Emotional Support Animal - Support Letters
NOTE: ESA letters and completion of subsequent supporting documentation is a self-pay service. Insurance is not accepted as most insurances will not cover this service.
An emotional support animal is a great source of therapeutic support when you have an emotional or psychological condition. While the most common emotional support animals are dogs and cats, emotional support animals can also include: rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, ducks, chickens and even horses. Emotional support animal letters can be written for diagnoses such as: anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, age-related cognitive decline and other psychiatric conditions. Your lease may not allow for all types of ESAs. More severe mental health or medical diagnosis may be better suited for an ADA Registered Service dog, which this company does not complete.
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Housing
The Fair Housing Law indicates that individuals must obtain a letter from a licensed mental health professional to document an emotional and/or psychological diagnosis to support the need for an ESA. Having an ESA letter will allow you to keep your beloved pet where there may otherwise be a no-pet policy. With an ESA, there are no breed or weight restrictions for housing and no specific training is required. You avoid all pet fees and deposits and you will be able to take your pet into more pubic spaces. Additionally, there is no formal registration for an emotional support animal, or need to be registered with any organization. Restrictions may apply to some businesses with an emotional support animal.
Emotional support animals are actually not considered pets, but therapeutic support and are essentially prescribed for one's improved mental and emotional status and increased well-being. Registered ADA service animals are not the same as emotional support animals, and registered service dogs cannot be restricted in anyway.
Flying
The Airline Carrier Access Act has changed and many airlines are no longer participating with emotional support animals in the cabin of a flight. Due to this change, you should check with the airline on their policies and restrictions and if an ESA letter is even necessary. Those that are continuing to participate will most likely only accept dogs and may have size and weight restriction.
If an ESA letter is required, this will need to be completed by a licensed mental health professional. The mental health professional will also need to complete forms provided by the airline. Most airlines require that ESA documents be submitted at least 48 hours before departure and most airlines are now charging fees for ESAs to fly in the cabin with their human companion. Again, check with your airline on their *rules, restrictions and policies about dogs flying on their airline.
Schedule Your Virtual or In-Person Appt
To obtain a letter supporting the need for an emotional support animal, you are required to complete the initial evaluation appointment either in-person or via telehealth. Both the housing and airline letters are good for one year.
The Fair Housing Law indicates that individuals must obtain a letter from a licensed mental health professional to document an emotional and/or psychological diagnosis to support the need for an ESA. Having an ESA letter will allow you to keep your beloved pet where there may otherwise be a no-pet policy. With an ESA, there are no breed or weight restrictions for housing and no specific training is required. You avoid all pet fees and deposits and you will be able to take your pet into more pubic spaces. Additionally, there is no formal registration for an emotional support animal, or need to be registered with any organization. Restrictions may apply to some businesses with an emotional support animal.
Emotional support animals are actually not considered pets, but therapeutic support and are essentially prescribed for one's improved mental and emotional status and increased well-being. Registered ADA service animals are not the same as emotional support animals, and registered service dogs cannot be restricted in anyway.
Flying
The Airline Carrier Access Act has changed and many airlines are no longer participating with emotional support animals in the cabin of a flight. Due to this change, you should check with the airline on their policies and restrictions and if an ESA letter is even necessary. Those that are continuing to participate will most likely only accept dogs and may have size and weight restriction.
If an ESA letter is required, this will need to be completed by a licensed mental health professional. The mental health professional will also need to complete forms provided by the airline. Most airlines require that ESA documents be submitted at least 48 hours before departure and most airlines are now charging fees for ESAs to fly in the cabin with their human companion. Again, check with your airline on their *rules, restrictions and policies about dogs flying on their airline.
Schedule Your Virtual or In-Person Appt
To obtain a letter supporting the need for an emotional support animal, you are required to complete the initial evaluation appointment either in-person or via telehealth. Both the housing and airline letters are good for one year.
- Initial ESA visit - This covers the initial assessment, diagnosis and writing the letter of support along with any additional forms that may be required. $200
- Renewal ESA letters - (within the 1-year of expiration) originally written by Evolve Counseling and Holistic Wellness, LLC are $100.
- Seeking renewals that have expired passed a reasonable one-year timeframe, will be required to have an initial assessment completed as indicated above.
- ESA letters completed by another practitioner are not valid at Evolve Counseling and Holistic Wellness, LLC and will not be accepted towards a renewal letter, but may aid in your initial diagnosis and support the need for an ESA letter.
- Letters will be completed and sent to you via a HIPAA compliant e-mail on professional letterhead within 24-hours.