There are no real certifications or registrations for emotional support animals or Emotional Support Dog service dogs. The websites that offer them along with vests and IDs and such are all scams, out to get money from people who don’t know better, or who do know better but want to scam someone else, like a landlord or airline. 

ESA’s are “pets with a purpose,” nothing more. No training required, no real certifications, and no public access rights for the owner (with the exception of air travel via the Air Carrier Access Act, not the ADA). And without public access rights, what do you need all that extra junk for, anyway? It’s not like you need a vest on the pet identifying it as an ESA while you’re sitting at home for no one to see. 

If you need or think you could benefit from, an emotional support animal, you need to discuss it with your own doctor or psychiatrist, not some random person on the internet or over the phone. Seriously, why would you discuss your private health information with a perfect stranger whom you have no idea what they’d use that information for? That’s just cringeworthy.

Anyway, if your doctor agrees that you have a psychiatric disability that an ESA could help, he can Emotional Support Cat write you the appropriate letter of need for your particular situation (separate letters for rental housing accommodation requests and air travel). Since your insurance pays for your doctor’s visit, it would be zero extra cost to you beyond any regular deductibles. Or should be. So why pay quite a lot of money for one?

While there is no clear regulation as to registry, most of the online platforms that promise you a cheap ESA letter, registry or certification are, therefore, hucksters.

Check whether you qualify for ESA

A legitimate letter contains the full name and address of the licensed ESA doctor coupled with his signatures at the bottom of the very ESA letter. It not only mentions all the conditions that the patient has but also sets straight the significance of animal-assisted therapy in managing such conditions. If you skim through an ESA letter sample, it contains all the information I just mentioned above. Sometimes, you need to obtain two separate letters: one for living with your ESA and the other for traveling. However, some doctors combine housing and traveling needs in a single letter.

For this purpose, first of all, the licensed professional will see if you qualify for the ESA letter. General examination by licensed professional will be based on the following:

•      Anyone suffering from some mental or emotional challenge, dealing with disability, or Living with an Emotional Support Animal facing depression qualifies for the letter.
•      People suffering from PTSD fears, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, addictions, Panic Attacks, and other related mental conditions do qualify.
•      If these issues hinder your ability to participate in major life activities.
•      If you qualify based on the above two criteria, the professional will consider how keeping an ESA can help you manage your symptoms.
•      Besides, a professional will also consider laws pertaining to ESA in your state.

If you are not engaged with any kind of therapy, or your doctor has recommended you not have an ESA, then neither you qualify for an ESA nor you need one. Generally, people, dealing with severe mental issues, are recommended to have an ESA

However, if you think that having an ESA is essential for your well-being, ask yourself a Emotional Support Dog Vest few questions that a licensed professional will consider.

•      Does having a pet make me feel better?
•      Does taking my pet to work will give me a great sense of purpose?
•      Would your trip be more fun if a pet accompanies you?
•      Will your pet allows you to deal with daily stresses and anxieties?

If the answer to these questions converges to a single word “yes”, you will most likely Emotional Support Animal Laws be able to obtain an ESA letter. The licensed professional will evaluate you, based on their recommendations and suggestions, you can make the final decision.