An Emotional Support Animal, or ESA, is an animal that provides therapeutic value to its owner. ESA’s are protected by the Fair Housing Act and Air Carrier Access Act. Emotional Support Animals are not limited to just dogs, but can be applied to any animal. Emotional Support Animals do not have to be trained to perform a specific task. However, they do require a note from a licensed mental health professional. ESA’s are allowed to live in pet free housing and fly in the main cabin of an airplane
It is a common misconception that emotional support animals are protected by the American with Disabilities Act. This is in fact not the case. ESA’s do not have the same rights as service dogs.
In order to obtain an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) a prescription letter is required from a licensed mental health professional stating that the animal alleviates the stress caused by a mental or emotional disability.
Airlines require ESA travel letters to be renewed annually. ESA housing letters are not required to be renewed.
In order to obtain an Emotional Support Animal Letter, you first need to complete the online assessment and then meet with one of the assigned therapist via a video conferencing application.
These are the steps you take:
Purchase an ESA Evaluation Letter
Fill out a pre-assessment evaluation form
Schedule your video conference appointment
Complete your assessment with a therapist
Receive your ESA Evaluation Letter *based on approval*
After completing your evaluation and provided you qualify, you will receive an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Prescription Letter which will allow you to fly, rent an apartment, and live in dorms with your emotional support animal.
We offer ESA Housing Letters, ESA Travel Letters, and Housing/Travel combo letters.We also complete reasonable accommodation forms if required by your landlord for a fee of $75.
In order to obtain an ESA Letter a licensed mental health professional must determine that a person meets the federal definition of having a disability—whether it be physical, psychiatric, or intellectual—and that an emotional support animal provides a benefit for the individual with the disability.
The ESA Registration of America has joined forces with mental health professionals to provide Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Evaluations and prescription letters that allow qualified individuals to travel and live with their dog, cat or other support animal. Our team has written thousands of ESA prescription letters and our state of the art scheduling software ensures a seamless experience.