How To Register An Emotional Support Dog In Va

Currently 652 veterans with approved guide or service dogs receive the veterinary service benefit.

How to register an emotional support dog in va. When virginia laws allow you to bring a service dog or emotional support animal to public places or housing. By lisa guerin j d. Mental health staff should know the difference between a service dog emotional support animal and psychiatriatic service dogs. How to qualify for an emotional support animal. Va doctors just can t be handing out letters for fido to be allowed.

To be eligible for the veterinary health benefit the service dog must be trained by an organization accredited by assistance dogs international in accordance with va regulations. Of course if you already have a dog your choice will be clear but remember to be reasonable and train your dog if necessary. I nearly fell due to the last encounter and if i get hurt from a fall it could land me in the hospital. Instead any requested allowances for an esa must be bolstered with a letter from a certified mental health professional. The use of emotional support animals and therapy animals has risen dramatically over the years and has provided an important benefit to many within the veteran community.

How to register an esa there is no official registration database for emotional support animals. If you have an emotional disability you can legally qualify for an esa short for emotional support animal you must be certified as emotionally disabled by a psychologist therapist psychiatrist or other duly licensed and or certified mental health professional. 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. When choosing a dog be careful when picking the right one. 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.