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After a long day at school or work, nothing compares to coming home to be with your pet to melt your stress away. There is no doubt that these furry friends provide companionship and comfort. They can even play a significant role in improving symptoms of their owner’s mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are essential to many people’s mental wellness journeys. Several services are available to connect you to a licensed mental health professional to evaluate your need for an emotional support animal and vouch for it by providing an ESA letter.
You deserve quick service and compassionate support when trying to secure help for an invisible disability. Acquiring an ESA letter online is fast, convenient, and cost-effective. Whether you want to document your current pet as an emotional support animal or adopt one, there is a lot of information you should know first. This guide provides you with everything you need to know and three of the best online emotional support animal letter providers, according to a review team.
Top Ranking ESA Letter Services
Pettable - Top Choice - Best Money-Back Guarantee
Certapet - Close Second - Standout Customer Service
Emotional Pet Support - Honorable Mention
In Depth Reviews of Top ESA Letter Services
1. Pettable - Top Choice - Best Money-Back Guarantee
Pros:
Free pre-screening
Legal support available
Fast, simple process
Full refund if your ESA letter does not work
Cons:
If you live in California, two consultations are required before you can be qualified for an ESA letter
The team at Pettable has direct experience with the therapeutic benefits of having an emotional support animal. They started their business to deliver these benefits to anyone who needs it. Through Pettable, you’ll connect to licensed mental health professionals who have experience in prescribing ESA letters, even for travel and housing. You’ll feel understood by their therapists and customer service team. Pettable intends to educate their customers and remain transparent by providing helpful information on their website.
Pettable will guide you along the way during their simple three-step process. Three minutes is all you need to get started with obtaining an emotional support animal letter from Pettable. You will complete a simple questionnaire to determine if you are a good candidate for an emotional support animal. Once approved, they match you with a mental health professional in your state. You can expect to receive your ESA letter just 24 hours after a consultation and examination with your therapist.
What really sets Pettable apart from other emotional support animal letter services, and why they topped this list, is that they are the only provider with a full money-back guarantee - 100%! They also offer legal support to help with any challenges from property owners, airlines, or other accommodation requests.
2. Certapet - Close Second - Standout Customer Service
Pros:
Free pre-screening
HIPAA precautions
Simple 3-step process
Over 7,500 5-star reviews
Cons:
The consultation fee for the telehealth appointment is non-refundable
Certapet’s impeccable customer service and solid reputation put them nearly at the top of this list of best ESA letter providers. This telemedicine platform was awarded the Better Business Bureau’s Gold Star Certificate Award in 2020. Several major magazines and news sites have featured Certapet. When all you need is your emotional support animal by your side to help relieve stress and anxiety, Certapet is ready to provide you with accessible care. Their services are available in all 50 states and Canada.
Certapet provides ESA letters through a fast and secure 3-step process. You begin by taking a quick preliminary assessment to see if you are suitable to receive an ESA letter; you’ll know if you qualify within 5 minutes. If you are a good candidate, Certapet will pair you with a mental health professional in your state. This certified expert will meet with you promptly via a telehealth session to address your needs. The last step is to receive your ESA letter. For your convenience, you can print the letter from the comfort of your home or have it shipped to you in the mail.
3. Emotional Pet Support - Runner Up
Pros:
Same-day ESA letter approval options
Fully refundable within 30 days of purchase
Many good reviews
ESA documentation available to download as a PDF
Cons:
The telehealth appointment may need to be paid for out-of-pocket, even if you have health insurance
Emotional Pet Support recognizes that pets can provide vital relief to people living with mental or emotional difficulties. Emotional support animals have the power to change a person’s life, and this organization is dedicated to facilitating the process to help you get the support you need. They connect their clients to qualified mental health professionals that work to meet their individual needs. This service won the runner-up spot due to their same-day approval option.
Emotional Pet Support displays a slew of important information on the front page of their website. Emotional Pet Support provides everything you need to know about their service, from easy-to-understand graphics to informative videos. You can start their fast application process by submitting an online exam. Qualified doctors will then analyze your test to determine your eligibility for an ESA letter. The final step is to receive an email with a secure link to your ESA documentation in PDF format. They also provide options for ESA letters specifically for securing housing. If unsatisfied with their service, you can request a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
Choosing the Top ESA Letter Services
Unfortunately, some online ESA letter providers could defraud you. That’s why extensive research was completed by the review team to ensure the recommended services are high quality and reliable. This list contains the three best services by looking at customer reviews, the application process, and affordability.
