How to Get an Emotional Support Animal Letter 5 Best ESA Services
Rohnert Park, Ca
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December 21, 2022 01:27 PM Eastern Standard Time
Stress levels and anxiety have increased in our society over the past decade. This has led to an increase in the number of people who have mental health or emotional disabilities. Mental health professionals now see the benefit that Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) can deliver. These ESAs help people by aiding their mental and emotional health.
Many have considered getting an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or a psychiatric service dog to help them. If you have any mental or emotional disability, the article below will help you find the best ESA website for your needs.
Licensed mental health professionals can help you get a valid ESA letter to qualify your pet as an emotional support animal. The following websites will match you with doctors who provide an ESA letter online. They will help you get a new support animal or an ESA letter for a pet you already have.
Which Are the Best ESA Service Providers?The Best ESA websites are:
ESA Pet: Best for Fast, Simple ESA Letters
CertaPet ESA: Best for Any Mental or Emotional Disability
CertaPet PSA: Best for Psychiatric Service Dogs
Real ESA Letter: Best for Legal Support for your ESA Letter
ESA Doctors: Best for Different ESA Letter Packages
ESA Pet: Best for fast, simple ESA Letters
ESA Pet is the best ESA website for the speed and ease with which you can get an ESA letter online for your support animal. If you already have an emotional or mental disability, the last thing that you want to deal with is a stressful process for an emotional support letter. This platform knows its clientele are coming to them with mental health disorders or emotional disabilities. They provide emotional support from the get-go by making it fast & painless to get an ESA letter.
The ESA Pet promise on their website sums it up pretty well:
The process will be quick and straightforward.
They only use licensed mental health professionals who want to help you.
If you qualify for an ESA letter, you will receive your letter within 24 hours.
The Process
To stay true to their promise, ESA Pet uses the following process to qualify you and your emotional support animal:
First, you take a short, confidential assessment directly on their website. While it only takes 2 minutes to complete, this assessment determines if you are a good candidate for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter or a Psychiatric Service Animal (PSA).
Next, ESA Pet will connect you with a licensed mental health professional in your state. Through a telehealth appointment, this qualified mental health professional ensures that an Emotional Support Animal or Psychiatric Service Dog is the right therapy for your needs.
While the state of California requires a 30-day waiting period, ESA Pet guarantees a 24-hour turnaround after your ESA letter has been approved by the mental health professional. This is a speedy process that the company guarantees!
Pros
Your ESA letter is signed directly by a licensed mental health professional
Very affordable
You can complete the process (including an appointment with a mental health professional) from the comfort of your home
The company guarantees to only use mental health professionals licensed in your state who believe in the power of emotional support animals
ESA Pet complies with state and federal regulations
Cons
California requires a 30-day waiting period
CertaPet ESA: Best for Any Mental or Emotional Disability
Over 65,000 happy customers now have an Emotional Support Animal thanks to CertaPet ESA. This platform believes that emotional support animals are not just pets but companions you always have in your home. CertaPet knows just how much of a difference an emotional support pet can make while traveling or at home dealing with the stresses of life. They strive to provide fast & painless Emotional Support Animal letter services. With over 7,500 5-star reviews, it's evident that they give a ton of emotional support to people around the country.
While Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is probably the most well-known mental health condition to require Emotional Support Animal services, CertaPet knows that there is a range of mental and emotional disabilities that could benefit from ESA letters. They even have another company segment designed to assist people with getting a Psychiatric Service Dog letter if needed.
The Process
CertaPet ESA knows you don't want to jump through hoops to get an Emotional Support Animal letter.
While it does take a lot for the platform to comply with state and federal laws, their process makes it as simple as possible to match with a mental health professional who can certify you and your service animal. CertaPet ESA even has a process through which you can certify multiple service animals in the same transaction!
The emotional support animal certification process from CertaPet ESA is as follows:
To begin, you must visit the CertaPet ESA website and sign up to go through their screening process. This process is easy, confidential, and will take less than 5 minutes. Once you finish this screening, CertaPet ESA will know if you are a good candidate for an ESA letter.
After your screening, CertaPet matches you with a licensed mental health professional in your state. Once connected with the right counselor, someone will contact you to arrange a telehealth consultation.
