Emotional Support Animals vs. Service Animals: Understanding the Differences

Ashley Rosson
Mar 13
5 min read

Animals have long been recognized for their ability to provide comfort, companionship, and even assistance to people in need. However, there is often confusion between emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals. While both can play important roles in the well-being of individuals, they serve different purposes, have distinct legal rights, and are subject to different regulations.

If you are considering an emotional support animal, Rosson Therapy can help determine if you qualify for one.

📞 Call Rosson Therapy at 256-434-1664 to schedule an assessment and see if you qualify for an ESA.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides comfort and emotional stability to individuals experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other emotional disorders.

Unlike service animals, ESAs do not require specialized training to perform specific tasks. Instead, their role is simply to offer emotional comfort through their presence.

Key Characteristics of ESAs:

✔ Provide emotional and psychological support.

✔ Do not require specialized training.

✔ Require a letter from a licensed mental health professional to qualify.

✔ Are protected under housing laws, but not public access laws.

What Is a Service Animal?

A service animal is specifically trained to perform tasks that assist individuals with disabilities. These tasks are directly related to the person’s disability and can range from guiding individuals with vision impairments to alerting someone with diabetes about changes in blood sugar levels.

Service animals are highly trained and recognized under federal law, granting them access to public places where pets and ESAs are not typically allowed.

Key Characteristics of Service Animals:

✔ Are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.

✔ Are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

✔ Have public access rights, meaning they can go into places where pets are not allowed.

✔ Are usually dogs, but miniature horses may also qualify.

Differences Between Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals

Category	Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)	Service Animals
Purpose	Provide emotional support and comfort.	Perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability.
Training Required?	No special training required.	Must be trained to perform tasks for a disabled individual.
Legal Protection	Covered under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) but not the ADA.	Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Public Access Rights?	No public access rights (not allowed in most public places).	Allowed in all public places, including restaurants, stores, and public transportation.
Where They Are Allowed	Allowed in housing with a valid ESA letter but not in public spaces.	Allowed anywhere the handler goes, including businesses, hospitals, and hotels.
Documentation Needed	ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.	No documentation required, but handlers may be asked if the dog is a service animal and what task it performs.

Where Emotional Support Animals Are Allowed

Because ESAs do not undergo specialized training, they do not have the same public access rights as service animals. However, they are protected under housing laws, meaning landlords must make reasonable accommodations to allow tenants to live with their ESA, even in "no-pet" housing.

1. Housing Rights (Fair Housing Act - FHA)

✔ ESAs are allowed in housing that typically restricts pets.

✔ Landlords cannot charge pet fees or deposits for ESAs.

✔ The tenant must provide a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.

2. Airlines (Air Carrier Access Act - ACAA)

✔ As of 2021, airlines are no longer required to allow ESAs in the cabin.

✔ Some airlines may still accommodate ESAs, but most have reclassified them as pets.

3. Workplaces

✔ Employers are not required to allow ESAs, but some may permit them as a reasonable accommodation.

4. Public Places (Restaurants, Stores, Hotels, etc.)

✔ ESAs do not have public access rights, meaning they can be refused entry.

✔ They are not permitted in grocery stores, restaurants, or other businesses where only service animals are allowed.

Where Service Animals Are Allowed

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals have broad public access rights and must be allowed in almost all places where their handler goes.

1. Public Places

✔ Restaurants, stores, hotels, hospitals, schools, public transportation, and more must allow service animals.

✔ Businesses cannot require documentation but may ask two questions:

Is this a service animal required because of a disability?
What task has the animal been trained to perform?

2. Workplaces

✔ Employers must allow service animals as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.

3. Housing

✔ Service animals are covered under both the ADA and FHA, meaning they must be allowed in housing without pet restrictions or fees.

4. Air Travel

✔ Service animals are allowed to fly in the cabin with their handler under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

Responsibilities of ESA and Service Animal Handlers

Emotional Support Animal Owners’ Responsibilities:

✔ Provide a valid ESA letter from a mental health professional for housing.

✔ Ensure their ESA behaves well in public and does not pose a threat.

✔ Understand that ESAs do not have public access rights.

Service Animal Handlers’ Responsibilities:

✔ Ensure their service animal is trained to perform specific tasks.

✔ Keep the service animal under control in public.

✔ Understand that while businesses cannot deny entry, they can ask a service animal to leave if it is disruptive or aggressive.

Common Misconceptions About ESAs and Service Animals

1. “ESAs and service animals have the same legal rights.”

❌ False! ESAs do not have the same public access rights as service animals.

2. “I can buy a certification online to make my pet an ESA or service animal.”

❌ False! Legitimate ESAs require a letter from a licensed mental health professional.❌ Service animals do not require documentation or certification.

3. “Businesses must allow my ESA inside because I have a letter.”

❌ False! ESA letters only apply to housing—businesses can deny entry.

4. “All service dogs wear vests.”

❌ False! While many service dogs wear vests, it is not legally required.

Do You Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal?

If you struggle with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions, an ESA may help provide emotional comfort and stability. However, it is important to consult a licensed mental health professional to determine whether an ESA is right for you.