Nowadays, more and more people are getting an emotional support animal in Newark. These animals help people with mental and emotional disorders cope with their diagnosis. They’re a comforting presence that can make someone’s life a lot easier. But how can you get one? And what are your benefits as an emotional support animal owner in the state of New Jersey?
Emotional Support Animal in Newark: Specific Protection
Having an emotional support animal in Newark, New Jersey has a lot of advantages. Not only for your mental wellbeing but also in practical terms. There’s no doubt that emotional support animals are a crucial part of the recovery process of someone who needs therapy!
Definition of Assistance Animal
An assistance animal does exactly what you’re expecting them to do: they assist their owners. In Newark, assistance animals can be emotional support animals, therapy animals, and service animals. It’s important to keep in mind that a pet is never considered an assistance animal in Newark or New Jersey.
But not all assistance animals are the same. There are different laws that regulate assistance animals differently in Newark. Service animals and emotional support animals are two completely different things. And it’s important for you to not mix them up!
You’ve probably seen a service animal before. They’re usually used as guide dogs for blind people. They’re specially trained to perform these tasks and can go into all public places — even non-pet-friendly ones.
Before you plan on getting an emotional support animal in Newark, New Jersey it is crucial you know that an emotional support animal (ESAs) is not considered a service animal. They can only go into pet-friendly establishments and do not need to be professionally or specifically trained. But they still have a lot of privileges, especially compared to pets!
Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks. For example, seeing-eye dogs for the blind are trained to help people with a physical disability (blindness) to maneuver throughout their environment.
Travel Laws (Air Carrier Access Act)
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is the first federal law that protects ESAs and their owners. Under this law, all airlines must accommodate emotional support animals and their owners on flights. This means that, if you’re traveling by plane, your ESA will be allowed to go with you free of charge!
For this law to apply to you, you must inform the airline you plan to travel with your ESA. You will also need to show them your emotional support animal letter. Because airlines make their own rules, you may need to bring with you some additional documents, for example, a veterinary form. Just check the airline’s rules and regulations thoroughly!
However, there are some other things you need to keep in mind. Depending on where you’re flying to, your ESA may be denied to enter the country. This has to do with quarantine and with issues out of the US government’s reach. Always check with the airline and embassies what their animal quarantine policies are before traveling.
Employment Laws
Emotional support animals are not considered service animals. For this reason, they are not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that, unfortunately, your employer isn’t obligated to provide reasonable accommodation for your ESA.
But this doesn’t mean your companion has to stay home waiting for you to get back! While the ADA doesn’t force employers to accept your ESA, talking to them in person might help. Employers are humans, after all. Explain to them what your mental health condition is and show them your ESA letter. Who knows, they may let your companion come with you to work!
Housing Laws (Fair Housing Act)
When it comes to getting an emotional support animal in Newark, it’s important you familiarize yourself with the FHA.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is one of the most important pieces of legislation regarding ESAs and their owners. According to this law, all landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for emotional support animals whose owners have an ESA letter.
Thanks to the FHA, you will be able to live with your companion animal on any rented property. Even if the building you’re living in has a no-pet policy, your ESA will still be allowed to live there. Remember, an ESA is not a pet!
Another great thing about this law is that you will not be charged a pet fee. Some landlords ask for a one-time pet deposit and monthly pet fees. Since your ESA is not a pet, you don’t need to pay anything extra to keep them with you.
All you have to do to be covered by this law is show your ESA letter to your landlord if they ask. Once you do, you’re free to live with your best buddy in peace!
ESA Campus Housing
Getting an emotional support animal in Newark is also beneficial to college students. Even if you are living in university-owned dorms and apartments, the Fair Housing Act applies to you. Your landlord is technically your university, so the law concerns you in the exact same way.
To live with your ESA, show whoever’s in charge, your ESA letter as issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). And then you’re done! You can focus on your studies while having your favorite companion by your side.
