An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) can provide comfort and therapeutic benefits to individuals struggling with mental or emotional disabilities. An ESA letter, written by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), is often required to verify your need for an ESA and to gain certain legal protections, such as housing rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This article provides a comprehensive guide to ESA letters, including what they are, what information they should contain, and 14 sample letters to illustrate different situations.
Understanding the essential components of a valid ESA letter is crucial. The letter should clearly state that you have a diagnosed emotional or mental disability, and that the presence of your ESA alleviates symptoms related to your condition. It should also be written on the LMHP’s official letterhead, include their license information, and be dated. Having a well-written letter can significantly improve your chances of your ESA being accepted in housing situations.
Remember, obtaining an ESA letter requires a legitimate relationship with a qualified mental health professional. Simply purchasing an ESA letter online without proper evaluation is often fraudulent and will likely not be recognized by housing providers or other entities. Prioritize building a genuine therapeutic relationship with a licensed professional who can accurately assess your needs and provide appropriate documentation.
Below are 14 sample ESA letters. These examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be used as templates. A legitimate ESA letter must be tailored to your individual situation by a qualified mental health professional. Reviewing these examples will help you understand the type of information typically included in an ESA letter.
14 ESA Letter Samples
Sample Letter 1: General ESA Letter for Housing
[Date]
[Mental Health Professional’s Name]
[Mental Health Professional’s Address]
[Mental Health Professional’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a licensed mental health professional ([License Type and Number]) and have been treating [Patient Name] since [Date]. Based on my professional assessment, [Patient Name] has a diagnosed mental or emotional disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The presence of their Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name], provides significant therapeutic benefit and alleviates symptoms associated with their disability.
Therefore, I recommend that [Patient Name] be allowed to keep their Emotional Support Animal with them in their residence, even if there are restrictions on pets. This recommendation is made in accordance with the Fair Housing Act.
Sincerely,
[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]
[Mental Health Professional’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 2: ESA Letter for Anxiety
[Date]
[Mental Health Professional’s Name]
[Mental Health Professional’s Address]
[Mental Health Professional’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter serves as confirmation that [Patient Name] is under my care. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW, license #[License Number]). [Patient Name] has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder which significantly impacts their daily life.
I have prescribed an Emotional Support Animal, [Animal Name], a [Type of Animal], to assist in alleviating [Patient Name]‘s anxiety symptoms. The animal provides a calming presence and helps manage panic attacks. Therefore, I recommend [Animal Name] as a necessary aid for [Patient Name].
Sincerely,
[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]
[Mental Health Professional’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 3: ESA Letter for Depression
[Date]
[Therapist Name]
[Therapist Address]
[Therapist Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing on behalf of my patient, [Patient’s Name], whom I have been treating since [Date]. I am a licensed psychologist ([License Type and Number]).
[Patient’s Name] has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. As part of their treatment plan, I have recommended an Emotional Support Animal. The presence of [Animal’s Name] provides companionship, reduces feelings of isolation, and encourages daily activity, all of which are beneficial in managing their depression.
Therefore, I am prescribing [Animal’s Name] as an Emotional Support Animal for [Patient’s Name].
Sincerely,
[Therapist’s Signature]
[Therapist’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 4: ESA Letter for PTSD
[Date]
[Mental Health Professional’s Name]
[Mental Health Professional’s Address]
[Mental Health Professional’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter confirms that [Patient Name] is a patient of mine. I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC, #[License Number]). [Patient Name] has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The presence of [Animal’s Name], their Emotional Support Animal, provides a sense of safety and security, reducing anxiety and hypervigilance associated with PTSD. [Animal’s Name] helps [Patient Name] manage their symptoms and improves their overall quality of life.
Therefore, I recommend [Animal’s Name] be recognized as [Patient Name]’s ESA.
Sincerely,
[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]
[Mental Health Professional’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 5: ESA Letter for Bipolar Disorder
[Date]
[Doctor’s Name]
[Doctor’s Address]
[Doctor’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to confirm that [Patient Name] is under my care for Bipolar Disorder. I am a licensed psychiatrist (MD, license #[License Number]). The mood fluctuations associated with this condition significantly impact [Patient Name]’s daily functioning.
