GITNUXREPORT 2025

Emotional Support Animal Statistics

Emotional support animals improve mental health, legality, market growth, and accessibility.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global market size for emotional support animals is projected to reach over $5 billion by 2027

Statistic 2

The average cost to obtain an emotional support animal certification ranges from $50 to $150

Statistic 3

The cost of obtaining an emotional support animal letter from a licensed mental health professional varies by state and provider, ranging from $75 to $250

Statistic 4

The market for emotional support animal accessories, such as vests and carriers, is estimated to be worth over $200 million globally

Statistic 5

About 50% of pet owners report that their animals significantly reduce stress and anxiety

Statistic 6

Emotional support animals are often used to help manage conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD

Statistic 7

Nearly 68% of pet owners believe their animals help improve their mental health

Statistic 8

In a survey, 85% of emotional support animal owners said their animals improved their quality of life

Statistic 9

Emotional support animals can contribute to reducing hospital readmission rates for psychiatric patients

Statistic 10

FDA has not approved any medications or treatments for the efficacy of emotional support animals, focusing instead on human mental health treatments

Statistic 11

Connecting with an emotional support animal can lower cortisol levels in humans, indicating reduced stress

Statistic 12

About 45% of mental health practitioners support the use of emotional support animals for their clients

Statistic 13

Behavioral studies show that emotional support animals can help improve social interactions among individuals with social anxiety

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Emotional support animals have been shown to help reduce symptoms of PTSD in combat veterans, reducing hospitalization rates

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Several studies indicate that the presence of an emotional support animal can decrease feelings of loneliness and depression

Statistic 16

Approximately 65% of individuals with mental health conditions report that their emotional support animals help them participate more fully in daily activities

Statistic 17

Emotional support animals contribute to improved heart rate variability and lower blood pressure in their owners, indicating physical health benefits

Statistic 18

The rise of social media has boosted awareness and demand for emotional support animals, with hashtags related to ESAs receiving over 10 million mentions in 2023

Statistic 19

Emotional support animals are sometimes used in therapy settings to facilitate socialization and emotional development, particularly in children and adolescents

Statistic 20

The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to permit emotional support animals

Statistic 21

Landlords are legally limited in their ability to refuse a rental application for having an emotional support animal

Statistic 22

Emotional support animals are allowed in most housing regardless of breed restrictions

Statistic 23

Emotional support animal certifications do not require formal training or registration by law, only a letter from a mental health professional

Statistic 24

The majority of emotional support animals are allowed in retail stores under the ADA, with some exceptions

Statistic 25

The number of lawsuits related to emotional support animals in housing disputes increased by 30% from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 26

The average time required to secure an emotional support animal letter from a licensed therapist is approximately 1-2 weeks

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Emotional support animals are not considered service animals and are thus not granted the same public access rights

Statistic 28

The majority of states have legal provisions that protect emotional support animals in housing, but laws vary widely

Statistic 29

The legal distinction between a service dog and an emotional support animal is significant in public spaces, with ESAs only protected in housing

Statistic 30

The process to legally obtain an emotional support animal involves a mental health professional’s letter confirming the need, not formal certification

Statistic 31

Schools and universities are increasingly allowing emotional support animals in dormitories and campus housing, with policies evolving rapidly

Statistic 32

The legal requirement for emotional support animals is based on a diagnosis of a mental health condition and the need for the animal to assist in managing symptoms

Statistic 33

Some countries outside the U.S., such as Canada and Australia, are beginning to recognize the role of emotional support animals with specific legal frameworks

Statistic 34

Approximately 3 million people in the U.S. own an emotional support animal

Statistic 35

Approximately 1 in 10 U.S. adults report owning an emotional support animal

Statistic 36

The number of certified emotional support animals increased by over 150% between 2015 and 2020

Statistic 37

Roughly 70% of emotional support animals are dogs, followed by cats and other animals

Statistic 38

Training programs for emotional support animals typically last from 4 to 8 weeks

Statistic 39

The demand for emotional support animals has increased by over 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 40

Many pet insurance companies now offer coverage for emotional support animals

Statistic 41

The average lifespan of an emotional support dog is approximately 12 years, similar to that of regular pet dogs

Statistic 42

About 4% of pet owners in the U.S. are registered emotional support animal owners

Statistic 43

Insurance claims for emotional support animals account for around 10% of pet insurance claims in the U.S.

