General Information
Neither the ADA nor Alabama's service animal law covers emotional support animals (ESAs). Emotional support animals provide a sense of safety, companionship, or comfort to those with emotional or psychiatric disabilities or conditions. Unlike psychiatric service dogs, ESAs aren't individually trained to perform specific tasks for someone with a disability.
Although ESAs often have therapeutic benefits, they don't qualify as service animals under Alabama law or the ADA because they're not individually trained. And so, the owners of public accommodations aren't required to allow emotional support animals, only service animals.
Although ESAs often have therapeutic benefits, they don't qualify as service animals under Alabama law or the ADA because they're not individually trained. And so, the owners of public accommodations aren't required to allow emotional support animals, only service animals.
