Therapy animal

Separate the animal's role from a housing request

A therapy animal may participate with a handler in a planned activity or treatment setting, including a visit that benefits people other than the handler. American Humane Society's therapy-animal statement describes program safeguards involving handler preparation, animal welfare, health and behavior. A program's registration or certificate describes that program; it does not by itself answer a rental-housing question.

Emotional support describes comfort associated with a person's disability-related need. A service animal performs trained disability-related tasks. These descriptions help clarify what someone means, but public-access rules and housing accommodation standards require separate review. An animal's participation in therapy visits does not establish or rule out an individual housing request.

Ask what rental-policy change is being requested, protect private information and use the current animal-request guide. Do not decide from a vest, certificate, breed or label alone. Review disputed documentation, fees or a proposed denial with qualified help under the rules that apply to the property.