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How to Qualify for An Emotional Support Animal
Overview
If you have an emotional disability, you can legally qualify for an ESA, short for an emotional support animal. You must have documentation of an emotional or mental disability from a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or other duly licensed and/or certified mental health professional. This certification should be a formal and appropriately formatted letter, known as an ESA Letter.
To qualify for an Emotional Support Animal, your ESA letter must be written on the mental health professional’s letterhead, including their license type, date of the license, license number, the state of the license, and the date the letter was written.
What the Letter Must Contain
Your ESA letter must contain some details which will inform your landlord that:
- You are a current patient of the signing mental health professional
- You have a mental disability that is covered by the Fair Housing Act
- Your disability substantially limits you in performing or participating in at least one major life activity
- An Emotional Support Animal is an integral part of relieving symptoms of your current condition
It is recommended that the ESA letter be no older than a year.
What Disorders Qualify You as An Emotional Support Animal Owner
Some conditions that qualify for an ESA letter include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Panic Disorders
- Learning disorders
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Tourette’s syndrome and tic disorders
- Motor skill disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Dysphorias and dysmorphias
Emotional Support Animal Training
Unlike service animals, ESAs are not required to be trained to perform a service for their handlers. Your current pet may already be serving as your emotional support animal. To achieve official recognition, however, you must have an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.
See if you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal letter by clicking the link below.
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I have PTSD and anxiety disorder . Can I qualify?
Yes, this could qualify for getting an emotional support animal.
I have had 2 strokes, year 2013 and 2017, it’s caused me to have disability issues, I have to have a knee replacement in both knees and I have bone spurs in both knees I had a cortisone shot about 4 days ago and I can’t have the knee surgery for three months now and now I’ve been diagnosed with blood cancer it’s calledl paratha Vera( PV blood cancer),, the stroke has caused my right side 2 ache deep in the muscle in the bones clear up over my shoulder do the tips of my finger down to the bottoms of my feet and toes, and then the stroke cause my left hand pinky it won’t bend straight and then my pointer finger and thumb are numb I can’t feel anything in the left part of my face feels numb and then I’ve got nerve pain on my right whole side from the stroke so it’s very hard to get around because my hands don’t work well and neither do my legs,
You would most likely qualify to have a Service animal to help with your mobility, but I do not know if this would qualify you for an emotional support animal.
Unless you have one of the mental health disablitities listed above, you may not qualify for an ESA, however, you may qualify for an SA, a service animal.
Service animals can be trained to respond when the owner is having a stroke, and can help ease the stress associated with being in pain.
In addition, Service animals can be trained to provide a physical support system for a person when standing up, sitting down, or walking, acting as a surface for a person to push off of
sounds like you need a ‘service dog’ not emotional pet. sorry for your trouble
Wish you all the best. If you don’t have someone to take responsibility, please consider first whether you’re physically able to care for a dog.
I have anxiety, ptsd, depression, insomnia, and don’t like to eat breakfast lunch or dinner. I also have adhd. Do I qualify?
Yes
2. Can I qualify for an Emotional Support Dog?
emotional support dog
Emotional support animals help people with depression, PTSD, anxiety, and more.
You may qualify for an emotional support dog if you have emotional or mental illnesses. If you suffer from one or more of the mental illnesses listed below, you may qualify for an emotional support dog.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Learning Disorders
Autism
General Anxiety Disorder
Gender Identity
Bipolar
Cognitive disorders
Depression
Severe anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
If you suffer from anxiety, depression, or any of the illnesses listed above, you may be interested in having an official Emotional Support Animal. If you do not have access to a therapist, the next step is to learn more about how to get an ESA Letter online.
Source: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-dog-requirements/
I have bad depression would I qualify?
Depression does qualify a person to have an emotional support animal.
What if the person gets so depressed crippling to the point where they dont get out of bed or eat etc? like would end up having to go to an institution due to the lack of drive to care for self at all. I have seen this with my mom and I am looking at getting her dog transitioned into a service animal so that way she can have her dog with her to avoid those lows.
