Are you thinking about getting an Emotional Support Animal (also called an ESA) in New Jersey? Then you need to take the time to find out your legal obligations and rights under New Jersey state law.
Here, we’ll tell you all you need to know when it comes to getting an emotional support animal in New Jersey so you can be well-informed and won’t have any issues with the law.
Is an ESA the Same as a Service Animal in New Jersey?
Although there is evidence that animals are very beneficial for those who suffer from mental health or emotional disorders, such as anxiety or PTSD, unfortunately, they have not yet been recognized by law as service animals. Service animals are defined as those that have been specially trained to perform particular tasks for their disabled owners. ESAs have not received such training and, thus, are not covered by the same laws as service animals.
In practical terms, this means that although service animals are automatically granted access to public spaces, such as stores and theaters, in New Jersey under state law, ESAs are not automatically given such rights.
Psychiatric Service Dog in New Jersey
A psychiatric service dog, or PSD, is a type of service dog that helps people with mental health disorders. These service dogs can help people complete tasks that they may not be able to complete on their own. For example, a PSD may help someone live a more independent life by providing comfort during panic attacks and other uncomfortable situations.
Psychiatric service dogs need to be well-trained to help someone manage these conditions. Specialized training helps PSDs understand someone’s body language and unique mental health condition. This helps them guide people through tense social settings or remind them when it’s time to take medication. Moreover, PSDs can provide deep pressure therapy assistance or seek help for their owner.
In New Jersey, psychiatric service dogs are protected under several laws. One law unique to New Jersey is the Law Against Discrimination (LAD), which requires public places to have accommodations for people with service dogs. The LAD also ensures that people have equal opportunities to enjoy these locations. Laws like the Fair Housing Act (FHA) also allow service dogs to live with their owners, even if it’s not a pet-friendly rental.
PTSD Service Dog in New Jersey
A post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dog is a specialized service dog that helps people who struggle with PTSD. These dogs can help people in a few ways but the most common benefits of a PTSD service dog in New Jersey include:
- A reduction in the severity of symptoms
- Boosts to mental health
- Better social interactions
- Assistance with panic attacks
- Calming someone by touching them
- The ability to detect triggers, illnesses, and even seizures
PTSD service dogs are trained to learn about their owner’s unique needs, so the benefits are tailored to your needs.
In New Jersey, PTSD service dogs are protected under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), Fair Housing Act (FHA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These laws ensure that PTSD service dogs can accompany their owners in homes, on public transportation, and public spaces.
Which Protections Will ESAs in New Jersey Enjoy?
Although there has been a lot of improvement in terms of stigma surrounding physical disabilities, the situation regarding mental health disorders has not seen as much positive change. As a result, service animals enjoy a better legal status than ESAs, and are given legal rights to access public places that ESAs are not.
If you’re thinking about obtaining an emotional support animal in New Jersey, there are, nevertheless, some protections that you and your animal are given under the law.
If I Travel by Air, Which Laws Apply to Me and My ESA?
Unfortunately, an ESA is granted no extra rights when it comes to flying in an airplane with you. It can be worthwhile to ask an airline if they’ll allow your ESA access, though they’ll usually have you keep them in a carrier and will likely charge you a fee.
However, you can train your emotional support dog to become a service dog, which would allow them to still fly with you in an airline cabin for no charge.
Can I Bring an ESA to Work in New Jersey?
If you live and work in New Jersey and are wondering if you’re allowed to bring an ESA to your workplace, it’s important to be aware that at the present time, ESAs aren’t covered by state law when it comes to automatic access to public places. Although service animals are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act(or ADA) and, therefore, cannot be denied access to the workplace along with their owner, ESAs are not afforded such rights.
Nevertheless, you may be permitted by your employer to bring an ESA to work with you as long as you can supply a valid ESA letter. While it can never be guaranteed that an ESA letter will sway your employer to allow you to bring your animal to work, it may help to strengthen your case.
Can an ESA Live With Me New Jersey?
Another area in which people suffering from mental health or emotional disabilities in New Jersey require more clarification regarding their legal rights is housing. Under New Jersey Law, your ESA will be covered by the Fair Housing Act (FHA). So long as you’re able to show your landlord a valid ESA letter for your animal, they cannot refuse to rent you a property or deny you your right to have your ESA living with you, even if the accommodation in question doesn’t usually permit pets.
This law also extends to students who live in New Jersey campus accommodations. As long as the student has a valid ESA letter, they cannot be denied housing with their animal.
Do Any Exceptions Exist to the Fair Housing Act Rules in New Jersey?
While your landlord cannot prevent you from having your ESA living alongside you in your accommodation if you have shown a valid ESA letter, there are some circumstances in which your rights are waived. For example, if you have a very loud and disruptive animal, or one that is aggressive and harms other people in the property, you may be denied the right to have your animal living there.
Can I Take My ESA to a Restaurant or the Theater?
Although a service animal will be permitted access automatically to any public space, your ESA is not given the same rights in new Jersey. Nevertheless, some places in the state will allow you to bring an ESA with you onto the premises.
Some of the places in New Jersey that welcome ESAs and that are dog-friendly include:
- Timber Creek Park in Blackwood
- Freedom Dog Park in Medford
- Wolf Hill Dog Park in Oceanport
- Wonder Bar in Asbury Park
- Blue Pig Tavern in Cape May
- Brickwall Tavern and Dining Room in Asbury Park
- Dogtooth Bar and Grill in Wildwood
- Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel in Atlantic City
- Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park
- Snowboat Hotel in Atlantic City
- Dogs Gone Wild Fall Fest
- Paws in the Park at Barkwater Beach
- Friday Night Bites
What Is a Valid ESA Letter in New Jersey?
If you’re living and working in New Jersey and want to obtain an emotional support animal or already have one and want to exercise your rights under the law, you will need to ensure you have a valid ESA letter. This will ensure you can claim your legal rights whenever you rent accommodation in the state.
An ESA letter is only valid if it has been issued by a fully qualified LMHP (licensed mental health professional). It must also be renewed each year if it is to stay valid in the long-term. Remember – you only require an ESA letter if you wish to exercise your legal rights in New Jersey – you don’t have to register or certify your animal as an ESA.
How Do I Obtain an ESA Letter in New Jersey?
If you suffer from an emotional disorder or mental health problem in New Jersey, you may benefit from obtaining an ESA as a way of improving your everyday life. Yet, you need to ensure that you’ve taken all of the appropriate steps to make certain your emotional support animal is legitimized and legally recognized under state law.
To do this, it’s important to obtain a valid ESA letter which is supplied by a licensed mental health professional. You can get one by visiting an LMHP in person or by connecting with one over the internet.
A valid ESA letter must meet certain requirements. It must:
- Include the license number of the LMHP along with their full name and the state in which their license was issued.
- Be on the LMHP’s official letterhead.
- Contain the date on which the letter was issued.
- Be signed by the LMHP themselves.
An ESA letter will only remain valid for a period of 1 year after being issued. Therefore, you need to remember to renew it after that time to keep it valid in the long-term.
We Can Help You Obtain an ESA Letter in New Jersey
If you need to obtain a valid ESA letter in New Jersey, you can get one by contacting us via our website now. We are able to connect you with a licensed mental health professional near you. They will be able to assess you for eligibility for an ESA and then issue you with an ESA letter. This way, you can exercise all of your legal rights in the state whenever you’re seeking suitable accommodation with your emotional support animal.