Comfort Dog Laws

Other species of animals whether wild or domestic trained or untrained are not considered service animals either.

Comfort dog laws. The need for an emotional support animal is not grounds for reasonable accommodation under the americans with disabilities act. Landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone with an animal that is a service or companion animal such as a properly trained dog for a disabled person and some other animals. Landlords have the right to prohibit all pets or to restrict the type such as cats only number or size of pets or dog breeds allowed.

An emotional support animal is an animal typically a dog or cat though this can include other species that provides a therapeutic benefit to its owner through companionship. Federal law the fair housing amendments act however provides for one exception. The ada and washington law prohibit public accommodations from charging a special admission fee or requiring you to pay any other extra cost to have your service animal with you.

This law allows esas to fly in the cabin of commercial airplanes. This is great for support pet owners as their dogs and other pets can now sit with them rather than below the plane in the luggage compartment. Learn more about the fair housing act and air carrier access act.

By lisa guerin j d. What are the laws protecting emotional support animal owners. This provision applies only to those with physical disabilities.

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 motels restaurants theaters schools and more. Although these animals often have therapeutic benefits they are not individually trained to perform specific tasks for their handlers. Animals that provide a sense of safety companionship and comfort to those with psychiatric or emotional disabilities or conditions.

When virginia laws allow you to bring a service dog or emotional support animal to public places or housing. Under the illinois human rights law it is illegal to refuse to sell or rent housing to someone who is blind hearing impaired or has another physical disability because that person has a guide dog hearing dog or other support dog. But it is under fair housing laws.