I have suffered from chronic major depressive disorder most of my life. My dog is my life. BUT, my psychiatrist will not write a letter….he said that the Disability Act is getting “lax” on EMA. It’s awful how people take advantage of the system, which in turn hurts the people who really need the emotional support. I don’t need thr ESA for airplanes or landlords…I need him for confidence. Pray for Howie, my poodle. He is having extensive knee surgery on Thursday!!!
That’s sad but a sexual disorder does 🤷🏽♀️Smh!
Yes anyone and everyone can qualify for an esa
Scroll to the top of this page. There is a list of disorders that qualify for ESA.
My 10 yr old was diagnosed with PTSD. Is she eligible?
Yes, if a licensed healthcare professional deems it helpful to her PTSD.
I was wondering the same. The questionnaire on here is more for the adult needing help. Is there something that parents of children can fill out. I have a 13 year old with anxiety, having trouble going to school, etc.
I am a 15 year old with anxiety and have trouble remaining calm in social situations and when I try to sleep, could I qualify???
Could I get verification for any kind of animal for my mental health or only a list of certain types.
People with anxiety and depression is no longer on the list of people who can have ESA??
I agree
That falls under cognitive disorders I think
Thank you for considering me and my dog Roxy. We rescued her about 3 months ago. She is a small 10 pound dog that is a mix of Papillon and probably a Maltese.
She had 2 puppies when she was found in a ditch cold and hungry. The family that found her wanted the puppies but not her. My sister -in-law works in surgery at this vet office.
She thought of us. We loved her at first sight and she took right to us. It is uncanny her sense of something is wrong. I recently had open heart surgery and the doctor allowed her to visit me at the hospital a lot. She was quiet and very well behaved. The staff and Doctor were all crazy about her!
That’s awesome I would of never imagined my dog being allowed with me at such a stressful time like being hospitalized.
I have Bipolar disorder AND depression, I’ve had my dog alfie with me for 16 years and now I’m needing him certified so I can move into another apartment , how may I get this done ?
Is there a cost to this process?
If you have anxiety and depression, do you qualify? If so, how do you go about getting my dog certified.
I’m medically retired out the military. Will my paper be my evidence to have a ESA. I have conversion disorder and PTSD
Thank you for your service. The VA has developed programs to provide qualified veterans with service dogs. This article on the Steps for Veterans to Get a Service Dog might be helpful to you https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/steps-for-veterans-service-dog/
I am looking for a service dog because I depression and anxiety and PTSD how do I qualify for a service dog?
If you are in need of your dog to perform specific tasks to help you deal with your disorders, you could be eligible for a service dog. You may find this article on psychiatric service dogs interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/psychiatric-service-dog/
Can my primary write my note for me?
Yes, any licensed healthcare professional can write an ESA for you. The only requirement is that your therapist is licensed in the state of your residency. You may find this article with additional information on how to get an ESA letter interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/
Why not? It’s a true sickness. We should be able to get one
Why?
2. Can I qualify for an Emotional Support Dog?
emotional support dog
Emotional support animals help people with depression, PTSD, anxiety, and more.
You may qualify for an emotional support dog if you have emotional or mental illnesses. If you suffer from one or more of the mental illnesses listed below, you may qualify for an emotional support dog.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Learning Disorders
Autism
General Anxiety Disorder
Gender Identity
Bipolar
Cognitive disorders
Depression
Severe anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
If you suffer from anxiety, depression, or any of the illnesses listed above, you may be interested in having an official Emotional Support Animal. If you do not have access to a therapist, the next step is to learn more about how to get an ESA Letter online.
Source: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-dog-requirements/
Why would you need an ESA for your gender identity? And how is it a “mental illness”?
That letter cost 159.00
I have been a diabetic for 4 years. Do I qualify for a 11 year old dog?
If a teenager that has been throughout the foster system and has meantal health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorter, ptsd, add, adhd, ddd, and has had suicidal thoughts in the past would they have a chance of getting an emotional support animal even though they do not have a therapist any longer?
In order to qualify for an ESA a therapist needs to agree that an animal would be beneficial to the patient’s recovery. If agreed, an ESA letter from said therapist is required. For individuals who cannot reach a lmhp, there are online services that can help make an assessment through telehealth. But be aware to contact a legitimate service with actual health professionals. You may find this article on how to qualify for an ESA interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-qualify-for-an-emotional-support-animal/
So if someone has PTSD & therapist id’d This diagnosis it still doesn’t count?
