Qualifying for an ESA letter

Emotional support animals differ from service animals, but they do provide an important service to people with emotional and physical disorders. Learn what makes an emotional support animal (ESA) so helpful and how to qualify for a letter.

 

Emotional Support Animals vs. Service Animals

 

Most people are familiar with seeing-eye dogs or dogs that signal people who are hearing impaired. An emotional support animal is not the same thing.

 

Service animals are dogs or miniature horses who are specially trained to complete tasks for people with a disability. Guide dogs might help those with visual impairments avoid dangers and navigate their surroundings. Diabetes alert dogs alert people when their blood sugar is approaching dangerous levels. Seizure response dogs can sense when a seizure is coming and help protect the epileptic if it occurs.

 

Emotional support animals are companions recommended by a healthcare professional to benefit persons with mental or psychiatric disabilities. A capuchin monkey might assist someone with quadriplegia while a cat might relieve loneliness in someone with severe depression.

 

How to Qualify

 

Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but they are typically allowed in college campus dorms and other types of housing when they meet certain guidelines.

 

If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental or emotional condition listed under the ADA, schedule a consultation with a professional therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Once you’re receiving treatment, they can write a letter explaining your need for an ESA as part of treatment. Once you have an ESA and your letter, you have legal rights to have your pet in housing and to serve as support while traveling.

 

 

Learn more in our FAQ or take our quiz to see if you qualify.