Anyone can go online and have a commercial service certify a pet as an emotional support animal, complete with a jacket emblazoned with "Service Animal." But emotional support animals aren't the same as service animals, including psychiatric service animals:
- Species: Any animal can be an emotional support animal. Under federal law, only dogs and miniature horses can be service animals.
- Purpose: An emotional support animal assists through its presence alone. A service animal is specially trained to perform tasks for someone with a disability.
- Training: An emotional support animal requires no training; all that's needed is a letter from a mental health professional explaining its therapeutic value. Service animals must undergo individualized training.
- Legal protections: While the Americans with Disabilities Act protects service animals, it does not cover emotional support animals. Emotional support animals are covered only under the Air Carrier Access Act and Fair Housing Act.
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Public access: A service animal can go anywhere its owner goes. While owners of emotional support animals may get away with bringing them into places where pets aren't allowed, the only places legally required to welcome them are aircraft—where they fly for free in the main cabin—and housing units.