Missouri is a great place to settle down with a canine companion and enjoy time spent outdoors, with friends, and in beautiful cities like St. Louis. Plus, Missouri is a dog-friendly state, and many bars, breweries, coffee shops, and other public destinations allow dogs. That said, if you have an emotional support animal (ESA), the rules can be a bit different.
Firstly, your animal might not be a dog, so you might be wondering if you can even take them out in public. Second, housing laws for emotional support animals in Missouri aren’t the same as housing laws for other animals, including service animals. Plus, you might need to know if your ESA can be taken with you on your next flight.
The good news is that we’re here to help. We cover everything you need to know about Missouri ESA laws to help you navigate the complex legal landscape of ESA animals.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal is an animal that people rely on for emotional support. These animals can help people remain calm, reduce the chance of a panic attack, and even help with loneliness.
ESAs are used to manage mental health disorders. Studies have shown that ESAs can help people manage conditions like stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. This makes it possible for people to get treatment for those conditions with less medication if they choose to go that route.
Emotional support animals are also flexible. This means that you can choose any animal that you want, as long as its temperament is calm and non-aggressive. Missouri ESA laws also have some protections in place to help your ESA remain with you in housing that isn’t pet-friendly.
Who Can Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal in Missouri?
Anyone who has a mental health disorder can qualify for an emotional support animal in Missouri as long as their licensed mental health professional considers the treatment necessary. In fact, ESAs are used to manage conditions of varying severity, so it’s not uncommon to see them in use for things like anxiety, depression, and even stress.
Emotional support animals can also be used for things like loneliness, boredom, and learning or social communication problems. Overall, if a licensed mental health professional thinks that an ESA can help with your condition, there’s a good chance that you can get approved.
What Types of Animals Can Be ESAs?
Any type of animal can be an emotional support animal as long as it has a mild temperament and doesn’t harm anyone. In fact, there have even been some shocking ESAs, like the ESA alligator. People have gotten creative with their emotional support animals, and there are plenty of options available to you.
Some of the most common ESAs include:
- Horses
- Dogs
- Cats
- Snakes
- Mice
- Hamsters
- Fish
- Rabbits
- Gerbils
- Guinea pigs
- Lizards
- Ferrets
When considering an ESA, make sure you consider what you need them for. For example, a lizard isn’t the best choice if you want to cuddle something, but it can work for people who don’t want to feel lonely.
Is an Emotional Support Animal a Service Dog?
No, emotional support animals are not service animals.
Missouri and the Federal Government treat service animals differently from ESAs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Under these laws, service dogs can accompany people who have a mental or physical disability in public and in private businesses.
What’s more, service dogs can also fly commercially with their companions if they follow the rules that the airlines provide.
Service dogs are also different because of how they’re raised, trained, and acquired. While ESAs can be any type of animal, service animals have to be a dog or a small horse. Service animals also need to go through years of complex training to ensure that they don’t get bothered by people in public and can help someone with a disability perform a specific task.
To get a service dog, you also have to go through a different adoption process than you do for an ESA. For example, veterans can use organizations like K9s for Warriors.
Is an Emotional Support Animal a Therapy Dog?
No, an emotional support animal is not a therapy dog. Therapy dogs are different than ESAs because of the training they receive, the places they visit or reside in, and how they’re handled by the public.
First and foremost, therapy dogs usually have some type of leash training, off-leash training, behavioral training, and unique training for things like deep pressure therapy. Therapy dogs can also be trained to read emotions in people and to seek out people who need comfort.
When it comes to where they’re located, therapy dogs bond with more than one person instead of just an individual like an ESA. You’ll usually find them in places like schools, nursing homes, hospice centers, hospitals, and other places where people need emotional support. Some private businesses, like funeral homes, may also consider employing therapy dogs.
What Are the Missouri ESA Laws?
Missouri doesn’t have any state-specific emotional support animal laws. This means that most of the laws in place come from federal laws that are outlined in acts like the Americans with Disabilities Act, Air Carrier Access Act, and Fair Housing Act (FHA).
Under these acts, you can determine how these animals are treated, where they can go, and who qualifies for them. Learn more about Missouri ESA laws below.
What Are the Missouri ESA Laws for Housing?
When it comes to housing, the Fair Housing Act allows people to live in otherwise not pet-friendly housing with an emotional support animal. This can be any type of animal as long as the animal is friendly and doesn’t bother other tenants or the landlord.
This also applies to private apartments, apartment complexes, and any other types of housing. So, even if you move into a basement apartment out in Missouri’s suburbs, you’re protected under the Fair Housing Act.
In order for you to have this housing accommodation, you need to notify your landlord and present them with an ESA letter.
An emotional support animal letter is a letter written by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) that outlines your condition and need for an ESA. With this letter, your landlord has to allow you to live in the housing, or they can face fines and penalties for discrimination. That said, you need to make sure your animal behaves, or your landlord can evict you.
What Are the Missouri ESA Laws for Travel?
Travel laws for ESAs in Missouri are handled by the federal government. The act that you need to be familiar with is the Air Carrier Access Act, which determines the types of animals that can fly on commercial airlines.
While the act was used to protect emotional support animals, that changed, and the act no longer requires airlines to allow these animals on the plane. Unfortunately, this means that ESAs are treated as pets and are subject to fees and other regulations. On top of that, there are no Missouri ESA laws in place to protect ESAs during travel.
That said, it’s not impossible to take your ESA on a plane. For example, if you don’t need them for the flight and just want to ensure that they make it to your next destination, you can have them travel with the other pets in the luggage hold.
