Emotional support animals (ESAs) are growing in popularity. They can provide comfort, emotional support, and companionship to people with mental health conditions. ESAs include cats, dogs, fishes, and even birds. If you think an ESA could benefit you, you need to take the following steps to get your pet certified as an ESA.

How to Make Your Pet an Emotional Support Animal

Qualifying Conditions

ESAs are not available to anyone, only to individuals with qualifying mental health conditions.

1. Anxiety

2. Depression

3. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

4. Bipolar disorder

5. Schizophrenia

6. Addictions

7. Phobias

8. Personality disorders

9. Eating disorders

The Process of Getting Your Pet Certified

You are required to follow the following steps to get your pet certified as an ESA:

1. Talk to your Doctor. Discuss the implications of having an ESA and the requirements of obtaining an ESA letter. You will need to get the letter from a medical professional who is qualified to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe treatment. The letter must state that you have a mental health condition recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, 5th Edition (DSM-5), that the animal provides emotional support and that you experience a disability or emotional distress related to your condition.

2. Train Your Pet. Make sure your pet is well-behaved and obedient. All public places and airlines have certain standards of behavior that your pet must abide by. Your pet cannot be aggressive, bark, or jump on people or other animals. Your pet must also accompany you everywhere you go.

3. Get Your Pet Registered. You can register your pet as an ESA online through a reputable service. The registration fee usually ranges from $60 to $120. Depending on the service, you might receive a certificate, ID card, and ESA harness for your pet.

Remember, ESAs are not service animals. Service animals are trained to perform tasks that help people with disabilities, such as guiding the blind, detecting seizures, or alerting deaf people to sounds. ESAs do not have to be trained to perform tasks, and they are not covered by the same laws as service animals.