Understanding Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals: Benefits for Kids and Etiquette Tips

Today, we see them service animals and emotional support animals everywhere as they assist people with a wider range of conditions, and in all settings. Many children grow up fascinated by animals, and for some, animals can play a vital role in their emotional or physical well-being. For kids with special needs, animals such as service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) can provide significant benefits. 

While both types of animals offer support, there are key differences between them, including their roles, legal recognition, and how they are approved. This article will explore these differences, explain how they can benefit children, and provide guidance on how to talk to kids about service and emotional support animals, whether they have one themselves or know someone who does.

What Is a Service Animal?

A service animal is a dog that has been specifically trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. These tasks can include guiding someone who is visually impaired, alerting a person who is deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications. In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals and grants them the right to accompany their handlers in public places, including restaurants, schools, and other facilities.

Key Points:

• Service animals must be trained to perform specific tasks.
• Only dogs qualify as service animals under the ADA; miniature horses may also qualify in some cases.
• Service animals are allowed in all public places where their handlers go.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal (ESA) provides comfort to individuals with emotional or psychological conditions. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not require specialized training to perform tasks. They simply offer companionship, which can help alleviate feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. ESAs can be any type of animal, including dogs, cats, birds, or even rabbits.

Key Points:

• Emotional support animals do not need special training.
• They provide comfort and companionship rather than performing specific tasks.
• ESAs have limited legal access compared to service animals.

Differences Between Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Understanding the differences between service animals and emotional support animals can help children and their families navigate their needs and rights:

1. Training and Tasks: Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability, while ESAs provide general emotional comfort.

2..Legal Status: Service animals are protected under the ADA, which allows them access to public spaces. ESAs do not have the same level of legal protection and are generally only allowed in specific housing situations or on flights.

3. Types of Animals: Only dogs (and in some cases, miniature horses) can be considered service animals, while ESAs can be any animal that provides comfort.

Benefits of Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals for Kids

Both service animals and emotional support animals can greatly benefit children, especially those facing challenges.

1. Increased Independence:

• For children with disabilities, a service animal can help them navigate their environment more independently. This increased freedom can boost a child's confidence.

2. Emotional Support:

• ESAs can offer companionship and reduce feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Having a pet can make children feel less isolated, especially if they struggle to connect with peers.

3. Physical Health:

• Both types of animals can promote physical health. For instance, walking a dog can encourage children to be more active and engage in regular exercise.

4. Teaching Responsibility:

• Caring for an animal teaches children responsibility and empathy, which can help them develop social skills and emotional intelligence.

Who Approves Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals?

Service Animals:

• To have a service animal, individuals do not need to go through any official approval process. However, they must be able to demonstrate that the animal is trained to perform specific tasks related to their disability. In some cases, medical documentation might be necessary to prove a disability if questioned.

Emotional Support Animals:

• To qualify for an emotional support animal, individuals typically need a letter from a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, stating that the animal provides emotional support as part of their treatment plan. This letter is often required for housing or travel accommodations. Keep in mind that not all therapists are willing to provide ESA letters. 

Considerations for Families

When considering a service animal or emotional support animal, families should keep in mind:

• Financial Responsibility: Caring for an animal involves costs such as food, veterinary care, and supplies. Families should assess their ability to provide for an animal's needs.
• Time Commitment: Training and caring for a service animal requires time and effort. Emotional support animals also need daily care and attention.
• Consulting Professionals: Families should consult with therapists, trainers, or veterinarians to find the best match for their child’s needs and family situation.

Talking to Kids About Service and Emotional Support Animals

You’ll find dogs helping people with vision, mobility and hearing impairment, as well as conditions that may not be apparent, such as autism, seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, food allergies, and diabetes. Yet most adults still aren’t certain of the protocol for interacting with a service animal, or its handler. Service animals are not pets. They are specially trained for their duties, and it can cost $20,000 or more to equip one for its role. Vests indicate that they are legally allowed to accompany their handler into businesses. The vest also is a sign to the public that the handler has a disability and that the dog is on duty.

Emotional support animals may not always be as easy to identify as the service animals, and children, who often get excited and curious when they see a dog, need to be taught how to respond to one – and its owner or handler - while it is on the job. It’s important to understand and teach our children the etiquette of encountering Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. There are several things to teach your children about service animals and their handlers. Many of the rules are simply common sense and common courtesy. Here’s a few key points to promote understanding and etiquette:

• Provide Education: Tell your children what a service animal is and what he does. Like a cane or a wheelchair, a service dog is a medical assistive device. Help them understand that the dog is delivering a vital service to keep its handler safe or assisting with duties the handler can’t perform aloneSeeing service animals in stores, theaters and restaurants can confuse a child. Explain to them that they are allowed by law to accompany their handler into any business.

• Distracting a service animal can place the handler in danger. So, the child should not make sudden moves, loud noises, or call for the dog, whistle for it, or try to feed it.

• Respect Boundaries: Teach children that service animals are working animals and should not be approached or distracted while they are performing their tasks.  So, explain to your children that they should not disturb it while it is working. It’s important to respect the space of both the animal and the handler. You should always ask before approaching or petting any dog. Don’t touch the dog or the handler without permission. It’s common courtesy for the child to address the service dog’s handler first if they want to ask questions.

• Asking Questions: Encourage children to ask questions respectfully. If they see a service animal, they can ask the handler if it’s okay to pet or interact with the animal. However, they should never assume it's okay without permission. Help your child should understand that it is inappropriate to ask the handler why he or she needs the service animal.

• Share Experiences: If your child has an emotional support animal, share how it helps them feel better or manage anxiety. Discussing personal experiences can help other kids understand the importance of these animals.

• Promote Empathy: Help kids understand that both service animals and ESAs are valuable companions. Discuss how these animals help people in different ways and the importance of kindness and support. 

Resources

There are many age-appropriate resources to help your children understand service dog etiquette.

• Easy Science For Kids offers parents and teachers a guide to service animals, which provides fun facts, a Q&A and vocabulary specific to service dogs. You’ll also find a word search game about service animals.
• Billy Bear 4 Kids and Pawsitivity have service dog coloring pages, as does KSDS Assistance Dogs, and ICAN. For teachers and homeschool parents, there are lesson plans available from AKC and The Humane Society.

 Both service animals and emotional support animals play important roles in supporting children, particularly those facing unique challenges. Understanding the differences between these types of animals can empower families to make informed decisions and create supportive environments for their children.

If you or someone you know is considering a service or emotional support animal and would like more guidance, reach out to the therapists at KIDStherapyfinder for support and resources