Are emotional support animals (ESA) considered service animals under the ADA?

No, emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA defines service animals as dogs that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. Since ESA’s do not have specialized training to perform specific tasks, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some state and local laws may have different definitions and protections for ESA’s.