Customer reviews helped the reviewers determine the reliability of different providers. Reviews are a great source of information to find out what real people think about a service before committing to it. Consumer feedback revealed that these companies provide fast results, excellent customer service, and secure ESA letters. You’ll meet with compassionate therapists whose top priority is providing the best care. It’s clear that these top services value your privacy and have your best interests in mind.
The process of acquiring an ESA letter may be daunting. The reviewers wanted to verify that the screening process could be fast, simple and secure. Funds should never be an obstacle to getting the help you need. Affordability was another aspect kept in mind when choosing the best services.
What is an Emotional Support Animal-ESA?
An emotional support animal is a type of assistance animal that provides a therapeutic benefit to a person with a mental health disability. ESAs do not perform specific tasks; that’s called a service animal. The hope is that the animal’s presence can provide comfort and help relieve at least one symptom associated with the person’s condition. Many people use ESAs in combination with therapy, medication, and other treatments that help alleviate their symptoms.
Types of Emotional Support Animals
Different types of animals can become documented emotional support animals. There are federal laws and state laws that restrict people from keeping certain exotic animals as pets and as emotional support animals. ESAs are typically dogs and cats but can be other domesticated animals like ferrets or guinea pigs. Most domesticated animals can be regarded as an ESA, and there is no restriction on its age.
What are the Benefits of Having an Emotional Support Animal?
Emotional support animals provide emotional support and companionship to their owners. They may help to relieve symptoms associated with their mental health condition. Positive social interaction with a pet can yield positive results for people with disabilities. These benefits may include decreasing anxiety, normalizing blood pressure, reducing stress, and enhancing social interaction. ESAs can be used in conjunction with treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Adding an emotional support animal to one’s treatment plan may help control symptoms of mental health problems.
Traveling can be anxiety inducing, especially for those who have aerophobia, the fear of flying. ESAs may provide the comfort that their owner needs to stay calm. Similar to humans, animals can feel affection and provide affection to individuals struggling with depression or grief. Feeling loved can substantially improve a person’s mental health. ESAs can provide social support to make a person feel less lonely if they live alone.
What is an ESA Letter Used for?
An emotional support animal letter is similar to a prescription, in that a licensed mental health professional needs to write it. It serves to authenticate the need for support to treat an emotional disability. Documenting your furry friend as an emotional support animal has many advantages.
An emotional support animal is not considered a “normal pet” and therefore may be exempt from some restrictions and allowed in spaces where pets are not allowed. Some airline carriers allow you to travel with your ESA without additional cost.
Your ESA may save you money by eliminating pet fees in places like hotels. Certain buildings ban some breeds of dogs, such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. With an ESA letter, this restriction may no longer be applicable to you. You should be able to avoid pet application fees and bring your new furry friend with you if you move into a new place. ESA letters are valid in all 50 states.
How Do You Qualify for an ESA Letter?
To be eligible for an ESA letter, you need to have a qualifying mental health condition or psychiatric disability diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional. Licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists have the specialized training to diagnose you. It is also required that your disability limits at least one significant life activity. Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $150 for a legitimate ESA letter.
What Types of Disabilities Qualify for an ESA Letter?
To qualify for an ESA letter, the owner must have a mental health disability or psychiatric disability. The therapist who meets with you will make assessments based on their expertise. They utilize screening tools to ensure you meet the criteria enabled by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Any disabilities listed in the DSM 5 qualify for an ESA letter. These include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to name a few.
Do ESA Letters Expire?
A legitimate ESA letter is similar to a prescription for medication, except it’s for your companion animal. These prescriptions typically have an expiration date. ESA letters are generally functional for one year from their issue date. However, an ESA housing letter that complies with the Fair Housing Act is slightly different. If you do not move before the year is up, you do not technically have to renew your emotional support animal letter. Although, some property owners may request a recent letter to ensure that you still need an ESA. Having a current ESA letter may be a good idea.
Renewing your documentation will be much easier since you’re familiar with the process. It will be the same as the initial process: complete a brief questionnaire, meet with a professional, and wait for your ESA letter. You have the option to renew through the same service, or you can choose a different one. Be sure to finish this process before your current ESA letter expires to avoid any gaps in having coverage for you and your animal companion.
FAQ:
How Do I Get an ESA Letter for My Animal?
