Emotional Support Animals

Classification	Emotional Support
Color	Red
Type	Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
Job	Although ESAs provide support through companionship and can help ease anxiety, depression, and certain phobias, they are not service dogs and do not have the same rights
Handler	To legally be considered an emotional support dog, the pet needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness. A therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, for example, must decide that the presence of the animal is needed for the mental health of the patient. For example, owning a pet might ease a person’s anxiety or give him a focus in life.
Gear	ESAs perform a critical role in the life of a person with a disability. It is important to realize that attempting to take advantage of the category so your dog can fly with you or live in no-pet housing is an abuse of the system and makes it harder for people with a legitimate need.
Signs	To qualify, the animal must be reasonably well behaved by typical pet standards, such as being toilet trained, and can’t be a nuisance or danger to others.
Notes	Unlike a Service Animal, which is only acceptable if a dog or miniature horse, an Emotional Support animal can be any animal, but don’t be ridiculous about it, like the peacock flight story.
Source of Information	Click Here American Kennel Club
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