by staff

If you have a pet who helps you cope with mental health challenges, you probably consider them to be an emotional support animal or ESA. An emotional support animal doesn’t have to go through the same training or certification as a service animal, so pets can become ESAs without going through a lengthy qualification process.

You may wonder what the benefits of getting an ESA ID card are if you don’t need special certification for your animal to perform this role for you. However, there are several benefits to getting an ESA ID card. We’ll walk you through those benefits and the process of getting one.

What Does an ESA Card Do?
While emotional support animals don’t have the same legal protections as service animals, more states give them and their owners some degree of protection. To qualify for the benefits, however, sometimes you may need evidence that your animal is more than just a house pet. An ESA ID card confirms the special role your animal plays.

What Information Is On an ESA ID Card?
Similar to an ID card you might have, like a driver’s license, an emotional support animal’s ID card will have their name and a photo of the animal. Besides that, it will have their date of birth and date of registration, their breed, and the owner’s name.

Other than essential information about the ESA, it will also contain information about the legal rights protecting emotional support animals and their owners in public spaces.

Presenting this card will help prevent issues with bringing your ESA into public spaces. Of course, in some states, it won’t allow access everywhere, but it can help. It can also help silence people who challenge your rights without you having to disclose personal information about your mental health.

ESA ID Card Benefits
In some cases, emotional support animals may be allowed in housing where pets typically are not admitted, or an ESA may not incur the same pet fees. By providing a copy of your pet’s ESA ID along with an application for rental, you can prevent a landlord from rejecting your application due to pet ownership under the Fair Housing Act.

Similarly, ESAs may be accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops where pets are not allowed. While laws vary from state to state and policies can vary between companies, more policies favoring ESAs are being implemented daily.

How Can You Get an ESA ID Card?
If you’re interested in getting your emotional support dog registered, there are a few steps to take. First, you should make sure your dog is well-trained and can handle being in public spaces around unfamiliar people. There are special training courses that help prepare your dog for the role of an ESA if it needs more preparation.

You’ll need a prescription letter to start the process of ESA registration. If you are under a doctor’s care, you can ask them to write a letter stating that an ESA would benefit your mental health. If you are not currently under a physician’s care, you can be matched with one.

Once you have a prescription letter, you can apply for your dog’s registration. If approved, you will receive an ID card that you can carry with you in your wallet. You should also keep a copy of your prescription letter for more sensitive situations, like applying for housing that doesn’t accept pets.

You will also receive a vest, collar tag, and leash to use with your dog in public. The vest will clearly state that your dog is working, not just a pet. These items will help deter strangers from bothering your dog and bothering you.

Register Your Dog Today
If you have been thinking about registering your emotional support dog, don’t hesitate. This registration and ID card can help protect your right to have your dog in many public spaces. It can also protect you and your dog under the Fair Housing Act to ensure they can stay by your side no matter where you live.

The registration process is simple, but the benefits are very valuable, so it’s a worthwhile investment for people who depend on emotional support animals in their daily lives.

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