Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to Register or Certify my Pet?

No. Since emotional support animals do not require any training and are still considered pets, there is no need to register or certify them. The only proof or document needed is an ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, or physician, for the pet’s owner.

What kind of animal can be an Emotional Support Pet?

Any pet may qualify as an ESA, not just cats or dogs, but also animals such as rabbits, ferrets, birds, and even rats and snakes. An ESA can be of any breed or age. Also, they don’t need specific training because their presence helps alleviate someone’s emotional disability symptoms. The only requirement is that the animal should be friendly and manageable in public.

Can the Mental Health provider I currently see write me a prescription for an Emotional Support Pet?

Under federal rules, only licensed healthcare professionals are authorized to write ESA letters. If your mental health provider is licensed or has the authority to write an ESA letter, you can ask them for one.

How long is my prescription valid?

ESA Letter does not have an expiry date. However, it is always good to renew them every year, as most landlords may ask for a renewed ESA Letter.

Will a letter of a prescription written online be Valid?

Obtaining an ESA letter online is an excellent solution for people looking to qualify for an ESA without leaving their homes. The ESA letter from an online doctor is equally valid compared to seeing a therapist in person, as long as the therapist is licensed in your state.

What kind of Mental Health Professional will evaluate my case?

Any licensed healthcare professional, such as a physician, psychiatrist, primary care physician, psychologist, therapist, counselor, or general practitioner, can write ESA letters and state that the pet is part of your treatment plan.

Can service dogs help people with ADHD?

Service dogs are commonly used to assist people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, obtaining a service dog for ADHD is challenging because it is a neurological condition, not an anxiety disorder.

Are emotional support animals protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not protect emotional support animals. They are allowed accommodations in housing, but these accommodations are not covered under the ADA.

What are the Benefits of emotional support animals?

Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide companionship, reduce feelings of loneliness, alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and offer comfort and support during stressful situations. They help improve overall mental health and well-being.

Can emotional support dogs fly?

No, emotional support dogs are no longer allowed to fly for free under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) rules. Now most airlines treat them as regular pets. This means that emotional support dogs must be transported either in the cabin or the cargo hold, subject to the airline’s pet policies and applicable fees. Owners should check with their specific airline for detailed requirements and fees before traveling.

Can hamsters be emotional support animals?

Yes, hamsters can be emotional support animals. You can designate your hamster as an ESA, with a legitimate ESA Letter. Hamsters can effectively help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. They are small, cute, and easy to carry.

Can psychiatric service dogs go anywhere?

Yes, psychiatric service dogs can go anywhere their owners go, including public places, educational institutions, housing, and during travel, as they are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Can you bring an emotional support animal into a restaurant?

Since emotional support animals are not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, they are restricted in public places like restaurants. Some restaurants may allow your support animals as a courtesy, but they have no legal obligation to accommodate them.

What qualifies me for an emotional support animal?

To qualify for an emotional support animal (ESA), you typically need a diagnosis of a mental health condition or disability by a licensed mental health professional. This professional should confirm that your pet provides emotional support that alleviates your condition.

What accessories do I need for my emotional support animal?

Emotional support animals do not require any specific accessories by law. The only essential item needed is a valid ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional.

Where can you bring your emotional support animal?

You can bring your emotional support animal to residential areas with no-pet policies, as they are protected under the Fair Housing Act. However, ESAs do not have the same public access rights as service animals and may not be allowed in public places like restaurants or stores.

What law covers emotional support animals?

Emotional support animals are covered under the Emotional Support Animal Housing Laws, which is the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Under the FHA, housing providers must waive no-pet policies and cannot charge additional pet fees for emotional support animals, ensuring equal access to housing.

Can you legally have more than one emotional support animal?

Federal law permits having more than one emotional support animal, provided the request is reasonable and supported by medical documentation indicating the necessity for multiple ESAs.

Do ESA Letters Expire?

There is no expiry date for an emotional support animal letter. However, it is advisable to renew it annually to ensure hassle-free companionship of your furry friend.

Can I Get an ESA Letter Before Adopting a Dog?

You can be eligible for an ESA letter before adopting a dog who will be your emotional support animal (ESA). An ESA letter is approval and a recommendation letter from a licensed mental health professional for the handler, not a “certification” for the specific animal.

What makes an ESA letter valid?

A valid ESA Letter is comprised of the following details, which are recommended by a Licensed Mental Health Professional only.

