Pet-owners know that friendship and loyalty are trademark qualities of dogs. For some people, pets can offer real emotional support that can be helpful when dealing with mental or emotional issues. If that’s the case, it may be time to get an emotional support dog license so that you can get a furry friend for companionship.
Emotional support dogs are different from ordinary pets. They can be beneficial to people’s mental health and are protected under federal law. In Georgia, getting an emotional support dog requires a certified letter from a qualified mental health professional. That way, you may still be able to get an emotional support dog if you live in an apartment that doesn’t allow animals. However, exceptions to the rule are important to consider when getting an emotional support dog license in Georgia.
At Critter Sitters, we offer dog walking and dog sitting services to our clients. Our experienced, compassionate team can take care of your emotional support dog while you’re away or take it for a walk or two on those particularly busy days. To leave your pet in safe hands when you’re out of town, call the Atlanta dog sitters at Critter Sitters today at (404) 793-6178.
How Do You Get an Emotional Support Dog License in Georgia?
Suppose a mental health professional agrees that an emotional support dog would be beneficial for your happiness. In that case, all it takes is a simple letter. A qualified professional will assess you and then sign an ESA letter saying that you require an emotional support dog.
Assistance animals are protected under federal law under the Fair Housing Act. There are two kinds of assistance animals: service and emotional support. The former generally have more protections, as they’re trained to help disabled people. However, emotional support dogs don’t require training and instead offer a sense of companionship and stability. That’s why people with anxiety or depression may benefit from having an emotional support dog. However, because they’re not legally deemed necessary for quality of life, they’re not offered the same protections as service dogs.
If your doctor or therapist doesn’t think one would help your mental health, you may be unable to get one in the first place. People get emotional support dogs for all kinds of reasons. However, if a mental health professional doesn’t think you’d benefit from an emotional support dog, you may be unable to get a license. Legally, the only real barrier to getting approval for an emotional support dog is a letter from a qualified professional.
Why Can’t I Get an Emotional Support Dog License in Georgia?
While the Fair Housing Act protects assistance pets, there are some exceptions for emotional support dogs. Remember, these types of pets aren’t protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as service dogs are. For that reason, there may be some limitations to having an emotional support dog in Georgia.
Getting a signed letter from a mental health professional doesn’t necessarily mean you’re good to go. If your apartment building explicitly disallows certain breeds, your choice for an emotional support dog may not qualify. In Georgia, pit bulls are often prohibited from apartment buildings and even some cities altogether. Even if your pit bull is meant to be an emotional support dog, you may not be allowed to have it in certain buildings or areas in Georgia.
Furthermore, if your emotional support dog is disruptive, it may cause problems. Emotional support dogs aren’t trained like service dogs are. In fact, many people may choose to adopt their emotional support dog from a shelter. That means that it’s up to you to train your pet. If it becomes a nuisance for neighbors, your license may be revoked. Whenever you get a new pet, it’s important to train it. If you don’t, that can cause problems, regardless of whether it’s an emotional support dog.
Critter Sitters Can Watch Your Emotional Support Dog While You’re Away
At Critter Sitters, we know how important pets are to their owners. They’re part of the family, life-long companions, and loyal friends. People with emotional support dogs may rely on their pets even more for comfort, so leaving them behind while away can be difficult.
Of course, we’d all like to take our pets with us when we go on vacation or on a work trip. However, traveling with pets can be difficult and impractical. But putting your furry friend in a kennel while you’re gone may not be ideal either. When you go out of town, the stress about what to do with your pet can be hard, especially when you rely on your furry friend for emotional support. That’s where Critter Sitters comes in.
Our experienced, compassionate dog sitters can take care of your emotional support dog while you’re away. We’ll stop by throughout the day to walk your dog, feed it, and play with it, so your pet never notices you’re gone. For people with emotional support dogs, it can be anxiety-inducing to part with their pet when traveling. Critter Sitters can take good care of your emotional support dog while you’re away, so you have nothing to worry about.
Are you having a particularly stressful day? Need a break? The Atlanta dog walkers at Critter Sitters can take your emotional support dog out for its daily exercise, hassle-free. Just get in touch with the Critter Sitters team to learn how.
Call Critter Sitters to Watch Your Emotional Support Dog
The emotional support dog sitters at Critter Sitters can be trusted to care for your pet while you’re away. To reach out to Critter Sitters for dog walking or sitting services in Atlanta, call us today at (404) 793-6178.
