Pets - Service Animals and Comfort Animals

[Racheal Stoyk]

Is there a difference between a service pet and a comfort pet? If there is a difference are the regulations regarding rental properties the same? Can pet fees still be applied? Lastly, what are the regulations regarding vicious breeds for comfort/support/service animals. 

If you've have knowledge or experiences with this I would appreciate your input. 

[Gail K.]

This may help:

https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-book...

A service animal is specifically trained to do a task (the one most folks are familiar with are, of course, the seeing eye dogs).

A comfort (emotional support) animal does not need to be trained to do anything except provide emotional support to the owner.

Keep in mind that neither animal is considered to be a PET; therefore, pet fees cannot be charged.  However, the tenant can be charged if their animals do damage to the property...and in the case of an emotional support animal the applicant can be required to provide documentation to the landlord of the need for such an animal FROM A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL (although the landlord cannot ask the specifics on why the applicant needs an emotional support animal).

Gail