An Emotional Support Animal (ESA), also known as a support pet, is a type of assistance animal prescribed to individuals coping with emotional or mental health conditions. Their primary function is to offer emotional comfort with their presence by helping regulate stress, establish routines, and provide a stabilizing presence during times of distress.
Unlike service animals, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks and are not granted public access protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), individuals with valid ESA documentation have the right to live with their animal in housing with no-pet regulations and cannot be charged additional fees.
To officially qualify an animal as an ESA, a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), or another qualified medical professional, must evaluate a person’s condition and determine whether the presence of an ESA is clinically beneficial as part of a patient’s treatment plan. If so, they’ll issue an ESA letter, which serves as your legal documentation.
What Are the Benefits of Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional support animals offer both therapeutic and financial benefits to their owners. ESAs can be a critical part of a mental wellness routine, providing value in daily life and emotional management. The most common benefits include:
Emotional Support and Comfort: ESAs provide companionship and unconditional love, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Their presence offers comfort during difficult emotional times, such as anxiety, depression, or stress.
Reduction in Anxiety and Stress: Interacting with an ESA has been shown to lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone) and increase oxytocin production (the “love hormone”), promoting relaxation and emotional well-being.
Improved Mental Health: For people suffering from conditions like depression, PTSD, or anxiety, having an ESA is therapeutic. The ESA gives a sense of purpose, motivation, and routine, which helps improve overall mental health.
Increased Physical Activity: ESAs, particularly dogs, require regular walks and outdoor playtime, encouraging their owners to be more active. This increased physical activity has additional benefits for both physical and mental health, improving mood and well-being.
Enhanced Social Interaction: Having an ESA helps break down social barriers and increase social interactions. People feel more comfortable interacting with others when their ESA is with them, helping to foster connections and reduce social anxiety.
Sense of Security and Safety: For people with PTSD or anxiety disorders, an ESA offers a sense of security. The animal’s presence helps individuals feel safer and more confident in public spaces or at home.
Non-Judgmental Support: Unlike human interactions, ESAs offer unconditional support and are non-judgmental. This makes them especially helpful for those who feel misunderstood or isolated because of their mental health struggles.
Help with Routine and Structure: Animals require regular feeding, walking, and care, which helps individuals establish a daily routine. This structure is particularly beneficial for people who struggle with motivation or managing time due to mental health issues.
Housing Access and Protection: With valid documentation, ESAs can legally live in most types of rental housing, including buildings with no-pet policies at no additional cost.
Are There Proven Mental Health Benefits to Having an ESA?
Yes, ESAs have proven mental health benefits. Interacting with emotional support animals increases oxytocin (the “feel-good” hormone) and reduces cortisol (the “stress” hormone). Emotional support animals can help reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness in individuals with serious mental illnesses, according to research published in Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin in 2022.
What is an Emotional Support Dog?
An emotional support dog is the most common type of ESA and offers comfort, emotional stability, and therapeutic benefits to individuals experiencing mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. While service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks, emotional support dogs provide value simply through their presence.
Studies show that interaction with these dogs can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), raise oxytocin (the bonding hormone), and help regulate mood and emotional state. Emotional support dogs often become an integral part of their owner’s daily mental wellness, helping mitigate isolation, providing structure through caregiving routines, and offering non-judgmental companionship during periods of emotional difficulty.
How Do ESA Dogs Support Physical Health?
ESA dogs support physical health through walking and exercise, as they require quality outdoor time. Emotional support dogs, just like regular dogs, need daily walks and physical exercise. Satisfying this need indirectly encourages owners to be more physically active.
Daily physical activity helps regulate body weight, builds muscle, supports cardiovascular health, and reduces the risk of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Physical activity also releases endorphins, which are mood-enhancing and help manage anxiety and depression symptoms.
How Do ESA Dogs Help People With PTSD?
ESA dogs help people with PTSD by offering support, reducing dissociation, enforcing routine, and decreasing isolation. Emotional support dogs increase positive emotions and minimize negative feelings, like anxiety and depression. Their presence can also serve as a grounding reminder, which is beneficial for people experiencing flashbacks or who are disconnected from reality.
Taking care of ESA dogs helps establish structured daily routines. Finally, ESA dog owners are more likely to go out, interact with others, and build healthy social connections.
Are ESA Dogs Effective for Helping Children With Anxiety?
