What Is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and How Do I Get a Letter?
If you’ve ever felt like your pet helps you get through hard days, calms your anxiety, or simply makes life feel more manageable, you’re not imagining it. Animals can have a powerful impact on mental health, and for many people, that connection goes beyond companionship.
You may have come across the term Emotional Support Animal (ESA) online or been told that it’s something you can “get a letter for,” but there’s a lot of confusion out there, and it can be hard to know what’s legitimate and what isn’t.
This blog will walk you through what an ESA really is, how it’s different from a service animal, and how to know if you might qualify.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An Emotional Support Animal is a pet that provides comfort and emotional support to someone with a mental health condition or disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks. Their presence alone helps reduce distress and improve wellbeing.
Common examples of ESA support might include:
A cat who calms your panic attacks
A dog who gives you a sense of purpose when you're depressed
A rabbit who helps regulate your nervous system through routine and comfort
Any domesticated animal can be an ESA, not just dogs, and there are no official breed or training requirements. The key is that the animal offers emotional or psychological support that improves your daily functioning.
ESA vs. Service Animal: What's the Difference?
It’s important to understand that Emotional Support Animals are not the same as service animals.
Emotional Support Animals:
Are not trained for specific tasks
Are not covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act
Are not guaranteed entrance into public spaces
Do require a letter from a mental health professional.
Service Animals:
Have specialized training for tasks related to disabilities
Are covered/protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act
Are guaranteed entrance into public spaces
Do not require a letter from a mental health professional.
An ESA does not have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, with a valid letter, they may be protected under the Fair Housing Act, which allows people to live with their ESA even in “no pets” housing.
Who Qualifies for an ESA Letter?
To legally qualify for an Emotional Support Animal, you need to have a mental health condition or emotional disability that significantly impacts your daily life. Some examples include:
Anxiety
Depression
PTSD or C-PTSD
Panic Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
You don’t need to have a long history in therapy, and you don’t have to be “severely ill.” Many people qualify based on current symptoms that are interfering with sleep, relationships, motivation, or emotional stability.
How ESA Letters Can Save You Money
One major benefit of having a valid ESA letter is that it may protect you from certain housing-related fees. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must provide “reasonable accommodations” to individuals with a documented disability, which can include waiving:
Pet rent or monthly animal fees
Pet deposits
Breed or weight restrictions
This means that if you qualify for an ESA, your landlord cannot legally charge you extra for having your support animal, even if the property normally doesn't allow pets or has specific restrictions.
Note: Landlords are still allowed to request documentation and may deny an accommodation if the animal poses a threat or causes damage, but they cannot reject your ESA solely because of a “no pets” policy.
How Do You Get a Legitimate ESA Letter?
To get an ESA letter, you need to meet with a licensed mental health professional, like a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, who can assess your mental health and determine whether an ESA would support your wellbeing.
Here’s what a legitimate process looks like:
You complete an assessment with a licensed professional
They determine that you meet criteria for a mental health condition
They write a letter on their official letterhead, including their license information, affirming your need for an ESA
I offer ESA assessments as a one-time appointment for individuals who are seeking legitimate documentation for housing. If you’re interested in this, you can learn more about the ESA evaluation process here.
Be cautious of websites offering instant or automatic ESA letters. Many are not compliant with federal housing laws, and landlords are allowed to reject documentation that doesn’t come from a licensed provider.
What an ESA Letter Includes
A valid ESA letter will contain:
Your provider’s name, credentials, license number, and state of practice
A statement affirming you are diagnosed with a mental health condition that meets criteria for “disability”
A clear explanation of why the ESA is necessary
Contact information for verification if needed
An ESA letter is person-specific, not pet-specific. That means it supports your need for an animal, and it doesn’t certify or “register” the pet itself.
Does an ESA Letter Expire?
While ESA letters don’t officially expire, some landlords may request an updated letter annually. If you're already in therapy with me or another provider, we can update the letter as needed. If you are not currently in therapy, I offer standalone ESA evaluations for this purpose.
How Can an ESA Help with Mental Health?
While they aren’t a replacement for therapy or medication, Emotional Support Animals can offer:
Emotional grounding during panic attacks or dissociation
Companionship during depressive episodes
A calming routine or sense of structure
Comfort during emotionally triggering experiences
Many people find that the presence of an animal helps them feel more emotionally regulated, less alone, and more capable of managing daily stress.
If You’re Considering an ESA…
It’s okay if you’re still unsure. Getting an ESA letter is a personal decision, and you don’t have to have everything figured out to explore it. If you think an animal in your life plays a meaningful role in your emotional health, or you're struggling to function without their presence, you're likely a good candidate for an ESA assessment.
If you’d like to explore whether an Emotional Support Animal is a good fit for you, I’d be happy to help. You can reach out here to learn more.
Legal Resources
Texas Disability Law - Service Animals