You first need to be professionally diagnosed with a mental health disability that can benefit from the assistance of an animal. To be accurately diagnosed, consult with a therapist about your symptoms. A pre-screening exam is often completed through ESA letter providers online before being connected to a therapist. A professional will review your test to determine your eligibility for an ESA letter. Then you’ll meet with a licensed mental health professional to diagnose your condition and assess your need for an ESA. Before issuing your ESA letter, the professional might advise on other ways to cope with your symptoms. After your telehealth appointment, the service will securely deliver the ESA letter via email or mail. You can document your animal as an ESA or adopt your ESA after you obtain the letter. Both situations are common and allowed.
Can I Write Myself an ESA Letter?
The only person that can issue you a legitimate ESA letter is a licensed mental health professional. Trying to use a forged ESA letter is not a good idea; this makes it more difficult for other people in need to obtain them. Laws about misrepresenting pets as service animals vary from state to state. Using a fake emotional support animal letter may be fraudulent and could result in fines, jail time, or other consequences. Authentic documentation from a proper licensed mental health professional is not unreasonably expensive or difficult to obtain if you are eligible and use a reliable service.
Will the ESA Letter Reveal Details About My Condition?
While the document will not reveal details about a specific mental or emotional disability, it might mention that your condition(s) is in the DSM 5. Your medical history is private information that does not have to be shared with anyone. Under the Fair Housing Act, when applying for housing with an ESA you do not need to disclose information about your disability to the property owner.
What Does an Emotional Support Animal Letter Need to Include?
Legitimate ESA letters will include specific important information. Your mental health professional will provide their signature and license details in the letter. The ESA letter will state that you are currently their patient who has been prescribed an ESA as a part of the treatment for your mental health. It will also confirm that an ESA is a vital part of your life because your disability limits daily activity. Details about your pet, such as its breed and name, may be included, but it is not required.
What is the Difference Between an Emotional Support Animal and a Service Animal?
Service animals (SAs) require special training for about 1-2 years to provide their owner with specialized care. This extensive training costs thousands of dollars. Unlike ESAs, service animals perform specific tasks unique to their owner’s disability. For example, allergy detection dogs are trained to smell and alert to the odor of particular allergens. Along with mitigating symptoms of their owner’s condition, they are prepared to behave appropriately in public. There are also more species and breed restrictions on service animals than ESAs, and they are usually dogs.
How Do ESAs Differ From PSDs?
PSDs are psychiatric service dogs. As the name suggests, only dogs can be PSDs, while ESAs can be various animals. PSDs are similar to ESAs since they can help relieve the symptoms of mental health disorders. PSDs are a type of service animal and require special training. They assist their owners by performing tasks that help alleviate the person’s mental or emotional disability.
Psychiatric service dogs read signals from their handler to evaluate what type of physical assistance they need. From assessing threats to retrieving medication, these dogs supply specialized care for their owner’s needs. PSDs have the same public access and legal protection as other service animals.
Are ESAs Required to Wear Identifying Clothing?
Like service animals, it is recommended that emotional support animals wear identification that indicates they are working. Many ESA owners dress their pets in identifying gear, such as a vest, collar, or harness. Laws generally do not require this apparel, but it is a visible indication that an animal has therapeutic value and should not be distracted.
Do ESAs Need Special Training?
Emotional support animals do not need to be raised or trained in a certain way. They do not need training since the animal’s presence provides comfort and security to their owner. Your four-legged companion can be adopted from a shelter or bought from a breeder or pet store. ESAs can be your current pet. An ESA letter is the only thing you need for your furry friend to be officially considered an emotional support animal.
How Do I Know if an ESA is Right for Me?
It may be worth discussing with your doctor whether an ESA is right for you. If you already find that your current pet provides emotional relief, you can easily apply for an ESA letter for them.
If other treatment options have not been successful, an ESA companion may provide you with the support you are looking for. You can adopt a pet or try a therapy animal program to find out if animals can alleviate your symptoms. An ESA is also helpful with other treatment methods, such as therapy, if you seek additional options. If you think an ESA would help you, speak to your mental health professional or pursue one of the above services.
What Laws Protect Emotional Support Animals?
Fortunately, a few laws in the U.S. provide legal protection for emotional support animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act states that individuals who suffer from mental and emotional conditions are eligible for an ESA. The law prohibits discrimination against people with ESAs.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits bias during the sale or renting of housing. This law covers any animal approved by a licensed medical professional that provides a health benefit. Under the Fair Housing Act, property owners are generally not allowed to deny your ESA, ask extensive questions about your condition, or request pet fees. Condominium homeowner’s associations (HOAs) and co-ops are also subject to Fair Housing rules regarding ESAs.
