Are you suffering from an emotional or mental disability? Do you think an emotional support animal may be the answer for you? You are not alone. More and more people are realizing the comforting effects a furry (or feathery/scaly) companion can bring. However, there’s more to getting an ESA than just calling your current pet one. If you are ready to make your pet an official ESA, you will need to understand the following:
- Figuring out who can write ESA Letter (sometimes mistakenly called an ESA Prescription) and general ESA Letter requirements
- If you can see a therapist face-to-face or seek support online
- What services to use and how to find a legitimate ESA organization
The Standard Face-to-Face Therapist
In order to be eligible for an emotional support animal, you must first be diagnosed with a mental or emotional condition as stated by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). This can be done by a professional therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist.
Seeking Support from an Online ESA Site
There are many online sources that you can use to obtain an ESA letter; however, these are not all created equal. ESA Doctors provides support and information for you and your ESA. Some just provide a paper document with no backing. Do your research to find those that truly want to help you.
Generally, you will have you fill out a questionnaire that can take up to 15 minutes to complete so your therapist can gauge where your issues lie. You will then make the payment for the service and your form will be reviewed by a certified licensed mental health professional. The LMHP should contact you directly with next steps. They may schedule a call to speak with you, if they find it necessary. If you qualify for an ESA, they will provide you with the proper ESA letter via mail or email.
Work with a therapist today to qualify for an ESA letter – travel without worry
The ESA Letter
Once you have been approved for an ESA letter, you may now call your animal an emotional support animal. Your LMHP should then fill out an ESA letter stating your need for an emotional support animal. The letter should include;
- Your need is listed specifically by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
- The official letterhead of the professional writing your ESA letter
- That an ESA is a necessary
In addition, the ESA recommendation letter (sometimes mistakenly called a prescription letter) must also be dated (and is only applicable for one-year) on your licensed mental health professional’s letterhead, with his/her signature, license number, and the place and date of where the license was first issued.
Can I really get an ESA Letter Online
Online ESA letter sites use a broad range of tactics and technologies to enhance a virtual experience and provide educational services. It is not a specific service, but rather a collection of means to enhance the assistance and education of a client.
When trying to obtain a proper ESA letter, using an online organization that follows all ESA laws will give you the assurance that you are following the laws and regulations set out for having an emotional support animal.
Make sure that the site follows all rules and regulations. Make sure that the licensed mental health professional specializes in online/telephone consults and provides the proper ESA letter for those that qualify. ESA letters should be accepted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Emotional Support Animals & You
Once you have an ESA and your approved documentation, you do have legal rights under Federal law. These include having access to “no pets” policy housing and to have your emotional support animal in the cabin of an aircraft while traveling.
Whether you use your a face-to-face professional or an online source, getting the help you need for your emotional support animal is important. ESA’s are more than just a family pet, they are there to bring you the comfort and confidence you may need to live a normal life. Ask your doctor today if having an ESA may be right for you.
Complete the ESA questionnaire below to see if you qualify for an ESA
Get the love and support you deserve.
So I have a number of mental health conditions. My therapist recognizes my 2 cats as my emotional support animals and has written a letter to identify them as a part of my mental health care treatment. My landlord sent this letter to a lawyer and now they are stating that the lawyer has only approved me for one support animal and I need to pay them for the other. Under what criteria would a lawyer be permitted to dictate my mental health requirement for only 1 ESA vs 2???
We’re not clear on why your second ESA was rejected, but under HUD guidelines you are allowed to have more than one ESA with proper documentation. You might find this article helpful: https://esadoctors.com/more-than-one-emotional-support-animal/
My physician agrees that an ESA would be a good fit for me. She asked that I bring the form she needs to fill out to complete the process. Is there a specific form that a physician needs to complete for an ESA or a specific letter that she must sign? I have looked but it doesn’t seem like there is anything official.
There is no specific form, your physician would need to sign a letter that follows HUD’s guidelines which you can find here: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PA/documents/HUDAsstAnimalNC1-28-2020.pdf
If you have a emotionally support animal can the apartments charge you for a pet deposit
Please see this article: https://esadoctors.com/esa-fees-refunded/
This article states: “ Your LMHP should then fill out an ESA letter stating your need for an emotional support animal. The letter should include; 1-Your need is listed specifically by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.”
This seems to insinuate that your ESA letter must state your mental health diagnosis in the letter itself. This cannot be true as this kind of personal information violates HIPA laws. If the letter stated that the “patient or client of the mental health professional is, in fact, a patient and that they do have a qualifying condition that allows for an ESA” would be sufficient information. Even that is borderline “too much” information, if you ask me. None of the general public nor airline workers, etc., need to be privy to exactly what one’s condition is.
Most ESA letters simply state the passenger has a disorder recognized under the DSM, per ACAA rules. Passengers do have a right to privacy when it comes to their specific diagnosis.