If you are a pet owner, you must be familiar with the joy, happiness, love, and friendship your pet provides. They keep you healthy mentally and emotionally. And these companions providing mental and emotional support are called emotional support animals. There are many animals that can serve as an emotional support animal. The most common animals are dogs and cats. Although, many other animals like miniature horses and pigs can also serve as emotional support animals. We connect to our pets emotionally, that’s why they impact our mental health in a positive way. Some of the conditions with which an ESA can help are anxiety, trauma, depression, stress, and more.
But they are different from service animals. That means, the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn’t protect the emotional support animals. But there are two acts for ESAs. These are the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). They are regarded as assistance animals.
Alaska Emotional Support Animal Laws
So, are you planning on getting an emotional support animal? Make sure you know all the rules and laws in Alaska about emotional support animals.
Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
This act allows you to travel with your emotional support animal in-cabin. You just need an emotional support animal letter. Your ESA letter should be issued by a licensed mental health professional. But make sure you read all the pet policies of the airline you are boarding beforehand to avoid any last-minute trouble. Suppose you are traveling with Alaska Airlines, read about Alaska Airlines pet policy.
Employment Laws
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not cover the emotional support animals. This means you won’t be allowed to bring your ESA pet at your workplace. However, you can ask your boss to allow you to bring your pet. If your boss is kind enough to understand the human-pet bond, he might allow it.
Fair Housing Act (FHA)
FHA allows you to live with your emotional support animal in an apartment in a no-pet policy. The landlord can’t refuse or charge you for your ESA pet. Just make sure you have all the necessary documents required to show to the landlord.
ESA Campus Housing
If you live in accommodation provided by your university, the FHA works there too. So, you are legally allowed to keep your ESA pet with you in that accommodation. Again, you have to make sure you have all the required documents with you.
Facts to Know Before You Get Your ESA
1. The emotional support animal letter is for the pet owner, not the pet.
2. There is no such thing as ESA certification registration. Don’t fall into the scam of the various bogus sites.
3. You won’t be allowed to take your ESA pet to a public place where pets are not allowed.
4. Emotional support animals do not need training like service animals. But, are still needed to behave well in public.