Getting an Emotional Support Animal in Nevada can be daunting for some, so it is important we cover everything you need to know!
The comfort and joy we get from animal companionship is now being channeled to help in the field of mental health. Like the rest of America, Nevada is beginning to use the companion animal for the treatment of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Among these, various stress and fear disorders form the symptoms attached to mental/emotional disabilities.
Emotional Support Animal in Nevada: Specific protection
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are available in every state across America, however, there are some state-specific regulations to be aware of.
You may be wondering what exactly an ESA is, don’t worry you’re not alone! To clear up blurred ideas, we will go through important rules and regulations for owning an Emotional Support Animal in Nevada.
Definition of an Assistance Animal
Defined by the FHA, an assistance animal must provide assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provide emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability.
This is the overriding definition which includes three main types of animals.
- According to the ADA, a service animal must be a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of people with disabilities, including a physical, sensory or other mental disability. An example of a service dog may be one which helps the visually impaired (a guide dog).
- A therapy animal is one that provides comfort and companionship to many people and is generally not owned by any one person. Therapy dogs are usually requested on a case-by-case basis in hospitals and institutes for specific people with disabilities. BUT NOT assistance animals.
- An ESA, on the other hand, can be any animal that works or performs tasks or services to alleviate the emotional effects of an emotional/mental disability.
You may be wondering what separates ESAs from the typical house pet! The federal law includes the FHA and the ACAA which work to prevent discrimination of ESAs in housing and travel for Americans with disabilities.
How to get an Emotional Support Animal in Nevada: CertaPets’ simple 5 min process
Thinking about Getting an Emotional Support Animal in Nevada? Let us at CertaPet help you out!
If you’re considering an ESA or maybe sitting on the fence about it, CertaPet can help you in more ways than one! Start with these easy steps, and begin the CertaPet 5min screening process.
- Complete a free online 5-minute screening process.
- Get connected online with a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP).
- Upon approval, you will receive an ESA letter from CertaPet in less than 48 hours.
CertaPet is dedicated to helping Americans with disabilities
Travel Laws (Air Carrier Access Act)
Air travel is no barrier with an ESA either thanks to Air Carrier Access Act! Taking an ESA on an airplane is of no extra cost and is catered for regardless of the airline. Further questioning about your disability, or any attempt to restrict you from an ESA is considered illegal in Nevada under the ACAA.
This means your ESA can travel with you in the cabin! However, to stay protected under the ACAA there are some regulations you are expected to follow, these may include:
- A verification letter (from an LMHP) prescribing the animal as an ESA and the benefits it has for the particular mental/emotion disorder.
- An explanation for how the animal provides emotional support.
- The diagnoses must comply with the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
If you can follow these basic regulations, you are guaranteed easy air travel with your ESA!
Employment Laws
Getting an ESA in the state of Nevada, unfortunately, does not promise you a workplace pet. It is important not to get confused with the laws regarding service dogs in workplaces.
The ADA states service dogs can go into almost any public area in Nevada, making it illegal for it to be denied access. On the other hand, ESAs are unfortunately not considered of great necessity like service dogs and these laws do not apply.
Though most workplaces are not pet-friendly, it’s always worth asking the boss just in case!
Housing Laws (Fair Housing Act)
Wondering where you can actually live with an ESA? Thanks to the Fair Housing Act, getting an ESA in Nevada leaves you with plenty of options! Discriminating against owners with ESAs is forbidden, even when it’s considered ‘no pet’ housing.
This means landlords cannot deny you of reasonable accommodation, evict or charge extra for the mere fact of having an ESA. Pursuant to the FHA and Nevada’s housing discrimination law, this includes service animals, specifically trained miniature horses and ESAs.
Although, housing providers can request verified documentation regarding the ESA and the associated disability.
CertaPet can help you with this, it’s a simple process! But you can never be over prepared when looking for accommodation with your ESA, so we’ve highlighted a few points to note.
- There are some types of housing with exception to this law.
