What is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides therapeutic benefit to its owner through companionship. ESAs are prescribed by mental health professionals to help mitigate symptoms associated with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. While they are often cats and dogs, any type of animal can potentially serve as an ESA as long as their owner derives emotional support from their presence. ESAs offer an alternative or supplement to traditional therapies. From my experience working in mental healthcare, I’ve seen many patients benefit from the calming influence of pets in their daily lives. Just petting or playing with an animal can lower stress levels and boost mood. However, ESAs are not formally trained to perform specific tasks like service animals.

How Do I Get an ESA Letter?

To legally have an ESA, you must obtain a letter from your mental health provider stating that you have a disability and your ESA provides emotional support that alleviates symptoms. This letter is often called an “ESA verification letter” or “note.” It should be written on official letterhead and include: n Your name n Your provider’s name, license number, and contact information n Your diagnosis n A statement that your ESA is necessary for your mental health n Your provider’s signature n Once you have this letter, you are protected under the Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access Act to travel with your ESA by air and live with them in housing that prohibits pets. I advise seeing a licensed mental healthcare professional you have an existing treatment relationship with to obtain an ESA letter.

What is an emotional support animal?

An emotional support animal basically provides comfort and relief for those with certain troubles like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Unlike service animals, they do not perform specific tasks and are not trained to do anything in particular. However, their presence alone can help improve someone’s condition.n

How do I get an ESA letter?

To bring your pet into a building that doesn’t normally allow animals, you need a note from your doctor or mental health provider saying you need an emotional support animal. It will look like a simple prescription. As long as you have a condition that may gain help from such an animal, many therapists can provide such a note after discussing your issue.n

What kinds of animals can be ESAs?

Dogs are sort of the most common type of emotional support animal, but cats and even smaller pets are permitted too. As long as your need for the animal is authentic and not just to get around no-pet rules, possibilities include hamsters, rabbits, birds – even snakes have been known to be prescribed! However, the chances of your landlord agreeing to something slithery are rather slim.n

Can an ESA live with me anywhere?

While emotional support animals do have certain public access rights, you can’t necessarily take them into every situation. Landlords must allow service animals as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act but may deny specific breeds due to safety issues or request other options instead of an animal if there are allergy problems. Workplaces and public venues also set their own animal policies that ESAs don’t automatically override. It helps to check rules ahead of time.

How much does an ESA cost?

The costs of an emotional support animal can vary greatly based on the type of pet. While adoption fees for shelter dogs and cats tend to average around $100, purebred puppies from breeders can set you back thousands. Then you’ve got regular vet care, food, toys and supplies to factor in. Surprisingly, small pets like guinea pigs and hamsters are not necessarily cheaper. Establishing an ESA can appear quite pricey. On the other hand, the benefits to your wellbeing are sometimes worth it if your therapist verifies you need one.n

What are the responsibilities of an ESA owner?

Despite an emotional support animal’s lack of specific tasks, you still have duties as their caretaker. You must house and feed them properly according to local pet ordinances along with exercising, grooming, and training a pet for etiquette in public. An ill-mannered or aggressive ESA could potentially lose access rights, so it’s important to take full responsibility. Landlords will also expect you to remediate any damage or clean up issues. Basically, you sign on for all the same obligations of a pet parent.n

Category: Housing

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