Timewise Medical offers assistance/emotional support animal classification for individuals seeking reasonable accommodation from their landlord to live with a support animal.

FAIR HOUSING ACT

Under the Fair Housing Act, individuals with assistance or emotional support animals have the right to housing without discrimination.

In compliance, landlords must make reasonable accommodations to allow assistance or emotional support animals into their rental properties, even if the property has a general no-pet policy.

DEFINITION OF ASSISTANCE OR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL

Any animal that provides emotional and/or physical benefits by living in the home of an individual may be considered an assistance or emotional support animal.

An animal does not have to be trained to perform a specific task or service to qualify for Fair Housing Act protections, and assistance animals can come in all shapes, sizes and species.

CLASSIFYING AN ASSISTANCE OR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL

Assistance animals do not have to be registered, certified or receive special training to be designated as assistance animals.

However, to request a reasonable accommodation to live with an assistance animal, you may need to provide an official letter from your doctor or therapist that states your disability and explains the health benefits your assistance animal provides.

Since assistance animals are not considered “pets,” a landlord cannot demand a pet deposit or other pet fees. However, you may be required to pay a fee if your assistance animal causes substantial damage to the rental property. Additionally, the landlord can legally attempt to remove the assistance animal if it poses a health or safety risk to others or causes undue burden.

WANT TO RECEIVE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR YOUR ANIMAL?

The first step is to make an appointment to be seen by Dr. Locketz to assess your needs. We offer this service at each of our locations.

CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT VIRTUALLY?

Yes, we are able to see new patients virtually. Please contact us to inquire or make an appointment. Our goal is to provide the best possible treatment for our patients whether in-office or virtually.

 

Learn more about emotional support and assistance animal accommodation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.