Letter For Emotional Support Animal
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How To Get A Letter For Emotional Support Animal

ByBrit on the Move

Getting a letter for emotional support animals has become a pesky topic. New regulations, airline policies, and overall trends influence what was once an easy task.

The bonds we form with our pets are one of our most precious connections. They are our companions. Day after day, we share our joy with them, our triumphs, frustration, and pain. They are there for us when we need them. When they rest their heads in our lap, reminding us that they’re close, or when taking them for a walk is the only thing getting us out of the house.

Our pets make us happier! They also have the power to help us lead more well-adjusted and fulfilling lives. For those who rely on their pets for essential emotional support, an ESA approval will let you legally bring your pet anywhere you live or travel.

Letter For Emotional Support Animal

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Bring Your Pet Anywhere, Legally

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is more than just a pet. They’re a source of comfort and relief from mental health afflictions like anxiety, depression, extreme stress, and more. Their presence can help calm someone experiencing sensory overload in a hardware store. They can also be the reason why someone on the verge of a breakdown doesn’t have a panic attack.

When you seek ESA approval for your pet, you can solidify their place by your side—where you live, where you go, and how you get there.

Many rental properties say they won’t allow pets or, if they do, require extra pet fees. These policies deter those with emotional support animals, even though they have every right to live in these spaces.

Critical Differences Between Pets vs Emotional Support Animals

ESA owners must be certified by a psychiatrist, therapist, or other mental health professional as emotionally disabled.  In contrast, virtually anyone can adopt a pet of their choice.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA)

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits discrimination against tenants with disabilities, including mental health disorders. Under the FHA, landlords must make “reasonable accommodations” for those with emotional support animals, even if they have a ‘no pets’ policy. This law extends to college students living in dorm rooms and those seeking to buy or rent a home, secure housing assistance, or qualify for a mortgage.

Landlords and building managers implement pet bans to protect against property damage. But emotional support animals aren’t ordinary pets and shouldn’t be treated the same. ‘No pet’ policies contribute to further shrinking the available housing market for those with mental health disabilities. The Fair Housing Act has worked to correct these inconsistencies.

Traveling can be nerve-wracking for anyone. But for those with severe mental health struggles, it can be completely overwhelming. For some, being emotionally present around new people or places can feel almost impossible. For others, large groups are panic-inducing. With ESA approval, you can confidently bring your pet along on trains, rideshares, shops and restaurants, popular attractions, and more—no matter where you are.

How to Get A Letter For Emotional Support Animal & Qualify for an ESA Approval

Your pet is a crucial support to your emotional well-being. Now, make it official. Support Pets makes it easy to get an ESA letter in three easy steps.

  • Qualify online when you take a comprehensive quiz about your pet and why you require an emotional support animal
  • Order your pet’s ESA for housing, travel, and errands/general tasks
  • A doctor will review and approve your ESA request within 48 hours

Where can I get a letter for emotional support animals?

Ask Your Therapist for an ESA Letter. This can be a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, social worker, registered nurse, physician’s assistant, or other licensed professional familiar with your mental and emotional health.

What needs to be in an emotional support animal letter?

What Does an ESA Letter Say? An ESA letter is written by a practicing Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) and must include their license number, type, and the date it was issued. Furthermore, it needs to contain the date the ESA letter was issued and the signature of the LMHP who issued the ESA letter.

Can a physician write an ESA letter?

Your primary care physician, or family doctor, can issue an emotional support animal letter as long as they are licensed. If you have a family doctor who helps with your health conditions, you can consult with them about the advisability of an emotional support animal. 

Letter For Emotional Support Animals

How do I get an emotional support animal letter online?

How to qualify for an ESA online:

  • Recognize your need for an ESA.
  • Connect with a licensed healthcare professional.
  • Communicate your need for an ESA.
  • Request an ESA letter from your LHCP.

How much does an ESA letter cost?

The cost for a renewal assessment and issuance of an ESA prescriptive letter for flying valid for one (1) year is $95. The ESA letter you receive for Housing has no expiration date and is suitable for the entire term of your lease or ownership.

Is it hard to get an ESA letter?

The process for securing an ESA letter is not complicated, especially if you are currently experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression. Explain to a doctor why you think an animal would enhance your therapy and why you need them to travel with you or live with you in housing that otherwise would not allow animals.

Apply Now for your emotional support animal letter online!

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6 Comments

  1. Despite the fact that loss is an inevitable part of life, it is difficult for me to deal with grief alone. My pain is unbearable.

    Reply

  2. To obtain a letter for an emotional support animal, you will need to see a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychiatrist. They will assess your mental health condition and determine if an emotional support animal would be beneficial for your treatment. If they determine that an emotional support animal would be helpful, they will write a letter on their letterhead stating that you have a mental health condition and that an emotional support animal is necessary for your treatment. This letter can be used to request accommodations, such as being allowed to bring the animal into a rental property or on a flight.

    Reply

  3. I always wanted to travel with someone who can help me relax myself because of my anxiety situation (that kept on getting worse by time). Since I had no-one, so I decided to adopt a pet (thought for a cat but ended up getting a dog). Since then all my air travels had been much easier. When I came to know the news of airlines banning emotional support animals, it had me panicked. However, its not entirely true, a few airlines still accept esa letters. Had been with Hawaiian Airlines, and my letter was accepted. So, make sure to confirm with your airlines before your travel.

    Reply

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