Emotional Support Animals and Psychiatric Service Animals are supported by the America's with Disabilities Act (ADA) to perform a range of activities and attend various events with their owners. These include ability to travel with their owners on flights without an additional fee and go into retail stores with their owner. Emotional Support Animal and Psychiatric Service Animal Certifications are valid for one-year. The renewal fee is $50.
Why we are committed
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Animals are one of the most important parts of life, arguably. Animals can foster the feeling of social connectedness, which alleviates depression, anxiety, and a vast array of relationship challenges. Everyone can benefit from an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or Psychiatric Service Animal (PSA) to promote mental health. We will do everything we can to ensure that you are able to live in harmony with your beloved pet!
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As my dog was dying, I looked back at our fabulous 14 years together and could not have imagined life without my dog. I remember sneaking him into hotels and AirBnB's, occasionally a restaurant concealed in his crate, and also remember leaving him in my car during my grocery store runs (with the window open of course). It didn't need to be that difficult! I didn't know that he could have been my side-by-side companion, wherever I went. I support everyone having access to Emotional Support Animal (ESA) certification so people can take advantage of their pets at their side, always! |
Purchase Information
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If requesting a Psychiatric Service Animal certification, please include your disability information and how your pet is trained to assist with your disability. We are required to obtain this prior to certifying your pet.
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When purchasing, please include the following details about your pet:
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Emotional Support vs. Psychiatric Service Animal
Psychiatric Service Animal (PSA): A Psychiatric Service Animal is specially trained to perform specific tasks that directly mitigate the symptoms of a psychiatric disability. These tasks can include interrupting self-harm behaviors, reminding the owner to take medication, or providing grounding techniques during episodes of panic or dissociation. PSAs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), granting them access to public places where animals are typically prohibited, such as restaurants, airplanes, and workplaces (with reasonable accommodations).
Emotional Support Animal (ESA): An Emotional Support Animal provides comfort, companionship, and emotional stability for individuals with mental health conditions. Unlike PSAs, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks and do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, ESAs may be allowed in housing under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and on some airlines, depending on their policies. An ESA requires a letter from a licensed mental health provider stating the need for the animal.
Key Differences:
✅ Service Animals must be accommodated in hotels & short-term rentals, with no fees.
❌ ESAs do not have legal access rights to hotels or short-term rentals, but they are protected in rental housing.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA): An Emotional Support Animal provides comfort, companionship, and emotional stability for individuals with mental health conditions. Unlike PSAs, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks and do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, ESAs may be allowed in housing under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and on some airlines, depending on their policies. An ESA requires a letter from a licensed mental health provider stating the need for the animal.
Key Differences:
- Training: PSAs are task-trained; ESAs are not.
- Legal Protections: PSAs have ADA protections for public access; ESAs are limited to housing and some travel accommodations.
- Purpose: PSAs assist with functional limitations caused by a psychiatric disability; ESAs provide general emotional support.
✅ Service Animals must be accommodated in hotels & short-term rentals, with no fees.
❌ ESAs do not have legal access rights to hotels or short-term rentals, but they are protected in rental housing.
Housing and Travel Accomodations
ESA & Service Animal Rights
Service Animals (Psychiatric Service Animals Included)
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), service animals are not considered pets. Therefore:
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
ESAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) but not the ADA. This means:
What They Can and Cannot Do:
Service Animals (Psychiatric Service Animals Included)
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), service animals are not considered pets. Therefore:
- Hotels, Airbnb rentals, and other short-term lodging cannot charge pet fees, deposits, or extra cleaning fees for service animals.
- Landlords and housing providers cannot charge a pet deposit, pet rent, or pet fees for tenants with service animals.
- Service animals must be allowed in all public accommodations, including hotels, with no additional charges.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
ESAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) but not the ADA. This means:
- Housing providers (apartments, rental homes, and Airbnb long-term rentals) cannot charge pet fees, deposits, or monthly pet rent for ESAs.
- Landlords may ask for an ESA letter from a licensed mental health provider but cannot require additional fees or deny housing based on the presence of an ESA.
- Hotels and short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) are not required to accommodate ESAs, as they are considered transient lodging and do not fall under FHA protections. However, individual hosts or hotels may allow ESAs at their discretion.
What They Can and Cannot Do:
- Housing providers can ask for ESA documentation but cannot charge extra fees or impose weight/breed restrictions on ESAs.
- Housing providers cannot deny an ESA solely because they have a “no-pets” policy or require a pet deposit.
- Hotels and short-term rentals are not legally required to allow ESAs, but must accommodate service animals without extra fees.