What Is an ESA Letter?
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is a document from a licensed mental health provider that confirms your animal provides therapeutic benefit for a diagnosed mental health condition. Under the Fair Housing Act, this letter allows your animal to live with you in housing that would otherwise restrict pets -- without pet fees or breed restrictions.
An ESA is not a service animal. It does not need special training. But the letter does need to come from a licensed provider who has evaluated you and has an established clinical relationship with you.
How It Works
We evaluate whether an ESA is clinically appropriate as part of a standard psychiatric appointment. We look at your diagnosis, your symptoms, and how an emotional support animal fits into your overall treatment plan.
If an ESA is appropriate, we provide a letter on practice letterhead that meets federal and state requirements. If it is not clinically appropriate, we will be honest with you and explore other treatment options that might help.
What to Expect
The ESA evaluation happens during a psychiatric appointment. We will ask about your mental health history, current symptoms, and how your animal supports your wellbeing. Some patients receive their letter at the first visit. Others may need a follow-up if the clinical situation is more involved.
Insurance and Payment
The psychiatric evaluation portion is typically covered by insurance. The ESA letter itself is generally not a covered benefit. We will explain all costs before your appointment so there are no surprises.
Why It Matters
For people dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other conditions, an emotional support animal can make a meaningful difference in daily life. In a place like Northern Arizona where outdoor living and animal companionship are part of the culture, an ESA can be a natural fit for the right patient. If you think an ESA could help, we are happy to evaluate.