Yes, ESA dogs are effective for children with anxiety. Emotional support dogs provide comfort, reduce stress, and encourage social interactions, which are beneficial for anxiety management. ESA dogs are an excellent supportive tool for anxious children, but they are not a substitute for professional treatment. Talk to an LMHP to decide the best treatment strategy for a child with anxiety.
What Types of Animals Can Serve as an ESA?
A variety of animals can become ESAs, as long as they provide help and relief to their owners. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what animal makes the perfect emotional support companion. While dogs and cats are by far the most common choices, other domesticated animals can also fulfill the role such as:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Rabbits
- Ferrets
- Guinea pigs
- Rats or mice
- Mini pigs
- Miniature horses
- Hedgehogs
Although almost any domesticated animal may be considered, licensed mental health professionals most often recommend ESAs that are easy to manage in home settings. Emotional support dogs, cats, and rabbits are the most commonly approved animals in ESA evaluations due to practicality and housing law considerations.
Can Any Animal Be an ESA?
Technically, yes. Any domesticated animal can serve as an emotional support animal if its presence meaningfully improves the owner’s emotional or psychological health. The key factor is the bond between the animal and the person, not the species or breed.
However, some animals may be less practical due to housing limitations, temperament, or legal considerations. For example, while exotic pets like birds, reptiles, or small mammals may offer comfort, they may not receive the same housing protections as more common ESAs such as dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Can Any Dog Be an Emotional Support Animal?
Yes, any dog can be an emotional support animal. According to federal law, all dogs can act as emotional support animals, regardless of their breed, size, or age. However, despite the fact that all dogs qualify for ESAs, some breeds are better suited for such working roles due to their easy trainability and positive personalities. For example, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles make exceptional ESA dogs.
What Disabilities and Conditions Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal?
A wide list of disabilities and conditions can qualify a person for an emotional support animal. A licensed mental health professional must confirm that an ESA is part of a recommended treatment plan for a diagnosed mental or emotional disability. Qualifying conditions often include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Panic disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Social phobias
- Autism
- ADHD
The diagnosis must meet criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). While ESA ownership is not a replacement for therapy or medication, it can be an important complementary treatment.
Can Children Qualify for an ESA?
Yes, children can qualify for an ESA, as long as there is parental involvement. A child can qualify for an emotional support animal if they have a mental health condition that is evaluated and documented by an LMHP. A parent or guardian must work with the child’s mental health professional to get the ESA letter, and then they are responsible for managing the emotional support animal.
What Are the Requirements for Getting an ESA?
To legally designate an animal as an ESA, you’ll need a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional, or another qualified medical practitioner such as a primary doctor. The basic requirements include:
Suffering from a Mental Health Condition: The first condition to getting an ESA letter is having a mental health condition. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, and autism are among the qualifying ESA conditions.
Being Mentally Evaluated by a LMHP: The next requirement is to be evaluated and diagnosed by a mental health professional licensed in your state. The evaluation can be completed in person or online.
Having a 30-Day Client-Patient Relationship: Some states, such as California, Iowa, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Montana, mandate a 30-day patient-doctor relationship before an ESA letter can be issued.
How to Get an Emotional Support Animal Letter
The process to get an emotional support animal generally follows these steps:
1. Consult with a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) – This can be done in person or through a reputable telehealth platform. Legitimate online ESA services, such as CertaPet, typically begin the process with a pre-screening questionnaire to help determine if a person may qualify for an emotional support animal. If the candidate appears eligible, they are connected, usually within two business days, with a licensed professional in their state who then conducts a full evaluation.
2. Receive Your ESA Letter – If approved, you’ll receive your ESA letter in digital or physical form, which you can present to landlords or other relevant parties.
3. Renew Your ESA Letter Annually – ESA letters are not permanent; they must be renewed on a yearly basis. This renewal process ensures that your mental health needs are reassessed and that the animal continues to play a meaningful role in your treatment plan.
If you don’t already have a pet, it’s often best to decide on the species and breed after speaking with a professional, so you choose an animal that suits your lifestyle and needs.
Who Can Write an ESA Letter?
Among the professionals that can write and prescribe ESA letters there are:
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Physicians
- Licensed Professional Counselors
- Physicians Assistants
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
Individuals looking to get an ESA letter from an online ESA service must verify that the professional who will be writing the letter can be found on their state board and thus provide a legally binding document.
What is the Average Cost for ESA Letters?
The cost of an ESA letter typically ranges between $149 and $200, depending on the provider, the type of letter, and the state you live in, as some states require multiple sessions before an ESA letter can be legally issued. Typically ESA services charge separately for initial consultations, renewals, or amendments.
