In short, no. Veterinarians cannot write an ESA letter because veterinarians are not specifically and legally qualified in the fields of mental health to make that judgment. Only a licensed mental health professional such as a Licensed Social Worker, Psychologist, or Psychiatric. Now, here’s the longer explanation as to why that’s the case:
A client asks you for a letter documenting that her dog is her emotional support animal so she can move into an assisted living facility. The veterinarian, however, for the protection of their profession and the welfare of the client, must argue that they cannot write an ESA letter. They must also state that it is under the jurisdiction of a licensed mental health professional to write the letter. This is because these emotional support animals are being seen as tools for people, that the pet is recommended by a mental health professional to help aid in the person’s mental disability or disorder.
Veterinarians focus their profession on the health and welfare of pets and animals, and not people. Thus, a veterinarian cannot write an ESA letter. However, veterinarians in specific cases do have some say on the actions of the animal itself.
What Can You Do to Get An ESA Letter?
Under the professional care of a mental health professional, such as a social worker, a therapist, or a psychologist they can recommend an ESA letter, stating that you require an emotional support animal for your living situation. According to Federal law, emotional support animals are only guaranteed access to housing, not access to public spaces such as hotels, restaurants, and other places of goods and services. Only two laws specifically regulate and govern the rights of emotional support animals, which includes:
The FHA or Fair Housing Act allows service animals and emotional support animals to live with their people, regardless of any community or landlord restrictions.
The ACAA, or the Air Carrier Access Act, allows service animals to fly with their people.
Qualify for an ESA Letter Online
The first step towards getting an ESA letter is to know if you qualify for an emotional support animal. Because emotional support animals perform functions related to mental disabilities, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, your disability must be listed under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to show the need for an ESA and thus, and ESA letter.
Next, you must connect with a licensed mental health professional. Below you can find a few examples of professionals that can qualify your pet as an emotional support animal:
Psychiatrists – Psychiatrists are licensed healthcare professionals with psychiatric training and can diagnose mental health conditions, treat and prescribe medications.
Psychologists – Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and can evaluate a person’s mental health using interviews, evaluations, and testing.
Counselors, Clinicians, Therapists – These mental health professionals have masters degrees and are trained to evaluate a person’s mental health.
All of these mental health professionals have the qualifications to diagnose, treat, and essentially approve you for an ESA letter, because emotional support animals are considered to be tools for mental disabilities. Once you find and work with a mental health professional about your disability, you’ll be able to ask for an ESA letter and argue your case for needing an emotional support animal in your life. Once they approve, you have an ESA letter and have, essentially, an emotional support animal by your side.
Qualify for Your ESA Letter Online
Get the Love and Support you deserve!
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