Amy Roberts, Founder @ ESA Registry UK | 6th April 2025 | hello@esaregistry.co.uk
It’s easy to get confused by all the different types of support dogs. You might hear terms like emotional support dog, therapy dog, and psychiatric assistance dog—and wonder what the difference is.
Each of these dogs helps people in different ways. In this guide, we’ll explain what each type of dog does, how they’re trained, and what rights they have in the UK.
An emotional support animal (often called an ESA) gives comfort to someone with mental health problems like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. ESAs don’t need special training—they help just by being there.
An Example: Someone with social anxiety might feel calmer at home just by having their ESA by their side.
A therapy dog visits places like hospitals, schools, or care homes to cheer people up and reduce stress. They don’t belong to one person and are usually handled by a volunteer.
An Example: A therapy dog might visit a care home each week to spend time with elderly residents
A psychiatric assistance dog (also called a psychiatric service dog) is trained to help someone with a diagnosed mental health condition, like severe PTSD or panic disorder. These dogs carry out specific tasks to support their owner.
Example: A person with PTSD might have a dog trained to calm them during a panic attack by licking their hand or nudging them.
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison to help you understand how they differ:
| Feature | Emotional Support Animal | Therapy Dog | Psychiatric Assistance Dog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supports | One person | Groups | One person |
| Task Training | No | No | Yes |
| Diagnosis | Yes | No | Yes |
| Public access | No | No | Yes |
| Housing support | Sometimes | No | Yes |
Each of these dogs plays a unique role: while they may all offer emotional comfort in different ways, the type of support they provide, the training they receive, and the legal rights they hold can vary significantly.
If you’re thinking about getting a support dog, it’s important to understand which type suits your needs—and what legal rights come with it. Need help registering your emotional support animal in the UK? We can help guide you through the process.
There’s no official government register for emotional support animals in the UK. But you can still show that your dog helps with your mental health.
Many people use private ESA registries like ESA Registry UK to get documents that explain their ESA’s role. This isn’t required by law, but it can be helpful when talking to landlords or others about your ESA’s support.
At ESA Registry UK, we’re more than just a registry — we’re a community that truly cares about emotional support animal (ESA) owners. We believe that emotional support animals can make a real difference in people’s lives by offering comfort, stability, and companionship.
Our mission is to help owners gain the recognition and support they deserve. We’re passionate advocates for raising awareness and promoting better understanding of the vital role ESAs play in mental health and emotional well-being.
Your emotional support animal plays an important role in your well-being, and we’re here to help you get the recognition they deserve. Ready to take the next step? Register your emotional support animal today.
Join us today, all from comfort of your home — fast, simple, and worry-free.
hello@esaregistry.co.uk
© ESA Registry UK 2025