If you already work with a licensed mental health professional, they may issue your ESA letter at no extra cost during regular treatment although this is less common.
Can You Get an ESA Letter for Free?
A legally valid ESA letter can only be issued after a formal evaluation by a licensed mental health professional. Free ESA letters found online without consultation are fraudulent and hold no legal value.
These scams often use terms like “federal,” “official,” or “instant” ESA registration to appear legitimate, but there is no federal registry for emotional support animals, and no legitimate ESA letter can be issued without direct assessment by a qualified professional.
Possessing or presenting a fraudulent ESA letter can carry legal consequences, including fines or criminal charges.
What is an ESA Letter?
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is the official document that validates your need for an emotional support animal. It serves as both a prescription and a legal safeguard, written by a licensed professional after they’ve evaluated your condition and determined that the presence of an animal is a beneficial part of your treatment plan.
A legitimate ESA letter will always be printed on the provider’s professional letterhead and include key details such as their name, credentials, license number, and the state in which they are authorized to practice. It also notes the date the letter was issued and when it will expire, since ESA letters are generally renewed each year.
Importantly, the letter doesn’t need to disclose your full medical history, but it must confirm that you live with a qualifying mental or emotional health condition and that your animal plays a recognized role in managing it.
What Information Must Be Included in an ESA Letter?
A valid ESA letter must clearly display:
- The professional’s name, signature, contact information, and license number
- The client’s name
- A brief statement of their diagnosis or condition
- A clear recommendation that an emotional support animal would be therapeutic
- The date the letter was written
- Official letterhead of the signing mental health professional
Do ESA Letters Need to Be On Official Letterhead?
Yes, ESA letters need to be on official letterhead. A valid ESA letter must be written on the official letterhead of the signing mental health professional. The goal is to ensure legitimacy and that the letter comes from a licensed professional rather than being a generic or fake document.
How Recent Must an ESA Letter Be to Remain Valid?
The ESA letter must be issued within the last 12 months to remain valid. ESA letters do not have specific expiration dates; however, they need to be annually renewed. Renewals are necessary for the licensed mental health practitioner to re-evaluate the patient and ensure their ongoing need for an emotional support animal.
Landlords have the right to request valid ESA letters (no older than 12 months) for review when signing tenancy agreements with ESA owners.
Can an Online Doctor Provide a Valid ESA Letter?
Yes, an online doctor can provide a valid ESA letter. Doctors are permitted to write and sign ESA letters if they are licensed in the state and evaluate the applicant’s mental health. Whether the evaluation was performed online using telehealth platforms or in person, it does not matter. ESA laws permit LMHPs to issue ESA letters online.
Keep in mind that not all online ESA providers are legitimate. Always verify the legitimacy of the service before applying for an emotional support animal letter.
Do ESA Letters Expire?
Yes, ESA letters expire. You should renew the ESA letter annually as part of the treatment care plan. Annual renewal of an ESA letter is crucial for legal, therapeutic, and practical reasons. It ensures that the letter remains compliant with current laws, which is essential for housing and other accommodations.
Regular updates also allow healthcare providers to reassess the individual’s mental health needs, ensuring that the ESA continues to be a beneficial component of their treatment plan.
Is Getting an ESA Letter Different for Each State?
The process of getting an ESA letter by state is straightforward and very similar at a federal level: consult with a licensed mental health professional, undergo an evaluation, and, if appropriate, receive an ESA letter. However, while the general framework is similar nationwide, certain states add extra requirements.
Specifically, California, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana require a 30-day therapeutic relationship between the patient and the healthcare provider before an ESA letter can be issued. This means that an individual must maintain an ongoing relationship with their LMHP for at least a month, often including multiple sessions, before receiving documentation.
In addition to these statewide regulations, local ordinances or housing authority rules may introduce their own stipulations. Because of this patchwork of state and local laws, it’s essential to work with a reputable provider that stays current on regulations.
What is an ESA Certificate or Registration?
An ESA certificate is an online registration form used to add emotional support animals to an ESA register. ESA certifications or registrations are not a legally required step. The term ESA certificate is often misused when referring to an ESA letter.
Important: There is no such thing as an “ESA certification” or official ESA registration. The only valid way to qualify an emotional support animal is through an ESA letter written by a licensed mental health professional who has evaluated your needs. Any website or service selling certifications, ID cards, or registry listings is misleading—only an official letter from a qualified provider holds legal weight.