Air travel with service animals and emotional support animals continues to be a concern that many people experience. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines are prohibited from discriminating against passengers with disabilities. Individuals with service animals, including PSDs, can board flights with their companions and avoid fees.
For many years, the Air Carrier Access Act protected SAs and ESAs. Unfortunately, the Department of Transportation implemented new rules that allow airlines (as well as buses and trains) to stop recognizing emotional support animals. This new rule means ESAs are treated as normal pets and may not be allowed on board. Policies about ESAs will vary by airline. If ESAs are permitted on board, they will often be subject to pet fees based on size and breed.
Are ESAs Allowed in Public Spaces?
While some laws protect ESAs, their ability to be in public spaces may depend on the specific establishment or company. College or university housing is required to allow ESAs. Housing with no-pet policies is obligated to allow ESAs. You can bring your animal to a restaurant only if the establishment allows pets.
Communicate before bringing your ESA into a new place to avoid delays or conflicts. You may be permitted to take your ESA into these places, but you must provide documentation. In addition, you may be asked to remove your pet if it does not follow the rules of the space or poses safety or health risks to others. You can bring ESAs on some airplanes; this depends on the airline’s policies about animals on board. Be sure to contact the airline directly to find out about their ESA and pet policies.
What Can I Expect After I Submit an ESA Request for Housing?
Before bringing your animal companion into your building, you must request an accommodation from your property owner verbally or in writing. You can submit a digital or physical copy of your ESA letter to your property owner when requesting to live with an ESA. The only documentation you need to provide them with is a legitimate ESA letter. They are required to respond to your request within ten days. Some property owners may not have experience with ESAs, which makes the process more complicated.
If the property owner initially denies your request, they may be unaware that it violates the Fair Housing Act. It may be helpful to point out the appropriate housing rules and have a friendly, constructive dialogue with them. After presenting your ESA letter and being accepted, your ESA can reside in your home and generally accompany you in any common area of the building.
The housing provider does have, however, the right to deny your request to live with an ESA under certain circumstances. They must individually assess the animal before reasonably denying the request. While it is uncommon, the property owner can reject an ESA if they determine that the animal could pose health risks to others or cause damage to the property of others. If you have a valid ESA letter and they unreasonably reject and refuse to reconsider, tenants can file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Can I Take My ESA to Work with Me?
When interviewing for a job, employers are not allowed to ask if you have a service animal or ESA. Most employers do not allow pets at work, but you may be able to receive special access to bring your ESA to work. Ask if your employer would be accepting of an emotional support animal in the office. Animal companions can reduce stress and improve people’s ability to focus while working.
Who Would Benefit From an ESA?
Anyone with a qualifying mental health disability and a love for animals might benefit from an ESA. Obtaining an ESA letter is especially useful for those who are moving into new housing or need to travel with their furry friend. Although nearly anyone can benefit from having an emotional support animal, certain groups may benefit the most from this type of support.
Children and teens who are at risk for depression and other conditions may benefit from having pets in their homes. Research shows that animals can provide them with companionship and teach them responsibility. War veterans and active-duty soldiers with ESAs have shown improved sleeping patterns and lower startle rates caused by post-traumatic stress disorder. Stressed college students may benefit significantly from ESAs by helping lessen symptoms of anxiety, depression and loneliness.
Is There Scientific Research That Supports ESAs?
In case you are doubtful of the therapeutic benefits of emotional support animals, there are scientific studies that prove it. For example, a study on psychiatric patients showed how much they benefit from utilizing ESAs. After ten weeks of CBT sessions and having an ESA, patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia showed better motivation, quality of life, and productivity. Another study involved observing the increase in oxytocin, the love hormone, in clients with mental health conditions who had positive interactions with animals.
Conclusion
Documentation is vital to keeping your ESA with you when you need it the most, like traveling and navigating new housing. An ESA letter is a helpful document that provides legal support and safety for you and your furry friend. From cats to ferrets, emotional support animals may help improve the mental well-being of their owners. You can get your ESA recognized with an ESA letter if you’re struggling with a mental health disability or psychiatric condition.
An online service might seem reliable, but it may be challenging to determine whether they will try to scam you. Each of the services listed above offers trustworthy licensed mental health professionals and legal documentation. You can trust these providers to deliver the specialized care you need with excellent customer support, fast application processes, qualified and caring mental health professionals as well as affordable prices. If you think an ESA is right for you, getting started through one of these dependable online ESA letter services is easy. You’re now better equipped to own an emotional support animal and select the best service for your needs.
