Are you looking to get an emotional support animal letter in the USA? You’ve come to the right place! If you feel like you could benefit from the companionship of an ESA, getting one isn’t too difficult, as long as you have these things in order. You need to understand the requirements for getting an ESA letter so that you can prepare yourself accordingly and so that you can apply when the time comes. This article will help walk you through your ESA letter application so that you don’t miss anything important along the way!
What is an ESA?
An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides therapeutic benefit through companionship. A mental health professional writes an ESA letter, which proves the person has a disability and is entitled to have the animal accompany them in public spaces. ESAs improve the owner’s quality of life by boosting their self-esteem and confidence, calming and comforting them when they feel anxious or stressed, and providing unconditional love. Who Can Qualify for an ESA?: Anyone who lives with a mental illness can qualify for an ESA letter. People with depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other conditions can all benefit from having an ESA.
Does my pet qualify as an ESA?
Your pet may qualify as an emotional support animal if she comforts you when you are stressed or anxious and helps you feel safe, secure, or at ease. You must have an ESA letter from a medical professional who can verify that the benefits of the ESA outweigh any financial burden the owner may have. An ESA letter is required for housing with some exceptions. Title II and III of the ADA do not cover service animals that do not provide specific services for an individual’s disability. In most cases, however, it’s possible to obtain one without providing proof of a mental health diagnosis. This might be because your doctor thinks it would be more harmful than helpful to write such a letter or because he doesn’t believe your situation meets DSM-5 criteria for anxiety disorder. In addition, there are instances where an ESA might be considered inappropriate.
Where can I get a letter?
One of our therapists can write a letter for you that states your emotional support animal is a reasonable accommodation, meaning it would be effective for you and benefit your health. You’ll need to provide us with information about your disability, any time you’ve lived with an ESA, and give your current therapist (if applicable) as a reference. Once we have that information, we’ll reach out and discuss payment, questions/concerns, etc. If you need assistance with what medical information needs to be included in your letter or how best to structure it, feel free to ask us before we start working on it.
What should I be aware of before getting a letter?
A lot of people think that getting a letter from a mental health professional stating that they are unable to function without an emotional support animal, means they can go get any breed of dog, bring it home and live happily ever after. It’s not always that simple. For instance, many apartment complexes or landlords will have a breed restriction policy. It’s recommended that you check with your landlord/complex before trying to obtain a letter for your dog as well as contact your insurance company and/or HR department at work regarding potential discrimination issues if you decide to bring your ESA into work with you.
What to do if you need help or have questions
An emotional support animal (ESA) is not the same as a service dog, but they are often confused. The difference is an ESA is meant to help its owner with emotional support and comfort while a service dog is trained to help with physical limitations and provide tasks their owner may need help with, such as opening doors or picking up objects. If you need an ESA letter for your pet, you can get it from an accredited therapist or doctor and then use it as part of your pet’s documentation when traveling. With other legal documents like passports, however, only a licensed physician who specializes in animals can verify that an ESA letter is required for air travel. To learn more about emotional support animals in general, visit our guide here.
