What is an Emotional Support Dog Letter? Do I Qualify?

Research says that pet therapy delivers many mental health benefits. Living with an emotional support dog can help you get off loneliness, depression, chronic health issues, etc. In fact, it elevates your mood, thus giving you a reason to work dedicatedly and live your life happily. 

By getting an emotional support dog letter from a licensed therapist, you can legally live with your support animal. Read on to learn more about the ESA letter and do you qualify for it.

What is an Emotional Support Dog Letter?

An emotional support dog letter is a kind of official letter issued by a licensed mental health professional. It states that you are diagnosed with a mental illness, which can be managed with animal-assisted therapy. Thus, you can easily avail ESA benefits.

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), tenants can live with their emotional support animals without paying extra pet deposits to landlords. Your landlord can ask you to show proof that you need the pet therapy, i.e. ESA letter to lead a happy life, but, can’t deny you housing just because you own an emotional support dog.

Qualifying For an Emotional Support Dog Letter

Studies show that patients with various mental illnesses can benefit from pet therapy. So, if you have a mental disability, such as anxiety, depression, etc., you may qualify for an ESA.

Here are the common disorders that qualify for an emotional support dog letter-

• Anxiety Disorders- Mental health conditions that are linked to feelings of worry, fear, and lack of focus. Studies show that anxiety disorders can interfere with a patient’s daily life activities.
• Depression- It’s characterized by depressed mood, loneliness, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Patients with depression often experience a lack of sleep, changes in appetite, lack of concentration, and self-esteem.
• ADD- A mental illness that can lead to low self-esteem, lack of focus, etc. Usually, medical professionals suggest talk therapy or medicines or a combination of both for ADD treatment.
• Motor Skill Disorder- A disorder causing difficulty in performing tasks that require motor actions. It’s a common condition in children.

To get an emotional support dog letter, you need to talk to a licensed mental health professional. The professional will diagnose your condition comprehensively and may ask you to share your medical history. If you are approved, they will provide you with an ESA letter.

At My ESA Doctor, you can apply for your emotional support dog letter online in three simple steps-

• Sign up for an account online
• See a therapist via video call
• Receive your ESA letter in PDF via email

In conclusion, animal-assisted therapy is effective for fighting major mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADD, etc. Studies show that pets provide ultimate love, thus relieving loneliness, mood issues, etc. effectively. If you are diagnosed with a mental disability, you can apply for an emotional support dog letter. Your therapist will ask you a few questions about your condition and may ask you to show your medical history for verification purposes before providing you with an ESA letter. With telemedicine technology, you can get your emotional support dog letter in just 10 minutes.