How to Get Your Emotional Support Animal in Kansas Certified

Kansas-ESA

State and federal laws protect the use of an Emotional Support Animal in Kansas, but not everyone fully embraces them. For many Americans, their furry companion is a vital source of support to overcome life’s myriad challenges. However, it is important to remember that bringing an uncertified animal onto a rental property can lead to eviction, as well as fees and penalties.

Landlords must follow both state and federal regulations related to support animals. If a landlord does not comply, they can face legal repercussions and financial penalties. Emotional Support Animals do not have the same rights as Psychiatric Service Animals (PSAs), but they are protected against discrimination in rental properties by the federal Fair Housing Act.

American Service Pets is here to provide individuals with an Emotional Support Animal in Kansas with the necessary paperwork, allowing them to rent a home, travel, and enjoy public access with their animals. Say goodbye to worries about “pet rent” and additional charges. Learn if you fulfill the criteria for a certified Emotional Support Animal in Kansas by taking our simple quiz.

The Benefits of Emotional Support Animals for their Humans

State and federal governments support ESAs as a right for people who struggle with psychological trauma ESAs can be any animal that provides comfort and support, from birds to reptiles to amphibians. Psychiatric Service Animals, on the other hand, are usually dogs due to their high trainability.

There are a number of people who depend on their Emotional Support Animals to help them function in everyday life. Their furry companions provide many physical and psychological benefits to their owners including:

Mental Health Support

Caring for an animal you love provides a emotional boost of dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals are natural mood lifters within one’s body. The outside stimulus of a pet can also interrupt the negative thought chains of those struggling with depression, as pets make us smile and feel less lonely.

Holistic Remedy

Americans are searching for natural ways to maintain their health. Emotional Support Animals function as a drug-free treatment for people struggling with anxiety, stress, and depression. Taking care of a beloved pet also promotes outdoor activity, and this can help naturally combat symptoms associated with depression.

A Source of Comfort

The pressure of things that occur in our personal lives, like financial troubles, relationship problems, and health concerns, has a tendency to be overwhelming. The act of simply cuddling or playing with a furry friend can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and stress.

There are so many Americans out there who rely on their ESAs. That’s why American Service Pets helps people with an Emotional Support Animal in Kansas find out if they qualify to secure ESA paperwork in just a few short minutes.

Laws Related to Emotional Support Animals in Kansas

While Emotional Support Animals can be essential companions in the lives of their owners, they are not trained to perform the life-saving tasks or disability assistance like Psychiatric Service Animals. Because of this, ESAs and PSAs are afforded similar but different rights under state and federal law. 

Official Emotional Support Animals receive some legal protections, but no such rights exist for uncertified animals in Kansas. ESA paperwork must include the approval of a licensed healthcare professional in the state, and it can typically be used throughout the country. Different states have varying law though, so it’s always a good idea to investigate prior to traveling. Here are some laws that may pertain to your Emotional Support Animal in Kansas:

Housing Laws

Landlords may not turn away anyone for simply having an Emotional Support Animal in Kansas. This holds true in apartments, houses, public housing units, and condos. Landlords also may not charge extra “pet rent.” They must generally allow ESAs unless the animals could be considered a potentially undue financial burden.

 

The meaning of undue financial burden can vary in Kansas, but it may include:

  • Property damage
  • Threat to any other tenants
  • Homeowner allergies
Kansas-ESA

Kansas landlords have a right to request paperwork that certifies your animal as an ESA. Renters who do not have a valid ESA letter (or those who present falsified documentation) are subject to prosecution, as misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal is a class A nonperson misdemeanor in the state of Kansas.

Kansas-ESA

Public Access

Emotional Support Animals are not granted the same public access rights as Psychiatric Service Animals under state or federal law. When it comes to ESAs, the venue owner has the final decision. There are parks and public accommodations out there that permit animals, but if you are unsure, you should call ahead to see if you can bring your ESA before leaving your house.

