emotional support animal

[ih-moh-shuh-nl suh-pawrt an-uh-muhl]

noun

1. an animal that provides a therapeutic benefit to a person diagnosed with a psychological disorder, as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and that is allowed to accompany the person in certain public places where pets are not allowed, as the cabin of an airplane. ESA

Word History and Origins

Origin of emotional support animal¹

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

He registered Lorca as an emotional support animal, paid for a vaccine card and a certificate of good health, and crate-trained her in a TSA-approved carrier.

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For five more years, I accepted my pet ownership, especially knowing he was a de facto emotional support animal for my now-16-year-old daughter.

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To her, Havoc was more than an emotional support animal, but something akin to a child.

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Plus, she said, the seller told them their new puppy was an emotional support animal.

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He said a doctor treating his depression had endorsed Wally’s status as his emotional support animal.

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