Exception to Rules
As with everything, there are some exceptions to these rules and laws we’ve mentioned. If your ESA doesn’t behave and poses a threat to passengers on your flight, the ACAA will no longer protect you. By the same logic, if they’re a threat or nuisance to your neighbors, the FHA will cease to cover you.
Another thing that might get your ESA owner status revoked is mistreating your ESA. If the state finds that you are neglecting your ESA, it has the power and authority to take them away from you.
Punishment for Misrepresenting an Assistance Animal
Pretending that your pet is an emotional support animal has big consequences. Not only is it morally wrong to do, but it can also cost you a lot of money in some states.
The state of New Jersey has harsh laws concerning the misrepresentation of an assistance animal. If you are caught, you can expect to pay a fine that ranges from $100 to $500. That’s not cheap!
Getting an emotional support animal in Newark isn’t that hard if you have a mental health issue. In fact, CertaPet makes your life easier by helping you throughout the whole process.
3 Facts You Need to Know Before Receiving Your ESA
You need to make sure you’re prepared before you get your ESA. To help you set things up for your new buddy, we’ve made this list below.
- ESAs are most commonly cats and dogs of all breeds.
- Your ESA is only legally recognized if you have an emotional support letter with you.
- Taking good care of your ESA is a must. Make sure to prepare your house for them so they feel comfortable and loved.
How to Get an Emotional Support Animal in Newark
Are you ready to get your ESA soon? You will definitely not regret it! If you start the process now, you will be able to get your emotional support animal sooner than you’d think.
The first step you need to take is completing CertaPet’s free 5-minute pre-screening. This will let us know if you’re eligible to receive an ESA or not. If your answers indicate that you are, we will put you in touch with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) in your state.
From here, they will assess your mental health status and, if they see fit, write you your ESA letter. This piece of paper is exactly what safeguards you against discrimination on flights and housing! Be sure to treasure it. As soon as you have it, you are an ESA owner!
Where to Find a Suitable ESA!
You might be wondering — where can I get an emotional support animal in Neward?
Those are great questions! There is no required formal training or certification, so any dog and any cat can become your ESA. The only thing you need to look for in a potential ESA is an emotional connection! You need to bond with them and feel their love.
If you already have a pet at home, they could become your future ESA. If not, you can go to an animal shelter or rescue and adopt a cat or dog in need! You’d be bettering their lives, too.
Where to Take Your Emotional Support Animal
It’s only natural that you want to go out for walks with your ESA. But bear in mind that they can only enter establishments that have an animal-friendly policy. Luckily, in Newark and near the city there are plenty!
Dog Parks and Dog Runs
Let your best friend stretch their legs at any of these dog parks and runs. It’s also a great opportunity for them to meet and play with other dogs.
- Central Park, Manhattan
- Lincoln Park, Jersey City
- Wolfe’s Pond Park, Staten Island
Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars
Want to go out for a meal with Fido? Check out one of these places…
- NICO Kitchen + Bar
- Casa Nova Grill
- VIVO Spanish Restaurant
Resorts, Fitness, and Spas
Relax and take a break from everything right here on one of these resorts and spas — and bring Fido with you!
- Hotel Indigo Newark
- The Benjamin, New York City
- La Quinta Inn & Suites, Clifton
Events
A great way to break your routine and have some fun is to attend one of the many events that go on in Newark (or nearby!). You can bring your furry best friend to these events and have a blast.
To know which events are going on right now near you, a simple Google search will do the trick. Another great place to look them up is on Facebook. You can even invite your friends to join you at these events!
ESAs in Newark: How to Get Connected with an LMHP in Your State Today
If you’re ready to get an emotional support animal in Newark then you’ve come to the right place!
Gone are the days when you had to use the phone book to find a licensed mental health professional in your area. Today, CertaPet does that boring work for you. Take our 5-minute pre-screening, and we will put you in contact with a mental health professional in your state!
From there, all you need to do is talk to them and wait for your ESA letter to come to you. Getting an emotional support animal is really easy — and has a lot of rewards! Think of getting yours today…