Virginia s 36 96 3 1 combats emotional support animal and service dog fraud.
Emotional support dog virginia.
The following is an overview of the laws established in federal laws and west virginia laws that protect emotional support animals.
Service dogs of virginia is a 501 c 3 non profit organization that raises trains and places dogs to assist people with disabilities.
Generally speaking the two main differences between service dogs and emotional support animals center on 1 the animal s level of training and 2 the severity of the owner s needs.
Highly trained dogs perform a multitude of tasks that allow greater personal freedom and independence.
Information on service dogs and emotional support animals.
Landlords must make reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities in order to provide them with housing opportunities that are equal to those enjoyed by able bodied individuals.
Emotional support animal basics in virginia.
By lisa guerin j d.
Esa has joined forces with a team of mental health professionals with an expertise in emotional support animal evaluations and prescription letters to help you with your esa and to provide you with your evaluation letter which is required by law to travel with your animal.
Virginia 36 96 3 1 combats emotional support animal fraud in housing.
In order to get an emotional support animal in virginia you ll be required to consult a licensed mental health professional.
We rise in the strongest support of this legislation.
However this is not something that you can simply ask for and receive.
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.
We serve clients residing in the commonwealth of virginia and are based in charlottesville virginia.
To simplify the entire issue into a single sentence.
To qualify for an emotional support animal known as an esa in virginia you need to have an esa letter this is an official letter from a certified mental health professional such as a psychologist psychiatrist or clinical social worker.
It is helpful to understand the emotional support animal laws in west virginia to avoid any complications and know what to do if unlawful discrimination occurs.
In this article we ll cover all you need to know about getting an esa in virginia.
When virginia laws allow you to bring a service dog or emotional support animal to public places or housing.
Virginia commonwealth university strives to ensure our campus facilities and programs are accessible and welcoming to all individuals.
