What Warrants an ESA Letter?
As pet owners, we see our pets as another addition to our families. We know that having a pet comes with many responsibilities and many benefits for us, such as providing us with companionship and unconditional love. Many of us would argue that our emotional states have improved significantly due to the addition of our pets. Due to this, maybe you’ve heard or considered making your pet an emotional support animal (ESA). If you’re considering asking your therapist, psychiatrist, or general practitioner about obtaining an ESA letter, here are the things you need to know about what warrants the need for an ESA letter as well as your rights as a pet owner with a disability.
What Does “Emotional Support Animal” Really Mean?
Emotional support animals (ESAs and are typically dogs or cats), unlike service animals or therapy animals, are well-behaved and even-tempered animals that provide the owner with emotional support toward distress caused by mental health disorders. While ESAs don’t require specific training, you may not get approval for your pet to be an ESA if your pet does not get along well with other animals, misbehaves around others, or destroys property.
***Other definitions:
Service animals are animals used as aids for those with physical disabilities and limitations such as visual impairment. Service animals are trained to detect certain things; such as barriers for those with visual impairments. In addition to responding by performing an action for their owner; such as guiding them away from obstacles.
Therapy animals are animals used in clinical settings. Such as in outpatient treatment centers, hospitals, and schools for therapeutic use. Therapy animals are selected for their temperament and undergo a training process to be obedient and calm. Therapy animals are accompanied by their handler in these clinical settings.
So What Would Warrant an ESA Letter?
The most common situation where an individual may request an ESA letter is regarding the pet policy of the building or landlord where they may be living. Needing an ESA letter would mean you experience some sort of emotional distress due to a mental health disorder and your pet is seen as vital in your mental health treatment process. Disorders that typically warrant the need for ESA letters may include PTSD, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, phobias, depression, bipolar disorder, and other emotional or psychological disorders. As mentioned above, ESA letters can be written by a mental health provider (such as a therapist or counselor), psychiatrist, or general practitioner.
Understanding the Laws Behind ESA Letters
The American Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA) are policies that recognize and ensure individuals with mental health issues are not discriminated against for having/needing an emotional support animal. ESA Letters for housing are certified proof of the need for an emotional support animal. Thus, they allow an individual to obtain housing regardless of pet policies that may be in place, such as breed restrictions, animal rental fees, or a no-pets policy altogether. Please note that obtaining an ESA letter from anywhere (such as the websites you find online that state you can obtain one instantly) may not always be approved by your landlord or building. It’s important to check the requirements needed where you live with the state you live in as well as the building or landlord you may be renting from.
Discussing an ESA Letter With a Licensed Health Care Provider
Not all licensed healthcare providers write ESA letters due to a matter of preference and liability. If your healthcare provider is able and willing to write this letter for you, understand that you will discuss with your healthcare provider the limitations of this letter, such as that you are not exempt from the fees that go along with having a pet (such as vet fees and care for your pet).
Begin Working With an Anxiety Therapist in Miami, FL
Our team of caring therapists is happy to offer support by providing ESA letters along with mental health support for anxiety, trauma, and other services. You can start your therapy journey with your Miami, FL-based practice by following these simple steps:
Reach out to get matched with a Miami therapist
Get to know our team of caring therapists
Start receiving the support you deserve!
Other Services Offered with Miami Vibes Counseling
Our team is happy to help with anxiety therapy and a variety of other mental health services. Other services offered include trauma therapy, and therapy for children, adults, parents, and families. Our services include therapy for grief, spirituality, and life transitions. Some of the techniques we use include ACT, CBT, and TF-CBT. All of these services are available both in person and through virtual therapy.
