How To Get ESA Letter

Would you like to have the ability to take your pet with you everywhere you go? Here is how to get ESA letter for your pet.


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Dog Emotional Support Animal

Of course, I am going to be a tad bit bias toward dogs, it’s my nature. This program works for all kinds of pets though. in this article I am going to give you information on what you need to know about getting an emotional support animal and why you might do this.

There are several reasons one could need an emotional support animal. There are also some legalities to it and specific information you must know to follow through with this. You will need emotional support animal documentation or emotional support animal certification, to be clear, what you are looking for is an ESA Letter. This is what you will have to be qualified to get and have with you at all times.

There are a few things you will need to have before getting emotional support animal (ESA). I will help you understand the process and reasoning behind this wonderful effort for all the coolest dogs on the planet.

I Guess I Should Elaborate

Understanding the definition of an emotional support animal can help you decide if one might be right for you. Here are some of the basics.

An emotional support animal also referred to as an ESA, is a designated companion animal that provides comfort and support to a person dealing with a diagnosed emotional, mental, or psychological disability. An ESA can also be called an assistance animal or support animal and helps its owner or handler manage the symptoms of their mental or emotional condition.

For most people, their ESA fulfills their emotional needs simply by offering affection and companionship. Many patients also find an improved sense of well-being resulting from the daily routine of caring for their ESA.

The best emotional support animals are simply ones that provide the comfort and support needed by their owners. Dogs are cats are usually the most common type of ESA, but there is no limitation on the type of animal that can fulfill the ESA role. Ultimately, a good ESA is one that offers comfort, support, companionship, and positivity through their presence. Basic training to ensure good behavior in public places is important, and an ESA cannot pose a danger to other people or animals.

To be officially categorized as an ESA, the owner and animal must have the proper documentation in the form of an ESA Letter.

You May Have A Few Questions

Is an emotional support animal different from a service dog or therapy dog?

There are many different types of assistance animals, including emotional support animals, service dogs, and therapy dogs, each one serving a unique purpose.

  • Emotional Support Animal

An emotional support animal provides love, affection, compassion, and support to a specific person with a diagnosed mental or emotional condition. They do not perform a specific task or job; instead, their purpose is to offer relief in challenging situations.

  • Service Dog

A service dog assists a disabled individual, providing aid to people with visual impairment, mobility challenges, seizures, hearing loss, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and diabetes. Their role is to help their owner complete daily tasks, and many service dogs alert the owner in the event of an oncoming physical or emotional episode. Service dogs undergo intense training that enables them to help with specific functions and receive special certification upon completion.

  • Therapy Dog

Like an ESA, a therapy dog provides comfort and joy through their presence. However, a therapy dog typically works with large groups of people (not only a specific person), traveling with a handler to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other locations to offer therapeutic relief.

Can my pet be an emotional support animal?

Yes. An existing pet is an excellent candidate for becoming an ESA, especially because you have likely already formed a strong bond with the animal. Having a good connection with an existing pet is a good foundation for future ESA.

Can I qualify for an emotional support animal?

If you’re unsure if you might qualify for an ESA, keep reading to learn more.

How To Qualify For An ESA

There is a wide range of mental and emotional conditions that may qualify you for an emotional support animal. A licensed mental health professional will need to provide an evaluation and diagnosis in order for you to pursue an official ESA. Here are just a few of the common conditions that can allow you to obtain an emotional support pet:

  • Panic and anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Phobias
  • Mood disorders

ESAs have been found to provide significant relief for many patients suffering from symptoms of anxiety including severe stress/fear, insomnia, racing heart, and more.

Having an ESA can help PTSD sufferers engage in a positive emotional connection, reduce stress, and improve mood.

ADHD patients often find that an ESA can help add structure and routine to their daily life, as well as provide emotional comfort.

Many doctors are hesitant to write ESA letters due to a lack of knowledge and understanding. Although, Support Pets have a wide range of mental health professionals and doctors, which makes the process of receiving an ESA letter very easy. A growing number of people are finding ESAs to be a highly effective means for managing various symptoms, and support animals are becoming increasingly common.

