Emotional Support Animal Letter Template

Emotional Support Animal Letter Template (Free Samples & Legal Guide)

An emotional support animal letter template is essential for those who require a companion animal to help manage their mental health. Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide invaluable emotional support to individuals dealing with conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress. However, obtaining a valid ESA letter is crucial to accessing the benefits and legal protections of having an ESA.

In this guide, we will explore what an ESA is, the importance of an ESA letter, and free samples you can use. We will also provide a sample ESA letter template, discuss common mistakes to avoid, and answer frequently asked questions.

What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a pet that provides emotional or mental health support to individuals diagnosed with conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or stress disorders. Unlike service animals, ESAs don’t need special training—but they do require a licensed mental health professional’s recommendation.

Why You Need an ESA Letter

To legally qualify for an ESA, you must have a formal letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). This ESA letter protects your rights under:

• ✅ The Fair Housing Act (FHA) – Allows ESA accommodation in no-pet housing
• ✅ The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) – Permits ESA travel on certain flights (subject to airline policies)

Without this letter, landlords and airlines can deny access or charge additional fees.

Who Can Issue an ESA Letter?

Only a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) can write an ESA letter. Eligible professionals include:

• 🧠 Psychiatrists
• 🩺 Clinical Psychologists
• 👩⚕️ Licensed Therapists or Counselors
• 🧾 Licensed Clinical Social Workers

How to Get an ESA Letter (Step-by-Step)

1. Consult a LMHP: Schedule a session in person or via telehealth.
2. Get Evaluated: The LMHP will assess your condition and your need for an ESA.
3. Receive Letter: If approved, they’ll issue a legally valid ESA letter.
4. Submit for Housing or Travel: Present your letter to landlords or airlines as needed.
   

✅ ESA Letter Requirements Checklist

A valid ESA letter must include:

Benefits of a Valid ESA Letter

• 🏠 No-pet housing accommodation
• 💸 No additional pet fees
• 🛫 Flight accommodation on select airlines
• 🛡️ Legal protection from discrimination
• ❤️ Improved emotional stability

Free esa letter templates

Below are sample free ESA letter templates that you can use as a reference. This template includes all the essential components needed for a valid ESA letter.

ESA Letter for Therapist

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letter Template for Therapist

[Therapist’s Name]

[License Type and Number]

[Practice Name or Clinic]

Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am a licensed mental health professional practicing in the state of [Insert State] and currently treating [Patient’s Full Legal Name], whom I have been seeing for the treatment of a mental or emotional disability recognized under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Based on my clinical evaluation, [he/she/they] meet the criteria for such a condition and are substantially limited in one or more major life activities as defined by the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

It is my professional opinion that the presence of an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is medically necessary to support [Patient’s Name]’s ongoing mental health treatment. The ESA contributes to alleviating symptoms of [e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, clinical depression, PTSD, etc.] and provides therapeutic emotional support that cannot be achieved through medication or psychotherapy alone.

As such, I am recommending that [Patient’s Name] be permitted to reside with [his/her/their] emotional support animal, which is a [Animal Type, e.g., dog, cat, rabbit], in all forms of housing, including those with a "no-pet policy" under protections granted by the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)). This accommodation is necessary to ensure equal opportunity for housing and the effective management of [his/her/their] disability.

This letter also serves to support ESA-related travel accommodations under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), should [Patient’s Name] request that [his/her/their] ESA accompany them during air travel, subject to individual airline policies and updated federal guidelines.

Please note that this recommendation does not classify the ESA as a service animal, and the animal in question has not been trained to perform specific tasks. Instead, the ESA provides general emotional support that helps mitigate the patient’s symptoms.

Should you require verification of my credentials or further clarification, I am available to respond promptly to authorized requests. This letter is issued with [Patient’s Name]’s informed consent.

Sincerely, [Therapist’s Full Name]

[License Type, License Number] [State of Licensure]

[Signature] [Contact Information]

✅ Important Notes:

• This letter should be written on official letterhead.
• Valid for 12 months unless otherwise specified.
• The patient should retain a copy and submit only upon request to landlords or airlines.

