Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are protected under the Federal Fair Housing Act.  Emotional Support Animals are not classified as pets because they provide support to an individual with a disability or psychological condition.  The most common Emotional Support Animals are dogs and cats, but many individuals prefer birds, rabbits and small reptiles. Property owners cannot charge pet rent or pet deposits if the housing is classified as four units or more.   This type of housing is apartments that include four or more units, condos, townhomes, and mobile home parks.  ..read more

What is a Therapy Animal? Therapy animals provide affection and comfort to individuals in public and private facilities. These animals can help in many ways and are most commonly used in nursing homes, schools, counseling, and autistic support programs. Therapy animals do not have the same rights as Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals, such as no-pet housing and airline travel. Here are some of the benefits of Therapy Animals: Physical Health Benefits: releases endorphins that have a soothing effect improves cardiovascular health the phsyical act of petting can produce an automatic ..read more

Register My Service Animal often receives calls asking what to do if a business does not allow service animal access. Individuals that do not have service dogs are not always familiar with the ADA laws and the legal rights of people that rely on service dog. Here are some suggestions on what to do if your service dog is denied access or for how to handle a situation in which you feel you or a loved one has been unfairly denied access with a service dog.   Attempt to Stay Calm It can be infuriating to be denied access to a place that legally should be easily entered but it is importan ..read more

Where Can I Take an Emotional Support Animal? Shopping and Restaurants:   ESAs are allowed into stores by courtesy and not by law.  Your pet must be well behaved in public.   No formal training is required.   ESAs are not allowed inside restaurants due to Health Code regulations, but are often welcome to join their pet owner on outside patio. Housing:  Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are protected under the Federal Fair Housing Act.   If your housing is classified as four units or more (condos, apartments, mobile home parks, co-ops, etc.) you c ..read more

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR HANDLERS OF SERVICE AND THERAPY ANIMALS UPDATED JUNE 16, 2020 We are still learning about the virus that causes COVID-19, but it appears that animals can get COVID-19 as the virus can spread from people to animals in some situations. CDC is aware of a small number of pets, including dogs and cats, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people infected with COVID-19. Service Animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for peo ..read more

What is a service animal? A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disabilty, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Check out these service animal certification requirements. SERVICE ANIMAL REQUIREMENTS Step 1: Disability Certification The first step to register your animal is simple and requires you to confirm that you qualify as a person with some type of disability based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many if not most disabilities are invisible a ..read more

More Than Just a Pet More Than Just a Pet – Service Animals Assist People with Many Types of Disabilities.   Have you ever heard of a service animal? Most people are familiar with service animals such as guide dogs for those who are sight impaired and hearing dogs for those who are hearing impaired. We may even know about service animals that help pull wheelchairs or retrieve various items. Yet, we often do not realize that there are many types of service animals for many types of disabilities.   So, what is a service animal? A service animal is not just a pet or companion. “Service ..read more

AirBnB has become popular with travelers in recent years, and for good reason! The location options, ease of use, and overall unique experience is something that all members of a family (including their assistance animals) can appreciate. AirBnB policy considers assistance animals to include both Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs. What is a Service Animal? A dog that is trained to perform tasks for an individual with a disability to include physical, sensory, psychiatric, or mental disabilities. What is an Emotional Support Dog? A dog used for medical or therapy treatment to assist ..read more