Emotional Support Dog Laws

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide comfort to individuals with mental or emotional disabilities, but they are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ESAs do not have public access rights to enter stores, restaurants, or other non-pet-friendly spaces. However, under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), individuals with a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional may keep an emotional support dog in housing that normally restricts pets or charges pet fees. ESAs are no longer guaranteed free travel access under federal airline rules, as most airlines now treat them as pets. Laws may vary by state, so it’s important to check local regulations.