emotional support animal

[ ih-moh-shuh-nl suh-pawrt an-uh-muhl ]

noun

1. an animal that provides a therapeutic benefit to a person diagnosed with a psychological disorder, as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and that is allowed to accompany the person in certain public places where pets are not allowed, as the cabin of an airplane. : ESA

Word History and Origins

Origin of emotional support animal¹

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

Kimberly Davidson, the head of adoptions at 4 Paws 4 Life, said many people who adopted pets said they needed “an emotional support animal” during the pandemic.

From Washington Post

The Fair Housing Act mandates that both service and emotional support animals be allowed in rental and government housing.

From Outside Online

It has reclassified emotional support animals as pets, created new regulations around the definition of a true service animal, and established new forms and procedures that disabled people will need to follow.

From Outside Online

The single biggest achievement of these new rules is the redefinition of emotional support animals.

From Outside Online

However, no training is required for emotional support animals, which has led some to question their legitimacy.

From Washington Post