Could your pet become an emotional support animal?

To make a pet an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), allowing them to reside in housing that typically does not allow animals, follow these steps:

1. Understand What an ESA Is
An Emotional Support Animal provides comfort and support to individuals suffering from emotional or psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or phobias. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not required to have specialized training but are recognized for the comfort they offer.

2. Get an ESA Letter from a Licensed Mental Health Professional
The most important step in making your pet an ESA is obtaining an official letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), such as a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. This letter should:
   - Be on official letterhead.
   - Include the professional's license number, date, and their contact information.
   - State that you have an emotional or mental health condition recognized by the **Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)**.
   - Confirm that the ESA is necessary to help alleviate symptoms of your condition.

The ESA letter is your legal documentation to present to landlords under the **Fair Housing Act (FHA)**, which requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals, even if their property has a no-pet policy.

 3. Fair Housing Act Protections
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires landlords to make accommodations for ESAs. Even if the housing has a strict "no pets" policy, landlords are generally required to allow an ESA with a valid ESA letter, as long as:
   - The animal does not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
   - The animal does not cause significant damage to the property.

4. Present the ESA Letter to Your Landlord
Once you have the ESA letter, provide it to your landlord or housing authority. Explain that your animal is an emotional support animal, not a regular pet, and present the letter as evidence. Landlords cannot charge extra fees or pet deposits for ESAs, though you can still be held responsible for any damages your animal may cause.

5. Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
While the Fair Housing Act offers protections, it’s important to note that:
   - Landlords may request documentation (i.e., the ESA letter), but they cannot ask for extensive medical records.
   - Landlords are not allowed to reject your ESA unless they can prove it poses a threat to others or could cause significant property damage.

Programs and Resources:
If you do not already have a mental health provider, there are online services that can connect you with licensed professionals to evaluate your need for an ESA and issue a legitimate ESA letter if appropriate. Some examples include **ESA Doctors** and **Certapet**.

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By following these steps, you can ensure that your pet qualifies as an ESA and that you and your animal are protected under the Fair Housing Act, allowing you to keep them in housing that may otherwise have a no-pet policy.

​Remember, finding solutions to keep your pet is always a better option than bringing them to a shelter!