Registering Emotional Support Animal Virginia

How to register an emotional support animal for many people living with emotional and mental disabilities an emotional support animal esa is a life changing companion that provides comfort affection and an increased quality of life.

Registering emotional support animal virginia. To qualify for an emotional support animal known as an esa in virginia you need to have an esa letter. This is an official letter from a certified mental health professional such as a psychologist psychiatrist or clinical social worker. An emotional support animal registration of any kind including an identification card patch certificate or similar registration document is no longer allowed. In this article we ll cover all you need to know about getting an esa in virginia. Virginia s 36 96 3 1 combats emotional support animal and service dog fraud.

Registration of an emotional support animal with esa registration of america does not give you any additional legal rights. An emotional support animal can be a true lifesaver for someone dealing with mental health problems. Esa registration of america is not a governmental agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by hud the department of transportation or any other governmental agency. 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 motels restaurants theaters schools and more. By lisa guerin j d.

Many esa owners find that their esa makes it possible to successfully navigate many of life s challenges opening new doors and enabling them to make the. As noted by the virginia department of professional and occupational regulation. 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. Fair housing law requires housing providers to accommodate a person with a disability by changing or modifying a rule policy or practice when doing so is necessary to give the disabled person equal opportunity to use and enjoy his or her unit. In order to get an emotional support animal in virginia you ll be required to consult a licensed mental health professional.

Get the help you need to restore your health and wellbeing. We rise in the strongest support of this legislation. Emotional support pets are those that provide medicinal benefit through support and companionship whether that is to ease symptoms from an emotional or mental disability as a non judgmental companion or even as a distraction from stresses associated with daily life. 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. When virginia laws allow you to bring a service dog or emotional support animal to public places or housing.

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