Emotional Support Animals, Assistance Animals & Therapy Animals Explained

Our furry companions can have wonderful benefits on our emotional well-being and mental health. Some trained animals can even help in daily life for people living with a disability, acting as disability supports and helping you reach your goals.

When it comes to NDIS funding for animals, there is a legal and technical difference between emotional support animals, assistance animals, and therapy animals. Only assistance animals are currently classified as NDIS supports. Therapy animals, pets, and companion animals do not qualify for funding.

What is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal (also known as an ESA) provides company and comfort to their owner. They are commonly used to emotionally support people experiencing common conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or phobias. 

Unlike assistance dogs, emotional support animals don’t necessarily have to be a certain type. Nor do they need to be a certain size, or breed, or have special training to provide support for your mental health and emotional well-being.

The NDIS does not fund emotional support animals, their training, or their care. They are considered pets as they do not usually relate to a specific disability need. This doesn’t mean you cannot have a companion animal, or that it’s not a good idea – just that it won’t be funded by the NDIS.

Where can I find an ESA?

If you would like an emotional support dog or other animal, you can find a four-legged friend through the usual channels – pet rescues or shelters, or through a responsible breeder if you would prefer a certain breed for temperament.

For example, a labrador retriever may be ideal for emotional support as these dogs are highly trainable and known for being calm.

Keep in mind that emotional support animals don’t have the same rights and protections under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 as certified assistance animals. You will not be able to take them to shopping centres or on plane trips for assistive purposes, and any public spaces will not be obligated to accommodate emotional support animals.

What is an Assistance Animal?

Assistance animals are trained and working service animals, not pets.

They have a job to do and the training to get it done. Think of them as your furry support workers; they even come with accreditations from an animal training organisation prescribed by the Australian Government.

This support can be in your home and in public spaces. Service animals are permitted by federal law to have full access to public spaces. This includes taxis, public transport, public buildings, restaurants, shops, and events – all the places a member of the public might reasonably be.

Assistance animals respond to your specific needs to help with activities that may have otherwise been too challenging or can act as medical aids for your particular disability. For example:

• Hearing assistance
• Physical assistance
• Dog guides for individuals with visual impairment

In terms of funding categories, these animals are considered assistive technology. The NDIS will generally only fund an assistance dog that has passed or will pass a Public Access Test – these tests are specific to the state or territory you live in.

What does NDIS funding cover?

The NDIS will fund support provided by eligible assistance animals including:

• Assessment, matching and provision of a suitable animal
• Dietary needs (their food supplies)
• Grooming
• Vet services: Flea and worm treatments, medications, vaccinations
• Ongoing yearly reviews for maintaining accreditation

Most costs associated with service animal welfare will be covered by the funding. However, some items like pet insurance or the pet deposit on accommodation aren’t covered – so be sure to double-check before submitting any claims.

Can I use NDIS funds to train my pet for service?

No, you cannot use NDIS funds to train your own pet as an assistance animal. While your dog or other pet may bring you a lot of comfort, the NDIS won’t fund the costs of training them to be an assistance animal. 

Funding the training of assistance animals, in general, isn’t something done by the NDIS; the funds are intended to help with the wellbeing of the animal, to make sure they can continue helping you to achieve your goals or reduce the need for other supports.

It is technically possible for your pet to become a service dog, but you would need to fund specific training privately so they can meet the correct standards under Australian law.

What is a Therapy Animal?

This one can be a little confusing, because ‘therapy animals’, ‘animal therapy’ and ‘animal-assisted therapy’ address different things. Let’s look at these terms closer:

Therapy animals

Therapy animals can be similar to an ESA, such as a therapy dog to reduce stress or provide companionship.

While having a therapy dog can bring immense personal comfort, this will not be funded by the NDIS for the same reasons as an ESA – the presence of a therapy animal doesn’t help with achieving specific tasks related to your disability.

Animal therapy

This can range from something like puppy therapy or equine therapy to social activities involving animals.

Alternative therapies like animal therapy are not evidence-based, so their benefit to participants cannot be proven as ‘reasonable and necessary’ like other NDIS supports. 

Positive experience animal therapy is not considered the same as animal-assisted therapeutic interventions – even if the activity is provided by an allied health professional.

Additionally, recreational or social activities involving animals are generally considered costs everyone must pay. For example: if you wanted to go horse riding, the entry fees for this activity would not be covered by the NDIS. However, the cost of barriers to your participation, such as transport, may qualify.

Animal-assisted therapy 

This approach uses animals as therapy tools, such as to improve calm and focus during a therapy session, or to help a client stay steady while moving. The therapy itself is delivered by an allied health professional such as an occupational therapist.

This may be funded as NDIS therapeutic support, as the therapy itself is proven and considered reasonable under NDIS guidelines.

See related: What Can NDIS Funding Be Used For?

How NDSP can help

While we can’t train any beloved pet dogs into service dogs, we can offer support in other ways to help your NDIS journey.

As NDIS Plan Managers, NDSP can help you by managing the financial aspects of your plan. We’ll handle the administration, budget tracking, and provider invoices – so you can get on with the good stuff, like enjoying the unconditional love of an animal (service-ready or otherwise).

Our friendly team are NDIS experts. If you have questions, we have answers! Why not contact NDSP today and see how we can help you.