What Is an ESA Letter, and How Do You Get One?

Here is how to obtain an ESA letter, and what it means for you and your pet.

by Mollie Jackman, | February 17, 2026

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What Is an ESA Letter, and How Do You Get One?

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You’ve probably heard that registering your pet as an ESA (or emotional support animal) means they can live with you anywhere. Although ESAs don’t have the same protections as service animals, this part is actually true. Let’s go over who qualifies to register their pet as an ESA, and what you need to do to get an ESA letter.

What is an ESA?

An ESA is an emotional support animal. This is not the same as a service animal, who is trained to assist people with specific tasks related to a disability. An ESA is a companion animal that requires no special training but whose presence provides comfort and emotional support to their pet parent. Here are a few quick facts about them.

There’s no registration or certification. ESAs don’t need any special training. The only requirement is an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.
Any domesticated animal can be an ESA. This includes not just dogs and cats, but animals such as rodents, birds, and reptiles.
No breeds are excluded. Any breed, size, or mix can be an ESA, from a Pit Bull to a Chihuahua.
ESAs don’t have a working mode. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not working animals. Their only job is to be a companion, so they don’t have strict rules around behavior and conduct.

Benefits of ESAs

The benefits of ESAs are often subtle but meaningful to pet parents. These animals offer their pet parents support that may help them feel more grounded, less alone, and more in control of their emotions. For some people, that means an extra cuddle during anxious moments. For others, it’s the structure of daily routines and the reassurance of their presence at home. Let’s go over a few of the other benefits.

Having a Pet Can Improve Your Mental Health

Can having a pet help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression? Absolutely—and the research proves it.

Better mental health

For many pet parents, an ESA provides steady emotional support during difficult moments. Having an animal nearby isn’t a treatment, but it can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other conditions.

Lower stress

Spending time with a pet can calm the nervous system. Studies have shown that spending time with dogs can help people with ADHD focus, and that people who develop routines around their pets are more likely to stick to their own routines, too. They can also help people with social anxiety get out and socialize more.

Better sleep

Some ESAs, specifically dogs, can be trained to detect nightmares and help people with PTSD or night terrors sleep better. But even if they aren’t specially trained, they can provide a calming presence and help their pet parents feel comfortable and supported at night.

Improved mood

ESAs, just like regular pets, often bring small, positive moments into everyday life. Whether this means a purring cat on your lap, a dog barking adorably at squirrels, a rat playing fetch, or a lizard on your shoulder — having a pet as a companion can bring us joy even in difficult times. This is important in providing emotional balance to those with mental health issues.

Better physical health

Daily walks can increase physical activity, especially for dog parents, which supports overall health. Research has also shown that people who live with pets may recover better from certain health events, like heart attacks. For people with health anxiety, knowing that their pet may be contributing to their well-being can sometimes offer reassurance during anxious moments.

Renting With Pets: What to Know Before You Sign a Lease

Considering renting with pets? Read more to learn about renter policies and how to navigate them.

Who qualifies for an ESA?

So, when does a pet qualify as an ESA, and who can have one? Emotional support animals are meant to support people whose mental or emotional health affects their daily lives. Qualification isn’t about labels, severity, or appearances. And it’s not about wanting to take your pet on airplanes or into restaurants. It comes down to if a licensed health professional believes an animal’s presence can provide meaningful emotional support. Here’s what that typically looks like.

You have a mental or emotional health condition

People who qualify for an ESA often live with conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or panic disorders. The condition does not need to be visible or extreme, but it does need to impact day-to-day functioning in a way that can be helped by emotional support from an animal companion.

You’re working with a licensed mental health professional

To qualify, you’ll need to have an ongoing relationship with a licensed mental health professional like a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or primary care physician. This professional determines if an ESA is appropriate as part of your care, and provides documentation for housing: an ESA letter.

The animal can be reasonably accommodated in public housing

Any animal can technically be an ESA, but your pet must be appropriate for a home environment and not pose a safety or health risk for other residents. Housing providers are allowed to consider factors such as space, animal behavior, local regulations, and other tenants’ medical needs for accommodation requests.

Can an Apartment Complex Deny an Emotional Support Animal?

How to get a legit ESA letter — and what it does

A valid ESA letter must come from a licensed mental health professional who is familiar with your situation. If they believe an ESA would help you, they can write a letter stating that you have a condition and that your animal provides necessary emotional support. Getting this letter from a mental health provider is the only way to qualify for an ESA.

Obtaining an ESA letter allows your animal to live with you under the right circumstances, but it does not allow your animal to accompany you in public spaces.

A legitimate ESA letter usually includes:

Your provider’s license information and contact details
Confirmation that you have a qualifying condition
A statement that an ESA is part of your treatment plan
Date and signature

What does an ESA letter do?

It’s primarily used for housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act. The letter allows you to request reasonable accommodation to live with your pet in housing that may otherwise have pet restrictions or fees.

Commonly asked questions

Can I get a real ESA letter online?

It’s possible to meet with a therapist or doctor online who can write an ESA letter for you, but the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development states that letters from instant online registration or certification sites do not meet legal standards.

Can landlords deny ESA?

In short, yes. Landlords are allowed to deny an ESA request if:

Granting the request would cost the landlord an egregious amount of money
Granting the request would fundamentally change the housing provider’s operations
The animal poses a health or safety risk to others
The request would result in significant property damage

However, they cannot deny an ESA request simply due to a no-pets policy.

Do landlords actually verify ESA letters?

Typically, landlords will verify that your letter comes from a licensed professional and meets legal requirements. They may contact your provider to confirm the letter’s authenticity, but they cannot ask for details about your diagnosis.

Can a therapist refuse to write an ESA letter?

Yes, therapists are not required to write ESA letters. Your therapist will only issue a letter if they feel it is appropriate to your treatment plan.

Is it illegal to get an ESA letter online?

No, it’s not illegal to get an ESA letter online. But it’s important to be aware that many online ESA letter providers are invalid, especially if they come from a site that promises an instant letter or some kind of certificate. The only way to get an authentic ESA letter online is by meeting with a licensed health provider via video or telehealth.

References

“25red-Assistance Animals | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).” Hud.gov, 2021, hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/assistance_animals.

“Can Your Animals Help with Sleep Disorders?” Psychology Today, 2021, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/202105/can-your-animals-help-sleep-disorders.

Gerard, Joseph. “9 Key Benefits of Emotional Support Animals for Healthcare Professionals.” AIHCP, 4 Sept. 2024, aihcp.net/2024/09/04/9-key-benefits-of-emotional-support-animals-for-healthcare-professionals.

News in Health. “The Power of Pets.” NIH News in Health, National Institute of Health, Feb. 2018, newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets.

“Physical Health Benefits of Pets.” Pet Food Institute, 21 May 2020, www.petfoodinstitute.org/physical-health-benefits-of-pets.

Summer, Jay, and Dustin Cotliar. “Sleeping with Pets: Benefits and Risks.” Sleep Foundation, 14 Oct. 2021, www.sleepfoundation.org/animals-and-sleep/sleeping-with-pets.

Mollie Jackman

Mollie Jackman is a writer, editor, and graduate of Lindenwood University’s MFA in writing. She’s also a pet parent to a goofy big-eared dog and two brown tabby cats, plus a rotating cast of foster animals. When she’s not reading, writing, or picking up strays, she can be found binge-watching arguably terrible reality TV shows and cooking competitions or rolling around the local skating rink in Columbia, Missouri. Mollie’s writing on this site is not in any way affiliated with the University of Missouri, or her work as a copywriter for MU Health Care.