Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

    Assistance, Emotional Support, & Service Animals

    The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) is requesting public input on the issue of Assistance, Emotional Support, and Service Animal Guidance. 

    Access the Guidance
    Provide Public Comment
    support animal guidance.png

    The proposed guidance explains how the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) evaluates cases involving assistance animals, including service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), guide animals, and support animals, under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (PFEOA). It applies to housing, commercial property, employment, public accommodations, and educational environments.

    Key Definitions:

    • Service Animals: Dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The PHRA’s use of the term “guide animal” is synonymous with this definition. Service Animals are not pets and must remain under the user's control at all times. No certification or license is required. 
    • Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): Provide therapeutic to an individual with a disability. Emotional Support Animals may also be referred to as Support Animals. ESAs are not trained for specific tasks.
    • Assistance Animals: Broad term used to describe service animals and/or ESAs.
    • Handler: Person responsible for the control and supervision of the animal.
    • Trainer: Person who trains or raises an assistance animal for individuals with disabilities. 

     

    How to provide feedback

    The PHRC is looking to hear from members of the public, advocacy organizations, housing providers, educators, employers, and other stakeholder. We would like to hear about your experiences, concerns, and suggestions. Public comment will be accepted via an online survey from October 1 through November 15, 2026. Before submitting comments, please access the guidance the read it in full. 

    In adddition, two virtual public meetings to solicit feedback on the guidance will be held  Tuesday, October 20, 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 21, 12:00-3:00 p.m. To attend, please register in advance for either the evening session or the afternoon session. If you would like to be heard during this listenign session, we ask that you indicate that when you register so we can allocate enough time for each speaker. We anticipate each speaker will be allocated up to five minutes to speak. If a registered speaker is more than 15 minutes late to a listening session, we will cancel their allotted slot. If there is time after all the speakers, we may be able to return to the speaker. Attendees to the listening session who did not register in advance will only be allocated time to speak if there is time after all registered speakers are finished. 

    After the 45-day public input period concludes, the PHRC will review comments and the guidance will then be brought before the Commission for final approval.