I have determined that an Emotional Support Animal, specifically [Animal’s Name], provides stability and emotional support, helping [Patient Name] to regulate their mood and manage periods of mania and depression.
Therefore, I support [Patient Name]’s use of [Animal’s Name] as an ESA.
Sincerely,
[Doctor’s Signature]
[Doctor’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 6: ESA Letter for Social Anxiety
[Date]
[Therapist’s Name]
[Therapist’s Address]
[Therapist’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT, license #[License Number]) and have been treating [Patient’s Name] since [Date]. [Patient’s Name] experiences significant social anxiety, making it difficult to engage in social situations and activities.
The presence of their Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name], provides a sense of security and reduces feelings of anxiety in social settings. [Animal’s Name] helps [Patient’s Name] feel more comfortable and confident, allowing them to participate more fully in life.
Therefore, I am recommending [Animal’s Name] as a necessary support animal for [Patient’s Name].
Sincerely,
[Therapist’s Signature]
[Therapist’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 7: ESA Letter Emphasizing Housing Necessity
[Date]
[Mental Health Professional’s Name]
[Mental Health Professional’s Address]
[Mental Health Professional’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to confirm that [Patient Name] is currently under my care for a diagnosed mental health condition which is significantly impacting their ability to live independently and maintain a stable living environment. I am a licensed psychologist ([License Type and Number]).
Due to the severity of their symptoms, I have prescribed an Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name], a [Type of Animal]. Having [Animal’s Name] reside with [Patient Name] is *crucial* to their mental and emotional well-being. The animal provides consistent emotional support, reduces feelings of isolation, and helps to manage anxiety attacks. Without the presence of [Animal’s Name], [Patient Name]’s condition would likely worsen, potentially leading to further difficulties in maintaining stable housing.
Therefore, I strongly recommend that [Animal Name] be allowed to reside with [Patient Name] as their Emotional Support Animal. This is a medical necessity for [Patient Name]’s well-being.
Sincerely,
[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]
[Mental Health Professional’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 8: ESA Letter for Panic Disorder
[Date]
[Psychiatrist’s Name]
[Psychiatrist’s Address]
[Psychiatrist’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to verify that [Patient’s Name] is a patient under my care and has been diagnosed with Panic Disorder. I am a licensed psychiatrist (MD, [License Number]).
The unpredictable nature of their panic attacks causes significant distress and impacts their ability to function in everyday life. I have prescribed [Animal’s Name], a [Type of Animal], as an Emotional Support Animal. The animal’s presence provides a calming effect, helping to reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks. [Animal’s Name] also provides a sense of safety and security, allowing [Patient’s Name] to feel more comfortable in public settings.
Therefore, I recommend that [Animal’s Name] be recognized as [Patient’s Name]’s ESA.
Sincerely,
[Psychiatrist’s Signature]
[Psychiatrist’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 9: ESA Letter for Agoraphobia
[Date]
[Mental Health Professional’s Name]
[Mental Health Professional’s Address]
[Mental Health Professional’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a licensed psychologist (Ph.D., License #[License Number]) and I am writing to confirm that [Patient Name] is a patient of mine and has been diagnosed with Agoraphobia.
Their condition severely limits their ability to leave their home or be in public places due to intense fear and anxiety. An Emotional Support Animal, specifically [Animal’s Name], provides significant therapeutic benefit by reducing feelings of anxiety and providing a sense of security when [Patient Name] is in situations that trigger their agoraphobia.
Therefore, I prescribe [Animal’s Name] as a necessary Emotional Support Animal to assist [Patient Name] in managing their condition.
Sincerely,
[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]
[Mental Health Professional’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 10: ESA Letter for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
[Date]
[Doctor’s Name]
[Doctor’s Address]
[Doctor’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter confirms that [Patient Name] is under my professional care. I am a licensed medical doctor specializing in psychiatry (MD, License #[License Number]). [Patient Name] has been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
The rituals and intrusive thoughts associated with their OCD significantly impair their daily life. An Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name], provides a comforting and grounding presence, helping to interrupt obsessive cycles and reduce anxiety. The animal also encourages [Patient Name] to engage in activities outside of their compulsive behaviors.
