An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides therapeutic benefit to a person with a mental health or psychiatric disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not require specialized training to perform specific tasks.
What Qualifies as an ESA?
Almost any domesticated animal can be an ESA, including:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Birds
- Rabbits
- Guinea pigs
- And other common pets
The key requirement is that the animal provides emotional support that alleviates one or more symptoms of a person's disability.
ESA vs Service Animal: Key Differences
| Feature | Emotional Support Animal | Service Animal |
|---|---|---|
| Training Required | No specific training | Trained for specific tasks |
| Public Access | Housing only | All public places |
| Species | Any domesticated animal | Primarily dogs |
| Documentation | ESA letter required | No documentation required |
| Legal Protection | Fair Housing Act | ADA + Fair Housing Act |
Mental Health Conditions That May Qualify
ESAs can help people with various mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety disorders - Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder
- Depression - Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder
- PTSD - Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Phobias - Specific phobias that impact daily life
- Bipolar disorder
- Other conditions - As determined by a licensed mental health professional
How ESAs Help
Research shows that animals can provide significant mental health benefits:
- Reduce anxiety and stress - Petting an animal releases oxytocin and reduces cortisol
- Combat loneliness - Provide constant companionship
- Establish routine - Caring for a pet creates structure
- Encourage physical activity - Especially with dogs
- Provide unconditional love - Non-judgmental support
How to Get an ESA Letter
To legally have an ESA, you need a letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) stating that:
- You have a mental health condition recognized in the DSM-5
- The condition substantially limits one or more major life activities
- An ESA is part of your treatment plan
The letter must be on the provider's letterhead and include their license information.
Your Rights as an ESA Owner
Under the Fair Housing Act, you have the right to:
- Live with your ESA in housing with "no pets" policies
- Not pay pet deposits or pet rent
- Not be discriminated against for having an ESA
Check your eligibility to see if you may qualify for an ESA letter.
Related Articles
- Know Your ESA Rights Under the Fair Housing Act - Learn about the legal protections that come with having an ESA letter.
- How to Avoid ESA Letter Scams - Protect yourself from fake ESA letter providers.
- Calculate Your Savings - See how much you can save on pet rent with an ESA letter.
