the ‘submit now’ option.
• Get evaluated online
  The form will then be reviewed by a licensed mental health professional. Be honest with the LMHP while discussing your mental condition and requirement for an ESA.
• Receive an ESA letter
  If the LMHP finds your mental health condition suitable, you will receive an ESA letter through email. You can download your ESA letter or take a printout of it.

Which Are the Best Emotional Support Dog Breeds?

The dog breeds mentioned below are the perfect choice for someone looking for an emotional support dog since they are adorable, loving, and committed to your happiness and well-being.

• Labrador Retriever

There is no doubt that Labrador is one of the most well-known dog breeds. These dogs are adorable and are excellent emotional support dogs. They have a cheerful and easygoing temperament. They are helpful for persons who require a companion outside their homes because labs are typically comfortable while traveling with their owners.

• Corgi

Corgis are a fantastic choice for an emotional support dog since they are cheerful, playful, and quickly settle down. Anybody can find enjoyment and satisfaction in watching a Corgi play. These dogs have a comforting smile that helps you relax your mind during high stress. These dogs are used as herding dogs, and they have a strong protective sense for their owners.

• Great Dane

The Great Dane stands tall and leaves a lasting impact. Someone who prefers a canine bodyguard can choose a Great Dane as an emotional support dog. You will always have their loyalty, protection, and love because they are a guard dog breed. Great Danes are gentle giants, which is why many dog owners adore them. Because of being so big, they have an endless supply of love and compassion that can help you with deep-pressure treatment

• American Staffordshire Terrier

These loving, friendly dogs are ideally suited to act as emotional support animals. With the proper training, American Staffordshire Terriers can easily get along with most people. These dogs are an excellent fit for those with mental health concerns because of their calm and friendly nature.

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavaliers were originally known as companion animals, and their genetic background makes them naturally compassionate and fun-loving. They are excellent apartment dogs because they are small in size. These dogs are adorable, well-behaved, and easy to groom. The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a fantastic choice for a person looking for an emotional support dog, as these dogs can console you in tense situations.

Is an Emotional Support Dog a Service Dog?

The direct answer to this question is; NO! Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Emotional Support Animals are not considered as Service Dogs. The primary difference between ESAs and Service Dogs is that ESAs may be trained for a particular owner, but they are not trained to perform specific tasks or duties that help a person with a disability. This does not lessen the assistance that ESAs offer to those suffering from mental disorders. Emotional support dogs are regarded as companion animals that reduce loneliness, phobias, depression, anxiety, and other negative emotions. While service dogs are specifically trained animals and can enter any public location with their owners, even if pets are not allowed. They can accompany their owners in restaurants, theatres, shopping malls, etc. Service dogs can also travel with their owners on flights according to the new rules passed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Conclusion:

You only need an emotional support dog letter from an LMHP to be eligible for an emotional support dog. You can profit from your pet dog and save time and money by looking for a dog that will provide the emotional support you require.