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How to Qualify for An Emotional Support Animal
Overview
If you have an emotional disability, you can legally qualify for an ESA, short for an emotional support animal. You must have documentation of an emotional or mental disability from a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or other duly licensed and/or certified mental health professional. This certification should be a formal and appropriately formatted letter, known as an ESA Letter.
To qualify for an Emotional Support Animal, your ESA letter must be written on the mental health professional’s letterhead, including their license type, date of the license, license number, the state of the license, and the date the letter was written.
What the Letter Must Contain
Your ESA letter must contain some details which will inform your landlord that:
- You are a current patient of the signing mental health professional
- You have a mental disability that is covered by the Fair Housing Act
- Your disability substantially limits you in performing or participating in at least one major life activity
- An Emotional Support Animal is an integral part of relieving symptoms of your current condition
It is recommended that the ESA letter be no older than a year.
What Disorders Qualify You as An Emotional Support Animal Owner
Some conditions that qualify for an ESA letter include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Panic Disorders
- Learning disorders
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Tourette’s syndrome and tic disorders
- Motor skill disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Dysphorias and dysmorphias
Emotional Support Animal Training
Unlike service animals, ESAs are not required to be trained to perform a service for their handlers. Your current pet may already be serving as your emotional support animal. To achieve official recognition, however, you must have an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.
See if you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal letter by clicking the link below.
About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.
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can I get an emotional support animal if I’m under 18
Yes, there is no age limit on getting an ESA. You will still need your therapist to issue an ESA letter, and your legal guardian needs to sign any papers for you. You may find this article on how to get an ESA letter interesting: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
Do I have to be labeled “disabled” to qualify for an ESA?
It is a little unfortunate you feel that a disability is a label. But, to qualify for an ESA, you do need to talk to a therapist and doctor about your emotional or mental disability. If you feel uncomfortable discussing this with your current doctor, or don’t have a therapist, then you may consider connecting with one online through telehealth. Together you will assess if an ESA is a good fit as part of your treatment, and if approved, they will issue an ESA letter. In this letter, the details of your disability will not be revealed, but the ESA letter is official, and you will share it with landlords or airlines to attest to your needs for an ESA.
You may find this article on how to get an ESA letter interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
A landlord or anyone else that asks you for a registration number, certificate or ID proving your dog is an emotional support animal is misinformed. The only proof you need is the ESA letter written by a licensed professional stating your need for an emotional support dog.
Can I get my dog qualified as a emmotional support animal because I recently lost my husband after 55 years and I can’t bear to be away from her.
You may speak to your doctor or therapist to see if you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal. They will assess your needs and if you’re approved write an ESA Letter which makes your dog legally an emotional support dog. You may find this article on how to get an ESA Letter interesting – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
Would I be able to register my duck as an emotional support animal even though I am not diagnosed with any mental illnesses?
No, you need to connect with a licensed medical health professional who will diagnose your mental disability and determine if you’re a candidate for an emotional support duck. If you qualify, they will issue the necessary ESA letter. Claiming any animal as an ESA with a legitimate ESA letter is fraudulent. You may find this article on how to get an ESA letter interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
As long as the duck is not an ugly duck.