Beautiful Henderson in the desert state of Nevada is no doubt an amazing place to live. It’s also a great place to have an emotional support animal (ESA). If you’re thinking about getting an emotional support animal in Henderson, you’ve come to the right place.
With almost permanent sun and stunning natural parks like Sloan Canyon and Lake Mead nearby, it’s a great place to enjoy nature. Added to that – it’s a hop skip and a jump away from Las Vegas, the number one party destination in the US! Henderson has the best of both worlds on its doorstep.
Have you been thinking about getting an ESA to improve your life? Well, it’s time to stop thinking and take the plunge. We have everything you need to know!
Emotional Support Animal in Henderson: Specific Protection
The state and federal laws of Nevada, as in the rest of the United States, provide wide protections for people with disabilities. This includes for keeping service animals and in some cases assistance animals.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that a person with a disability may use a service dog or other service animals, such as miniature horses. The service dog or animal can remain with the person at all times, including in public places, while traveling, and also in the workplace or place of study.
While broad protection laws cover service animals in all contexts, other assistance animals are specifically covered under two ironclad laws: the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).
If you are thinking of getting an emotional support animal in Henderson, these laws will protect your right to travel and live with your ESA.
Definition an Assistance Animal
Before getting an emotional support animal in Henderson, it’s important to understand exactly what the law has to say. Most states have their own specific laws relating to service animals and other assistance animals.
The state laws work together in combination with federal law to protect the use of assistance animals by people with disabilities throughout the United States.
The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a service animal in Nevada as an animal which is specifically trained to perform specific tasks to assist with a disability. Service dogs and occasionally miniature horses are the most common animals with training to assist with people with disabilities.
Some examples of a service animal, defined in the American Disability Act are:
- Guide dogs or Seeing-eye dogs
- Hearing or Signal dogs
- Psychiatric Service dogs
- Sensory signal dogs
- Seizure response dogs
The term “assistance animal” encompasses certified service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals. Essentially, any animal that assists an owner with a disability. It’s important to note, that although ESAs and service animals are both assistance animals, they do not enjoy the same protection under various laws.
For example, the ADA protects service animals, but not emotional support animals. Luckily, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA) both protects ESAs.
How to Get an Emotional Support Animal in Henderson: CertaPet’s Simple 5 Min Process
In order to qualify for an ESA, you need to answer specific questions to determine your need for an ESA. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
There are two options:
1. Visit a Licensed Mental Health Professional in person
OR
2. Complete Certapet’s Quick and Easy Online Process
If you pass Certapet’s free, 5-minute pre-screening test, you will then be connected to an LMHP.
Certapet’s screening process is completely confidential and can take as little as five minutes!
Travel Laws (Air Carrier Access Act)
The Air Carrier Access Act is a law that helps Americans to travel long distances with their service or support animals. This law protects the right for any person with a service animal or an emotional support animal to travel on an airline without having to pay an extra pet fee.
Service animals could be subject to a verbal check of their duties. Emotional support animals are admitted on presentation of appropriate documentation: an emotional support animal letter. If you are able to provide documentation of your emotional support animal, there is no extra fee to bring your support animal on the plane.
It is always a good idea to check out the specific policy of any airline you intend to travel with to ensure there are no nasty surprises at the airport! Many airlines have recently updated their policies to disallow any pets other than dogs or cats to fly as emotional support animals.
It’s important to know both the rights and limitations you have when traveling with an emotional support animal.
Employment Laws
If you have a disability, employment laws exist Henderson to allow the use of service animals, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. But unfortunately, the ADA does no cover emotional support animal access to the workplace.
Before getting an emotional support animal in Henderson, it’s a good idea to talk to your boss to see if Fido is welcome in the workplace.
Housing Laws (Fair Housing Act)
Housing laws are another area where both service animals and emotional support animals are well protected by federal law. Emotional support animals have a right to live in public housing. The Fair Housing Act protects their right to live in any property with their owner.
The Fair Housing Act states that reasonable accommodation must be made available to any person with a disability, whether in public accommodation or private. A landlord that does not accept a tenant with a service animal or emotional support animal, or charges extra for this, is committing a federal offense.
When getting an emotional support animal in Henderson, remember that any landlord in Nevada must allow a service dog, service animal or emotional support animal to live with an individual with a disability.
ESA Campus Housing
The Fair Housing Act also extends to University Housing. Universities are required to allow service animals (particularly service dogs) and emotional support animals to live in University housing or a residence hall with students with a disability (including mental health disabilities).
Henderson State University allows emotional support animals in residence halls and apartments, but not in public areas on campus.
Exceptions to the Rules
Service dogs, service animals or assistance animals must be under control at all times. If the animal poses a danger or causes disturbance or damage, then it is allowed to be removed from the property.
A service animal in training is given certain provisions while they are learning. But if you want to travel with your ESA, or live in rented accommodation, your ESA should have basic obedience training! Another exception to the rule is that if there is any sign of animal abuse, you will lose all ESA rights you previously enjoyed!
Punishment for Misrepresenting an Assistance Animal
Service dogs are vital for Americans with disabilities, so there can be harsh punishments for misrepresenting one. The state of Nevada does not tolerate “fake” service animals. The fine for misrepresenting a service animal is $500.
3 Facts You Need to Know Before Receiving Your ESA
- ESAs are excellent for people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Your current pet can be your ESA!
- You must carry your ESA letter with you at all times, especially while traveling with your ESA.
What is an ESA Letter?
An ESA or emotional support animal letter is supporting documentation from a licensed medical health professional that confirms the necessity of a support animal. This letter allows your pet to provide support to you in times of need whether at home, college or the airport.
Where to Find a Suitable ESA!
Unlike service dogs, ESAs do not need any specific training, so any dog or cat can qualify as an ESA!
Try your local shelter or breeder to find a pup or kitty cat that you click with.
Where to Take Your Emotional Support Animal
Okay – so you’re convinced, you’re getting an emotional support animal in Henderson! Want to take out your emotional support dog or cat for some fun?
There are great places to go with your friendly feline or canine. Good citizens always check out pet restrictions before arriving – here are some of the best places in Henderson to take your ESA!
Dog Parks and Dog Runs
Dog training and exercise are some of the best ways to bond with your pup. Check out:
- Bark Park
- Acacia Park Dog Park
- Paseo Vista Dog Park
- Cactus Wren Dog Park
Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars
Who doesn’t love a Carbonara, a cocktail and a canine all in one place? Try:
- Annies Gourmet Italian
- Shakespeare’s Gourmet Grille and Pub
- In-N-Out Burger (yes, they’re dog-friendly!)
- Genghis Grill
- Sierra Gold
Resorts, Fitness, and Spas
These Vegas resorts allow pets, so take your pooch for some time out.
With no pet fee:
- La Quinta Inn and Suites
- Trump Tower Studio Condo
With a small pet fee:
- Flamingos
- Paris Las Vegas
Events
Bring Fido is an excellent source of local events in all things dog in your area!
ESAs in Henderson: How to Get Connected with an LMHP in Your State Today!
Assistance animals have helped so many Americans live better lives already. If you think getting an emotional support animal in Henderson could improve yours, don’t suffer in silence anymore.
Take the free pre-screening, and if you qualify, get in touch with one of our licensed mental health professionals today and stop missing out on the good things in life!