How To Register An Emotional Support Dog In Virginia
In order to get an emotional support animal in virginia you ll be required to consult a licensed mental health professional.
How to register an emotional support dog in virginia. We offer a range of emotional support id kits to fit your needs and budget. To qualify for an emotional support animal known as an esa in virginia you need to have an esa letter. An emotional support dog is a dog that provides comfort and support in forms of affection and companionship for an individual suffering from various mental and emotional conditions. Of course if you already have a dog your choice will be clear but remember to be reasonable and train your dog if necessary. Alternatively you can take a survey through an online mental health service to see if you qualify for a letter of need.
When virginia laws allow you to bring a service dog or emotional support animal to public places or housing. Start with a standard id kit and you can later add on a leash collar esa dog vest and more. At usa service dog registration we have helped thousands of families register their service animals and emotional support animals. When choosing a dog be careful when picking the right one. For esa owners in virginia sb 1228 states that an emotional support animals letter must be from a disability verifier who has a therapeutic relationship with the prospective tenant.
It is fairly easy to register a dog as an emotional support animal but remember that only an esa letter will qualify a dog as a true emotional support animal. This is an official letter from a certified mental health professional such as a psychologist psychiatrist or clinical social worker. This is a federal law so it applies all over the country but that doesn t stop individual states making their own amendments to its clauses. We understand how important our dogs are for emotional support and service. Under virginia s disability rights law and the federal americans with disabilities act ada people with disabilities may bring their service animals to all public accommodations including stores businesses.
By lisa guerin j d. An emotional support dog is not required to perform any specific tasks for disability like service dogs are. We rise in the strongest support of this legislation. However this is not something that you can simply ask for and receive. An emotional support animal registration of any kind including an identification card patch certificate or similar registration document is no longer allowed.
To register an emotional support dog first you ll need to visit a mental health professional and ask for a letter stating your need for an emotional support animal.