Emotional Support Animal Letter
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What is an Emotional Support Animal Letter?
What it is: An ESA letter is how you can legally qualify for an emotional support animal in all 50 states. ESA owners have special rights when it comes to housing. They can live with their animal companions in buildings that don’t allow pets, without having to pay any extra fees or deposits. Not only that, but emotional support animals are also exempt from pet size and breed limitations. To get these benefits, you need an ESA letter from your licensed therapist or doctor.
What it contains: An ESA letter must be signed and dated by a licensed healthcare professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, social worker, doctor or nurse. The ESA letter should state that you have a mental health condition that is helped by the presence of an emotional support animal. ESA letters should also contain the provider’s license and contact information.
Defining emotional support animals: An emotional support animal can be any common household pet. Unlike service dogs, they do not require any specialized training. An emotional support animal does its job just by being there for its owner during difficult times. Emotional support animals are loyal best friends to people suffering from all kinds of mental health woes, including:
- Depression: The companionship of an ESA can often help to alleviate feelings of sadness or loneliness.
- Anxiety: ESAs can provide a soothing presence, helping to reduce feelings of nervousness and worry.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): For individuals who’ve experienced trauma, an ESA can provide a sense of security and comfort.
- Panic Disorders: An ESA can help calm their owner during a panic attack or in situations that cause high levels of stress.
- Bipolar Disorder: The routine and responsibilities that come with caring for an ESA can help regulate mood swings associated with this condition.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): The presence of an ESA can help distract the individual from engaging in compulsive behavior.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: ESAs, especially dogs and cats, have been known to improve social interaction and reduce anxiety among those with autism.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The presence of an ESA can promote routine and stability, which can be beneficial for those with ADHD.
How to get an ESA letter
- Connect with a healthcare professional
Find a therapist or doctor licensed for your state and ask to be evaluated for an ESA letter. If you’re not sure where to turn, you can use an online provider that specializes in the emotional support animal process.
- Have the provider evaluate your mental health
Discuss your mental health and why an ESA might help with your healthcare professional. The provider will assess whether you meet the criteria for owning an emotional support animal. It’s important at this stage to be transparent and honest about what you are going through and your needs.
- Request an ESA letter
If your healthcare professional confirms that you are eligible for an emotional support animal, ask them to document their opinion in an ESA letter. You will need to show your housing provider your ESA letter to prove that your pet is an official emotional support animal.
ESA Letter FAQs
To qualify for an emotional support animal, you must have a mental or emotional health disability. That means you have a mental or emotional illness that substantially limits one of your major life activities, such as the ability to work, sleep or socialize. If you have a chronic mental health issue and pets make you feel better, you might be a great candidate to be an ESA owner.
Your existing pet may already be the best choice to be your official emotional support animal. An ESA can be any type of household pet, such as a dog, cat, bird, gerbil, rabbit or fish. ESAs do not require specialized training, but they’re expected to be well-behaved and not cause any disturbances on the property. Most people designate their existing pet as their emotional support animal. If you don’t have a pet yet, you can adopt one after getting your ESA letter.
All housing providers, whether you live in a rental building, condo, co-op or HOA, must accept ESA letters. There are two exceptions to this: owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units and single-family homes sold or rented by the owner without the use of an agent.
ESA housing rules apply in every state. So whether you live in California or Florida, your housing provider has to comply. If your landlord rejects your ESA letter for any reason, they need a valid exemption and must also give you the specific reasons for the denial. It’s helpful to work with a healthcare professional that understands how to write successful ESA letters to minimize the chances of a rejection.
The only way to verify an emotional support animal is to ask for an ESA letter. Under U.S. housing rules, an ESA letter is the only way to prove that you have a legitimate emotional support animal. Your landlord can’t ask you for detailed information about your condition or medical history, nor can they ask you for additional paperwork.
An ESA letter is the only way to properly qualify for an emotional support animal. Once you have your ESA letter however, you’re free to obtain ESA accessories like ID cards. Registering an ESA with a registry is also at the ESA owner’s option. ID cards and ESA vests can be a great way to let your neighbors know that your pet is an emotional support animal that is exempt from the usual pet policies.
Free Shipping
On orders over $75, to all 50 US States!
Use free shipping code FREESHIPPING75
Buy Now, Pay Later
Pay in 4 interest-free payments.
Choose Pay Later at checkout. Learn more.
