If you have a psychiatric disability, having an emotional support animal can really be an asset. Emotional support animals can provide excellent companionship to help you cope with such things as anxiety, depression, OCD, acute stress, or other psychiatric disorders.
Unfortunately, living or traveling with your emotional support animal can be a challenge when “no pet policies” or “extra pet fees” are involved. In these situations, getting a letter for your pet from your health care professional can be quite helpful.
However, there are a few things you should know before getting an emotional support animal letter.
Where can I get an emotional support animal letter?
To obtain a letter to accommodate your emotional support animal, you will need documentation from a physician or licensed mental health provider. There are some websites that will put you in contact with a medical provider for a fee. Here at our office we also provide evaluations for emotional support animal letters. Be aware that every medical provider will likely have their own process for providing emotional support animal letters. Some medical providers do not provide these letters at all for liability concerns.
What qualifies an animal to be an emotional support animal?
The Dept of Housing and Urban Development which oversees housing discrimination requires that landlords consider 2 questions when evaluating the legitimacy of emotional support animals.
1. Does the person seeking to use and live with the animal have a physical or psychiatric disability?
2. Does the person making the request have a “disability-related need” for an emotional support animal?
Generally, emotional support animals help provide comfort and alleviate an owner’s disability.
Where can I use an emotional support animal letter?
As of this writing, emotional support animal letters can be used by those with a disability who are looking to move into pet restricted housing. Letters can also be used to waive pet fees for housing and airline flights if the emotional support animal is considered a necessity as per Federal Fair Housing Amendment (FHAA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) guidelines.
Who can get an emotional support animal letter?
Anyone with an ongoing medical or psychiatric disability can obtain an emotional support animal letter. However, the animal must be therapeutic to that person’s disability. In order to qualify for a letter, you must meet with an appropriate healthcare professional who can certify your need for an emotional support animal.
How often will I need to get a certification letter for an emotional support animal?
There are no regulations regarding how often you will need to obtain a letter for your emotional support animal. This will depend on how often your medical provider certifies your letter or how often your landlord or the airline requires one. Generally, most landlords and airlines will want a fairly recent letter.
What animals qualify as an emotional support animal?
There is no governing body or regulating entity that certifies what type of animal may be an emotional support animal. Wild or exotic animals that may cause disease or injury to other individuals can be excluded. Aggressive animals or those that may cause property damage can also be excluded. The type of animal allowed is generally up to the discretion of the landlord or airline. According to the Dept of Housing and Urban Development, an emotional support animal is not considered a pet.
Where can I take my emotional support animal?
Emotional support animal regulations have only been written for airline travel and housing. As of this writing, no governing body regulations exist regarding their access to other public or private property.
What’s the difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal?
The regulations for emotional support animals are still quite vague. Service animals however are much more strictly regulated. Service animals are certified by certain non-profit organizations. Their regulations are governed under the American with Disabilities Act, 1990. These animals are considered working animals and are specifically trained to help those with both physical or psychiatric disabilities such as PTSD and anxiety. Only dogs and miniature horses can be certified as service animals.
What will my doctor need to know to certify an emotional support animal?
Your doctor or licensed mental health provider will need to document a psychiatric disability. Your emotional support animal letter however should not include your diagnosis, unless you would like it stated in the letter. There may also be ongoing intervention or follow up visits to manage your disability. While an emotional support animal is a great adjunct in helping those with a disability, it should not replace therapeutic medical or psychiatric care.
Dr. Sergio Guiteau is a physician who has certifications in Aesthetic Medicine and is board certified in Family Practice and Sports Medicine. He specializes in Anti-Aging Medicine and blogs on Advancedrejuv.com/blog