A common question is what's the difference between emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals. Here's a breakdown of both types of animals.
Service Animals
Purpose: Trained to perform specific tasks for someone with a disability (physical, sensory, psychiatric, or intellectual).
Examples: Guiding people who are blind, alerting someone who is deaf, detecting seizures, reminding someone to take medication, interrupting harmful behaviors.
Training: Must be individually trained to perform tasks directly related to the person's disability.
Legal Rights:
- Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Allowed full public access rights (restaurants, stores, airplanes, schools, workplaces, etc.).
Types of Animals: Limited to dogs (and in some cases, miniature horses).
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
Purpose: Provide comfort, companionship, and emotional support to help ease conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or loneliness.
Training: Do not require specialized training beyond basic pet manners. Their presence itself is what helps their owner.
Legal Rights:
- Protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which means landlords must allow ESAs in housing (even if pets aren't normally allowed).
- Not granted public access rights in places like restaurants, stores, or airplanes (airline rules changed in 2021; most no longer recognize ESAs for free travel).
Types of Animals: Can be dogs, cats, or even other species (though dogs and cats are most common).
Quick Reference Comparison
| Feature | Emotional Support Animal (ESA) | Service Animal |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Provides comfort & emotional support | Performs specific tasks related to a disability |
| Training | No special training required | Must be individually trained for tasks |
| Disabilities Covered | Emotional or mental health needs | Physical, psychiatric, sensory, or intellectual disabilities |
| Species Allowed | Dogs, cats, other animals | Only dogs (and sometimes miniature horses) |
| Legal Protections | Fair Housing Act (housing rights) | Americans with Disabilities Act (full public access) |
| Public Access | Not allowed in restaurants, stores, airplanes, etc. | Allowed in all public places |
| Air Travel | Most airlines no longer accept ESAs for free travel | Allowed to fly with handler |
| Example | Cat that comforts someone with anxiety | Dog that alerts a person before a seizure |