While ESA registration is not legally required, some owners choose to register their ESA online and use the registration certificate as an addendum to the ESA letter. However, an ESA certificate has no legal value at the federal level and is optional, while the ESA letter is valid and mandatory.
What Federal Laws Protect Emotional Support Animals?
There’s only one primary federal law protecting ESA owners:
Fair Housing Act (FHA): The Fair Housing Act is the primary federal law protecting ESAs. It states that landlords must provide reasonable accommodations for ESAs, even if the property has a specific no-pet policy. The FHA also exempts ESA owners from paying pet-related fees, taxes, rents, and deposits.
Previously
Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA): Up until 2020, the ACAA required airlines to accommodate ESAs in the cabin, but since 2021, airlines classify ESAs as regular pets for domestic flights, thus they are subject to the airline pet policy and fees. Some international and specialty carriers still allow ESAs in the cabin with proper documentation.
ESAs are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meaning they do not have public access rights in restaurants, stores, or other public spaces that don’t allow pets.
Do ESA Dogs Have the Same Legal Rights as Service Dogs?
No, ESA dogs do not have the same legal rights as service dogs. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is the only federal law protecting emotional support dogs. Service dogs, on the other hand, are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) in addition to the FHA. ESAs are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meaning they do not have public access rights in restaurants, stores, or other public spaces that don’t allow pets.
Housing Rights for ESA Owners
With a valid ESA letter, you can request housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This means landlords must allow your ESA to live with you, even in “no pet” housing, and they cannot charge you additional pet deposits or fees.
What Documentation Can Landlords Request for an ESA?
In compliance with the Fair Housing Act, an emotional support animal letter is the sole document a landlord is legally permitted to require. The ESA letter must be recent (no older than 12 months) to ensure legal protection.
Do Landlords Have the Right to Verify an ESA Letter?
Yes, landlords have the right to verify an ESA letter. The verification should be focused on confirming the LMHP’s credentials rather than the prospective tenant’s medical history. While verifying, landlords must be respectful and compliant with HIPAA and the FHA.
Landlords can check the LMHP’s credentials and license, review the ESA letter’s content, and look for red flags. However, they are not allowed to directly contact the healthcare provider or ask the tenant for personal details about their mental or emotional disability.
Can a Landlord Legally Deny an ESA?
Yes, a landlord can legally deny an ESA if it endangers other tenants, poses undue financial or administrative burdens, or causes property damage. A landlord is also legally permitted to reject housing to an ESA if the owner presents a fake ESA letter.
Do Housing Providers Have to Accept ESAs Without Breed or Size Limits?
Yes, housing providers have to accept ESAs without breed or size limits. The FHA obliges landlords to ensure reasonable accommodation to ESAs and prevents discrimination based on breed and size.
Exceptions to the FHA are small housing providers, such as single-family homes rented by the owner (without an intermediary agent) and owner-occupied buildings with fewer than four units.
Can Landlords Legally Charge Pet Rent for ESAs?
No, landlords cannot legally charge pet rent for ESAs. The Fair Housing Act recognizes emotional support animals as assistance animals rather than regular pets. The FHA protection exempts ESAs from pet rent, pet fees, and pet deposits.
Landlords are still allowed to charge tenants if their emotional support animals cause actual property damage.
What Happens if an ESA Causes Damage in Housing?
If an ESA causes damage in housing, the ESA owner is responsible for covering the cost of the repair. Landlords, under the FHA, are prohibited from requesting pet deposits for ESAs in advance. However, if the ESA causes damage, the owner is financially responsible.
Be upfront about the damage caused by your ESA and notify the landlord. Then, pay for the repair costs or have the landlord deduct them from the security deposit.
Traveling with an Emotional Support Animal
Traveling with an Emotional Support Animal has changed significantly in recent years. As of January 2021, due to an amendment of the Air Carrier Access Act, most U.S. airlines no longer recognize ESAs as service animals for domestic flights. Instead, they are treated as pets, meaning owners may face pet fees, size and weight restrictions, and limits on how the animal can travel in the cabin.
That said, some international airlines and certain Canadian carriers continue to recognize ESA letters and will allow these animals to fly in the cabin without additional costs.
Psychiatric service dogs, instead, can travel free of charge and outside the confinement of pet carriers
Which Airlines Recognize ESAs for Travel?
