Not everyone knows the difference between an emotional
support dog and a service dog. At a glance, the
animals look similar; they both wear vests and help their handlers get through
their day. However, an emotional support dog uses different forms of
identification than a service dog because they, unlike service dogs, are not
covered by the ADA.
To distinguish your emotional support dog from a
service dog, it may be helpful for you to provide the right kind of identification,
which is available in the form of vests, patches, certificates, and ID cards.
Basic
Emotional Support Dog Identification
Emotional
support dog vests are typically used by handlers to show that
their dog is helping them feel comfortable while out in public. When outfitted
with ESA
patches that specifically state the dog is an “Emotional
Support Dog,” vests help the public understand the dog is not a pet but is also
not a service dog. This helps to avoid any confusion when authorities are
considering whether the dog is covered by the ADA, the Fair Housing Amendments
Act, or the Air Carrier Access Act. Emotional support dogs will be supported by
the latter two acts, but not by the ADA.
Together, vests and patches help identify that the dog
is providing aid for its handler.
Additional
Identification for Emotional Support Dogs
Sometimes, it won’t be enough to just have a vest that
states a dog is an emotional support dog. There may be times when more
identification may be helpful to defuse an uncomfortable situation, and this
can be done with the following ESA identification.
Emotional
support dog certificates are official
documents that state a dog is an emotional support dog. It also provides
information such as the handler’s name, the dog’s name, and when the
certificate was registered. Certification is not required; however, presenting
an official certificate can help avoid uncomfortable situations.
ESA
ID cards fulfill the same function that certificates do. A
handler may carry an ID card in their pocket or wallet and produce it easily upon
request. Like certification, ID cards are not required, but can help when
explaining the dog’s important role.
Not everyone will be observant enough to know an
emotional support dog just by a vest alone. To be truly prepared, these forms
of ESA identification can help the public understand exactly what kind of dog they’re
looking at.