ESA Dog Letter Template (Legally Compliant)

[Therapist’s Full Name]

[Professional License Type & Number] [Practice Name or Clinic]

[Email Address] [Phone Number]

Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) practicing in the state of [State], and I am currently providing therapeutic services to [Patient’s Full Name], who is under my care for a clinically diagnosed mental or emotional health condition. This condition substantially limits one or more major life activities, as defined by the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

After evaluating [Patient’s Name], it is my professional judgment that the presence of an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)—specifically, a dog—is necessary for the ongoing treatment and psychological well-being of my patient. The emotional support provided by this dog significantly alleviates symptoms related to [his/her/their] mental health condition, which may include anxiety, depression, PTSD, or chronic stress.

As such, I recommend that [Patient’s Name] be permitted to keep this dog as an emotional support animal, even in residences that otherwise prohibit pets. This recommendation falls under the protections granted by the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)), which mandates reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who require an ESA.

Additionally, this ESA dog may be eligible for air travel accommodations under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), provided that the patient complies with the applicable airline’s documentation requirements.

Please note that while this dog provides essential emotional and psychological support, it is not a service animal and has not been trained to perform specific tasks. Its role is to offer general emotional comfort, which plays a significant part in the patient’s mental health treatment.

Should you require verification of my credentials or further details, I am available to provide additional documentation upon the patient’s consent.

Sincerely, [Therapist’s Full Name]

[License Type, License Number] [State of Licensure]

[Signature] [Contact Information]

✅ Additional Notes:

• Ensure this letter is printed on the therapist’s official letterhead.
• Include a recent date of issue, as most landlords or airlines require the letter to be current (within 12 months).
• The ESA (dog) may also need to be identified by name and breed if specifically requested.

This addition provides reassurance regarding dog bite insurance, addressing potential concerns from landlords or apartment management while maintaining the letter's professional tone and structure.

ESA Letter Template for Housing

(To be issued by a licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist)

[Licensed Therapist’s Full Name] [Professional Title – e.g., LCSW, LMFT, PsyD, etc.]

[License Number and State of Licensure]

[Email Address] [Phone Number]

Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am a licensed mental health professional practicing in the state of [State], and I am currently providing ongoing care to [Patient’s Full Name], whom I have been treating for a diagnosed mental or emotional health condition. As part of their treatment plan, I have determined that the presence of an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is necessary to support their emotional well-being and alleviate specific symptoms related to their condition.

According to the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3619), individuals with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations in housing, including the presence of an emotional support animal, even in properties that typically prohibit pets.

[Patient’s Full Name] requires the companionship and emotional grounding provided by their ESA to manage daily activities and maintain emotional stability. This animal plays a critical, non-optional role in mitigating the effects of their condition, including symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, or emotional dysregulation.

Therefore, I strongly recommend that [Patient’s Name] be permitted to keep their emotional support animal — a [Type of Animal, e.g., dog/cat] — in their current or future place of residence, even if there are restrictive pet policies in place. This accommodation is not only reasonable under the law, but also essential to the individual's ability to function and live independently.

This letter is written with the patient's consent. Should you require verification of my credentials or have additional questions, I am available to respond upon request, provided you have the necessary authorization.

Sincerely, [Therapist’s Full Name]

[License Number] [State of Licensure]

[Professional Title] [Signature]

✔️ Important Tips for Use:

• Always print this letter on official letterhead.
• The therapist must include their license number, type, and the state in which it was issued.
• Ensure the letter is dated within the last 12 months for validity.
• No specific diagnosis is required to be disclosed under HUD guidance unless the patient gives their consent.

Emotional support animal letter template for Landlord

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to confirm that I have been treating [Patient's Full Name] for [briefly describe the mental or emotional condition, e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.] as part of my practice as a licensed mental health professional. Based on my evaluation and ongoing therapeutic relationship with [Patient's Name], I can confirm that [he/she/they] experiences symptoms that significantly impact [his/her/their] daily life.

