Question: How To Certify Your Dog As An Emotional Support Dog

There is no such thing as a certificate or a certification program that officially qualifies a dog as an emotional support animal under law The only legitimate way to qualify your dog as an Emotional Support Animal is by obtaining a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional

What qualifies a dog as an emotional support animal?

What Is an Emotional Support Dog? Although all dogs offer an emotional connection with their owner, to legally be considered an emotional support dog, also called an emotional support animal (ESA), the pet needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness

How do you get an emotional support dog certified?

One way to get an ESA letter is to visit a licensed mental health professional A licensed mental health professional can be a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor First, you must go in for an evaluation in person to see if you are indeed qualified for an ESA

Do I need an emotional support animal test?

To qualify for an ESA and get an emotional support animal letter, you need to be evaluated by a mental health professional Then they need to certify you have a recognized emotional disability that can benefit from having an ESA

How do you prove your dog is a service dog?

A public entity shall not ask about the nature or extent of a person’s disability, but may make two inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service animal A public entity may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform

Can my doctor write a letter for an emotional support animal?

Authorized professionals can authorize an emotional support animal letter Any licensed mental health professional can write ESA letters and state the pet is part of your therapy treatment plan Licensed Mental Health Professional (including psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist)Jul 15, 2020

Does an ESA letter expire?

The ESA letter you receive for Housing has no expiration date and is valid for the full term of your lease or ownership

How do I qualify for an ESA letter?

To qualify for an emotional support animal in the US, its owner must have an emotional or mental disability that is certified by a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other licensed mental health care provider These may be invisible disabilities

Can you get an ESA for anxiety?

People who have anxiety that isn’t as debilitating may benefit from an emotional support animal These domestic animals aren’t limited to canines They’re intended to provide comforting companionship Emotional support animals are still regarded as pets in most situations

How do I ask my doctor for an emotional support animal?

Asking Your Doctor Schedule an Appointment Discuss symptoms you may be experiencing Allow the doctor to make recommendations Ask if they have seen emotional support animals bring about good results Discuss this as an option Get recommendations for an LMHP

Is Express pet certify legit?

Is ExpressPetCertify Legit? ExpressPetCertifycom is not a legitimate company In addition to the red flag mentioned above, the site also does not state that a licensed doctor or LMHP will talk to you during the process, which is necessary for the ESA letter to be valid

Is an emotional support dog a service dog?

Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA

Who writes letters for emotional support animals?

The letter may be written by the individual’s primary care physician, social worker, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional and should state that the animal provides support that alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of an existing disability

Can a landlord deny an emotional support animal?

There’s no question a landlord cannot deny a tenant of the right to have a service animal, which the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines as a dog that has been trained to perform a specific task for a person with a disability

Who can approve an ESA?

If you have an emotional disability, you can legally qualify for an ESA, short for an emotional support animal You must be certified as emotionally disabled by a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or other duly licensed and/or certified mental health professional

Do ESA dogs need a vest?

No Federal law requires either service animals or emotional support animals to wear a vest, clothing or harness that designates them as a service or support animal Many individuals do prefer to have their pet wear a vest or harness identifying them as a service animal to avoid confusion in public places

Is there a weight limit on ESA?

Can my landlord enforce weight restrictions? (NO) A landlord cannot place a weight restriction on an ESA, but it must be reasonable This means a horse cannot be your ESA in your apartment, but a 50 pound dog can live in an under 35 pound weight limit apartment

How much does it cost to get a dog certified as an emotional support animal?

The official sounding National Service Dog Registry, which allows you to register your furry companion as an emotional support animal for the low price of $6499, sends you a certificate of registration and some tags to identify your dog in exchange for the fee

Can my primary care doctor write an ESA letter?

A family doctor or primary care physician can write an ESA letter for their clients if they are currently licensed The doctor that follows an individual’s overall care would be knowledgeable about that patient’s need for an emotional support animal

Is it hard to get an ESA letter?

It is not difficult to qualify for an ESA letter If you are not currently seeing an LMHP, you can still qualify for an ESA letter either in-person or online If the therapist decides you are a good candidate for an ESA, he or she will issue a legitimate emotional support animal letter

How do I tell my landlord about ESA?

Once you have notified your landlord, you should also present him/her with your ESA letter from your mental health professional You may provide an original hard copy of your letter or send your landlord a digital copy via email

How much is a ESA letter?

The cost of an ESA letter can vary depending on which organization you go with Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $150 for complete assessment