Emotional support animals are some of the best companions that you can have. They can help you with mental health issues and improve your quality of life. While emotional support animals are great, not every animal can be an ESA. What’s more, you need to have a letter from a doctor if you want your ESA to be valid; otherwise, you may have to pay pet fees, or worse, face eviction.
The good news is that we have your back. If you’re curious about how to get an ESA letter, you’ve come to the right place. Learn how to get ESA letter from doctor in our guide.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal (ESA) is a unique animal that’s slightly different from a pet. The difference is that emotional support animals provide comfort and mental health care for people who have mental health issues. Some common reasons to have an ESA include loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
Unlike service animals, emotional support animals can be any type of animal. However, they don’t have the same protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), so ESAs only receive housing rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
For these reasons, you can only get approval for them in housing, and you’ll have to call ahead for public access spaces, private business access, and airline travel.
What Is an ESA Letter?
An ESA letter is what allows you to have an ESA in otherwise non-pet-friendly housing. These are letters that are filled out by a licensed mental health professional, and they grant you permission to bring your animal with you regardless of where you live. This is because landlords can’t discriminate against people who have mental health conditions, which is outlined under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
ESA letters must contain information about you, your condition, and the animal you live with. The letter also needs to highlight why you need an ESA and how they can help.
How to Get ESA Letter From Doctor
There are two ways to get an ESA letter from your doctor. You can either go through a healthcare provider that you already have, or you can connect with one online. Learn more about both options below to determine which path is right for you.
Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment
If you have a doctor already, you can schedule an appointment and ask them about adding an ESA into the mix. Now, not every doctor can approve an ESA letter, so make sure you work with a doctor who’s a licensed mental health professional. Typically, this is a therapist or another type of mental health professional.
To get approved for the letter, you’ll need them to write a letter explaining that you need an ESA. It should include your health condition, why you need an ESA letter, and information about the specific animal. The letter also needs to be signed by them.
While this is a great method if you have a trusted therapist already, if you don’t have one, the costs for appointments can snowball, especially if insurance doesn’t cover the visit. For these reasons, an online alternative is a good option for many people.
Emotional Support Animal
Another great way to get an ESA letter is to work with an organization like Emotional Support Animal. The organization will connect you with licensed mental health professionals after you provide some information online.
You’ll need to provide details about your condition, your pet, and how an ESA will improve your lifestyle. From there, you’ll schedule a telehealth call with a licensed mental health professional who will determine your eligibility.
Then, it comes down to paying the fee and waiting for your ESA letter to arrive in the mail.
How to Get ESA Letter From Doctor Today
Are you ready to get an ESA letter from doctor? Connect with licensed mental health professionals online, or schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. Make sure your animal is well-behaved, and do your best to ensure that they’re the right size and temperament for your space.
Once you receive your ESA letter, make sure you’re prepared to provide proof to your landlord, especially if they ask. Unlike service animals, they have the right to ask.
