Emotional support animals (ESAs) have gained popularity in the last decade, but what does it take to get one? What makes an ESA legitimate is a letter written by a mental health professional in your state of residence stating that the presence of an ESA will be beneficial to your well-being.
ESAs can be great if you want to live in the city but find yourself getting anxious around crowds and heavy stimulation–both of which Las Vegas is known for. Having an emotional support animal may help you navigate those aspects of Las Vegas so you can enjoy all of the wonders that the city has to offer!
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal, or ESA, is an animal that provides comfort and improves their handler’s well-being simply by being there. An animal doesn’t need specialized training to be considered an ESA, unlike service dogs. The most common ESAs are dogs and cats, but any animal can become an ESA as long as it doesn’t break any zoning laws; ESAs, however, are exempt from breed and weight restrictions.
Who Can Qualify for an ESA in Las Vegas?
ESAs are prescribed for disabling mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. ESAs can help mitigate the symptoms of these conditions just by being there, since their presence can be very grounding, and living with them can encourage a healthy routine.
For your ESA to be legitimate, you must talk with a mental healthcare worker that’s licensed in your state of residence and obtain a letter stating that an ESA would be helpful with your condition. If you don’t know where to start looking, U.S. Service Animals can help connect you with one.
What Are the Benefits of Having an ESA Letter in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is a very common tourist destination year-round, especially on the strip and in other famous places like Fremont Street. If living in a city with crowds heightens your anxiety but you still want to enjoy these places, then coming home to an ESA and decompressing after you go out may be able to help alleviate your anxiety!
Unfortunately, you’ll still have to pay a pet fee if you have your ESA with you in your hotel room (if they allow you to bring your ESA in the first place – they’re not legally required to). But the Fair Housing Act ensures that you’ll always be able to live in your residence with your ESA, even if there’s a no-pet policy in place.