The airlines that recognize ESAs for travel include:
- LATAM Airlines: Allows ESA dogs with documents on flights to and from Mexico and Colombia, as well as domestic flights within Colombia
- AeroMexico: Accepts emotional support dogs with valid ESA letters
- Volaris: Permits emotional support dogs with ESA letters on flights within and between Mexico, Central America, and South America
- Air Canada: Accepts ESAs with recommendation letters from professionals
- WestJet: Permits emotional support animals with recommendation letters from licensed mental health professionals
Most U.S. airlines, such as Alaska, Frontier, Delta, Allegiant, and JetBlue, only allow emotional support dogs if they comply with general pet requirements.
What Changed with Airline ESA Policies in 2020?
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) redefined service animals as animals individually trained to assist their owners with specific tasks. Since the definition changed, emotional support animals could no longer be covered under the same classification and the Air Carrier Access Act.
Now, airlines are not required to accept ESAs. The ACAA is exclusive to service animals and allows U.S.-based airlines to treat emotional support animals as regular pets.
ESAs in Public Spaces and Workplaces
Are ESAs Allowed in Restaurants and Shops?
No, ESAs are not allowed in restaurants and shops. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not grant emotional support animals public access. Emotional support animals in restaurants and shops are subject to the same restrictions as regular pets. Entry for ESAs depends on the business’s pet policy.
Do ESAs Have Access to Public Transportation?
No, ESAs do not have access to public transportation under federal law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public transportation to accommodate service animals but does not extend to ESAs. The acceptance of emotional support animals depends on the specific carrier’s individual policies regarding pets.
Are ESAs Allowed in Workplaces?
No, ESAs are not allowed in workplaces under federal law. Employers are not obligated to accept emotional support animals in work environments. However, many employers allow ESAs if the owner provides a valid ESA letter and the animal behaves correctly. The decision to accept emotional support animals is made on a case-by-case basis.
What Rules Apply to ESAs in College Dorms?
The Fair Housing Act mandates schools to provide reasonable accommodations to ESAs, but there are certain restrictions. Students must follow formal accommodation requests and adhere to specific guidelines, like housing in approved areas, financial responsibility, and maintaining good behavior.
ESAs are allowed solely in the student’s designated room and common areas such as hallways and stairwells. Students with ESAs are financially responsible for their animals’ care and potential damages they may cause.
How Do Emotional Support Animals Differ From Service Animals?
While Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Service Animals both provide important support to individuals with disabilities, they differ significantly in terms of training, legal recognition, and rights.
Service Animals:
- Can only be dogs (and in certain cases miniature horses)
- Specifically and individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities
- Examples: guiding individuals who are blind, alerting a person with hearing loss, pulling a wheelchair, detecting seizures
- Have broad legal protections under the ADA
- Permitted in nearly all public places (restaurants, stores, hotels, schools, workplaces)
- Protected under the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Air Carrier Access Act
Emotional Support Animals:
- Provide comfort and emotional regulation through their presence
- Not required to undergo specialized training
- A variety of animals can be ESAs, not just dogs
- Not covered under the ADA (no public access rights)
- Primarily protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA)
- Not protected for air travel under current ACAA regulations for U.S. airlines
Common Misconceptions About ESAs
ESAs and Service Animals are the Same: This is false. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities and have broad public access rights under the ADA. ESAs provide comfort through companionship and are protected primarily in housing situations.
ESAs Must Be “Registered”: There is no federal ESA registry. The only legally recognized documentation is an ESA letter issued by a licensed mental health professional.
ESAs Can Automatically Fly Free: Regulations changed in 2021. Today, only certain airlines, mainly international, allow cabin access with an ESA.
Any Pet Can Be an ESA Without Professional Input: An evaluation and letter from an LMHP are essential for legal protections.
ESAs Need Special Training or Certification: While good behavior is important, ESAs are not required to have specialized training like service animals.
Ethical Considerations for ESA Ownership
Owning an Emotional Support Animal comes with responsibilities that go beyond personal benefit:
Genuine Need: There should be a genuine therapeutic need for an ESA. Seeking ESA status solely to avoid pet fees or housing restrictions is unethical and undermines the system designed to protect those with legitimate conditions.
Animal Welfare: ESAs require time, attention, and resources, just like any pet, and their well-being should never be sacrificed for convenience.
Respect for Others: ESAs should be well-trained enough to avoid creating nuisances in shared spaces.
Honesty in Documentation: Fraudulent ESA claims not only put the owner at risk but also damage the credibility of all ESA owners.
Responsible Ownership: Responsible ownership, built on transparency and care, ensures the system remains strong for those who truly need it.