Laws in the Workplace

Employers in Kansas are not legally required to allow Emotional Support Animals in their facilities. That being said, presenting an ESA letter to a lenient employer could sway them to allow your animal in the workplace, assuming the animal is housebroken and well-behaved.

Kansas-ESA
Kansas-ESA

Travel Laws

Emotional Support Animals are no longer allowed in the cabin during air travel. Public transportation services such as buses, trains, and railways are under no legal obligation to board ESAs. Some rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have less stringent policies, but you have to check ahead of time. 

American Service Pets is proud to provide a simple three-step process to ESA letters in Kansas for owners needing the support of their pets.

FAQ
The Basics

Does the state have its own laws in addition to federal legislature?

Yes, in addition to following the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Kansas

Definition of a "Service Animal"

Service animal means an animal that has been “specially selected, trained, and tested to perform a variety of tasks for perons with disabilities.” Kansas law specifically refers to assistance dogs, an umbrella term that includes service animals, guide dogs, and hearing assistance dogs. The ADA extends protections to a few additional categories of animals, including psychiatric service animals, seizure alert animals, and allergen alert animals.

What is considered a disability in the state?

Kansas’ definition of disability aligns with the ADA’s, meaning a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

What animals qualify as a service animal?

Both state and federal law consider dog and miniature horses to be qualified service animals.

Are there penalties for falsly claiming or implying (such as with a service animal harness), that one's animal is a service animal?

It is considered a class A nonperson misdemeanor for anyone to falsely represent an animal as a service animal or represent themselves as falsely having a disability.

Do state laws provide coverage for service animals in training?

Kansas law allows for full access rights for service animals that are undergoing professional training. The law however, is unclear when it comes to animals being trained by their owners.

Do state laws provide coverage for Emotional Support Animals?

Because emotional support animals are not trained in the same way service animals are, they do not receive the same protections under the law.

FAQ
Public Accommodations & Travel with a Service Animal

What counts as a "public accommodation" in the state? Ie. Where are service dogs allowed?

Kansas state law has a broad definition of public accommodations, which includes public transportation; all hotels, lodgings, restaurants, other places that sell food; all places of public resort, amusement, or accommodation; and all other places to which the public is invited. The ADA’s definition of public accommodations is also very broad, and it includes restaurants, hotels, recreational facilities, parks, zooss, educational institutions, social service centers, and any other place of public gathering.

Can a public establishment question a service animal?

Establishments may only ask two questions if it is not obvious what service an animal provides: 1) Is the service animal required because of a diability? and 2) What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Are there any exceptions to public accommodations allowances?

Both state and federal law allow for service animals to be removed or denied access if they are out of control, not housebroken, or causing a threat to the health and safety of other patrons.

What are the rules regarding service animals on public transportation?

Kansas’ public accommodations allowances when it comes to transportation includes all common carriers, airplanes, motor vehicles, railroad trains, motor buses, street cars, boats, or any other public conveyances or modes of transportation.

Are there laws about service animals in the workplace?

Employees may request the use of a service dog as a reasonable accommodation from their employer. The employer may evaluate the request to determine if it creates an administrative or financial burden or if it will subtantially alter the services offered by the business, but otherwise they will generally need to allow for the use of a service dog by the employee.

Are service animals allowed access to healthcare facilities?

Service animals are generally allowed in areas of healthcare facilities that the general public is permitted, such as patient rooms or waiting areas. However, they may be barred from sterile environments, such as operating rooms or burn units.

Are there penalties for public places that refuse service animals?

Any person or business who denies or interferes with a service animal is guilty of a misdemeanor. Intentionally causing harm to a service animal is a felony in the state of Kansas.

Kansas follows the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which defines a service animal as a dog (regardless of breed or size) trained to do work or perform tasks to assist a qualified individual with a diability, and may include psychiatric service dogs. Minature horses are excluded in this definition.

How do airlines determine what qualifies as a service animal?

