From ESA to Service Dog: Navigating Verification, Documentation & Denial Risks

Assistance animal requests continue to rise - and so do the compliance risks for housing providers. Confusion around what qualifies as a service animal versus an emotional support animal (ESA) can lead to inconsistent decisions, improper documentation requests, or denials that trigger Fair Housing complaints.

In this practical and clarity-driven session, expert Joseph Henry guides you through the exact steps to evaluate assistance animal requests lawfully and confidently. You’ll learn how to distinguish between ESAs and service animals, understand what verification is permissible, and recognize the red flags that often lead to enforcement actions. This webinar is designed to help you reduce liability, streamline your process, and protect both your properties and your residents’ rights.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the legal definitions and distinctions between ESAs and service animals
• Learn what information you may request - and what you must avoid - to stay compliant
• Review HUD’s latest guidance on documentation, online certifications, and disability-related need
• Identify high-risk scenarios that commonly result in denials or legal disputes
• Gain a decision-making framework for approving, denying, or requesting more information
• Apply best practices for consistent, defensible Fair Housing compliance

Who Should Attend

• Property Managers & Leasing Teams
• Compliance Officers & Fair Housing Specialists
• Owners, Operators & Asset Managers
• Affordable Housing Professionals (HUD, LIHTC, RD)
• Attorneys & Legal/Administrative Staff supporting housing operations

Speaker(s)

Joseph Henry

Joseph Henry brings 38 years of experience to the Affordable Housing industry. Starting as a maintenance person and advancing to Director of one of the largest management companies in the Nation, Joe brings a real-life perspective to why we do what we do.

Unlimited Webinars

Access Unlimited Webinars

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Why You Should Subscribe?

Unlimited Live and On-Demand Courses

Watch all live or recorded webinars (up to 120 minutes long). Get instant access to a library of more than 500 high quality courses presented by best-in-class presenters.

CEUs: PAYROLLORG, CPE, SHRM and HRCI Credits

Fulfil your recertification requirements by earning CEUs from PAYROLLORG, CPE, SHRM and HRCI.

Free Access to Course Materials

Each program comes with Additional Course Materials, which you can download and read anytime.

Additional Discounts

Get flat 20% discount on Premium Product Category like, Long Hour Webinars.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Call Now At

888-527-3477

Email Us At

help@complianceprime.com