Creating a Legal Service Animal

Let me ask you some honest questions about your relationship with your cat or dog, since the idea of having a Emotional Support Animal is far different from actually owning and caring for one. First, are you currently being seen by a primary doctor or psychiatrist? Can you handle being together with your furbaby 24 hours a day even as they become anxious and misbehave? Having an ESA service animal is not a decision, which you can make without a ton of research on your state laws and a fierce commitment because an animal is not a toy that you can get bored with?

What Must You Do First?

Honestly, you will need to talk to your mental health professional about your need for or your desire to create a legal Emotional Support Animal for yourself. Then, you must find the animal that you want that is right for you, whether it is a cat or dog which will help your emotional needs. Remember that you will need to select a pet’s size and breed that is perfect for you to care for with your disability and mental health condition.The chosen animal will go to public places like grocery stores or traveling, so pick an animal that has a good temperament and is comfortable being in social situations..  

What Must You Do Next

Consider the financial investment that will be made once you begin paying for several yearly veterinarian visits for wellness visits and medicine refills. This flea and heartworm prevention medication can become costly, as well as the annual booster shots or possible sick visits that an ESA animal must receive by its handler. This type of service animal cannot behave badly when entering public places, so obedience classes and socialization is very important when training your service animal.

What Must You Do Last

Skip all of the illegal registration websites, because you should have already done a ton of research about your state’s laws regarding creating an ESA animal. Your mental health doctor or specialist will give you a letter or prescription which you can carry in your wallet after making several copies. The letter formally legalizes and creates your ESA animal, but you can buy a small metal tag or collar that is specifically marked with “service dog” or “ESA”. Upon leaving your home, your service animal should be clearly identified so others know that your animal is working.

What Must You Do Now?

Although, you now have a ton of knowledge and a best friend for life, feel free to enroll your pet into obedience training classes. Then, go shopping and play dress up with cute collars, angel wing harnesses, and/or cute t-shirts or sweaters that express your pet’s own personality. Make sure you understand your pet’s likes and dislikes, as this will help you keep them calm and well-behaved when in public. Beware of allowing others or friends to distract your pet, while he or she is “working” since this will cause setbacks and confusion on the pets part.

By, Crystal Amon
​Copyrighted 2022