Airlines can require a passenger to provide a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) form attesting to the animal’s health, behavior, and training and a U.S. DOT form attesting that the animal can either not relieve itself or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner (if the animal will be on a flight that is 8 or more hours).

Are service animals in-training covered by this law?

The ACAA does not address service animals in-training, so airlines are not required to carry them as they do not meet the requirements of an ACAA-defined service animal. However, airlines can make their own individual policies.

FAQ
Housing Law

What are the state's laws regarding housing and service animals?

A tenant or prospective tenant may request the use of their service animal as a reasonable accommodation from their landlord or housing provider. Housing providers must make reasonable accommodations to their rules, policies, practices, or services to aid a tenant with a disability, so long as the accommodations do not amount to an undue financial or administrative burden. Landlords may request medical documentation if the disability-related need for the animal is not readily apparent.

Am I liable for damage caused by my service animal?

Your landlord may not charge you any additional fees for your service animal, but you may be subject to paying for any damage caused by the animal.

Do housing laws extend to ESAs?

The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects the use of both service animals and ESAs as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

FAQ
Discrimination Complaints

How can I file a complaint for not being allowed in a public accommodation with my service dog?

If you have been discriminated against, you may call 785-296-3206 or 1-888-793-6874, email khrc@ink.org, or visit one of the offices of Kansas Human Rights Commission (KHRC). You can also find complaint forms on the KHRC website. Employment and public accommodations complaints must be filed within six months from the date of the last alleged discriminatory act. In terms of employment discrimination, if you fail to file before the six month limit but you file within 300 days of the discriminatory incident, your complaint will be transferred to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

How can I file a complaint for not being allowed to have my service dog in housing (or for being forced to pay a fee to a landlord)?

If you have faced housing discrimination, you must file a complaint within one year of the alleged discriminatory act with the Kansas Human Rights Commission (KHRC). You may do this by calling 785-296-3206 or 1-888-793-6874, emailing khrc@ink.org, or visiting one of the KHRC offices.

How to Get Certified for an Emotional Support Animal in Kansas

American Service Pets provides you with a fast, simple process to certification for your Emotional Support Animal. Just follow these easy steps:

Find Out if You Qualify

You can do this step in less than half an hour! Simply fill out our brief questionnaire to see if you meet the criteria to qualify for an ESA letter.

Get a Doctor's Approval

American Service Pets gives you the power to choose whether you want to file with your own doctor or other licensed mental health provider or with one in our network for approval and authorization. The doctor or other licensed mental health providers in our network are available 24/7. In most cases, requests are approved in minutes, and the approval is emailed to you for easy access.

Have Your Pet Added to the National Directory

This critical part of the ESA process allows you to add your pet to the national directory of Emotional Support Animals. By doing so, you’ll create an online profile showing your pet’s status and ESA letter.

95% of our applicants qualify for an ESA letter. Get started with American Service Pets today.

The Benefits of Choosing American Service Pets

There are over 45,000 pet owners across the nation who have certified their Emotional Support Animals with American Service Pets. Here’s why we’re the trusted choice for your ESA and PSA paperwork:

How To Get Your Emotional Support Animal Letter in Wisconsin with American Service Pets

Our simple process alleviates worries about being separated from your animal or being punished for having one. Get started by taking our short online test.

We're Kind of Emotional Support Animal Experts.

Don’t tolerate hassling from people who don’t understand the health benefits of ESAs. American Service Pets is here to help you register your Emotional Support Animal in Kansas. Put aside those concerns about rental housing or fees just for having an ESA that helps you get through your day. If you are part of the 95% who qualify, you could be certified in just a few short minutes.

Disclaimer: We would like to emphasize that while the terms “certification” or “registration” may be used in relation to Emotional Support Animals, there is no official certification process for ESAs or any form of ESA registry as of this date. As such, the use of these terms should not be interpreted as legally recognized designations by government or regulatory authorities. Remember, ESAs can provide a valuable source of comfort and support, but their recognition relies on proper documentation from a healthcare professional and adherence to relevant laws and guidelines.