How To Register Your Dog As An Emotional Support Animal In Nc
An emotional support animal can be a true lifesaver for someone dealing with mental health problems.
How to register your dog as an emotional support animal in nc. To register an emotional support dog first you ll need to visit a mental health professional and ask for a letter stating your need for an emotional support animal. In order to receive the rights under the laws afforded to emotional support dogs the dog must be prescribed by a mental health professional for an individual who is suffering from a disabling mental illness. All domesticated animals may qualify as emotional support animals cats and dogs and they can be any age young puppies and kittens too as these animals do not need any specific task training because their very presence alleviates the symptoms associated with a person s psychological emotional disability unlike a working service dog or therapy dog. Alternatively you can take a survey through an online mental health service to see if you qualify for a letter of need. Service dog registry it is absolutely vital to understand that voluntary online enrollment alone will not provide sufficient proof of esa status for legal purposes.
For more information see the ada s list of frequently asked questions here. Emotional support animals esa on the other hand are not trained but instead offer support for individuals suffering from psychiatric or emotional disabilities. 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. From offering companionship and the stability of a routine to serving as a trusted guide through anxiety inducing social situations emotional support animals offer invaluable support in addition to the non judgmental unconditional love that animals already provide so freely. North carolina law says that you qualify for these rights by either displaying a tag issued by the state health and human services department stating that you have registered your animal as a service animal or by showing that the animal has been or is being trained to act as a service animal.
See below for additional information and forms related to service animals in north carolina. If you are suffering from an emotional or mental disability in the state of north carolina then you are entitled to an emotional support animal to help alleviate your symptoms. Therapy dogs emotional support dogs and companion dogs are not service animals and are not afforded the same privileges in public places. Enjoy living and traveling with your emotional support dog. Service animal registration information.
Get your esa identification card and register your emotional support dog. Under federal and north carolina laws emotional support animals have certain rights that allow you to live and travel with your pet.