On Monday the Senate Judiciary committee will consider a bill that would put stricter regulations on emotional support animals that are not actually classified as service dog animals.
The American Disabilities Act defines a service animal as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. This distinction is different than an emotional support animal, which does not require the same kind of training or certification.
At Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority, also known as APCHA, they do not currently distinguish between the two classifications. In the 321 non pet-friendly units they manage there are 25 certified animals. APCHA’s deputy director Cindy Christensen said the law is so unclear in this area that she’s not even sure further regulations would make a difference.
“The law is so grey on this and even by passing that I still don’t think that they really clarify it,” she said.
Christensen realizes there are pet owners that get their dogs certified when they are not true service animals, but the current law makes it difficult to identify those people.