Because ESAs do not undergo special training or receive certification, there is no specific organization or source for adopting ESA animals. Instead, your ESA can be a pet that you adopt or purchase from any shelter, rescue, or pet shop.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for an ESA:

  • Choose an animal that you feel a connection with, in order to set yourself up for the best possible results. The most common type of support pets is dogs or cats.
  • Your ESA will need to be relatively well-trained and able to handle the presence of other people and animals. Avoid choosing an overly aggressive or excitable animal. The animal should be able to function well in public without acting out or disturbing others.
  • While there are no rules about the types of animals that can serve as ESAs, there are a few limitations to understand. For example, an extremely large ESA (such as a horse) may pose challenges when searching for acceptable housing. Also, airlines are legally permitted to refuse spiders, rodents, reptiles, and sugar gliders, so those types of ESAs cannot accompany you on the airplane.

Once you find your ESA, you do not need to enroll in any specific training program but basic pet training will be useful to encourage positive behaviors.

Now You Need An ESA Letter

An ESA letter is an important and extremely useful document for anyone considering an ESA.

What is an ESA letter?

An ESA letter is the official documentation that “prescribes” an emotional support animal to an individual. The letter states that the person has a diagnosed disability and is allowed an ESA as a result. Note that the ESA letter applies to you as the patient, rather than a specific animal.

How do you get an ESA letter?

A licensed mental health professional can provide you with an ESA letter if they see fit. The letter must include their official letterhead, a dated signature, and other specific details that apply to your situation.

Why do you need an ESA letter?

An ESA letter functions as official ESA documentation, securing your rights under applicable ESA laws. You will need an ESA letter for air travel with your emotional support animal, as well as filing an official request for housing accommodations for your ESA. This emotional support animal documentation will help to protect your rights within the laws of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to name two.

Are You Ready

If you would like to be approved and get your ESA all you have to do is click on any link or banner on this page. I also have links in the sidebar of all my pages for Support Pets. I do this to help all the coolest dogs on the planet get out, be seen, and help their people too.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below and I will respond. As always if you would like to share a pic of your coolest dog on the planet, visit the gallery to find instructions there.

Now click below on the banner to get your ESA Letter!


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6 thoughts on “How To Get ESA Letter”

  1. Wow!  What an interesting article.  Thank you for presenting such details on how to secure an ESA for a pet.  Maybe I overlooked it, but I was trying to see is there is a fee association with getting an ESA letter?  This is truly great information.  Are there any special requirements for the pet?  In other words, are the required to be trained to a certain extent?  Thank you for this article.  I have forwarded it to a friend who really need this information.

    Reply
    • Hello Patricia,

      I did not mention the cost of the process of getting an ESA Letter. You can click this link and go to pricing to see the different options.

      There are no special requirements for an emotional support animal. You do have to own the pet though and the letter is for you and the pet. It will determine your need for the support animal and identify the pet as an ESA. 

      I hope this helps your friend!

      Thanks, Chad

      Reply
  2. Hey Chad!. Cool Article! I have nothing against this but Emotional Support” dogs?.  I  love animals (I always feel the need to defend myself on this topic) but they don’t BELONG everywhere- Just as babies don’t! And I love babies as well. I just do not think it is a great idea! You take them out to places where people who are allergic to dogs are? Would it be fair to them?

    Reply
    • Hello, 

      I understand your point and there are rules that must be followed. Places such as restaurants do have the right to deny access to any pets. There is a difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal too. An ESA letter will allow you to do more with your pet but does have limitations to suit the general public. 

      Having said that, once a doctor has reviewed the conditions that would need an emotional support animal such as anxiety or PTSD, one would have the ability to take their pet in public areas. If this weren’t allowed, would it be fair to say, a veteran to not be able to handle the stress in a public place without this support?

      There are so many examples we could go through but in the end, I believe the good outweighs the bad by far. I myself do not have an ESA letter and limit taking my dogs to where anyone can take them publicly. There are people out there that do need this and I will support helping them and their coolest dog on the planet.

      I thank you for the comment and for expressing your concern. Hopefully, I have responded in a way that will help people understand there is a need for this even if it is not right for them. 

      Thanks again,

      Chad

      Reply
  3. This is an amazing article! This could help so many people in the situation of needing assistance but they don’t know where to start. This really does break it down for anyone who feels as though they need their companion with them at all times. I really wouldn’t have a clue on where to start with any of this but it now a lot clearer than before. I would recommend anyone to look at this for any advice without a doubt! Thank you for a great article.

    Reply
    • Hey Ben, 

      It is a pleasure to help people when they need it. That is the whole point in this article. I am glad I have found this service and I am proud to get it out there. I think there are people out there that could use this information to improve their lives and they just are not aware that it is possible. 

      Even if folks don’t need an emotional support animal, there are so many benefits to having a dog as part of your family. Check out Benefits To Owning A Dog.

      Thanks,

      Chad

      Reply

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