Esa Vs Service Animal. An emotional support animal is certified by a mental health professional and while it's not the duty of an esa to perform a specific service, their job is just as important as that of a service dog for many. They are not considered a service animal.
Under the ada a service animal is one trained to perform tasks directly related to the person’s disability. Under title ii and title iii of the ada, a service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. In most cases, esa companions are dogs or cats, but there have relatively been other animals that can very well serve the duties, such as a horse, turtle or rabbit.
They may also be pricier than an esa as their training will cost anywhere between $150 to $200.
An esa does not perform specific tasks, but instead simply serves as a support system in both everyday life and challenging situations. “a service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.” Read our service animal basics page to learn more. An emotional support animal gives affection, companionship, and comfort to an owner suffering from a diagnosed mental, emotional, or psychological condition.