How to Get Your Emotional Support Animal Certification
in Maryland
Many people find comfort, support, and effective treatment for emotional disorders in a furry little animal. An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is a great asset to anyone coping with PTSD, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and panic attacks. That’s why it’s so important to recognize these animals and the health rewards they provide.
Finding a rental home or any establishment that allows pets takes time, patience, and often a substantial amount of cash. Landlords can enforce strict pet policies, deposits, and fines to avoid costly pet damage to the property, no matter how beneficial the animal is. Tenants with undocumented support animals could face a day or two in court and all the costs associated with it.
The Federal Fair Housing Act gives ESA owners the right to keep their companions in their homes with them. Landlords aren’t permitted to charge a pet deposit or levy additional fees against anyone with an ESA in Maryland. They must have legitimate approval, however.
American Service Pets helps tenants get the authorization needed for their qualified animal. See if you meet the criteria for a Maryland ESA letter today below.
The Rewards of Having an Emotional Support Animal
Most qualified support animals are canines, but they can be of any species that provides emotional support. Their presence is calming and can help in moments of panic, anxiety, and emotional overload. They also have some extra benefits, including:
True Love & Appreciation
Emotional Support Animals provide love and loyalty when people need it most. Their presence can help their owners move through the psychologically frustrating parts of life. Snuggling and playing with an ESA can help lessen many routine stressors.
Relief From Loneliness
Social relationships have a considerable influence on mental health. Support animals work extremely well as loyal companions. Sharing your life with an ESA can make you feel less lonely and more connected to your friends, family, coworkers, and environment.
Natural Medicine
An ESA can have a soothing influence when its owner deals with everyday pressures and can help keep emotions under control when things get overly stressful. It’s a worthwhile alternative for anyone who chooses to steer clear of prescription drugs to treat stress, anxiety, and other symptoms of emotional issues.
Physical Rehabilitation
The recovery process is a bit easier when you have a qualified animal to keep you company. People recovering from a stroke, heart attack, broken bones, and addiction can find comfort and encouragement in their animals. An ESA boosts your spirits and morale anytime you’re down.
American Service Pets helps pet owners coping with emotional issues register for their animals.
Find out if you qualify for a Maryland ESA letter today.
Emotional Support Animal Laws in Maryland
These companions come in many sizes, shapes, and personalities, but there are some things they aren’t qualified to do. Some tasks are only performed by trained service dogs and Psychiatric Service Animals (PSAs), such as sensing seizures or panic attacks, retrieving insulin or assisting the blind.
The differences in their jobs afford their owners separate legal privileges. Here are some fundamental laws that apply in Maryland:
Housing Laws
Landlords in Maryland aren’t permitted to evict tenants for owning a legitimate Emotional Support Animal under the federal Fair Housing Act. They have no right to charge a pet deposit or extra fees to any tenant with an ESA.
Landlords have the right to see the official ESA letter and may ask the nature of the disability and how it relates to a comfort animal. Landlords can refuse tenants if their ESA is too big, or destructive, or not house-trained.
Public Accomodations
Maryland state law lets the establishment’s owner decide to allow access to support animals, but they aren’t required to make any concessions for animals. Qualified support animals are permitted access anywhere in Maryland that accepts pets. This can include:
- Beaches
- Malls
- Theaters
- Tourist attractions
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
It’s a good idea to call ahead to any establishment you plan to visit in Maryland with your ESA. Learning the rules before you go can prevent any frustrating circumstances.
Employment Laws
Maryland law doesn’t mandate employers to allow an ESA in their establishment. State legislation says employers must fully accommodate employees with disabilities, however. Having an official Maryland ESA letter might be enough to sway a sympathetic employer.
Travel Laws
Airlines make their own decisions regarding in-cabin support animals since the Department of Transportation updated the formal travel guidelines in 2020. Most have banned ESA travel and only allow them under standard pet rules.
Maryland doesn’t approve ESA access to public transportation, which includes:
- Buses
- Ridesharing Services
- Subways
- Railcars
- Trams
It’s a smart move to check with any airline or other transportation provider so you know what to expect.
Maryland grants Emotional Support Animals what many consider the most important privilege: living at home. American Service Pets is excited to offer the people of the Queen State an opportunity to validate the status of their ESA.
How to Obtain an Emotional Support Animal Certification Letter in Maryland
American Service Pets recognizes how critical support animals are and the significance of their health benefits, so we’ve simplified the process to help even further. Here’s how to do it:
Fill Out the Questionnaire
It takes approximately 3 minutes to answer the American Service Pets questionnaire to determine your eligibility.
Get a Doctor’s Approval
American Service Pets allows you to submit your file to a licensed state-approved doctor for authorization. Doctors are always available, and they approve most requests within 3 to 5 minutes. Letters are emailed immediately.
Add Your Pet to the National Directory
Your pet gets an online profile on the national directory that shows its status and ESA letter for public view.
American Service Pets has helped over 45,000 pet owners all over the country sanction their qualified animals. As many as 95% of candidates are qualified for ESA letters. See if you meet the criteria in just a few minutes.
Benefits of American Service Pets
American Service Pets works hard to help candidates get the approval needed for their support system. Here are some things that make us a good choice for you:
- All-in-one solution for approving Emotional Support Animals
- Official letters are accepted nationwide
- Free qualification test
- Opportunity to connect with a Maryland health care professional
- No prescription necessary
Now’s the time to secure your rights to the physical and emotional incentives of your qualified animal. A Maryland ESA letter will officially sanction your unique connection.
Allow Us to Help Get Your ESA Approved
Obtaining legal approval for your support animal feels terrific, but not everyone is sold on the idea. American Service Pets can help you convince stubborn landlords and others of this essential connection with an ESA letter. Answer the five questions on our questionnaire today, and you’ll be on your way to getting approved — usually on the same day — for an Emotional Support Animal in Maryland.