Once you finish your appointment with the mental health professional, you will receive a custom treatment plan. If you qualify for an ESA letter, you will receive a downloadable certificate that you can then print. The CertaPet ESA treatment plan will include an Emotional Support Animal Letter, which you can carry to comply with the Fair Housing Act, Air Carrier Access Act, or any other state or federal laws that require it.
Pros
CertaPet complies with state and federal laws
Your Emotional Support Animal letter from CertaPet ESA is signed by a licensed mental health professional
The pre-screening process only takes 5 minutes
Telehealth appointment means that you can gain one of the best Emotional Support Animal letters from the comfort of your home
CertaPet can qualify you for any pertinent mental or emotional disability
Cons
The 5-minute pre-screening isn't the fastest in the industry
CertaPet PSD: Best for Psychiatric Service Dogs
Different than an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter, Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letters are for a more specialized type of support animal. CertaPet PSD is a platform that specializes in those types of specialized support animals.
A Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) is an emotional support animal trained to perform special tasks for individuals with a mental illness. PSDs help to calm their owners down or get help from others when needed (just like Lassie in the good old days).
These service animals undergo special training to deal with unseen mental illnesses in a way that aids or assists the mental health of their owners. If you have any of the mental health conditions listed below, you may be eligible to use CertaPet PSD to attain Psychiatric Service Dog letters:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression
Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders
Bipolar Disorders
Social Phobias
Schizophrenia
Agoraphobia
Claustrophobia
Panic Disorders
Autism
Psychiatric Service Dogs are federally protected and cannot be barred entry with their owner anywhere, or charged extra fees. These special service animals may undergo special training to render the following types of aid for their owner's mental health diagnosis:
Ease claustrophobia
Assess any threats
Therapeutic and tactile distraction
Medical assistance or reminder
Balance assistance
Night terror alert (important for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Retrieve help
Relief from sensory overload or stress
Companionship
Selective solitude or reclusiveness
The Process
Because it is part of CertaPet, the CertaPet PSD process is the same as the ESA letter process.
Additionally, CertaPet is currently coordinating with dog trainers who can specifically train a psychiatric service animal. If you want to know if you qualify for a PSD, you can take the same pre-screening process. CertaPet will match you with a licensed mental health professional in your state, who will identify whether you are a candidate for an ESA or PSA letter.
Pros
CertaPet can help with either an ESA or PSA letter
CertaPet complies with state and federal regulations
The platform can provide medical or psychological advice if a PSD is appropriate
The mental health professionals working with CertaPet can help you find the proper certification for a support animal for any mental disabilities
Cons
CertaPet is still working with trainers for specific PSD training, but you can get on the list now to get notified when they are moving forward
Real ESA Letter: Best for Legal Support for your ESA Letter
Real ESA Letter calls their ESA letter the only one in the industry that is entirely legitimate and legally enforceable. The simple process, licensed mental health professional letterhead, and legal support provided by Real ESA Letter are guaranteed to stop landlord discrimination, prevent outrageous pet deposits, and allow you to travel with your pet. Whether staying in hotels or flying across the country, a legitimate ESA letter from Real ESA Letter online will let your furry friend be by your side the entire time.
The ESA Letter service provided by Real ESA Letter comes printed on letterhead from a mental health professional, meaning that it is less likely to be denied than other platforms that provide an ESA letter online. If you want an Emotional Support Animal letter that is not likely to be questioned and can provide a stress-free trip with your emotional support dog, go with Real ESA Letter.
The Process
Real ESA Letter makes the process of certifying your furry friend to aid you with any mental disorders as simple as it can be — and makes those ESA letters legally enforceable. The process is fast, simple, affordable, and effective.
First, visit the Real ESA Letter website to take their free qualification screening questionnaire. When you qualify for an ESA letter (most of their clients do), the platform will connect you with a licensed mental health professional in your state to discuss your need for an emotional support animal. Once you confirm your order with Real ESA Letter, your digital ESA letter will arrive in your inbox within 48 hours. Within seven days, you will receive the hard copy ESA letter to bring your service animal anywhere you go legally.
Pros
The only legally-enforceable ESA letters
Real ESA Letter complies with state and federal laws
Real ESA Letter sends you a hard copy of your ESA letter signed by a licensed mental health professional in your state
All ESA letters ordered through this platform arrive written on the letterhead of a mental health professional in your state
Real ESA Letter has been in this business for over a decade
24/7 customer service
Cons
You must renew your ESA letter within one year of the date presented. No matter the platform, you will have to repeat the process annually.
