Disclaimer

Last updated: November 12, 2026

Information only

The content on esaclinic.com is provided for general information. It is not legal advice or medical advice, and reading it does not create a clinician and patient relationship or an attorney and client relationship. For advice about your situation, speak with a licensed professional.

Evaluations and letters

An ESA letter or PSD letter is issued only after an evaluation by a licensed clinician, and only if the clinician decides it is appropriate. Approval is never guaranteed, and some states require an established client relationship before a letter can be issued.

What a letter does and does not do

• Emotional support animals are not service animals. They do not have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Since January 11, 2021, U.S. airlines are not required to accept emotional support animals in the cabin.
• Housing protections for emotional support animals depend on federal, state and local law. Federal enforcement changed in 2026, and a housing provider makes its own decision on each request.
• A psychiatric service dog has public access rights because it is individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, not because of a letter.
• Registrations, certificates, ID cards and vests do not give an animal any legal rights.

Laws change

We work to keep our guides current, but laws and policies change and may differ where you live. Check the current statute or agency guidance before you rely on anything you read here.

External links

We link to other websites as sources. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their content.

Emergencies

ESA Clinic does not provide emergency or crisis services. If you are in crisis in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.

Contact

Questions about this page can be sent to contact@esaclinic.com.