The husky was selectively bred to pull sledges across the harsh, unforgiving Siberian terrain. Many of the qualities seen today in the breed are a reflection of this admirable purpose.
Considering the husky has been bred for work, you may be wondering whether the husky can thrive in other working roles, such as emotional support.
Can Huskies Be Emotional Support Animals?
An emotional support animal is an untrained animal that provides emotional support to their disabled handlers. Through their support, individuals with disabilities can gain more independence, lead safer, more secure lives, and access new opportunities.
Under federal laws like the Fair Housing Act, emotional support animals are not classified as pets. They are considered a form of essential medical equipment (albeit more fluffy). This important role means they gain legal protections, which we’ll delve into later on in this article.
So, one question remains: Can huskies be emotional support animals?
The short answer: Yes! The FHA specifically states that any dog, regardless of breed, can become recognized as an emotional support animal. The only legal requirement is that the pet provides emotional support to their person who has a disability
However, there’s a lot more to unpack. While huskies can legally become recognized as emotional support animals, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best choice for this line of work. If you’re considering a husky as an emotional support animal, it’s important to be mindful of how their trainability, care needs, and temperament can impact their ability to perform their role.
Husky Emotional Support Animal: Key Considerations
To be an effective emotional support animal, a husky needs to provide comfort to their handler when they are distressed. They must also be house trained, friendly to neighbors, and nondestructive to rented property.
Huskies certainly have the potential to meet this criteria, particularly with the right training and socialization. However, this won’t be the case for most huskies, as they do have some challenging traits.
Trainability
The husky has tenfold more brainpower than they have fluff. However, that doesn’t necessarily translate to trainability. Like many spitz-type dogs, the husky is notoriously stubborn.
Unlike eager-to-please breeds, the husky isn’t naturally inclined to follow their owner’s every command. This can make them more challenging to train than other breeds, and it also means they may struggle to behave themselves in apartment living situations with neighbors and their dogs who they may feel territorial or reactive towards. This can result in barking and howling, which huskies are susceptible to as a breed.
If you’re considering a husky as an emotional support animal, be prepared to invest a lot of time into their training. They will need a consistent training routine, exposure to different environments and stimuli, and plenty of motivation to keep their stubbornness in check.
Energy Level
The husky is one of the most energetic breeds in the world. Most huskies require two hours of exercise at a minimum each day to feel content and satisfied. This means the husky does need an owner with an extremely active lifestyle. Many people with disabilities have symptoms that affect their mobility or make it hard for them to commit to this daily exercise requirement. This can rule the husky out from supporting a lot of individuals.
Temperament
Huskies are affectionate and loyal, there’s no doubt about that, but they are famously mischievous. They love to test boundaries, enjoy getting up to escapades, and won’t hesitate to vocalize or “howl” out their feelings.
These qualities draw in many pup parents, but they can also make the husky ill-equipped for emotional support animal work if you are someone who is sensitive to loud noises or lives in a low noise environment. If these traits aren’t carefully managed, they can cause conflicts with landlords.
For instance, the husky’s boundary-testing side can lead them to jumping over fences to get to more exciting yards. They may also bark or howl disruptively in public spaces.
Should I Get a Husky Emotional Support Animal?
Sometimes just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. If you’ve had your husky for years and know it to be the perfect emotional support animal, go for it. But if you are looking to find a dog to become an emotional support animal, don’t pick a husky if you live in the city. It’ll be an uphill battle and there are many breeds that have wolf-like appearances that will also not howl when a fire truck comes by, nor will try to escape off your second floor balcony.
Our team of experts at EmotionalSupportAnimal.com can help you decide whether a husky emotional support animal is right for you and your needs. We can also advise you on your eligibility.
Emotional Support Animal Legal Rights
Whether or not you choose to proceed with a husky or a different breed, it’s important to be informed about emotional support animal legal rights.
Emotional support animals are protected under federal laws in the United States.
However, emotional support animals do not have many rights outside of the home:
- ADA: Service dogs are granted public access rights, meaning they must be reasonably accommodated in public spaces such as cafes, libraries, restaurants, and the workplace. Emotional support animals are not recognized as service dogs under the ADA, and do not have public access rights.
- Fair Housing Act (FHA): Emotional support animals have the right to live with their handlers in virtually all housing types, no matter if the landlord has a no-pet policy. They are also exempt from breed-specific restrictions and pet fees.
- Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA): Service dogs have the right to fly with their handlers in the cabin without being subjected to pet-related fees, restrictions, or policies. Emotional support animals no longer have these same protections. Consult with the airline before you buy a ticket to confirm their policies.
Some states have taken additional measures to extend emotional support animals’ rights further. A few states have expanded the rights of emotional support animals. Such as California, where you may have an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation in the workplace.
Do Huskies Make Good Service Dogs?
While the husky may not necessarily be the best match for service work due to their distractible nature and vocal tendencies, that doesn’t mean they can’t provide therapeutic support in other ways. Their loyalty, affectionate nature, and smile-invoking antics can make them an exceptional emotional support animal in the right home.
Emotional support animals are animals that provide therapeutic relief solely through their companionship and presence. An emotional support animal isn’t entitled to the same rights that a service dog has, as their job does not require them to undergo specialized training. However, they are still entitled to housing protections under the FHA.
Closing Thoughts on the Husky Emotional Support Animal
Huskies may have earned their fame through their sled dog racing and endearing howls and antics, and in the right home they can be fantastic emotional support animals.
Every husky will be unique in their own way, and some will shine at the role, especially with the right care and training. Some will take what you’ve taught them and use it for personal gain. For instance, if you have a limited yard, consider setting up an obstacle course and watch them race around.
It’s best to assess the husky’s individual temperament when considering them for the role of emotional support animal. You should also account for their care needs, trainability, and how they carry themselves in different settings and around others. This will help you make an informed decision on whether the husky is the right dog breed for you.