What Animals Can Be ESAs?
Most commonly, dogs and cats are used as emotional support animals. However, other animals like mice, rabbits, birds, hamsters, rats, minipigs, ferrets, snakes, lizards, and more can be considered an ESA if it benefits your mental health.
What Do I Need to Do to Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal Letter?
To qualify for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter, you will need to schedule a brief consultation with a licensed mental health professional who can assess your emotional or mental health condition. If they determine that an ESA would help alleviate your symptoms, they can write you an ESA letter.
Can I Use An ESA Letter For Housing?
Yes, an ESA letter allows you to enjoy reasonable accommodations from your landlord, under the Fair Housing Act. This is particularly useful in situations where regular pets or certain breeds are not permitted.
Do Airlines Accept Emotional Support Animal Letters?
Prior to 2021, airlines were required to accommodate emotional support animals as service animals under the Air Carrier Access Act. This law has since been updated and it is now at the airlines discretion whether to permit an emotional support animal in the cabin. An ESA letter will distinguish your support animal from a regular pet and improve your chances of being accommodated.
Can I Get An Emotional Support Animal Letter For More Than Two Pets?
There is no limit to the number of ESAs you can have. Your therapist can make that determination during your consultation. You will be required to complete the ESA letter requirements for each animal that you want approved.
Does My Emotional Support Animal Need Certification?
There is no formal certification process for emotional support animals and you do not need to registered your ESA in any official database. You only need an ESA letter signed by a mental health professional.
How Long Does the Approval Process Take?
If approved, you will receive your emotional support letter within 24 hours of your consultation. If you a resident of California, there is a 30 day wait period mandated by law before your letter will be delivered.