Getting Your ESA Letter

Published on: September 28, 2020

By: ASP Administrator

Are you one of the estimated 43.8 million adults in America that have or will experience a mental illness this year? Are you one of the 9.8 million that have a mental illness? The parent of the 21.4% of youths (ages 13-18) or that 13% (ages 8-15) that have had some type of serious mental disorder in their short lifetime? These numbers show the reality many often overlook.

Do you know an Emotional Support Animal may benefit you or your child? Do you have a pet and an ESA letter for him or her? No? Let’s talk about how to get an ESA letter today!

Why do I Need an ESA Letter?

There are so many people that don’t understand how debilitating an emotional or mental disorder can be. Because mental and emotional disabilities don’t show, many landlords frown on allowing ESAs to accompany their owners.

An ESA letter is a prescription from a doctor. With it, you can have your Emotional Support Animal with you in your home even if your apartment or rental specifically states “no pets.” These rights are covered by the Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Where Can I Get An ESA Letter?

You can only get it from one person, a licensed mental health professional.

There are two places you can get your letter from:

We couldn’t make it any simpler!

After you take the free online questionnaire and qualify for the ESA Certification Letter, a licensed doctor or mental health clinician will look over your file. Your case can be assessed very quickly since you’ve already been pre-approved—if you do indeed come back as qualified. Since we always have a doctor on call, you’ll be getting your ESA letter in no time!

As of September 2023, state laws in California and Arkansas require an established relationship between a client and his or her provider for 30 days before issuing an ESA letter. If you’re in one of these states, we especially encourage you to start the process now.

**Just a Note:

Obtaining an ESA Letter is just the first step. As long as there is a mental health stigma, there will be conflicting thoughts against Emotional Support Animals. You must remember to forget what other people think. Just focus on taking care of yourself and your new ESA. Enjoy that fluffy ball of joy or bouncing mountain of muscle, whichever you prefer.

If you have any questions about getting your ESA letter or need help at any point in the process, please feel free to contact us! Our team is here for you every step of the way.

1. Getting an ESA Letter from Your Doctor

If you already have a current trusted mental health professional, you can go about obtaining an ESA letter from them. If not, you can certainly go through the process of finding a doctor or therapist, but it has the potential to be expensive and time-consuming. If you’d prefer not to go through this process, that’s where American Service Pets can step in, helping you find and connect with a licensed mental health professional in your state.

Admittedly, getting this letter from your doctor or therapist can be difficult. Some doctors don’t agree on the therapy an ESA provides their owners and can reject Emotional Support Animals altogether. They may not give their patients a fair evaluation due to this bias and believe they are simply trying to get a “no pet” rent-free pass. Others just don’t know enough about Emotional Support Animals. If your Doctor writes ESA Letters, that’s great! If not, that’s where we come in.

2. Getting an ESA Letter Online

In this technological age, online services can seem easier and quicker. However, you must be careful. There are many scams and stories of people who have paid an arm and a leg for an ESA Letter only to get a worthless piece of paper. With American Service Pets, you can be sure this will not happen to you! We believe in the power of pet therapy and want to ensure all individuals suffering from mental illness get the best treatment available.

FAQs About Getting an ESA Letter

Get Your ESA Today

ATTENTION

Due to the new Department of Transportation (DOT) policy, Emotional Support Animals are NO longer allowed to fly in airplane cabins for free. However, Psychiatric Service Dogs are eligible.

Who writes ESA letters?

ESA letters need to be written by a licensed healthcare professional or doctor in your state. Luckily, American Service Pets works with doctors and clinicians across the country to make securing your ESA letter a seamless process.

Can you get an ESA letter from your doctor?

Yes! If you’ve ever thought, “I need an ESA letter!,” you can work with your own doctor to secure an ESA letter. Alternatively you can utilize American Service Pets’ nationwide network of healthcare professionals to go through the process of getting your paperwork.

How do you get an ESA letter?

The process of getting your ESA letter may seem daunting, but at ASP, we’ve made it as simple and streamlined as possible. First, you’ll need to take a questionnaire assessing your mental health background and any current symptoms or conditions you’re experiencing. Then a licensed healthcare professional (your doctor or ours) will assess your questionnaire and determine your need for an ESA.

If you are part of the 95% of our applicants who qualify for an ESA letter, we will let you know as soon as you are approved via email. From there you can choose to get an instant download, printed copy, and items such as a training manual or service vest for your companion!

How often do ESA letters need to be renewed?

ESA letters need to be renewed on an annual basis, as they are valid for one year. Therefore, if you plan to rent a property on a long-term basis, it is important to note that your landlord has the legal right to request your renewed ESA letter every year.