ESA Doctors: Best for Different ESA Letter Packages
The stated mission of ESA Doctors is to help Americans get the support they deserve, especially those with limited access to in-person consults with licensed mental health professionals. ESA Doctors takes their business model of helping those needing mental health or Emotional Support Animal letters to another level. Because they know that different people are seeking an ESA letter service for various reasons, ESA Doctors has several different packages based on what you need.
If your main reason for getting an ESA letter is so your service animal can live with you, ESA Doctors provides an ESA housing letter to ensure you have your emotional pet support at home. If you have an especially difficult landlord, ESA Doctors also has a package that includes extra legal support with your ESA letter, along with a discounted renewal to keep you safe for the future.
If you aren't looking for an ESA letter but would like a more specialized PSD letter, ESA Doctors can also help you with that.
The Process
ESA Doctors follows the same basic process as many other ESA letter services but with minor differences. While the first step is to fill out a pre-screening questionnaire to ensure that you have a mental illness that will qualify for an ESA letter, there are two different questionnaires based on what you need: an ESA or PSA letter.
After you fill out one of the two questionnaires, ESA Doctors will consult with a licensed mental health provider to assess your need for an ESA or PSA letter. Once that consultation is complete, you will receive your ESA or PSA letter, printed on the letterhead of one of ESA Doctor's independent mental health professionals, within 1-3 business days.
Pros
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
In business for over a decade
Helped over 50,000 clients with their emotional service support animal
ESA Doctors complies with state and federal regulations
Can help with either ESA or PSA letter
Cons
If you live in the state of California, state regulations will slow down the process (just as it does with every ESA letter service)
What Is an ESA Letter?
An ESA letter is a mental health professional's custom treatment plan for you. It recommends an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) to aid your mental or emotional support.
You can think of an ESA letter as your prescription for an Emotional Support Animal — just like a prescribed medication. According to the Department of Justice, that is precisely what an ESA letter is — a prescription.
An ESA letter service can simplify this process by connecting you directly with a licensed therapist or mental health professionals in your state.
What Are the Benefits of Having an ESA Letter?
Emotional support animals can provide an enormous benefit to people who have a mental health condition or a need for emotional support. The issue with these conditions is that they are typically invisible, which means that people may not immediately recognize your Emotional Support Animals for the aid they provide you.
An Emotional Support Animal letter can help you bring your support animals into various establishments. Those establishments cannot deny entry if your support animal has a legitimate ESA letter.
Many laws state that people with such conditions must gain access to any property, accommodations, or facilities with their Emotional Support Animals. Backed up by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), these laws include the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Air Carrier Access Act of 1988, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
When a licensed therapist, professional mental health counselor, or other licensed mental health professional writes an ESA letter that outlines why you need your Emotional Support Animals, the legal system in the US restricts anyone from preventing your entry with them.
Who Is Eligible for an ESA Letter?
To be eligible for an ESA letter, the owner must have a qualifying mental health diagnosis or psychiatric disability diagnosed by a mental health professional. Once there is a diagnosis, the mental health professional may write an ESA letter.
If you have any mental health condition listed below, you may qualify for an ESA letter:
Learning disabilities
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety or other anxiety disorders
Depression
An intellectual disability
PTSD
Night terrors
Motor skill disorders
Bipolar disorders
Sexual disorders
Substance-related disorders
Cognitive disorders
Many mental illnesses may qualify, at the discretion of independent mental health professionals
Unlike service animals or Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSD), an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is not required to undergo training to perform a specific service for their handler or owner. As long as the animal can behave, not present any disturbances due to behavior, listen to the owner's commands, and can remain seated on the floor while on its leash, any animal may be considered an Emotional Support Animal (ESA).
The key to ensuring that you have legal support is procuring an ESA letter from one of the platforms listed above. While you could ask your doctor to write you a prescription, you still have to take the time to make an appointment, go to their office, and hope they understand and support the benefits of an emotional support animal.
But if you want to save time and are willing to pay a small fee, the platforms listed above allow you to get an ESA letter quickly from a qualified mental health professional who already believes in those benefits.
How to Get a Legitimate ESA Letter?