- There are specific regulations regarding the miniature horse. For example, they must be housebroken and the facility must be able to accommodate the horse’s type, size, and weight.
- If your ESA causes damage to the property, this would be at your expense and may enable the landlord to deny you housing.
ESA Campus Housing
Having an ESA stay with you while you study is not a problem in Nevada state! Protected by the FHA and ADA, all public accommodation, including housing at state universities, must not discriminate against one wanting to study with an ESA.
In other words, getting an ESA in Nevada means moving away to study is a little less daunting!
Exception to Rules
Although owning an ESA in Nevada has a lot of advantages there are some small exceptions to the laws which we thought might be worth noting. Firstly, landlords can in some instances deny you of a housing.
This could be due to damages caused by your ESA or possible danger it poses to other tenants of the property. Also, when staying on campus with an ESA, you must remember the laws only apply to the living hostels, not the general public buildings or food places.
There can also be exceptions to the ACAA when traveling on an airplane with your ESA. Traveling to a foreign country with an ESA (or Hawaii) may require you to abide by specific regulations, and advanced notice can be requested by airlines.
Punishment for misrepresenting an Assistance Animal
In the state of Nevada, fraudulently misrepresenting a service dog or service dog in training can result in a $500 fine. Nevada law does not explicitly state this law applies to ESAs, however, it would be foolish to assume no such penalty existed.
4 Facts You Need to Know Before Receiving Your ESA
- You don’t need to ‘register’ or have a ‘certificate’ for an ESA! there is no such document! ESAs do not have specialized training. The most official part of owning an ESA in Nevada is getting a verified letter from an LMHP! – this is where Certapet can help!
- Emotional support animals are not restricted to just dogs! Emotional support cats are a thing – a beautiful thing!
- Remember, an ESA does not entitle you to a workplace pet! You must ask your employer about bringing your ESA into work.
- ESAs are not service animals, their purpose is to provide comfort and security. This means they are not allowed in public places such as hotels, restaurants and shopping facilities.
Where to Find a Suitable ESA!
Finding an Emotional Support Animal in Nevada isn’t as difficult as it sounds!
ESAs do not need any specialized training, this makes them easy to find! Home to the Nevada Humane Society, Nevada has no shortage of animal shelters.
Most animals shelters are a non-profit organization, but always overflowing with loving animals looking for their next home.
When looking for an ESA in one of these shelters, you should always ask for a general health and vaccination background to give you an idea for potential veterinary care! If you’d rather look online for an ESA, don’t worry there are pet adoption pages available for animals in Nevada too!
Where to Take your Emotional Support Animal
If you decide to get an emotional support dog then there’s plenty of fun to be had. After all, the purpose of getting an ESA is to alleviate stress and grab life by the reins! Nevada has plenty on offer for you and your support dog, here are a few favorites.
Dog Parks and Dog Runs
After some time off the leash? in Las Vegas check out:-
- Red Rick Canon
- Desert Breeze dog Park
In Reno there’s:
- Virginia Lake Dog Park
- Link Piazzo Dog Park at Hidden Valley Regional Park
Dog-friendly restaurants and bars
After a bite? In Las Vegas there’s:
- Grape Vine Cafe
- Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
In Reno there’s:
- Buenos Grill
- Squeeze In
Resorts, fitness, and spas
In Las Vegas, check out:
- Pairs Las Vegas
- Harrah’s Las Vegas
In Reno:
- Ramada Inn Reno Hotel and Casino
- Whitney Peak Hotel
ESAs in Nevada: How to Get Connected with an LMHP in Your State Today!
Emotional Support Animal in Nevada is now much less daunting with the help of CertaPet. Made hassle-free, CertaPet makes a process otherwise complicated seem simple.
You, or someone you love, could be benefiting from the likes of an ESA. Get involved today, and start the road to recovery by making the first contact with a mental health professional! Begin with CertaPets online pre-screening.
Remember, if a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD, is affecting your well-being, then you could qualify for an emotional support animal ESA.
Do you have questions about getting an Emotional Support Animal in Nevada? Let us know in the comments below!