Emotional Support Dog Vest: Do I Need To Identify My ESA?

Do I need to identify my dog as an ESA by getting it to wear an identification vest?

No, you do not need a vest to identify your dog. Usually, ESA owners think that they will need a vest to identify their animal as an emotional support animal, which is nothing more than a misconception.

However, it is advisable to get your dog a vest. Since many people do not know that an ESA is different from a pet, they do not know that they must not pet them. This vest will help them know that your dog is not a pet.

Emotional Support Dog Vests: Requirement or Optional?

Since emotional support animals offer invaluable help and support to the people who are in need of it, it is important that they must be identifiable.

Even though there are emotional support animal federal laws such as the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act that help people with emotional and physical disabilities keep an emotional support animal. There is no official state or deferral law that necessitates the ESA owner to get a vest for his animal.

Having these vests is something that they can do for their own ease and could it be quite helpful in many circumstances, especially when traveling with your dog.

Benefits of Emotional Support Dog Vests

Emotional support dog vests are designed to communicate the position of an animal and whether it is a pet or a working dog. Having a vest is an easy way of identifying your animal and avoiding any unlikely situation.

Here are some of the key benefits of having an emotional support dog vest:

It Helps to Categorize Your Animal as an ESA

Wearing distinguishable vests allows landlords, and others to know that this animal is more than just a pet. With the vest, you will save time in explaining why the animal is necessary for you.

It Helps in Finding your Lost Dog

Each year, families lose their animals when they are on holiday. In case you lose your dog, you can use the vest as an identification mark. To make it easier, we recommend that you write or print your complete contact details on the dog’s ID card so that anyone who finds him may contact you easily.

You can Put ‘Do Not Pet’ or ‘Working Dog’ Labels

You can put labels such as “do-not-pet” or a “working dog” tag on their support animals. This ensures that people won’t come up to your dog wanting to pet it and helps in minimizing distractions.

They are Helpful for Service Dogs Also

Besides ESAs, these vests are also helpful for service dogs. Similar to ESAs, service dogs also help people with disabilities. People having sight and hearing impairment and physical limitations have dogs and miniature horses to help them. These vests help identify them as service animals and not pets.

Even though animal vests are not a legal requirement, they are highly recommended to differentiate your animal and classify it as a working dog or horse.

How to Measure your Dog?

After you have made up your mind to get a vest for your dog the next thing you need to do is to measure your dog. Follow the below steps to measure your dog properly:

• make your dog stand and get a flexible measuring tape
• wrap the tape around his girth (around its body and behind the front legs)
• go underneath the widest part of its rib cage

These vests are usually brightly colored with big, prominent, and distinguishing letters that classify the animal as an ESA or a service dog.

What Fabric Should You Choose for the Vest?

When choosing the fabric, make sure that it matches your preference and the climate of the place where you live. Getting a mesh vest in a cold place is useless and similarly, getting a padded vest when you live in a hot place will do no good to your dog.

What Kind of Vest Should You Get?

Dog vests come in different styles; the four most popular ones are:

• 1. Padded Vests: They weigh the same as the weight of your lightweight winter jacket. These are harness vests that come with a handle for outdoor walks
• 2. Backpack Vests: These vests are useful for people who have a lot of stuff to carry around like a student with books.
• 3. Mesh Vests: They are made up of mesh and is beneficial in hot places
• 4. Lightweight Cotton Vests: They are ideal for wearing throughout the entire year, and they have pockets incorporated to hold id cards

These vests are heavy-duty and usually have adjustable straps so that your four-legged friend is comfortable.

Besides, you can also get a custom emotional support dog vest to match your needs. Search online and you will come across several websites that offer this service.

Best Emotional Support Dog Vests in 2020

Since the trend of having emotional support animals is rising and more people are applying to get them, companies are working towards manufacturing and providing ESA and service dog products, including vests and harnesses.

Below are some of the best dog vest choices for 2020:

1. Industrial Puppy Service Dog Harness with Hook and Loop Straps and Handle
2. Fairwin Service Vest Dog Harness
3. FAYOGOO Dog Vest Harness for Service Dogs
4. YOGADOG – Heavy Duty Dog Harness
5. Petjoy-Wiredog Quick-Ship Service Dog Vest
6. ALBCORP Reflective Service Dog Vest/Harness
7. Mihachi Dog Harness with Leash with Handle
8. OneTigris Tactical Dog Training Vest
9. Best Reflective: Noxgear LightHound Vest
10. Petsmart Emotional Support Dog Vest

Other than these, there are a number of other emotional support and service dog vests that work as harness also. These vests make an interesting addition to your dog’s look and will give it a more formal and ‘working’ type of look.

How much is an Emotional Support Dog Vest?

The price of your vest depends on a number of factors like the fabric, style, and design. A simple design will cost less than an intricate one. On average, a good quality vest will cost anything between $40 to $80.

Is a Dog Vest Enough to Travel with Your Support Dog?

Unfortunately no, in addition to an identification vest, you are legally required to obtain an ESA letter from a licensed mental health therapist in order to keep your pet with you at all times.

An ESA letter is proof that you need a companion by your side for your emotional assistance and it enables you to live and travel with your companion without spending extra money.

If you are looking for a legitimate place to get your ESA Letter, then look no further and please contact one of our licensed mental health professionals to help you bring your favorite animal home.