In my professional opinion, the presence of [Patient's Name]’s Emotional Support Animal (ESA), a [Type of Animal, e.g., dog, cat, etc.], is a crucial component of [his/her/their] treatment plan. The animal provides essential emotional support that alleviates symptoms associated with [briefly describe the condition again, e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.]. Specifically, the ESA helps to [describe how the ESA supports the patient, e.g., reduce anxiety, provide comfort during stressful situations, etc.].

I recommend that [Patient's Name] be allowed to keep [his/her/their] ESA in [Property Name/Address], even if your rental property has a "no pets" policy. This recommendation is made under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) provisions, which require reasonable accommodations for individuals with a disability, including the allowance of an ESA.

To ensure the animal’s living space is appropriate, please note that [Type of Animal] typically requires a minimum area of [include space in square feet or meters, e.g., 165 cm in feet]. This helps maintain the animal's well-being while ensuring it does not negatively impact the property.

This letter is a recommendation for an ESA, not a service animal, offering comfort without requiring specialized training.

If you require any further information or verification, please feel free to contact me directly.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Emotional Support Animal Letter Template for Therapist

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to confirm that I have been treating [Patient's Full Name] for [briefly describe the mental or emotional condition, e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.] as part of my practice as a licensed therapist. Based on my evaluation and ongoing therapeutic relationship with [Patient's Name], I can confirm that [he/she/they] experiences symptoms that significantly impact [his/her/their] daily life.

In my professional opinion, the presence of [Patient's Name]’s Emotional Support Animal (ESA), a [Type of Animal, e.g., dog, cat, etc.], is a crucial component of [his/her/their] treatment plan. The animal provides essential emotional support that alleviates symptoms associated with [briefly describe the condition again, e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.]. Specifically, the ESA helps to [describe how the ESA supports the patient, e.g., reduce anxiety, provide comfort during stressful situations, etc.].

I recommend that [Patient's Name] be allowed to keep [his/her/their] ESA with [him/her/them] in housing that may have a "no pets" policy, as well as during air travel, under the provisions of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). These accommodations are necessary to ensure [Patient's Name] can manage [his/her/their] condition effectively and maintain [his/her/their] overall well-being.

This letter is a recommendation for an ESA, not a service animal, offering comfort without requiring specialized training.

Additionally, if massage therapy is part of [Patient's Name]'s treatment plan, I can provide information regarding massage therapy insurance to ensure coverage and support for their holistic health approach.

If you require further information or verification, please contact me directly.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Getting a letter from non-licensed sources
• ❌ Missing license details on the letter
• ❌ Assuming ESA = Service Animal
• ❌ Submitting expired letters
• ❌ Not referencing the Fair Housing Act

📎 Legal References & Resources

• U.S. Department of Housing: Fair Housing Act
• U.S. Department of Transportation: ACAA

🐶 FAQs About ESA Letters

1. Is an ESA the same as a service animal?

No. ESAs provide emotional support but lack specific task training like service animals.

2. Can any pet be an ESA?

Yes—dogs, cats, rabbits, even birds—as long as the LMHP deems it emotionally beneficial.

3. How long is the ESA letter valid?

Typically, 1 year. Renew annually to avoid issues with housing or travel.

4. Is an online ESA letter legit?

Only if written by a licensed professional with proper credentials. Be cautious of scams.

Closing remarks on Emotional support animal letter template

Obtaining an emotional support animal letter is crucial for anyone who relies on an ESA for emotional well-being. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your ESA letter is valid, comprehensive, and legally sound. If you believe an ESA could benefit your mental health, take the first step by consulting with a licensed mental health professional and requesting a letter that accurately reflects your needs.

Self-help is the best help—by taking proactive steps to secure an adequately documented ESA letter, you gain peace of mind and ensure you can access the accommodations and protections you are entitled to under the law. Similar to an authorization letter that grants permission or a reference letter that vouches for someone's character, your ESA letter serves as a crucial document that legitimizes your need for emotional support, allowing you to access essential accommodations.