Nervous about asking your doctor or therapist for an ESA letter? You’re not alone; we estimate that 90% of people feel anxious about asking, but we’ll show you why there’s no need to be worried. We’ll help you work through what you could say to your therapist, primacy care physician, or licensed mental healthcare professional so you can approach them with confidence and advocate for your Emotional Support Animal.

What to Say to Your Licensed Healthcare Provider for an ESA Letter

If you want to make your pet a legally protected Emotional Support Animal, you need an ESA letter signed by a licensed mental health professional. You might find the idea of asking difficult, but that’s completely normal. It’s hard to speak openly about your mental and emotional health struggles, and you might be afraid of being judged or ridiculed for your desire to have an Emotional Support Animal.

It takes courage to ask for help, and you should be encouraged to know that hundreds of thousands of people depend on an Emotional Support Animal to get through the day.

Here are some things to say to your healthcare provider if you want an ESA letter:

  • “ I have been struggling with depression/anxiety/panic attacks, and I think having an Emotional Support Animal would make a difference. Could you help me with that? „
  • “ My pet dog/cat/bird always makes me feel better when I’m down or struggling with anxiety. I was wondering if you could help me qualify for an Emotional Support Animal. „
  • “ My new landlord won’t allow my dog into the apartment unless it is an Emotional Support Animal. I desperately need my dog to manage my mental health issues. Can we explore the possibility of an ESA letter? „
  • “ In the last session, we discussed my depression/anxiety/PTSD, and I thought a potential solution could be having an Emotional Support Animal. „
  • “ My pet is my best friend and the only thing keeping me afloat. Could you help me protect them with an ESA letter? „

Another Way to Ask for an ESA Letter

If your provider declines to write an ESA letter for you, don’t be discouraged. There are many reasons why a therapist won’t write an ESA letter unrelated to your actual need. It could be because they’re not familiar with ESA laws and ESA letters or they prefer not to talk to your landlord or their lawyers.

If that happens to you, or if you currently aren’t seeing anyone for your mental health, there is a simple and safe way to get an ESA letter remotely and with a professional licensed for your state. These healthcare professionals understand Emotional Support Animal benefits for mental health and won’t judge you or be caught off-guard by your request to write an ESA letter.

Start your ESA assessment online here