Frequently asked support animal questions

An animal whose presence helps ease the symptoms of a person's mental or emotional disability. It needs no training and can be any species. ESAs are protected mainly in housing.

If you have a mental or emotional condition that substantially limits a major life activity and a licensed health professional who knows you confirms the animal helps, yes. Take the quiz for a quick check.

If your disability or need isn't obvious, a letter from a licensed health professional with personal knowledge of you, confirming a disability and a disability-related need for the animal. Not a diagnosis, and not an online certificate.

Only if the specific animal is a direct threat or would cause substantial damage, or the request is otherwise unreasonable. Under the Fair Housing Act and Canadian human rights codes, a no-pets policy must give way to a reasonable accommodation, and no pet fees may be charged.

Yes, with a reasonable-accommodation request supported by your clinician's letter. The kit includes the request template for the US and for Canada.

No. There is no registry to require. A landlord may ask for your clinician's letter; they may not demand a certificate, ID or registration number.

Generally no. The ADA covers trained service dogs only. Some state or local laws go further; check your location.

In the US, as pets since 2021 — pet fee and carrier rules apply. In Canada, each airline sets its own ESA policy; some accept emotional support dogs with documentation.

Most cruise lines accept trained service dogs only; ESAs are usually not permitted. Check the line's accessibility policy before booking.

Dogs and cats most commonly; rabbits, birds and other small animals too. Unusual animals face a higher bar in housing.

The letter — from your own licensed clinician — is what establishes your need and what landlords may ask for. "Registration" is a private service with no legal effect. Our kit is an ID card plus a guide; it's not registration and we don't call it that.

No. Your access and card don't expire. Clinician letters are usually renewed yearly.

A dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Psychiatric service dogs are included. In the US the ADA definition applies; in Canada, provincial human rights codes and (for transport) federal regulations.

In the US, anywhere the public is allowed — stores, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, taxis, government buildings. In Canada, wherever the human rights code applies, which is nearly everywhere, subject to undue hardship.

Where their presence would fundamentally alter a service or compromise safety: swimming pools (health code), sterile hospital areas, parts of a zoo, religious buildings in the US (exempt from the ADA). Food-prep areas in Ontario under the AODA.

No in the US — and businesses can't demand it. In Canada, BC, Alberta and Nova Scotia offer optional provincial certification; elsewhere you rely on your human rights code and proof of training.

No. Many handlers use them because they reduce questions, and in Ontario a vest or harness is one of the two ways to identify a service animal under the AODA.

Have a disability, and train the dog (yourself or with a trainer) to perform specific tasks that help with it and to behave reliably in public. In Canada, use a professional trainer if you'll need to fly.

In the US, staff may ask only whether the dog is required because of a disability and what task it performs. In Canada, whether the animal is needed for a disability and, if not apparent, reasonable supporting information — never the diagnosis.

Yes. US airlines require the DOT form; Canadian carriers require 48 hours' notice and proof of professional training. See flying with a support animal.

Not under the ADA, but many states and some provinces give trainers public-access rights. Check your location.

A single bark, or barking as part of a task, is fine. Repeated, uncontrolled barking can get the dog excluded.

Only when a leash would interfere with its task; otherwise it must be leashed, harnessed or tethered and under voice control.

Yes, if that's how it works — a small alert dog in a chest pack, for example. It can't ride in a shopping cart or on restaurant seating.

Any. The ADA doesn't restrict breed, and municipal breed bans must exempt service dogs unless the specific dog is a direct threat.

No. And representing a pet as a service dog is an offence in most US states and several provinces.

Choose the service dog or ESA kit, enter your name and your animal's details, confirm the two boxes, and pay through Stripe. The next page unlocks the card builder, the rights guide and the templates immediately.

A ID card builder (print or save to phone), the US & Canada rights guide, housing request letters, a clinician letter outline, airline checklists, a business handout and a penalty reference. Lifetime access.

No. No government in the US or Canada runs a national registry, and we don't claim to. The kit is identification and education; where your rights come from, and what else you may need, is explained in the guide.

Open the card builder, fill it in, then print to PDF or take a screenshot and add it to your photos or wallet app's "passes" area. Everything stays on your device.

The kit is licensed to one handler. You can print cards for more than one of your own animals.

To residents of California, Hawaii, Arkansas and Michigan, and outside the US and Canada.

Because the kit is digital and delivered instantly, sales are final — with exceptions for delivery failures, duplicate charges, excluded jurisdictions and where the law requires. See the refund policy.

Card details and photos never leave your browser. Stripe handles payment. We don't ask for a diagnosis. See the privacy policy.