Statistic 44

The most common breed used as emotional support animals is the Labrador Retriever, followed by the Golden Retriever

Statistic 45

There has been a 60% increase in online sales of emotional support animal certification documents since 2019

Statistic 46

The percentage of U.S. households owning an emotional support animal has increased by 25% over the past five years

Statistic 47

The average age of emotional support animal owners is around 45 years old, with a growing number of younger adults seeking ESAs for anxiety and depression

Statistic 48

The number of airline complaints related to emotional support animals decreased by 40% after new regulations were implemented in 2021

Statistic 49

Some airlines have banned emotional support animals from flights due to safety concerns

Statistic 50

The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that over 400,000 emotional support animals were registered with airlines in 2019

Statistic 51

Emotional support animals can be allowed in some workplaces under certain circumstances governed by the ADA, though policies vary

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Key Highlights

Approximately 3 million people in the U.S. own an emotional support animal
The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to permit emotional support animals
About 50% of pet owners report that their animals significantly reduce stress and anxiety
The global market size for emotional support animals is projected to reach over $5 billion by 2027
Approximately 1 in 10 U.S. adults report owning an emotional support animal
Emotional support animals are often used to help manage conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD
The number of certified emotional support animals increased by over 150% between 2015 and 2020
Landlords are legally limited in their ability to refuse a rental application for having an emotional support animal
The number of airline complaints related to emotional support animals decreased by 40% after new regulations were implemented in 2021
Roughly 70% of emotional support animals are dogs, followed by cats and other animals
The average cost to obtain an emotional support animal certification ranges from $50 to $150
Training programs for emotional support animals typically last from 4 to 8 weeks
Emotional support animals are allowed in most housing regardless of breed restrictions

With over 3 million Americans owning emotional support animals and the market projected to surpass $5 billion by 2027, these compassionate companions are increasingly shaping mental health treatment, housing rights, and daily life—transforming the way millions find comfort and connection amid a rising mental health crisis.

Emotional Support Animal Market and Costs

The global market size for emotional support animals is projected to reach over $5 billion by 2027
The average cost to obtain an emotional support animal certification ranges from $50 to $150
The cost of obtaining an emotional support animal letter from a licensed mental health professional varies by state and provider, ranging from $75 to $250
The market for emotional support animal accessories, such as vests and carriers, is estimated to be worth over $200 million globally

Emotional Support Animal Market and Costs Interpretation

As emotional support animals become a multibillion-dollar industry—from certification fees to accessories—it's clear that while these pets provide emotional comfort, they also generate significant economic cheer, prompting us to ask whether their comfort is genuine or just part of a thriving market pet project.

Health Benefits and Usage of Emotional Support Animals

About 50% of pet owners report that their animals significantly reduce stress and anxiety
Emotional support animals are often used to help manage conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD
Nearly 68% of pet owners believe their animals help improve their mental health
In a survey, 85% of emotional support animal owners said their animals improved their quality of life
Emotional support animals can contribute to reducing hospital readmission rates for psychiatric patients
FDA has not approved any medications or treatments for the efficacy of emotional support animals, focusing instead on human mental health treatments
Connecting with an emotional support animal can lower cortisol levels in humans, indicating reduced stress
About 45% of mental health practitioners support the use of emotional support animals for their clients
Behavioral studies show that emotional support animals can help improve social interactions among individuals with social anxiety
Emotional support animals have been shown to help reduce symptoms of PTSD in combat veterans, reducing hospitalization rates
Several studies indicate that the presence of an emotional support animal can decrease feelings of loneliness and depression
Approximately 65% of individuals with mental health conditions report that their emotional support animals help them participate more fully in daily activities
Emotional support animals contribute to improved heart rate variability and lower blood pressure in their owners, indicating physical health benefits
The rise of social media has boosted awareness and demand for emotional support animals, with hashtags related to ESAs receiving over 10 million mentions in 2023
Emotional support animals are sometimes used in therapy settings to facilitate socialization and emotional development, particularly in children and adolescents

Health Benefits and Usage of Emotional Support Animals Interpretation

While nearly half of pet owners claim emotional support animals significantly ease stress and improve mental health—with 85% asserting such animals enhance their quality of life—it's important to recognize that the FDA has yet to approve them as medical treatments, underscoring a complex mix of proven psychological benefits and the ongoing need for rigorous clinical validation.