An ESA Letter include

Mental health professionals letterhead and signature
The date of issue
Mental health professionals license type, the date the license was issued, license number, and the state that issued the license
Authentication that an emotional support animal is an imperative part of your life
Description of how the animal will aid the condition
ESA Prescription
Patient’s name
Details about your pet may be included

Is an emotional support animal the same as a service animal?

No, emotional support animals do not receive specific training to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities, unlike service animals.

Do landlords have to take emotional support animals?

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are generally required to accommodate tenants with emotional support animals, unless specific circumstances apply where the ESA poses a direct threat or would create an undue financial burden.

Can a landlord charge a pet fee for an emotional support animal?

No. The landlords cannot charge pet fees or deposits for emotional support animals under the Fair Housing Act.

Am I responsible for the damages done by my emotional support animal?

As per HUD guidelines, you may be responsible for damages caused by your ESA beyond normal wear and tear.

I already paid pet deposits, but I later qualified for an ESA. Should I ask for a refund?

If the tenant has paid the pet deposit and later got the written recommendation by the doctor. In such a case, they would be permitted to refund the deposit as their animal companion is no longer considered a pet as per the Fair Housing rules.

When can a landlord deny my request for an emotional support animal?

A landlord can deny an ESA request if accommodating the animal would pose a direct threat or result in undue financial hardship, as outlined by HUD guidelines.

My Landlord turned down my emotional support animal; what should I do?

In such cases, you can contact HUD to file a complaint, seek legal advice, or consult with an ESA advocate for guidance.

Should I ask my Landlord before bringing my emotional support animal home?

You should inform your landlord about your ESA and provide them with your ESA letter before bringing the animal home.

How much time does a landlord have to respond to an ESA request?

Landlords must respond to a tenant’s request promptly. As per the Department of Housing, landlords are not allowed to “unreasonably delay” a tenant’s request for reasonable accommodation.

Can an HOA and co-ops deny an emotional support animal?

HOAs and co-ops cannot deny an ESA solely based on breed restrictions but may deny it if the ESA poses a direct threat to others or their property.

What Do You Need To Know While Applying An ESA Letter Online?

Consider these factors before applying for an ESA letter online:

Ensure you have a qualifying disability.
Own a pet that meets ESA criteria.
Ensure your pet does not fall under restricted breeds.
Make sure your landlord is aware of ESA laws.
Obtain your letter from a licensed doctor in your state.

What Can I Do with My Emotional Support Animal Letter?

An ESA letter allows you to:

Live with your ESA in ‘no-pet policy’ apartments.
Avoid paying extra pet fees.
Bring your ESA to Airbnb accommodations.
Stay with your ESA in college or school dormitories.

How much does an ESA letter cost?

An ESA letter typically costs $149 to $199, covering the fees of a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP). Fast ESA Letter offers legitimate ESA letters for $149, complying with state laws.

Who Can Write an ESA Letter for Me?

Only licensed mental health professionals can evaluate and provide an ESA recommendation, including:

Psychologists
Doctors
Therapists
Counselors

With Just 3 Simple Steps
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Application

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Evaluation

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Approval

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Important Terms

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are those faithful animals of yours, which Assist their owners with mental disabilities stress, PTSD, anxiety, etc. Any animal that provides support to their owners emotionally during their limitations can qualify as an emotional support animal. Dogs are one of the most preferred pets that patients choose to fly with on a plane. A service dog cannot be considered as ESA, as they have different privileges. They must not be treated as a service dog and are not required to perform any other tasks. There is no need for any specialized training for an emotional support dog; they still need to be well behaved and cannot be a harm to others. Airlines can deny privileges to ESAs that are not well behaved.

Emotional Support Animal Letter

To qualify your pet as your emotional support animal, all you need is a prescription letter from a legitimate therapist which describes your Need for the emotional support animal. The process for getting an ESA Letter for Pet used to be a very tedious & slow process, but Fast ESA Letter has made the entire process easy & smooth.

Fair Housing Amendments Act

The purpose of the Fair Housing Act is to protect those with disabilities against the discrimination of landowners..

American with Disability Act

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects those individuals who are suffering from disabilities against discrimination in most areas of public life.

ADA primarily focuses on Service Animals, but not on Emotional support animals.

Air Carrier Access Act

The Air Carrier Access Act empowers passengers with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination against them on domestic and foreign flights operating within the United States. In the past, some airlines allowed emotional support animals to travel in the cabin free of charge, similar to service animals. This changed in 2021. As of now, airlines are not obligated by the ACAA to provide in-cabin access or free transportation for ESAs. However, ACAA still protects the right to travel with service animals in the cabin.