Are you confused by emotional support dog requirements? You’re not alone. There is a lot of information on this important subject, some of which is misleading or just plain false. 

If you want to legally designate your dog as an emotional support animal (ESA), you need to understand all of the various federal and state rules and regulations, which can get complicated. That’s why our ESA experts have done the work of studying these requirements and explaining them to you in simple terms in this guide. 

The required document you need so you can legally call your dog an emotional support animal is an ESA letter. The most important person in this process is a mental health professional — someone like a therapist or counselor who understands how your animal helps your mental health. 

An ESA letter is required to have a few things according to HUD guidelines, like your mental health professional’s signature, license number and contact information. In the letter, your provider will explain that you’re dealing with a mental health condition and that your emotional support animal is part of how you manage it. The letter also needs the date, since these letters are like milk — they have an expiration date. Usually, you’ll need a new one each year. 

So why is this letter required at all? It’s because, under ESA laws, you need to share one with your landlord if you want to live with your emotional support dog in “no pets” housing. You also need an ESA letter if you’re requesting a waiver of pet fees and deposits. An ESA letter is what you should be most concerned about if you want an emotional support animal — it is the only document your landlord can ask for as proof of your dog’s ESA status. 

ESAs don’t require special training, they serve their purpose simply by being themselves — through their natural ability to provide comfort, companionship, and emotional stability to their owners. Your ESA might naturally help reduce your anxiety just by hanging out with you or giving you a reason to get up in the morning, but they don’t need special training to do this. It’s their presence and the bond you share that provides the therapeutic benefit.

Psychiatric service dogs, on the other hand, work in a fundamentally different way under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These dogs must undergo specialized training to perform tasks that directly help with their handler’s disability. For example, a service dog might be trained to detect oncoming seizures or perform deep pressure therapy for panic attacks. 

To better understand this difference, consider how these animals help their owners in different situations. An emotional support dog might naturally lie next to their owner during an anxiety attack, providing emotional comfort through their calming presence. In contrast, a psychiatric service dog would be specifically trained to recognize signs of an impending anxiety attack and perform specific actions like creating space around their handler in crowded areas or leading them to a quiet place — actions that require extensive training to perfect.

While ESAs do not need any specialized training, they should still be well-behaved and under control at all times. A landlord can kick out an emotional support dog if it is acting in an unsafe or destructive manner.

The legal requirements for ESA registration are straightforward: you don’t need to register your emotional support dog anywhere, either with federal or state agencies. You also don’t need any type of special ID card to prove you have an ESA. You can, however, still choose to register your emotional support animal with us and get accessories like a linked ID card and tags. 

You may wonder why ESA owners register their ESAs and get ID cards even if they don’t have to. There are practical reasons for doing it: these visual markers can help smooth daily interactions, especially in places that typically have “no pets allowed” policies like your building lobby. They notify staff and other tenants that a legally protected assistance animal accompanies you. However, remember that your landlord can insist on seeing your ESA letter but not any other form of documentation.

You can qualify for an emotional support dog if you have an emotional or mental illness(es) that can be considered a disability, which means that your condition is so severe that it significantly limits your ability to do everyday tasks. These are some common conditions that healthcare professionals write ESA letters for:

Your therapist, doctor, or social worker can evaluate your condition and then decide whether it’s appropriate to recommend an emotional support dog. 

There are no height, breed, or weight requirements for emotional support animals, including dogs, and landlords, HOAs, co-ops, and other housing providers cannot discriminate based on these traits. This rule even protects breeds that are commonly discriminated against, such as Pit Bulls or Dobermans. You can even have more than one emotional support animal if your therapist recommends it.

There is a requirement, however, that your dog does not pose any sort of health or safety threat to other tenants and can comfortably be in your living space. 

Unfortunately, due to the latest Air Carrier Access Act regulations, emotional support dogs no longer have flying privileges in the U.S. That means your emotional support dog will be treated as a normal pet and subject to your airline’s pet policies and pet fees. However, you can still fly with a service dog and board the cabin free of charge. 

If you believe you or a loved one may benefit from an ESD, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your mental health professional to start the process. 

If you do not have access to a healthcare professional or are intimidated by the idea of reaching out for help, consider using an online service to get your ESA letter. ESA rules specifically allow for remote online providers to write ESA letters, so your letter will be just as valid as one obtained in person.

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