A 3-step guide to certifying your emotional support dog
The constant lifestyle changes and the increasing number of stressors have caused mental health problems to become prevalent in recent times. Having a pet can be extremely helpful to comfort and support you through difficult times. And if you are already a dog parent, you can check out how to register them as your emotional support animal.
Emotional support animals are different from service/therapy animals. While they are don’t have the same rights or therapy training as service dogs do, certain factors set them apart from regular pets. Here’s how to register a dog as an emotional support animal:
1.
When requesting Emotional Support Animal (ESA) rights for your dog, it is important to remember that there is no official registration database for ESAs. Instead, you require a recommendation letter from a certified mental health professional. You can get this letter from your own mental health provider or make an appointment with one. You can also apply through a reliable online ESA letter service like Emotional Pet Support, ESA Doctors, or CertaPet to register a dog as a support animal.
2. Choose the right type of ESA letter
Different types of ESA letters are given to a pet owner depending upon their needs.
3. Receive an ESA Letter
The ESA letter that you receive must follow certain guidelines to be accepted everywhere. It must be written on a letterhead provided by a licensed mental health professional and must display their license number, signature, and date of issue. An ESA letter should also not be older than a year. It should also mention your need for an ESA, prescribing an emotional support dog or cat as necessary for your mental health and well-being.
