Emotional support animals, often called ESAs, are becoming more visible across the UK as more people turn to their pets for comfort and mental wellbeing. But even with increased awareness, there is still a lot of confusion. What exactly is an emotional support animal? How is it different from a service dog? And can you travel internationally with one?
This guide covers everything you need to know, based on the latest UK veterinary and airline guidance.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal is a companion animal recommended by a GP or licensed mental health professional to help support someone living with a psychological or emotional condition. This may include anxiety, depression, phobias, PTSD and other mental health conditions.
ESAs do not receive specialist training. They are not taught to perform tasks or support their owner physically. Their role is to provide emotional comfort, affection and companionship simply by being present.
Almost any domesticated animal can be an ESA, including dogs, cats and rabbits. The most important factor is temperament. An ESA should be calm, friendly and able to behave appropriately in a range of environments.
How ESAs Differ from Service Animals
Many people use the terms emotional support animal and service animal interchangeably, but they are very different in the UK.
- Service animals are professionally trained to carry out specific tasks that help their handler manage a disability. For example, a guide dog helps a visually impaired person navigate safely, while a mobility assistance dog may help retrieve dropped items or provide physical support.
- Because of their training, service animals are protected by UK law and must be allowed access to most public spaces.
- Emotional support animals do not have the same legal recognition. They do not carry out trained tasks and are not classified as assistance animals. This means ESAs are not automatically granted access to shops, restaurants, hospitality venues or workplaces.
For more information on the rules around service dogs, you can read our blog: ‘Can You Fly with a Service Dog from the UK? Rules for Service and Support animals Explained’.
UK Laws and Certification for Emotional Support Animals
There is currently no official UK register for emotional support animals. Several websites offer ESA certification, but these are not legally recognised.
The only legitimate document you may need is an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional confirming that the animal provides necessary emotional support.
However, even with this letter, ESAs do not receive the same rights as assistance dogs. Businesses may refuse entry on health and safety grounds, so it is always best to check a venue’s policy before visiting.
Travelling with an Emotional Support Animal
Travel rules for emotional support animals vary significantly depending on your destination country and your chosen airline.
ESAs are far more widely recognised in countries such as the United States. Even there, rules tightened in 2021, and most airlines now categorise ESAs as regular pets, not assistance animals.
From the UK, most airlines do not permit emotional support animals to travel in the cabin. Instead, they must usually travel as standard pets under the airline’s pet travel policy. This may mean travelling in the cargo hold or through specific arrangements offered by the airline.
Before booking your trip, always:
- Review your airline’s pet travel policy
• Confirm whether ESAs are recognised as a separate category
• Check whether cabin travel is permitted for pets
• Ensure you understand pet carrier requirements – at PetAir, we sort out everything from pet crate to documentation
• Confirm entry rules for your destination country
• Ensure vaccinations and health certificates are up to date – again, PetAir can sort this all for you – leaving you with a stress-free journey!
If you are unsure, the PetAir team can guide you through each step. With more than 33,000 pets safely relocated to over 300 destinations worldwide, their vet-led experts can help you understand airline requirements, carrier sizes and necessary documentation.
Tips for Travelling With an ESA
If your emotional support animal will be travelling as a standard pet, the following steps can help make the journey smoother:
- Make sure your support animal can be confident, calm and cope well with new environments
• Use an airline-approved pet carrier that fits your airline’s specifications
• Help your pet get comfortable with their carrier several weeks before travel
• Check destination country health and vaccination rules early
• Book flights well in advance as pet spaces may be limite
At PetAir, along with sorting your documentation, creates and booking. We also offer 24/7 online vet access, which you can learn more about here. Here you can speak to a vet about any worries prior to your pet’s flight, or speak to a animal behaviourist about crate training.
Key Takeaways for UK ESA Owners
Emotional support animals play a vital role in supporting mental wellbeing, but they do not have the same legal status as service animals in the UK. If you are planning to travel with your ESA, it is important to understand the rules early so you can prepare properly.
If you need expert help in planning your pet’s journey, the team at PetAir is here to support you. Just give us a call or get a free travel quote below to start your journey!