In some cases, you can also call ahead to the airline and ask to see if they can make accommodations for you. This isn’t guaranteed to work, but it’s worth a try, especially if you call a few weeks or months in advance. Some airlines will allow you to take your ESA with you in the cabin if it’s kept in a carrier.
When it comes to buses, trains, and other types of public transportation, you can usually take an ESA with you if it’s secured. Make sure the animal is friendly and doesn’t make anyone else uncomfortable for the best success.
What Are the Missouri ESA Laws for Public Access?
There aren’t any public access Missouri ESA laws. This means that there is nothing protecting your ESA in public spaces or private businesses. While this is the case, that doesn’t mean that you can’t take your ESA out with you in public.
For the best results, call ahead to the place you plan on visiting and inform them about your ESA. You’ll be at the mercy of the business owner, but it’s worth a shot to call ahead and see if you’re allowed inside with your companion.
This also works for public spaces that are owned by Missouri’s government. Call ahead and see if your ESA is allowed to determine where you can. If you plan on being out in public often, it’s best to get an ESA like a dog or a cat to avoid any problems.
What Are the Missouri ESA Laws for Businesses?
Missouri business laws for emotional support animals aren’t present. There are no major legislations that protect ESAs in the workplace. This means that you usually can’t bring your ESA to work with you.
There are some grey areas thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, but you usually can’t bring an ESA with you unless you’re granted special permission.
The good news is that you can ask most employers for that type of permission, and they might help you out. For example, employees may allow you to work from home with your ESA or bring a small dog or cat into the office. This is specific to your situation, so keep that in mind moving forward.
The last thing to note is that this is something you can consider before applying. If you need to be with your ESA constantly, consider working remote roles or looking for hybrid roles. You can also ask the interviewer about their ESA policies; just make sure you don’t lie and claim that it’s a service dog.
How to Apply for an ESA in Missouri
If you want an emotional support animal in Missouri and want to go about that process legally, you need to apply for an emotional support animal letter.
Getting an ESA letter isn’t a challenge but there are a few steps you have to follow before you can become eligible. You can also apply for an ESA online or in person but we always recommend the online route. It’s faster, easier, and typically less expensive.
Follow the steps below to apply for an ESA letter in Missouri:
- Visit a reputable website like ours at Emotional Support Animal.
- Provide information about yourself.
- Provide information about your emotional support animal.
- Schedule a call with a licensed mental health professional.
- Wait for your ESA letter to arrive.
Yes, applying for an ESA letter in Missouri is that simple. If you prefer to work with a licensed mental health professional you already have a relationship with, you can go that route as well. Just make sure the letter contains information about your condition and why the animal can help.
How Long Does It Take to Get an ESA Letter in Missouri?
It doesn’t take long to get your ESA letter. If you work with a licensed therapist in person, you can leave the office with a letter on the same day. However, licensed professionals each have their own process to complete before writing the letter.
On the other hand, if you apply online, you can have a PDF version sent to you on the same day if you expedite the process. Otherwise, it takes around 3-5 days to arrive in the mail.
How Much Does an ESA Letter Cost?
An ESA letter isn’t expensive. It will cost you the price of a visit with your therapist, which can vary by the hour or be covered by insurance. If you apply for an ESA letter online, the cost is usually less than $100 unless you expedite the process or choose a faster shipping option.
Missouri ESA Laws FAQ
Have questions about adopting an ESA or have other questions about Missouri ESA laws? We have answers below.
How Much Does an Emotional Support Animal Cost in Missouri?
Emotional support animals vary in price based on the type of ESA you’re working with. For example, a fish might only cost a few bucks, while a dog can cost upwards of $5,000 if you choose a rare breed. You may also want to train your emotional support animal if it’s a dog, which can cost another $500 to $1,000 for basic behavioral training.
If you’re looking for affordable options, we recommend going with fish, cats, or reptiles. They cost less than dogs to feed and care for. Still, if you need true companionship to help with your condition, nothing can replace the care and love for a dog.
Do Emotional Support Animals Need a Vest?
No, emotional support animals aren’t required to wear a vest in Missouri. In fact, they don’t have to wear any type of equipment that distinguishes them from other types of service animals or therapy dogs.
What’s more, putting a vest on an emotional support animal and claiming that they’re a service animal can result in fines that cost several thousand dollars after your first offense.
That said, we do recommend considering ESA vests if you have an emotional support dog (ESD) you plan on bringing out in public. This ensures that people won’t interact with your dog as much, which can help them focus on you instead of others.
Still, you usually need permission to venture out in public with an ESA, so make sure you have that permission before you get started.
Do You Have to Train an Emotional Support Animal?
No, you don’t have to train an emotional support animal. Emotional support animals don’t need training because they’re not treated like service animals or protected under provisions in the ADA. Instead, they have their own classification, and you don’t need to train them to have them approved. All you need is an ESA letter to get started.
Enjoy Your Time With an Emotional Support Animal in Missouri Today
Emotional support animals have the ability to change your life for the better. They can reduce the amount of medications you need, prevent panic attacks, and help you interact with people better in public.
That said, there are laws for emotional support animals in Missouri that you need to respect. Otherwise, you can be hit with fines, penalties, and plenty of other legal problems.
The good news is that most Missouri ESA laws are easy to follow. Make sure you have an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional and notify your landlord of your condition and ESA. If you plan on taking your ESA out in public or on public transportation, consider calling ahead to see if that’s allowed.
The laws can be flexible depending on where you go and who you speak with, so make sure you keep this in mind to maximize your success.