If you're a resident of the Keystone State, you are protected confronting discrimination in housing if you ain an emotional support animal. Landlords and housing providers in Pennsylvania must adjust tenants that have a signed ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional. That'south true even if the building or lease has a "no pets" clause considering emotional support animals are not considered pets.

The U.S. Section of Justice has even shown that it volition accept action confronting landlords who fail to meet their obligations to owners of emotional support animals. They recently sued a landlord in Pittsburg for unfairly discriminating confronting ESA owners.

In this article, we'll explore your rights as an ESA owner in Pennsylvania and explain how you tin can obtain an ESA letter of the alphabet to show your landlord or housing provider.

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How does Pennsylvania Define an Emotional Support Fauna?

In Pennsylvania, an emotional support creature is a modest, domesticated animal that provides comfort and support to a person dealing with mental or emotional wellness bug. An emotional support animal is not a service animal. A service animal receives individualized training to fulfill a task to aid their owners. For instance, dogs who warn their owners of impending seizures tin can spend years learning to practice so.

On the other mitt, ESAs don't require any specialized training. Instead, simply their presence helps their owners deal with mental or emotional health disorders.

Laws that Protect Emotional Support Animals in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Deed makes it illegal to discriminate against people who use support animals. In addition, the Fair Housing Human action, a federal law, protects ESA owners in every state.

Under the Off-white Housing Act, landlords must allow for emotional back up animals even if their building or lease bans all pets. They cannot charge any fees or deposits for emotional support animals or utilize breed, weight, or size restrictions.

There are limitations, of course. For example, landlords practice not have to accommodate an emotional support beast that has displayed beliefs that threatens the wellness and safety of other tenants. Some smaller landlords are as well exempt from ESA Fair Housing rules, such as owner-occupied buildings with no more than iv units and single-family houses sold or rented past the owner without the use of an amanuensis.

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What is an ESA Letter?

An ESA letter of the alphabet offers evidence that an emotional support brute is necessary for a person's mental or emotional wellness plan. A legitimate ESA letter of the alphabet allows emotional support animals to live in homes and rental properties that typically don't allow pets. Under the U.S. Department of Housing's guidelines, an ESA letter is the only documentation you need to prove that your creature is an ESA.

The ESA letter attests that the ESA is an invaluable part of the owner's mental and emotional wellbeing. - ESA Doctors
The ESA letter attests that the ESA is an invaluable part of the owner'south mental and emotional wellbeing.

Who Tin Write an ESA Alphabetic character in Pennsylvania?

A valid ESA alphabetic character in Pennsylvania needs to be written by a licensed healthcare professional person. A few roles that fall nether this category are:

  • psychiatrists
  • licensed nurse practitioners
  • licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)
  • psychologists
  • doctors
  • mental wellness counselors

ESA letters tin be obtained online or in-person, though they demand to be written by a healthcare professional licensed to practice in Pennsylvania.

A valid ESA letter of the alphabet must be issued past a healthcare professional who is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania.

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What about ESAs on Flights?

Until recently, emotional support animals were also allowed on flights. Unfortunately, that ended in 2021 due to dominion changes past the U.S. Department of Transportation. While emotional support animals are no longer immune on flights, psychiatric service dogs are still allowed to board the cabin without any accuse.

A psychiatric service dog helps with mental health conditions similar to the ones that ESA owners suffer from. However, a PSD must be trained to perform a task or job relating to the possessor'southward mental health status. A PSD owner must as well have a qualifying inability under the Air Carrier Access Act. A licensed healthcare professional person can help determine whether you lot meet the criteria for a service dog eligible inability. If you qualify, they can requite you a signed PSD letter of the alphabet that sets along whether they believe you take a mental or emotional wellness disability.

How to Get your Psychiatric Service Domestic dog Alphabetic character from ESA Doctors

How To Get a PSD Letter - Three Easy Steps - ESADoctors
PSD Letter
An ESA can stay in housing with their owner despite no-pets policies.
An ESA can stay in housing with their owner despite no-pets policies.

Where Yous Tin can Adopt an ESA in Pennsylvania

For people searching for an ESA in Pennsylvania, the following are pop adoption sites for furry friends.

All 4 Paws

All 4 Paws Rescue, Pennsylvania

Located in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, All 4 Paws rescue was started in 2009 and has since rescued over 10,000 animals. Every bit a foster-based rescue, All iv Paws houses their animals in foster homes. This allows their animals to receive socialization and care 24 hours a solar day, preparing them to be adoptable pets.

Moisture Nose Rescue

Wet Nose Rescue, Pennsylvania

Started in 2008 and located in Southampton, Wet Olfactory organ Rescue is some other non-profit, all-brood dog foster-based rescue centre. Their adoption center offers domestic dog training to new pet owners and sells supplies such as crates, collars, leashes, and dog beds. They currently develop a new program called "Grey Nose Society," promoting Senior dogs for Senior Citizens.

To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc.

To Love A Canine Rescue (TLC), Pennsylvania

To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc. (TLC) is a foster-based rescue. Located in Chester County, TLC emphasizes honesty in their adoption process, providing owners with all their information nigh each animal. Their team of foster families and trainers also work to make the adoption process successful for each of their animals.

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Where You Tin Take Your ESA for Practise if you Live Well-nigh Philadelphia

The following are pop Pennsylvania dog parks located in Philadelphia:

Seger Canis familiaris Park

Seger Canis familiaris Park is a favorite of local dog-lovers. The park boasts well-maintained grounds and cute scenery. The Seger Dog Park as well hosts community events and regular customs make clean-ups, helping to connect Seger Domestic dog Park with the surrounding neighborhoods.

Seger Dog Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
1001 Rodman St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (map)

Piazza Dog Park

The Piazza Domestic dog Park boasts make new canine-friendly turf grass, perfect for dog owners who don't desire dirt or sand on doggy paws. The park contains broad, shady trees and comfy benches for humans to look while dogs romp.

Piazza Dog Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
156 Due west Wildey St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (map)

Schuylkill River Park Domestic dog Run

The Schuylkill River Park Domestic dog Run also boasts a canine-friendly turf grass courtyard, though this park overlooks a river. With sections for large and small dogs and make clean drinking fountains, it'due south perfect for about dogs. There's also a train rails most the park, where dogs dearest to bark at passing trains. This park, even so, isn't recommended for dogs who are sensitive to racket!

Schuylkill River Park Dog Run, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
300 Due south 25th St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (map)
If the LMHP you lot are working with is non familiar with ESA regulations, you may qualify for an ESA letter online from an LMHP licensed in Pennsylvania. Click "Get Started Now" below to utilise.

Authorize for an ESA Letter in Pennsylvania today!

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