Emotional Support Dogs and Service Dogs: What’s the Difference?

Emotional support dogs and service dogs play important roles in their owners’ lives, but as similar as their roles may be, they are not the same. Since these types of dogs can be commonly confused for one other, it’s important to know the defining characteristics which constitute their respective titles.

To help you better understand the similarities and differences between an emotional support dog and a service dog, here are 6 facts about each of them!

1. Service Dogs are Specially Trained

Service dogs are trained to assist people who are living with specific disabilities. Some service dogs are trained to assist people with sensory issues such as blindness or hearing loss, and other service dogs are trained to assist people with mobility issues, such as paralysis. Emotional support dogs do not require special training.

2. Emotional Support Dogs Assist with Mental/ Emotional Conditions

Emotional support dogs provide comfort and affection towards people suffering from various mental and emotional conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. Any dog can be certified to become an emotional support dog, just as long as they provide emotional stability and unconditional love to their owner.

3. Landlords Cannot Refuse Your Emotional Support Dog or Service Dog

According to the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), emotional support dogs are able to live with their owners anywhere, regardless if the owner’s building or residence has a no-pet policy rule employed on the premises. Likewise, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also gives owners the right to live with their service dog anywhere, regardless if the owner’s building or residence has a no-pet policy rule employed on the premises.

4. You can Take Your Emotional Support Dog and Service Dog on an Airplane

According to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), emotional support dogs are allowed on an airplane as long as the owner has a recent letter from a doctor or mental health professional stating that an emotional support dog is needed for the owner’s condition. According to ADA law, service dogs are also allowed on an airplane and owners do not have to pay an extra fee for having them by their side.

5. Service Dogs Are Not Pets

Service dogs are considered working animals and not pets. Under Title II and Title III of the ADA, emotional support dogs are not considered working animals the way that service dogs are. A service dog is absolutely needed for an individual to maneuver through their day to day lives, whereas an emotional support dog is needed to provide affection and help ease psychological distress.

6. Emotional Support Dogs Cannot be Taken Everywhere

Emotional support dogs are allowed to live in an owner’s home regardless of any no-pet policy employed on the premises and they are allowed to be taken on an airplane, but other than that they are restricted from entering public areas where other animals are not allowed. Service dogs, however, can be taken to most public areas where other animals are not allowed.

Do you have any experience with an emotional support dog or service dog? Comment below and let us know!