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A Guide to Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

A Guide to Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals: Understanding Roles, Rights, and Protections

Service animals and emotional support animals provide invaluable assistance to individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions. However, the laws and regulations surrounding them can be confusing. 

This article clarifies the differences, rights, and responsibilities associated with these important companions.

Tan and white dog sitting on grass wearing a ‘Service Dog in Training’ vest, surrounded by green plants and colorful flowers.

Understanding Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Service animals, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are usually dogs. They train to help people with disabilities. For example, they can guide blind people or alert others to seizures.

Emotional support animals (ESAs) offer comfort just by being with a person. They do not need to perform specific tasks for a disability.

ESAs can be any type of animal. This encompasses dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds. Their presence can fit into many living situations.

Emotional support animal sitting with owner.

Definitions and Differences

  • Service animals are trained to perform tasks via rigorous training program, such as a service dogs that helps a visually impaired person get though the city safely as a seeing eye guide dog.

  •  Emotional support animals provide comfort. For example a therapy dog who helps someone who has anxiety attacks.

  • Service animals are limited to dogs and miniature horses, while emotional support animals can be any species.

  • The ADA protects service animals, but it does not protect emotional support animals.

Legal Protections and Rights

Service animals are protected under the ADA, which allows them in public spaces where pets are typically not allowed. This protection helps people with disabilities. It allows them to use their service animals in important places. These places include restaurants, stores, and public transport.

In contrast, emotional support animals are primarily protected under the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. However, changes in 2021 regulations regarding air travel by the Department of Transportation mean that airlines are no longer required to accommodate emotional support animals in the cabin. 

Housing still protects ESAs. However, landlords can ask for proper documents from a doctor to confirm the need for an ESA.

Service animal guiding person in a public area.

Service Animals: Roles and Regulations

Service animals perform a wide variety of tasks, tailored to the specific needs of their handlers. For example, service animals for individuals with mobility impairments may assist with opening doors or retrieving items. 

Similarly, psychiatric service animals may remind their handlers to take medication or disrupt harmful behaviors. These animals go through a lot of training. This helps them stay focused and do their jobs well, even in busy or stressful places.

Public Access for Service Animals

Under ADA rules, service animals can go with their handlers in most public places. This includes areas where people usually do not allow pets.

However, there are some exceptions, such as sterile environments like hospital operating rooms. Business owners can only ask two questions.

They can ask if the animal is a service animal for a disability. They can also ask what task the training prepares the animal to perform. T

his protects individuals with disabilities from intrusive or discriminatory inquiries.

White service dog standing beside a person in a wheelchair, wearing a ‘Service Dog’ vest with a friendly expression in an outdoor setting.

Emotional Support Animals: Comfort and Controversy

Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide animal assisted therapy (such as comfort and companionship) but do not require specialized training. Licensed Mental health professionals often use them as part of treatment for conditions such as mental health problems like anxiety or depression.

Therapeutic settings widely recognize their ability to reduce symptoms of stress and emotional distress. However, the growing trend of misusing ESA designations has sparked controversy.

Some people wrongly say their pets are emotional support animals. They do this to avoid pet rules in housing or to travel with them on planes. This has caused doubt and stricter rules from airlines and housing authorities.

Person cuddling with emotional support animal.

The Role of Therapy Animals

Therapy animals are a type of assistance animal. They offer comfort and companionship. However, they do not have the same legal protections as service animals or emotional support animals (ESAs).

People often use therapy animals in places like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. They help reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness.

Trainers often train these animals, usually dogs, to interact with many people. This is different from service animals, which help one specific person.

Training Requirements for Therapy Animals

Therapy animals are different from service animals. They do not perform specific tasks for disabilities. However, they still need to be calm and well-behaved in different places.

Therapy animal organizations often require animals to pass tests. These tests ensure the animals stay calm in unpredictable places.

This includes hospitals or care facilities. In these settings, they may meet new people, hear loud noises, and see medical equipment.

Although they provide valuable services, therapy animals do not receive the same legal protections in housing or public spaces.

Smiling woman in a cozy knit sweater cuddling with a golden Labrador outdoors, with autumn foliage in the background.

Do You Need Help Understanding Your Rights?

If you or a loved one rely on a service or emotional support animal, understanding your rights can be critical. Contact a legal expert to learn more about your protections under federal and state laws.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between service animals and emotional support animals?Trainers train service animals to help people with disabilities by performing specific tasks. Emotional support animals offer comfort but do not need special training.

Are emotional support animals allowed in public spacesNo, emotional support animals do not have the same public access rights as service animals under the ADA.


Can emotional support animals fly in airplane cabins?As of 2021, airlines are no longer required to accommodate emotional support animals in the cabin. However, people still allow service animals.

How do I qualify for a service animal?A person must have a disability as defined by the ADA. The trainer must train the animal to perform tasks that relate to that disability.

What are therapy animals?Therapy animals provide comfort in therapeutic settings but do not have the same legal protections as service or emotional support animals.


Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general information purposes only and is not legal advice. For specific legal questions, please consult a qualified attorney.'

Blog Updated: 02/11/2025

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