What Is an ESA Letter?
An emotional support animal (ESA) letter is a document from a licensed mental health provider confirming that you have a diagnosed mental health condition and that an emotional support animal is part of your treatment. Under the Fair Housing Act, this letter lets you keep your ESA in housing that restricts pets -- no pet deposits, no pet rent.
ESA letters are clinical recommendations, not rubber stamps. We evaluate whether an ESA is genuinely appropriate for your situation. That matters -- landlords and property managers are increasingly rejecting letters from online services that skip real evaluations.
How the Evaluation Works
You complete a full psychiatric evaluation first. During that appointment, we assess your diagnosis and treatment plan. If an emotional support animal makes clinical sense as part of your care, we issue the letter. If it does not, we tell you that directly and focus on what will actually help.
What to Expect
The ESA evaluation is part of your overall psychiatric care. Once your evaluation is done and the clinical basis is documented, the letter is typically available within a few days. It is valid for one year and renewable at follow-up visits.
Insurance and Payment
Your psychiatric evaluation is covered by most insurance plans including TRICARE. The ESA letter itself may involve a separate fee. We accept Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Health First Colorado (Medicaid). Cash pay is also available.
Who Qualifies
You may qualify if you have a diagnosed condition -- anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another qualifying diagnosis -- and your provider determines an ESA would provide meaningful support. Many veterans and service members benefit from ESAs as part of their PTSD or anxiety treatment plans. The type or breed of animal does not matter. What matters is the clinical connection between your condition and the animal's role in your care.