EMOTIONAL
SUPPORT ANIMAL CONSULTATIONS

An emotional support animal (ESA) can provide both comfort and companionship to individuals suffering from psychological or emotional health conditions. ESAs often provide emotional support to people who suffer with anxiety, depression, PTSD, certain phobias, bipolar disorder, and more. Because of this, ESAs are given special protection in areas of both housing and travel. There is no need to register, license, or certify your emotional support animals. Federal and state laws require that the owners have a consultation with a licensed mental health professional (e.g., therapist, counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) and receive a properly formatted official letter. At Family Solutions Counseling, we offer consultations to help you in the process of obtaining the needed documentation to qualify for an emotional support animal (ESA). Our licensed therapists can conduct an assessment and discuss how to best support you. The consultation can be held in person or through telehealth online. The cost for the consultation and completed ESA letter is $250. Call us for more information.

Emotional support animals have certain protections under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The Fair Housing Act permits individuals to live with ESAs in residences with no-pet policies - free of charge or deposits. Specific breed or weight restrictions do not apply to emotional support animals. Landlords must accept and accommodate ESAs unless the animal is dangerous or unsafe to the building or other tenants. When flying with your ESA you are afforded limited protections under the ACAA. The airlines can make their own rules concerning emotional support animals. Many require that you provide an ESA letter, along with additional forms, several hours before your flight. There may be further restrictions for large animals, international travel, and owners with multiple ESAs. You can find out more about airline ESA rules by going to the airline’s website and searching ESA’s.

No, there is no need to register your pet as an emotional support animal on an online database or through any organization. The ESA letter itself serves as proof of your emotional support animal status.

An official emotional support animal letter includes the mental health professional's licensing information and contact details, a statement confirming your disability (does not mention specific details), the date of issue, and the personal information (name and address) of the individual receiving the ESA letter.

No, a digital version of your ESA letter is valid and can be saved on mobile devices such as phones and laptops.

No, an ESA letter grants protection for housing and travel. You cannot use an ESA letter to go into public places that prohibit pets. This includes hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, stadiums, bars, and other public spaces that don’t allow the entry of pets.

ESA letters are written for emotional support animals; ESAs are not always recognized by every part of the law. By acquiring a PSA or psychiatric service dog letter, your dog will legally be accommodated in all spaces.

ESAs are not considered Service Animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) designates service animals as animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks that relate directly to a person’s disability.

A signed ESA letter written by a licensed therapist allows you protection by The Fair Housing Act. This allows you protection from landlords from refusing to rent to you because of your pet, or from charging you extra fees for having your pet. Once your pet has been granted ESA status, they considered an emotional support or service animal. Family Solutions Counseling offers consultations to help you obtain an ESA letter that can give you protection under The Fair Housing Act. Our licensed therapists can conduct an assessment and discuss how to best support you. The consultation can be held in person or through telehealth online. The cost for the consultation and completed ESA letter is $250. Call us for more information.

The Fair Housing Act prevents housing discrimination in the United States. This Act prohibits discrimination in the purchase, sale, rental, or financing of a property based on a variety of factors. Mental health disability is protected by this act, so if your pets are considered service animals or qualify for an ESA letter, you and your pets will be protected under this statute.

Yes, after speaking with a therapist you might be able to obtain/purchase multiple ESA letters, with additional fees. It is important that you complete ESA letter requirements for each animal you want to get approved.