ESA Certification Requirements | Traveling With An Emotional Support Animal

An emotional support animal (ESA) provides stability, companionship, and comfort for people suffering from conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, or phobias. For these individuals, an ESA can be a lifesaver, especially when traveling.

But what is required to travel with an emotional support animal? Does the animal need ESA certification? Could your dog be your ESA? This article answers these questions for you.

For starters, you might be wondering if an ESA is the same as a service animal. It’s not. A service animal is specifically trained to work or perform tasks for a disabled person.

ESAs are usually dogs or cats, but other animals can be one too. ESAs provide a soothing, calming presence for individuals struggling with mental or emotional issues.

If you’re planning to fly with an ESA, you’ll need to provide certain documentation to the airline, so it’s wise to check with them well before your departure date. Each airline requests specific information and may have their own forms for you to complete and submit.

The Scoop on ESA Certification and the Documents Airlines Request

  1. An ESA Letter from a licensed mental health professional that states, among other things, the condition you have that requires the need for an ESA. Without this, your ESA will be considered a pet by the airlines and be subject to the usual expenses related to flying with a pet.

    There’s been confusion concerning emotional support animals and how to get them “certified.” In fact, there is no ESA Certification. There isn’t a process or program that you’re required by law to complete to “certify” an animal. What is required is a valid ESA Letter from a legitimate mental health professional. With the ESA Letter, your mental health professional is essentially prescribing your need for the ESA.

  2. A Veterinary Health Form completed by your veterinarian. This form confirms that the ESA is current with its rabies vaccination. (Some airlines will also accept an official Proof of Vaccination document provided by your veterinarian.) For a fee, your vet will complete the form and return it to you. It’s best to allow at least 7 days for processing, so be sure to contact your veterinarian sooner rather than later.

  3. A Confirmation of Animal Training (or Behavior) Form is a document attesting that your ESA is obedient and manageable by you. There are no “official” ESA training programs that you’re required to attend. But it is imperative that your ESA will be quiet and well-behaved on a flight.

Airlines may also ask you to sign a form agreeing to their policies on emotional support animals, namely, that they can’t lie in the aisle or block emergency exits. And there may be size and weight restrictions as well.

Nikolas James