Can I take my pet anywhere?
Almost! Because an emotional support animal is not a service animal, there are some limitations on where you can take it. Most businesses are legally permitted to deny entry of an ESA, while certified service animals are required to be allowed. However, if you contact the business ahead of time and communicate your situation, you may find that many are willing to make accommodations if possible.
How does the ESA process work?
Getting started is simple and fully online. Take our free quiz to see if you may qualify, then securely submit your information for review by a licensed healthcare professional in your state. If approved, your Official ESA® letter will be delivered digitally in as little as 24 hours. Our Official ESA® letters are designed to meet the requirements of the Fair Housing Act, helping you request housing accommodations wherever you live or move. Please note that some states have specific timing requirements that may affect when your letter can be issued. Requirements may vary by state.
Is the Official ESA® from a real doctor?
Yes, each ESA request is reviewed by a licensed healthcare professional in your state. Upon approval, you will receive your Official ESA® Letter digitally in as soon as 24-48 hours. All ESA documentation includes the clinician’s full information and verifiable license number.
What federal and state laws protect my Official ESA®?
The main protection is under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) — it lets people with a disability-related need request to keep their emotional support animal at home, even in no-pet housing, and often without pet fees or breed and size limits. Many states add their own fair-housing protections on top, though the exact rules can vary by state and housing type.
How does the Official ESA® protect me from housing policies?
Under the Fair Housing Act, a valid ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional may allow you to request reasonable housing accommodations to live with your pet, even in properties with no-pet policies. Pet rent, pet deposits, and pet fees do not apply to qualified emotional support animals — ESAs are not considered pets under federal housing law. The Fair Housing Act applies to most housing in the United States including apartments, condos, and rental homes. There are a few limited exceptions, such as owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, but for most renters these protections are available.
What if I don’t get approved for an Official ESA®?
Due to our thorough online qualifying process, most ESA requests are fully approved by our network of state-licensed healthcare professionals. If for any reason your ESA request isn’t approved, you will be refunded 100% of your money.
What is the difference between an ESA and a PSD?
Both ESAs and PSDs support people with mental health conditions, but they work differently and carry very different legal rights. An emotional support animal provides comfort and support through companionship and does not require specialized training. A psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform specific tasks that directly support a qualifying mental health condition. PSDs have broader access rights under the ADA including public access, while ESAs are primarily protected under the Fair Housing Act for housing accommodations only.
Can my dog become a psychiatric service dog?
Your dog may be able to qualify as a Psychiatric Service Dog. To be eligible, you must have a qualifying mental health condition under the ADA, and your dog must be trained to perform specific tasks directly related to that condition. The process to get started is simple and fully online. Take our free quiz to see if you may qualify, then submit your answers for evaluation by a licensed healthcare professional. If approved, you will receive your ESA documentation and PSD recommendation letter. From there you can enroll in our self-paced online PSD training courses to train your dog to perform the specific tasks required for your condition.