Housing and Legal Regulations

The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to permit emotional support animals
Landlords are legally limited in their ability to refuse a rental application for having an emotional support animal
Emotional support animals are allowed in most housing regardless of breed restrictions
Emotional support animal certifications do not require formal training or registration by law, only a letter from a mental health professional
The majority of emotional support animals are allowed in retail stores under the ADA, with some exceptions
The number of lawsuits related to emotional support animals in housing disputes increased by 30% from 2018 to 2022
The average time required to secure an emotional support animal letter from a licensed therapist is approximately 1-2 weeks
Emotional support animals are not considered service animals and are thus not granted the same public access rights
The majority of states have legal provisions that protect emotional support animals in housing, but laws vary widely
The legal distinction between a service dog and an emotional support animal is significant in public spaces, with ESAs only protected in housing
The process to legally obtain an emotional support animal involves a mental health professional’s letter confirming the need, not formal certification
Schools and universities are increasingly allowing emotional support animals in dormitories and campus housing, with policies evolving rapidly
The legal requirement for emotional support animals is based on a diagnosis of a mental health condition and the need for the animal to assist in managing symptoms
Some countries outside the U.S., such as Canada and Australia, are beginning to recognize the role of emotional support animals with specific legal frameworks

Housing and Legal Regulations Interpretation

While emotional support animals have become legally protected companions that ease mental health burdens across many housing policies—yet lack formal training and face less public access rights— the rising number of disputes and varying state laws highlight the complex balancing act between compassion and regulation in the evolving landscape of mental health accommodation.

Pet Ownership and Demographics

Approximately 3 million people in the U.S. own an emotional support animal
Approximately 1 in 10 U.S. adults report owning an emotional support animal
The number of certified emotional support animals increased by over 150% between 2015 and 2020
Roughly 70% of emotional support animals are dogs, followed by cats and other animals
Training programs for emotional support animals typically last from 4 to 8 weeks
The demand for emotional support animals has increased by over 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic
Many pet insurance companies now offer coverage for emotional support animals
The average lifespan of an emotional support dog is approximately 12 years, similar to that of regular pet dogs
About 4% of pet owners in the U.S. are registered emotional support animal owners
Insurance claims for emotional support animals account for around 10% of pet insurance claims in the U.S.
The most common breed used as emotional support animals is the Labrador Retriever, followed by the Golden Retriever
There has been a 60% increase in online sales of emotional support animal certification documents since 2019
The percentage of U.S. households owning an emotional support animal has increased by 25% over the past five years
The average age of emotional support animal owners is around 45 years old, with a growing number of younger adults seeking ESAs for anxiety and depression

Pet Ownership and Demographics Interpretation

With over 3 million Americans claiming emotional support animals—mainly Labradors and Goldens trained in as little as eight weeks—it's clear that in a nation increasingly seeking solace in furry companions, the emotional support industry has experienced a 150% boom during the pandemic, transforming pets into nearly 10% of pet insurance claims and making "certification" online a rapidly growing (and sometimes dubious) trend.

Policy, Education, and Public Awareness

The number of airline complaints related to emotional support animals decreased by 40% after new regulations were implemented in 2021
Some airlines have banned emotional support animals from flights due to safety concerns
The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that over 400,000 emotional support animals were registered with airlines in 2019
Emotional support animals can be allowed in some workplaces under certain circumstances governed by the ADA, though policies vary

Policy, Education, and Public Awareness Interpretation

While the 40% drop in airline complaints following 2021 regulations hints at improved safety, the ongoing bans and varying ADA policies reflect the delicate balancing act between compassion and liability in the evolving landscape of emotional support animals.