Emotional support animals have been around for a long time and continue to be popular across the United States. While the federal government has laws like the Fair Housing Act (FHA) that outline ESA laws and how these companion animals are supposed to be treated, states also have their own laws for support animals.
This can become complicated for many people, which is why we’re here to help. This article covers what an emotional support animal is, how they’re handled by the federal government, and what laws you need to keep an eye on in Wyoming. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Wyoming’s emotional support animal laws.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal in Wyoming?
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are animals that provide comfort and support for people who struggle with mental health conditions and disabilities. These animals can live with you in your home, and if you make the proper arrangements, they can go out in public with you to pet-friendly spaces. That said, emotional support animals don’t require any formal training, which makes it easier to get an ESA. In fact, ESAs are not limited to canines like service animals are – you can choose cats, snakes, birds, hamsters, or other animals legal to own in Wyoming as your ESA.
What Qualifies for an ESA in Wyoming?
Anyone who has a mental health condition or disability can qualify for an ESA in Wyoming. Some of the most common conditions that cause people to apply for an ESA include:
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Chronic stress
- Panic attacks
The first step to getting approved for an ESA is speaking with a licensed mental health professional in Wyoming to get an ESA letter. Only a qualified therapist or mental health professional can provide you with an ESA letter that allows you to take advantage of Wyoming’s emotional support animal laws.
Wyoming Emotional Support Animal Laws: What to Know
Now that you know what an ESA is, we can focus more on what exactly these animals can and can’t do in Wyoming. In general, ESAs in Wyoming are protected by federal regulations that are upheld by state laws. We give you an overview of all the laws that regulate your ESA rights in Wyoming below.
Emotional Support Animal Workplace Laws in Wyoming
There are no emotional support animal laws in place in Wyoming that protect emotional support animals at work – these companion animals do not have the same protections as service animals, which are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to accompany their owner everywhere. Therefore, you can’t present your boss with an ESA letter and bring your emotional support animal into the building unless you gain special permissions.
However, there is no guarantee that your employer will allow you to bring your ESA to work. If you have a non-traditional ESA, like a reptile, or if you work in a dangerous environment, it may simply not be possible to bring your ESA with you.
Emotional Support Animal Housing Laws in Wyoming
When it comes to housing, emotional support animals are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). This act protects individuals from discrimination when it comes to housing, and it allows you to live in an apartment or other housing situation with your ESA.
Individuals who seek ESA accommodations are not required to adhere to specific pet rules, and they can bring their ESA with them even to animal-restricted housing. Additionally, ESAs are not subject to pet fees, pet rents, and pet security deposits, though you will be responsible for any destruction or damage your ESA causes, should this occur.
In order to access your protected housing rights with your ESA, you need an official ESA letter. A mental healthcare provider licensed in Wyoming will need to prescribe this letter to you, and you will need to show it to landlords or property managers in order to obtain your ESA accommodations.
Furthermore, you should keep in mind that landlords also have rights when it comes to ESAs. If your ESA doesn’t behave well, acts aggressively, or damages property, you might be denied ESA accommodations. Similarly, if your ESA is not suitable for your chosen housing, such as several large animals in a studio apartment or an exotic animal in shared housing, your accommodation request may be denied.
Emotional Support Animal Air Travel Laws in Wyoming
Individuals with disabilities needing air travel are protected by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Under this federal regulation, service animals are allowed to travel in airline cabins with their owners without paying pet fees or adhering to airline pet rules. Emotional support animals used to be included under the ACAA’s regulation, though updates in 2020 changed this.
Now, ESAs are typically treated like pets, and it is up to an individual to contact a specific airline to inquire about the rules or regulations in place for their animal.
In most cases, traditional ESAs like dogs and cats can travel in an airline-approved carrier in the cabin of an airplane, barring any airline restrictions. You will need to contact an airline before booking a ticket for you and your ESA, and don’t be surprised if your companion animal is treated like a pet would be.
Emotional Support Animal Public Access Laws in Wyoming
The Americans with Disabilities Act protects service animals in public and private spaces, protecting their rights to access virtually any area with their owner. However, emotional support animals are not granted these same rights, and you can only take your ESA in public if you are visiting an animal-friendly space.
If you are concerned about whether or not your ESA can accompany you on outdoor adventures, research and look up pet policy details ahead of visiting a business or other private area. You should also consider the type of ESA you have, as dogs can easily be taken into most pet-friendly spaces, while other ESAs, like birds and snakes, might have a harder time accompanying you in public.
Additionally, public access laws extend to public transportation in Wyoming; only service animals are allowed to accompany their owners onto public transportation vehicles. Emotional support animals must adhere to pet restrictions unless granted special access to accompany their owners.
