How may an animal qualify to be recognized as an emotional support animal?

An emotional support animal qualifies primarily through a prescription or recommendation from a licensed mental health professional. This professional must affirm that the animal is necessary for the individual's emotional and psychological well-being. Unlike service animals, which are trained to perform specific tasks, emotional support animals provide comfort and support simply by being present and do not require specialized training that is task-oriented.

The focus of emotional support animals is on providing companionship and alleviating conditions such as anxiety or depression, rather than performing specific duties or tasks that assist individuals with disabilities. The relationship between the individual and the emotional support animal is recognized under various housing laws, allowing individuals to keep these animals in housing situations that may otherwise prohibit pets.

Other options, such as passing a behavioral assessment, registration with a national organization, or being trained for specific tasks, do not apply to emotional support animals in the same way they do to service animals. The primary criterion for an animal to be deemed an emotional support animal is the mental health professional's assessment.