If you have anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, you may have heard about Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). These animals offer comfort, friendship, and emotional stabilisation for people who need it. However, to have your pet as an ESA, you need one important document — the ESA letter.
In this article, we will walk you through the process of obtaining an ESA letter from a doctor, what should be included in it, who is eligible for ESAs, and how to avoid fraudulent ESA letters.
What is an ESA Letter and Why is it Important?
An ESA letter is a letter provided by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or counsellor. This letter is a formal document that states you have an emotional or psychological disability, and your emotional symptoms can be mitigated through the presence of an animal.
An ESA letter will provide you with the ability to have some legal protections under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) in certain residential situations. For example, in a no-pet housing situation, a landlord would have to allow your ESA to reside with you. To summarise, an ESA letter is a document that states your animal does not function solely as a pet, but instead is a necessary part of your treatment for mental health.
Step 1: Find Out If You Are Eligible for an ESA Letter
Before inquiring how do I get an ESA letter from a doctor, the first thing is to find out if you qualify: You may qualify if you have been diagnosed with any of the following:
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Generalised anxiety disorder
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Depression or mood disorder
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Panic disorder or PTSD
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Phobias or social anxiety
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or other emotional difficulties
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Severe loneliness or stress
If your emotional conditions interfere with you living your life normally or limit your ability to function normally, you most likely qualify for an ESA letter.
Step 2: Schedule A Consultation with a Licensed Doctor or Therapist
The next thing to do is talk to a licensed medical professional. You can see them in person or virtually. During your meeting, the doctor will assess your emotional situation and determine if an ESA is appropriate for you.
If you’re asking which doctor can write an ESA letter, the answer should be,
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Psychiatrists
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Psychologists
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Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)
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Therapists or counsellors
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Primary care physicians (in some cases)
However, keep in mind that not all doctors can provide ESA letters, so be sure your provider is a licensed mental health professional with clinical experience with the diagnosis.
Step 3: Receive a Thorough Evaluation
During your evaluation, the doctor or therapist will:
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Review your mental health history.
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Evaluate your symptoms and triggers.
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Explore how an ESA can help you emotionally.
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Make recommendations on selecting an appropriate animal.
If they believe an emotional support animal can help improve your condition, they will sign an ESA letter for you that includes their license number and contact information.
Step 4: Decide Between Online Reviews and In-Person Evaluation
In the age of online shopping, you can get an ESA letter online as well, just be sure that it’s a legitimate website that connects you with an actual licensed professional.
Online ESA letter services are a great option if:
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You don’t have local mental health providers to choose from.
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You’d prefer a telehealth evaluation.
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You’d like the letter to be issued digitally so you have less wait time for access.
But be aware! Here are some things to look for with websites that:
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If they give you a lay ESA letter after a few questions, with no live clinical consultation.
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Don’t have actual doctor credentials.
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Guarantee “100% approval” before reviewing your clinical symptoms and condition.
A good provider will ALWAYS want to do an evaluation first, then issue a signed ESA letter, not before checking on your eligibility first.
Step 5: Understand What a Proper ESA Letter Should Include
For an ESA letter to be considered valid, it has to fulfil certain requirements. Before you send in your ESA letter anywhere, your ESA letter should contain:
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Your name and an indication of your emotional disability.
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The provider’s name, license number, and the state in which they are licensed.
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Your letter needs to have an official signature and the date on which it was issued (the letter must be dated within the last year).
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A statement that says the person can use an ESA to help cope with their emotional impairment.
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Contact information for the licensed provider for verification.
If any elements are missing, landlords may deny the ESA letter or even the college, etc.
Step 6: Get a New ESA Letter Every Year
Most ESA letters are valid for 12 months, and if you want to protect your legal rights, you ideally get a new ESA letter every year. This usually consists of a follow-up appointment where the provider evaluates your mental health and determines if you need the assistance of an ESA to manage your emotional disorder and symptoms.
Keeping your ESA letter expires is important, but so is your own mental health. Having regular check-in appointments provides you with the ability to talk about how you are managing and continuing to receive the care and attention necessary for a healthy mental well-being.
Step 7: Use Your ESA Letter for Housing and Everyday Life
After you have your ESA letter, you may use it when you apply for or renew a tenancy. As determined under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must allow you to have your emotional support animal, regardless of any “no pets” regulations on the property.
You can use your ESA letter in these ways:
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You can always provide a copy to your landlord or property manager if they request it.
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You can always keep a digital copy of the letter on your phone to make it easily accessible.
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You can present it if requested by an airline or housing authority.
It is important to remember that landlords cannot charge you a pet fee, ask you for medical records, or deny your ESA based on breed or size, so long as the animal does not show a threat or destruction of property.
Step 8: Know your ESA rights and restrictions
Although an ESA letter does provide legal rights, there are limitations. The ESA letter provides you with some rights:
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An emotional support animal is not a service animal, and it does not require specialised training.
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There are some public places that you cannot take an emotional support animal to (such as malls or restaurants).
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Federal laws only apply to certain housing contexts and travel.
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Always keep your letter and records safe and use them responsibly.
Mistakes to Avoid in Getting an ESA letter
When you learn how to get an ESA letter from a medical professional, you may end up falling into these traps:
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Purchasing “instant letters” online from unverified websites.
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Submitting letters from a long period ago or an incomplete letter.
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Thinking that every single pet is an ESA.
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Not renewing your ESA letter in due time.
If you avoid making these mistakes, it will keep your ESA status valid and protected legally.
Importance of an ESA Letter for Your Mental Health
When you get an ESA, it is not solely about enjoying benefits, but emotional healing. In fact, many people will tell you their emotional support animal assists them in:
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Be calmer and present.
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Quit feeling lonely and anxious.
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Have better routines and confidence in themselves.
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Learn and grow from some emotional triggers.
A letter can have a considerable effect in supporting your mental health and your right to live freely with your animal companion.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering how to get an ESA letter from a doctor, the answer is to take the correct legal steps – ask a licensed mental health professional, go through a legitimate evaluation, and be provided a legitimate ESA letter that contains the necessary information.
Don’t seek shortcuts or a fake service, and remember to renew the letter each year. By taking the right steps now, you’ll benefit from your emotional well-being, and you’ll enjoy the right to live with your comforting animal.