Therefore, I recommend that [Animal’s Name] be considered a necessary component of [Patient Name]’s treatment plan as an Emotional Support Animal.
Sincerely,
[Doctor’s Signature]
[Doctor’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 11: ESA Letter Specifically Mentioning the Fair Housing Act
[Date]
[Mental Health Professional’s Name]
[Mental Health Professional’s Address]
[Mental Health Professional’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to confirm that [Patient Name] is a patient of mine. I am a licensed clinical psychologist ([License Type and Number]) and have been treating them since [Date]. [Patient Name] has a mental health disability that significantly impacts their daily functioning.
Due to their condition, I have prescribed an Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name]. The presence of [Animal’s Name] alleviates symptoms of their disability and provides necessary emotional support. Therefore, in accordance with the Fair Housing Act, I am requesting that [Patient Name] be allowed to keep [Animal’s Name] with them in their residence, even if there are restrictions on pets.
Sincerely,
[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]
[Mental Health Professional’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 12: ESA Letter for Elderly Individual
[Date]
[Social Worker’s Name]
[Social Worker’s Address]
[Social Worker’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW, [License Number]) working with [Patient’s Name], an elderly individual experiencing significant loneliness and isolation, since [Date].
The presence of their Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name], provides vital companionship and reduces feelings of isolation and depression. [Animal’s Name] also encourages [Patient’s Name] to be more active and engaged, improving their overall quality of life.
Therefore, I strongly recommend that [Animal’s Name] be allowed to remain with [Patient’s Name] as their Emotional Support Animal.
Sincerely,
[Social Worker’s Signature]
[Social Worker’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 13: ESA Letter for Child with ADHD
[Date]
[Child Psychologist’s Name]
[Child Psychologist’s Address]
[Child Psychologist’s Phone Number]
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to confirm that [Child’s Name] is under my care. I am a licensed child psychologist ([License Type and Number]) and have been treating [Child’s Name] for ADHD since [Date].
[Child’s Name] struggles with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty focusing. An Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name], helps to provide a calming and grounding presence, reducing anxiety and improving focus. The animal also encourages responsibility and provides much-needed emotional support.
Therefore, I recommend that [Animal’s Name] be recognized as [Child’s Name]’s Emotional Support Animal. Please note that this is a request for housing accommodation under the Fair Housing Act, if applicable.
Sincerely,
[Child Psychologist’s Signature]
[Child Psychologist’s Typed Name]
Sample Letter 14: ESA Letter Requesting Accommodation for Dorm Room
[Date]
[Mental Health Counselor’s Name]
[Mental Health Counselor’s Address]
[Mental Health Counselor’s Phone Number]
Housing Department,
[University/College Name]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing on behalf of [Student Name], a student at [University/College Name]. I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC, license #[License Number]) and have been providing counseling services to [Student Name] since [Date].
[Student Name] has a diagnosed mental health condition that is significantly impacting their ability to adjust to college life. The presence of an Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name], is crucial to their emotional well-being. [Animal’s Name] helps to manage anxiety, reduces feelings of isolation, and provides a sense of security, which is particularly important in a new and unfamiliar environment.
Therefore, I am requesting a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act for [Student Name] to keep their Emotional Support Animal, [Animal’s Name], with them in their dorm room.
Sincerely,
[Mental Health Counselor’s Signature]
[Mental Health Counselor’s Typed Name]
Conclusion
These ESA letter samples provide valuable insight into the content and format of a proper ESA letter. Remember that obtaining an ESA letter requires a genuine relationship with a qualified mental health professional who can properly assess your individual needs. Using these samples as a guide, and consulting with your mental health provider, will help ensure that your ESA letter is accurate, comprehensive, and legally compliant. It’s crucial to avoid fraudulent online services promising instant ESA letters without a proper evaluation, as these are often invalid and can lead to complications. Focus on establishing a legitimate need and obtaining documentation from a trusted professional.
