Important Legal Notice
Emotional Support Animal Disclosure
Required under California Assembly Bill 468 (Health & Safety Code § 122317)
An emotional support animal (ESA) provides comfort and support through companionship and is not the same as a service animal. We want every client to clearly understand the difference and the legal protections that do and do not apply.
Please read carefully — required disclosures
An emotional support animal is not a guide, signal, or service dog, and does not have the special training required to qualify as one.
An emotional support animal is not entitled to the rights and privileges accorded by law to a guide, signal, or service dog.
Knowingly and fraudulently representing yourself to be the owner or trainer of a canine licensed as, qualified as, or identified as a guide, signal, or service dog is a misdemeanor violation of Section 365.7 of the California Penal Code.
What an ESA letter does provide
A valid ESA letter may support a request for a reasonable accommodation in housing under the federal Fair Housing Act, even in residences with no-pet policies. It does not grant access to public places, businesses, or transportation in the way a service dog may.
Our documentation practices
In accordance with AB 468, any emotional support animal documentation provided by this practice is issued only by a licensed mental health professional who:
- Holds a valid, active license, with the license type, number, jurisdiction, and effective date stated in the documentation;
- Is licensed in the jurisdiction in which the client is located;
- Has established a client–provider relationship for at least 30 days prior to issuing the documentation;
- Has completed a clinical evaluation of the client regarding their need for an emotional support animal; and
- Has advised the client that knowingly misrepresenting an emotional support animal as a service dog is a misdemeanor.