Hello I was wondering about service dogs.
I have bad anxiety, depression, PTSD, learning disorders and autisim.
I love animals and I think this would help me in day to day tasks.
I think that’s pretty crap to as I have been diagnosed with chronic severe depression fair few years ago, & just recently get one of my pet euthanized due to being mauled & lost a leg by another, & only just became a victim of crime by being hit in face twice with metal bar(star picket) by friends boyfriend, all I say is that if it was 4 my 5yr old beloved pet dog I have now I daont think I would be alive. He helped pull me out of a really dark place
I couldn’t go on without my dog he is what makes me feel like life is worth living without him life is not worth living
yes they are. this sight is a joke. •Substance-related disorder (alcohol and/or drugs, among others does not count legally. The fact that there is a picture of someone sitting in the middle of a street with a dressed pig is a clue this sight is bunk. To many sights taking advantage and trying to make money, pisses me off
Is Personality disorder a recognized mental disorder
Regards
Michelle
Mental disorders are disabilities that qualifies you for an Emotional Support Animal. You will need to work with a licensed mental health professional directly to know for sure. For more information, you may find this article helpful – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-dog-certification-registration/
Oh yeah I definitely have that I am also too nice like no joke I never say no to anyone and never ask for what I want I always say what people want to here I am not outgoing anymore I’m far too nice is there a service animal that can help me with that? Don’t take this as a joke it’s not I’m always worrying I think I have anxiety and I worry about that too I am a huge introvert I have only two very distant friends I try to make more but everyone hates me and they don’t hesitate to tell me and I worry about that too every time I interact with anyone after I’m done I go over everything that I said to make sure I didn’t do something wrong I worry about the fact that I said something wrong all day and I worry about the fact that I spend all day worrying I need help can I get a service animal for that?
No freaking joke! I have both and thought that they would be #1/#2 on the list. Sexual disorder? Really????? I’m pissed.
You all don’t read very well…
2. Can I qualify for an Emotional Support Dog?
emotional support dog
Emotional support animals help people with depression, PTSD, anxiety, and more.
You may qualify for an emotional support dog if you have emotional or mental illnesses. If you suffer from one or more of the mental illnesses listed below, you may qualify for an emotional support dog.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Learning Disorders
Autism
General Anxiety Disorder
Gender Identity
Bipolar
Cognitive disorders
Depression
Severe anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
If you suffer from anxiety, depression, or any of the illnesses listed above, you may be interested in having an official Emotional Support Animal. If you do not have access to a therapist, the next step is to learn more about how to get an ESA Letter online.
Source: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/emotional-support-dog-requirements/
they state that the list is a partial list…
Can my childern have a ESA cause that have adhd ?
No, they are not covered under cognitive disorders. I have to say that I agree with this granted the pure number of those who have anxiety or depression, and how much easier it can be faked
why you feel that way on the contrary any one with a Diagnosis PTSD THERE SHOULD BE NO IF OR BUTS ONCE YOU ARE UNDER PSYCHOLOGIST HELP THERE SHOULDN’T BE ANY PROBLEM
Cognitive would cover that I imagine ?
Yes, Lindsey, I wonder wh yt not!
I am moving into a Retirement Village following the death of my husband of 44 years and my dog aged 13. The Village is not pet friendly. Could I qualify for a therapy dog as I have severe anxiety and depression and if so would the Village need to let me have a dog? I can pay for everything but need a way to be able to have a dog in this village.
I’m very sorry to hear about your loss. Anxiety and depression could indeed get you qualified for an Emotional Support Animal. To qualify for an ESA, a licensed medical health professional needs to agree that an animal is beneficial to your recovery. If agreed, an ESA letter from said therapist is required. Should you currently not have a therapist or an unable to visit one in person, there are online services that can help make an assessment thru telehealth. Be aware to contact a legitimate service with actual health professionals. You may find this article on how to qualify for an ESA interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-qualify-for-an-emotional-support-animal/
How much does this all cost ? I need a document from a phyciayroisy l physical documentation, and i vest or patch for. ESP
I think anxiety and depression fall under one or more of the listed items. Tic disorders, Cognitive disorders, etc