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How to Qualify for An Emotional Support Animal
![ESA pig in the streets of New York](https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/esa-pig_800x418-1.webp)
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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How can you get your dog to be considered as an emotional support animal?
To qualify for an ESA letter you need a letter from a licensed healthcare professional. Please see this link for more details: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
Can my rat qualify? This sounds like a joke but it’s not.
HUD allows for small, domesticated animals typically kept in the home for pleasure to be ESAs. Animals like gerbils, hamsters and mice have qualified as emotional support animals. We suggest speaking to a licensed healthcare professional about your particular situation.
I have a letter from my Doctor to get an emotional support dog since I am not the same since the deat of my husband. I am freightened to be alone and I can’t remember whyI get anxious all the time.
We applaud you for getting help for your situation and sincerely hope your emotional support dog helps get you through these tough times.