Service Animals Vs Emotional Support Animals California
“emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the ada, the california unruh civil rights act nor the disabled persons act,” said alden parker, an attorney with fisher.
Service animals vs emotional support animals california. Emotional support animals or emotional support dogs do not have any special training and it is not required by law. Emotional support animals provide a mental and emotional benefit to their owners, while service animals generally provide a physical benefit. As a result, the laws protecting service dogs do not similarly cover emotional support animals.
Their primary role is to provide emotional comfort, companionship, friendship and affection to their owner. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under title ii and title iii of the ada. This typically takes the form of a letter written and signed by a medical professional.
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. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ada. An emotional support animal is any animal that eases the effects of a person’s disability by providing comfort or support.
California does have service dog laws, however, protecting the use of emotional support animals in other settings. 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. Contrary to popular belief, service animals and emotional support animals are not the same.
Many believe that the growing use of emotional support animals tends to discredit the use of service animals. An assistance animal can be either a service animal or an emotional support animal. §§ 35.104, 36.104, 35.136(i) (2010)
“service animals,” where this means “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.” in some circumstances, this can also extend to miniature horses. Check out this article to get information and resources about your rights for your emotional support animal in california. Service dogs and therapy dogs.