How to Get an ESA Letter in Wyoming
If you want an emotional support animal in Wyoming, you must obtain an ESA letter. We give you an overview of the steps needed to get your official ESA letter and start receiving protected ESA housing rights.
Adopt a Candidate for an Emotional Support Animal
If you want an ESA, you will need to consider the type of animal you wish to add to your life. You can discuss this with your therapist or other mental healthcare provider, but in general, your animal should be one that suits your lifestyle needs.
For example, if you live in an apartment or a small space, we recommend opting for a smaller animal like a dog, cat, reptile, or rodent.
You should also consider what you want to do with your ESA. For example, if you want to go out in public, we recommend getting an emotional support dog. You can take them to most locations that are pet-friendly, so you have plenty of options. Still, you might also do well with a cat or another type of ESA if you don’t need to venture out of your home too much.
Make an Appointment With a Wyoming Mental Healthcare Provider
A mental healthcare provider licensed in Wyoming is the only individual who is allowed to approve you for an ESA and write you an ESA letter.
As we discussed above, ESAs are not valid without an official ESA letter, and you cannot simply print a letter off the internet and assume you will have protected ESA rights.
If you’re going to get an ESA letter from a reputable online service, you need to provide the necessary information to get an appointment with a licensed mental healthcare professional – you can do this by filling out our ESA consultation form. From there, a mental health professional licensed in Wyoming will make an appointment with you.
Once you make an appointment with your provider, you can discuss your needs and what you have considered in terms of an ESA. You may have an animal in mind, or you may have an existing pet that you wish to transition to an official emotional support animal.
After listening to your symptoms and concerns, your provider may provide you with a diagnosis, if you do not already have one. From there, they will approve or deny your ESA request. If you have been approved, your provider will write you an ESA letter.
As soon as you receive your ESA letter, you can show it to landlords and other applicable individuals to access your protected ESA rights.
FAQs Emotional Support Animal Laws in Wyoming
Have questions about emotional support animal laws in Wyoming? We give you our answers to some of the most common questions about ESA laws below.
Can You Be Evicted with an Emotional Support Animal in Wyoming?
Yes, you can be evicted with an ESA in Wyoming. While your landlord can’t remove you just for having an ESA, that doesn’t mean you cannot be removed from housing if you violate the leasing terms. Furthermore, if your ESA is causing serious issues, it’s possible for your landlord to evict you from the property. Some situations where this might occur include:
- Your animal is being aggressive with others around the property
- The animal is damaging the property
- Your animal is making too much noise and creating a significant disturbance
- You do not have a valid ESA letter
- You’re lying about your animal’s ESA status
- You bring unauthorized, exotic, or illegal animals into your housing
Do You Need to Train an ESA in Wyoming?
No, you don’t need to train your ESA in Wyoming. Some ESAs, like snakes and other reptiles, can’t be trained. However, while you don’t have to train your ESA, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. If you have a dog, you should work with them to ensure they are well-socialized, personable around people, non-destructive, and not aggressive to ensure you get all of the benefits of an ESA without any stress.
Are Emotional Support Animals Recognized as Service Animals?
No, emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals.
While both ESAs and service animals can provide companionship, ESAs are not trained to perform disability-related tasks like service dogs. They simply comfort and love their owner, providing relief from certain mental health symptoms. Due to this, ESAs and service animals are treated differently in Wyoming and under federal regulations.
Are Emotional Support Animals Recognized as Therapy Dogs in Wyoming?
Emotional support animals are different from therapy dogs, as ESAs are recognized as companion animals that help with mental health issues, and therapy dogs are a classification of service dogs.
Therapy dogs are trained to visit and socialize with different people, including groups of people, providing therapeutic relief. Therapy dogs have an owner and live with them when they are not out working.
You may find therapy dogs in places like nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and funeral homes. Ultimately, if you can find a group of people who need comfort, it’s a suitable location for a therapy dog.
Get the Help You Need With an Emotional Support Animal in Wyoming
Emotional support animals are perfect for people who need comfort from mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. They can also help with insomnia, loneliness, and other disorders that don’t qualify for service dog work. What’s more, you can register your current companion as an ESA to ensure that they can always stay by your side and provide you with helpful comfort, support, and companionship.
When you follow Wyoming ESA laws properly, you’ll find that living with an ESA is easy, even if you’re not in a pet-friendly home. As long as you follow applicable laws and your ESA doesn’t bother people, damage property, or get aggressive, you won’t have any problems and can benefit fully from your faithful animal companion.