Are you finding it difficult to work up the courage to ask your doctor about an emotional support animal? You’re not alone. Many people feel embarrassed about bringing up the subject or fear being rejected or judged.
If you don’t feel comfortable asking your primary caregiver or therapist, we can help with our secure, private, and comfortable online process with a licensed professional for your state. They’re experienced with people with your needs and never judge. In fact, we’ve helped more than 100,000 people get their letters, many of who didn’t feel comfortable asking their primary care provider. Below, we also added some ideas to help you build courage because there is no shame and no reason to be nervous about asking.
How to ask a doctor or therapist for an ESA letter
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor
Schedule an appointment as you normally would. Prepare what you want to say to your doctor beforehand to alleviate any nerves during your consultation. - Share openly about your condition
Inform your doctor about the emotional or mental difficulties you’re experiencing, and explain how your pet significantly aids you in managing these challenges. - Ask your doctor if they can write you an ESA letter
Inform your doctor that an ESA letter would help you keep your emotional support animal to support your mental health by giving you access to no-pet apartments, and exemption from pet deposit and monthly pet fees. - Turn to ESADoctors.com, if needed
If your doctor can’t write an ESA letter for you or says no, try using ESA Doctors. They’ll connect you to a therapist who understands the therapeutic benefits of emotional support animals.
Get your letter with us instead
A few talking points to use when asking your doctor
- “I’ve been reading a lot about how emotional support animals can really support mental health. I was wondering if that is something you could help with.”
- “I’ve been having a hard time with my mental health lately, and I think an emotional support animal could make a big difference. I was wondering if you could help me with an ESA letter.”
- “I want to move into a new building that doesn’t allow for dogs unless they’re an emotional support animal. My dog is a lifeline for my depression/anxiety/panic attacks. Could you help me qualify for an ESA?”
- “We previously talked about my mental health issues and possible treatments. I’m not responding well to them so far. I do know that animals make me feel better. Is an ESA letter something you can give me?”
My doctor won’t write an ESA Letter for me
You still have options to get an ESA letter when your doctor or therapist doesn’t write one:
- Try finding a local therapist that specializes in emotional support animals.
- Save time and money by using an online service like ours, where we connect you with a licensed mental health professional in your state who does this work.
By using an online service like ours, you won’t have to spend time talking to doctors you have never met about needing a letter, reducing any stress or concerns you have about sharing your situation with strangers. Each healthcare professional we work with understands the value ESAs bring to their owners. They will work with you through online evaluations.
Ready to see if you qualify? Click on the link below to get started today.
Who else other than your doctor can you ask for an ESA Letter?
According to guidelines from the U.S. Department of Housing, an emotional support animal letter must come from a “licensed healthcare professional.”
That includes the following providers:
- psychiatrists
- psychologists
- clinical social workers
- physicians
- nurses, nurse practitioners
- physician’s assistants
- licensed counselors
A primary care physician can technically write an ESA letter, but keep in mind that most ESA letters are not from doctors.
We will help you through every step of the process.
Get your Emotional Support Animal Letter Today
Get the Love and Support you deserve.
My landlord has a form that has to be filled out by the physician. Does ESA doctors fill out forms generated by the landlord?
Landlord cannot insist on a specific form from healthcare providers. They must rely on the ESA letter written by the provider if it meets HUD’s requirements.
Hello I wanted to ask a few questions.
1) can osteopathic physicians give out Esa papers?
2) what are the red flags to see for a company that is not a real ESA helpers ?
Physicians are one type of licensed healthcare professional permitted to write ESA letters. For red flags, please see this article: https://esadoctors.com/dont-be-scammed-fake-esa-letters/
Hi there, I am looking into renting a house within the next couple months. I’ve registered my Dog as an ESA but I am not sure what I need to do next. I know that the property management I will work with requires ESA documentation. Is the next step to receive a letter? I filled out the questionnaire form on your site and I want to know if an online doctor will be reviewing for me. I just want to make sure what my dog (Pitbull) will be able to move in with me free of charge seeing as she is my necessary support animal. Please let me know my next step as I only filled out the questions on the website and from viewing all of the comments it looks like a doctor to sign off/approve so that I can submit that to the property management. Let me know, thanks!
You cannot qualify for an ESA by “registering it”. The only way to qualify for an ESA is to have a signed letter from a licensed healthcare professional. HUD allows landlords to demand an ESA letter as proof that a tenant has a valid emotional support animal. Please see this link for more info: https://esadoctors.com/esa-letter/
Is there a max period of time I have to meet between my letter and adoption of my ESA? I want to register for 3 pets but we don’t plan on adopting our third pet for another 6 months. Also, is our landlord allowed to ask or keep information about our ESAs? For example, if they ask for a picture and I haven’t adopted the pet yet, what do I say?
There is no time limit but most ESA owners either already have their ESA or plan to get one soon when they get their ESA letter.
What do I do once I have a letter from my LMPH?
You can submit it to your landlord to let them know that you have an emotional support animal.
We don’t have an animal yet. Is it possible to get a letter first or does my animal information have to be on the letter
You are allowed to get an ESA letter before or after adopting your ESA.
I have an ESD now can I let family and friends walk my dog in a dog restricted community?
We’re not 100% clear on your situation, but generally speaking ESA rights are specific to the owner of the ESA that possess the ESA letter.
I have a dog in argentina, and a psycologist here. Can he make a letter for me, or it has to be a US psycologist? I am moving during the fall to start clasees.
It would be better to get a letter from a U.S. licensed healthcare professional (and it does not have to be a psychologist). Landlords generally will want a letter from a professional that is licensed for your state. Please see this link for how we can help you: https://esadoctors.com/esa-letter/
My landlord says that there is only one esa allowed per apartment but my wife has an ESA and I need one as well, is what she’s telling me true?
We think you’ll find this article useful: https://esadoctors.com/more-than-one-emotional-support-animal/
hello, if I would like to register with you but I am under 18 (17) and I need the ESA paper since ill be coming to the US in august to start my fall semester (note I live in Saudi Arabia )
Unfortunately the LMHPs we work with can only assist adults. We would be happy to help you once you turn 18 however.
I have anxiety and when i get a question wrong at school or say something wrong i pinch myself and say bad things to myself in my head. can i get a ESA or do i not qualify for one ?
It’s best for a licensed healthcare professional to make that determination. If you would like to be connected to one, you can get started here: https://esadoctors.com/esa-questionnaire/