Emotional Support Animals – FAQ
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide emotional assistance to their handlers and may qualify as an ESA as long as the animal does not cause a disturbance or undue hardship for the property owner. Any domesticated animal of any age may qualify as an ESA and, unlike service dogs, these animals do not need any specific task-training. This is because their very presence reduces the symptoms associated with a person’s psychological or emotional disability.
How does a person legally qualify for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
To qualify for an ESA, a person must be considered emotionally disabled by a licensed mental health professional. This means the person must meet the criteria for a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5).
What Is the ESA Evaluation Process?
- The first part is an online assessment that you’ll be able to complete before scheduling. We use the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule ( WHODAS 2.0 ) as a general measure of disability and function.
- Once your responses to the assessment are processed, you’ll be ready to schedule the in-person clinical interview.
What are the legal protections and rights for air travel with an ESA?
The Air Carrier Access Act 49 U.S.C. 41705, Dept. of Transportation 14 C.F.R. Part 382,and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 are the laws that protect an emotionally disabled person and their ESA. The legal protections an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) has are to:
- Fly with its emotionally or psychologically disabled handler in the cabin of an aircraft without being charged a pet fee
- Qualify for no-pet housing (that also includes limited size, breed, or species housing) without being charged a pet fee
Where can I be evaluated for an ESA?
Aspire Counseling & Educational Consulting PLLC, affiliated with Pa Paw’s Dogs, offers ESA evaluations at their Houston location at a rate of $250 by a licensed mental health professional. Be sure to mention Pa Paw’s Dogs when you contact them!
NOTE: The telehealth option is available; however, you must be located in the state of Texas in order to receive any mental health treatment from Aspire Counseling & Educational Consulting PLLC. This is a specialty service and one that is not covered by medical insurance. There are limitations on what forms and documents they can provide if you qualify.