Dogs provide emotional support to people with mental health conditions.They are not allowed in all public places, but there are legal protections that allow them to be in no-pet housing and on flights.There isn't an agency to register emotional support dogs.Getting a letter from a mental health professional that you need an emotional support dog is the documentation you have to bring with you on a flight or into a new home.
Step 1: Discuss emotional support animals with a mental health professional.
Discuss your options with your mental health provider if you are considering getting an emotional support dog.They should be able to tell you if an emotional support animal can help.To get official documentation for the animal, you will need the support of a mental health professional.If your doctor or therapist doesn't think you need an emotional support dog, then look for a different mental health professional.
Step 2: If you need a letter of need, ask.
You will need a letter from your mental health professional in order to allow your support dog in no-pet housing or on a plane.You need to have your dog with you for mental health reasons.The letters for flying and housing are different.You don't need the letter for housing to describe the mental disorder you need your pet for.There needs to be a specific diagnosis and reason for needing the support dog in the letter for flying.
Step 3: Consider utilizing an online service.
If you don't want to meet with a mental health professional in person if you need an emotional support dog, there are online services that can help.You can get a letter of need from a mental health professional through an online assessment.You will be asked if you need an emotional support dog.A mental health professional will evaluate your survey.If they determine you would benefit from an emotional support animal, they will give you a letter of need.It will cost between $50 and $200 to get this kind of service.
Step 4: Tell the landlord about your support animal.
If you want to rent an apartment or house, you should tell potential landlords about your emotional support dog.You don't need to reveal the animal's existence when applying for housing, but you should discuss it when you have been offered the housing.In person or in a letter, you can tell your landlord about your need.The landlord has to make reasonable accommodations for people with a disability.Even if the house or apartment excludes pets, it is still possible to accommodate a prescribed emotional service animal.
Step 5: You should show your landlord documentation of need.
If your landlord asks for documentation of your disability and your need for a support animal, show them a letter from your mental health professional.The landlord can ask for certification that you have a disability, that an animal can help with the condition, and that your animal helps with your condition.Your landlord can't ask about your mental health diagnosis.A letter from your mental health professional should tell you that you need animal support.
Step 6: Speak to your landlord about the rules of emotional support animals.
There are many rules for housing and emotional support animals.Your landlord may not be aware of all of the rules.To educate your landlord about the rules surrounding emotional support animals, you will need to know them yourself.Federal, state, and local regulations relating to emotional support animals are reviewed.The Fair Housing Act protects against discrimination in housing.It protects those who use assistance animals.
Step 7: Get a letter from your doctor.
The letter used for taking an emotional support dog on a flight needs to outline the specific mental disorder or disease you have and how the dog helps you cope with it.The letter needs to contain a mental or emotional diagnosis in order to be valid.The letter from your doctor needs to be dated within a year of your flight.
Step 8: Give the airline advance warning.
Let the airline know you are flying with an emotional support animal.They have time to make accommodations if they give them at least 48 hours notice.It is a good time to review the emotional support dog rules with an airline official when you call to let them know that you will have a dog with you.
Step 9: You should know the rules for an emotional support dog.
If you bring an emotional support animal on a flight, you should not have to pay additional fees.The dog should not be in a carrier during the flight.It can either sit in your lap or on the floor.You will need to provide proof of your dog's vaccinations to the airline in order to board the flight.Find out how long it will take to get the required vaccinations and what documentation the airline will need before your dog can fly.
Step 10: Give paperwork to airline officials.
Let the airline official know that you have an emotional support dog when you check in.You should show your letter of need and answer questions about your support animal.Airline officials can ask you why the animal helps you.Prepare to give an accurate answer.If the first airline official won't let you on your flight, you should speak with a customer service representative about the issue.
Step 11: Keep your dog under control.
It's important to make sure your emotional support dog behaves well while you are flying.Try to keep your animal quiet during the flight.Your dog can be kicked off a flight for threatening or dangerous behavior.There is no need for emotional support dogs to have specific training.Keeping dogs off of flights is a good idea.If you want to make sure your dog is well-behaved for the flight, you can take an obedient class with him.For your dog's other interactions with people, this can be helpful.