Emotional Support Dog Requirements In California

As a result the laws protecting service dogs do not similarly cover emotional support animals.

Emotional support dog requirements in california.

However the law does not consider emotional support animals to be the same as service dogs for disabled persons. Owning an emotional support animal in california is easy if you suffer from a mental. Furthermore the state makes clear that the esa dog must be well trained clean certified to provide assistance for a disability. The use of emotional support animals is emerging as a popular way for coping with mental and emotional conditions such as stress anxiety and depression.

An emotional support animal doesn t have to be necessarily a dog. Attorney katie holt writes. The esa letter must be 1 written on the lmhp s professional letterhead and 2 must include their licensing information along with their signature. A public place includes libraries hotels shops restaurants theatres and hospitals.

Even if your dog does in fact provide you with emotional support you must have proper certification and documentation for employers to recognize. Landlords and other housing providers in california may not refuse to make reasonable accommodations in their rules or policies if such accommodations are necessary to afford a person with a disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy a house or. 382 27 c 2010 california state law csl. The laws in california allow a person with a disability to bring a trained service dog or psychiatric service dog to all public places but not emotional support animals.

Service dog or emotional support dog in california people using service dogs in this state must have their canine on a leash or harness and should have an official identification tag. Even though california does not limit the dog s size or breed the animal s handler is liable for any damage done by the service animal. They can be a cat bird or other animals. In order to qualify your animal in california as an emotional support animal you must have an esa letter written by a california licensed mental health professional.

A pet is legally considered as an emotional support animal when he is prescribed by a licensed health professional to a person with mental illness. Employers are within their rights to request proof of an esa s status. Check out this article to get information and resources about your rights for your emotional support animal in california. May require 48 hours notice for an emotional support animal or for a service animal on a flight of 8 hours or more.