If you have an animal that’s providing you with support, that’s awesome. However, if you want to enjoy the legal protections and financial benefits that come with an emotional support animal (ESA), you need to go through the proper channels. If you don’t, well, you can end up in legal trouble, even if you just tell your landlord you have an ESA without providing proof of an ESA letter.
An ESA letter is your golden ticket to an improved quality of life if you have an ESA. Unfortunately, getting your hands on one isn’t always straightforward. The good news? We have your back in this guide. Read on to learn how to get an emotional support animal letter.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
First things first. What is an emotional support animal? You’ve probably heard of people referring to their cat as an ESA cat or something similar with their dog. While this may be the case, an emotional support animal is a legitimate designation for an animal that provides someone with relief from mental health disorders.
Emotional support animals can help with depression, anxiety, and a plethora of other medical conditions. Not only do emotional support animals help with these disorders, but they’re also protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This ensures that emotional support animals can’t be discriminated against. In other words, landlords can’t ban them, even if they have pet policies. Plus, you won’t have to pay any fees for an ESA either.
That said, in order for an ESA to be legitimate, you need to get an ESA letter.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal Letter?
An emotional support animal letter (ESA letter) is a letter that legitimizes your emotional support animal. According to the Fair Housing Act (FHA), an ESA letter allows you to live in housing that’s not otherwise pet-friendly. It also helps you avoid pet fees and other pet restrictions within your home.
For an ESA to be legitimate, it needs to be signed by an LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practitioner) who is licensed in your state. It must also include information about your condition, your pet, and how your pet helps with your condition. Once these conditions are met, you can show the letter to your landlord to avoid pet fees and other issues with your support animal.
Who Qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal Letter?
Anyone who has a mental health disability can qualify for an ESA letter. All it takes is an evaluation from an LMHP to determine if you qualify. However, there are some common conditions that qualify for an ESA letter.
Some examples include:
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Anxiety
- ADD
- ADHD
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
As you can see, there are many mental health conditions that can qualify for an ESA letter, and you won’t know if you qualify until you speak with a professional.
How to Get an Emotional Support Animal Letter
Getting an emotional support animal letter is easier than you may think, especially if you have a therapist or mental health professional you work with already. If you have one who’s licensed in your state, all you need to do is have them write you a letter. The letter must include information about your pet, your situation, and how they provide emotional support.
Then, they must sign it and attach their license details. From there, you should be all set, although some states require a relationship with a mental health professional for at least 30 days before you qualify.
How to Get an Emotional Support Animal Letter Online
Now, if you don’t have an LMHP already, don’t worry, because you still have some options. The best option is to work with a reputable provider and get an ESA letter online via telehealth, and EmotionalSupportAnimal.com is always a good choice. With a platform like this, you can schedule a call with an LMHP via telehealth, describe your condition, and wait for your emotional support animal. In fact, there are some options to get one within 24 hours.
Our Final Thoughts on How to Get an Emotional Support Animal Letter
Learning how to get an emotional support animal letter is essential if you want to enjoy the legal protections that these animals can have. However, you need to make sure you get your letter from an LMHP who’s licensed where you live. Also, if you don’t have a therapist you work with, make sure you consider a reliable online resource. We always recommend Emotional Support Animal for the best results.