The fastest, easiest, and most hassle-free way to get a legitimate ESA letter is from one of the abovementioned ESA letter services. If you want to do it the old-fashioned way, the list below is what you need to do.
The Old Fashioned Way to get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letter:
Find a mental health professional licensed in your state who is familiar with emotional support animals.
Schedule a visit (in-person or online).
Attend your visit at the appointed time and office.
Talk openly about your mental health issues and why an emotional support animal could help.
Request an ESA letter.
Get a signed ESA letter from that qualified mental health professional.
What Laws Protect People With ESAs?
Because ESA letters are for individuals who often have disorders or needs invisible to the casual observer, a valid ESA letter shows that your animal provides more than just a standard pet. The laws listed below protect people with legitimate needs from having their ESAs barred entry in certain places.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA provides the right of disabled persons to be accompanied by a support animal in public spaces. Support dogs must be well-behaved, stay on the floor in a harness, and cannot override public health rules (they can't swim in a public pool with their owner).
According to the ADA, no establishment has the right to force you to identify your specific disability or force your animal to perform its trained skill. But as a mental health or emotional support service animal may be providing services for an unseen disability, they can ask you the following two questions:
Is the service animal required for a disability?
What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
The Air Carrier Access Act of 1988 (ACAA)
The ACAA prohibits refusal and discrimination towards individuals based on their disability and any need for a service animal to accompany them to fly. This act permits disabled owners to bring their service animals on board a flight and stay with them in the cabin. The Act also prohibits the airlines from charging extra fees for the service animal.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA)
The FHA protects people with both mental and physical disabilities from being discriminated against when it comes to accommodations. Landlords can't deny housing based on the diagnosis of any disability, whether physical, mental, or emotional. People with service animals, such as a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD), cannot be discriminated against under the FHA, even if the property has a no-pet policy. There are also no housing-related pet fees if the owner maintains any Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letters.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The IDEA act allows students to bring service animals into places of education. This has become more important recently, as many military veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have begun to use their GI Bill to seek higher education after their time in the military is complete.
The guidelines from the Department of Justice are less clear for support animal letter services regarding the IDEA Act. Each case will need to be discussed individually according to your school and the state in which you reside.
Does Your Emotional Support Animal Need Training?
The difference between an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter and Psychiatric Service Animal (PSA) letter is that a PSA must be trained to perform a specific function that aids the affliction of their owner.
While an ESA does not require specific training, it must be able to abide by specific regulations to be seen as a legitimate ESA.
An ESA must be able to:
Be well-trained and behave around others
Be under your control at all times
Must not pose any threat to the health or safety of others
Follow your commands
Sit on the floor of an establishment while on their leash
There is some level of training that is required for your ESA to meet those requirements, such as basic commands and having respect for your authority as their owner. If you plan on bringing your ESA with you to public places, you should undoubtedly teach them how to sit, heel, lie down, and follow your commands at a minimum.
What to Consider Before Choosing an ESA Service Provider?
Landlords may deny your “registered ESA” if your ESA letter is not legitimate.
You cannot be instantly approved for an ESA letter. If the ESA service provider offers an ESA with no consultation from a mental health professional, likely, the provider is not legitimate.
Avoid service providers with unnecessary services. Any ESA will need frequent renewal.
Avoid dirt-cheap letters. Any valid ESA letters will require consultation with a professional. Expect a reasonable fee.
How to choose the right ESA service for you?
Choose an ESA service provider with a licensed mental health professional.
Be sure the platform you use is secure and respects client confidentiality.
Make sure they have good customer service.
Bottom Line
As life becomes more hectic and stressful, anxiety and various mental health disorders may significantly increase. Whether you have stress-induced anxiety or another type of diagnosed mental or emotional disorder, an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) can provide the legal support needed to keep your furry friend by your side.
Many laws protect your right to have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) with you at all times as long as you have a valid ESA letter. There are many "ESA mills" online that will print fake ESA letters and provide you with no legal recourse if something were to go wrong.
Don't risk being conned by a fake online ESA provider. Don’t waste your time visiting a doctor who does not see the value in an ESA. The above online platforms are the best Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter websites. Use one of them today to have your furry friend by your side wherever you go!
Contact Details
UP Venture Media
Jon Torres
+1 707-228-9583
