Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide comfort and assistance to individuals with mental and emotional challenges. While psychiatrists and other licensed mental health professionals do not “prescribe” ESAs like medication, they can formally recommend or document the need for one. This recommendation acknowledges an ESA can help alleviate symptoms of a mental or emotional disability.
Understanding Emotional Support Animals
An emotional support animal is a companion animal that provides therapeutic benefits, such as emotional support and comfort, to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability. ESAs are distinct from service animals, which are trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not require specialized training. The presence of an ESA alone is considered to alleviate symptoms of a person’s mental health condition.
Emotional support animals are typically common household pets. While dogs and cats are frequently chosen, a variety of domesticated animals, including rabbits, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, and even miniature pigs, can serve as ESAs. The defining characteristic is the emotional support and comfort they provide, rather than any specific training or species.
The Professional Recommendation Process
Psychiatrists are among the licensed mental health professionals who can assess an individual’s need for an emotional support animal. Other qualified licensed mental health professionals (LMPH) include psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and licensed clinical social workers. These professionals must possess a current and valid license to practice in their state.
The process for obtaining an ESA recommendation involves an evaluation by an LMPH to determine if the individual has a mental or emotional disability. The mental health professional should have an established therapeutic relationship with the individual, as this allows for a comprehensive understanding of their condition.
What an ESA Letter Includes
An emotional support animal recommendation letter must contain specific elements to be valid. The letter must be written by a licensed mental health professional on their official letterhead and include their license type, number, and contact information. A digital signature from the professional is generally acceptable.
The letter should state the individual has a mental or emotional disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. It should also confirm the emotional support animal is necessary for their mental health and helps alleviate symptoms. While the letter must confirm the presence of a qualifying mental health condition, it should not disclose the individual’s specific diagnosis, respecting patient confidentiality.
Where ESAs Are Recognized
Emotional support animals receive specific recognition primarily under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This federal law mandates that housing providers make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, allowing ESAs to reside with their owners even in properties with “no-pet” policies. Landlords typically cannot charge additional pet fees or deposits for an emotional support animal.
Historically, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) also provided protections for ESAs during air travel. However, significant rule changes enacted in 2021 by the U.S. Department of Transportation no longer consider emotional support animals as service animals for air travel purposes. Airlines are now permitted to treat ESAs as regular pets, which may involve pet fees and size restrictions. Unlike service animals, which have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), emotional support animals generally do not have the same rights to accompany their owners in public places such as restaurants, stores, or workplaces. Access to such public spaces is typically at the discretion of the business or governed by specific local laws.