Tag: america

Emotional support dogs provide comfort and support to individuals with mental health conditions, and federal laws protect the rights of emotional support dog owners in housing and air travel. However, state laws can also impact the use and regulation of emotional support dogs, and it is important to be aware of the emotional support dog laws in your state if you are an emotional support dog owner or if you are a landlord or property manager. These laws can vary widely from state to state, and they can impact your rights as an owner or your responsibilities as a landlord or property manager.

State Laws Regarding Emotional Support Dogs

While the federal laws under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) protect the rights of emotional support dog owners, state laws can vary widely. Here are some examples of how different states regulate emotional support dogs:

California Emotional Support Dog Laws

California state law defines a service dog as a dog trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, but the law does not include emotional support dogs in this definition. However, landlords in California are required to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, which may include allowing an emotional support dog in a housing unit.

Florida Emotional Support Dog Laws

Florida law allows for emotional support animals to accompany their owners in housing units, and prohibits landlords from charging additional fees or deposits for them. However, Florida’s service animal law does not extend to emotional support animals in other public places, such as restaurants or stores.

Illinois Emotional Support Dog Laws

Illinois state law allows emotional support animals in housing units, and requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. However, Illinois law does not extend these protections to emotional support animals in other public places, such as restaurants or stores.

New York Emotional Support Dog Laws

New York law allows emotional support animals in housing units, and requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. However, New York’s service animal law does not extend to emotional support animals in other public places, such as restaurants or stores.

Pennsylvania Emotional Support Dog Laws

Pennsylvania state law allows for emotional support animals in housing units, and requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. However, Pennsylvania’s service animal law does not extend to emotional support animals in other public places, such as restaurants or stores.

Texas Emotional Support Dog Laws

In Texas, landlords must allow emotional support animals in housing units, but the state’s service animal law does not extend to emotional support animals.

Georgia Emotional Support Dog Laws

In Georgia, landlords must allow emotional support animals in housing units, but the state’s service animal law does not extend to emotional support animals.

Virginia Emotional Support Dog Laws

In Virginia, landlords must allow emotional support animals in housing units, but the state’s service animal law does not extend to emotional support animals.

Maryland Emotional Support Dog Laws

In Maryland, emotional support animals are allowed in housing units under state law, but the state’s service animal law does not extend to emotional support animals in other public places.

Conclusion

Other states may have different laws regarding emotional support dogs, so it is important to be aware of the laws in your state if you are an emotional support dog owner or if you are a landlord or property manager.

It is important to note that emotional support dogs are not the same as service dogs, which are specifically trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. Emotional support dogs provide comfort and support, but they are not trained to perform specific tasks to assist their owners. As such, emotional support dogs are not covered under the ADA as service dogs are.

If you are considering getting an emotional support dog, it is important to consult with a licensed mental health professional who can evaluate your need for one and provide the necessary documentation to make your dog an emotional support animal.

Ultimately, it is important to be aware of the laws in your state regarding emotional support dogs, as they can vary widely and impact your rights as an owner or your responsibilities as a landlord or property manager.

Sources

• Animal Legal and Historical Center
• American Kennel Club
• Nolo
• Animal Legal and Historical Center