Emotional Support Dogs
An emotional support dog provides comfort and companionship to help alleviate symptoms of a psychological or emotional condition but is not individually trained to perform specific disability-mitigating tasks or granted the same public access rights as an assistance dog in Australia.
What is an emotional support dog?
An emotional support dog is a companion animal that provides comfort, reassurance, and emotional stability to an individual through their presence. These dogs can be beneficial for people experiencing mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD; however, they are not trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate a disability in the way an assistance dog is.
In Australia, emotional support dogs are not formally recognised under law and do not have public access rights. This means they are considered pets and are only permitted in public places, housing, or transport where animals are normally allowed or where specific permission has been granted.
While emotional support dogs can play a meaningful role in a person’s wellbeing at home, they are different from assistance dogs and therapy dogs in both training requirements and legal status. Understanding this distinction helps prevent confusion and ensures the rights of legitimate assistance dog handlers are protected.
