How Do You Get an Emotional Support Animal?

Emotional support animals (ESAs) have received increased attention in recent years. But people often misunderstand what an emotional support animal actually is. 

In this article, we clear the air about emotional support animals. We’ll cover what an ESA is used for. We’ll also discuss how someone with a mental health condition can get an ESA.

What are emotional support animals used for?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides relief to a person with a mental health condition. This relief can occur in various ways. For example, an ESA can provide comfort, companionship, or emotional support. 

It’s a common misconception that an ESA is just a pet. However, the key difference is that an ESA is prescribed for different mental health conditions. These conditions may include: 

• Anxiety disorders

• Certain phobias, such as a fear of flying

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Depression

Dogs and cats are the most popular choices for ESAs. But any domesticated animal can be used as an emotional support animal. For example, some people may choose rabbits, guinea pigs, or mice. 

How do you get an emotional support animal?

First, you’ll need to speak with a mental health professional licensed in your state. If you don’t know any, you can start by asking your healthcare provider for recommendations. You can also ask friends, family, or colleagues if they know a mental health professional who provides ESA letters. 

Some mental health professionals provide ESA letters, while others may not. That’s why it's a good idea to check with your chosen mental health professional. If they do provide ESA letters, they may first want to get to know more about you and your mental health condition. This can help them determine whether an ESA is right for you. 

Be wary of using websites that promise an official ESA certificate. This type of certificate does not exist. There is also no national database to register your ESA. To have an ESA, you must obtain a valid ESA prescription from a mental health professional who is licensed in your state. 

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

Unsure What to Talk About in Therapy? Here Are 10 Ideas That Might Help

How to Take a Mental Health Leave of Absence From Work

How PTSD Impacts Your Mental and Physical Health

View more

Keep in mind that an official ESA letter may not always be enough. For example, a landlord may require vaccination records as well. What’s more, a landlord can deny your ESA under specific circumstances. For example, your ESA may get denied if it: 

• Poses a health or safety threat (such as biting or scratching others)

• Causes damage to other people’s physical property  

• Becomes a nuisance or major inconvenience to others (like excessive barking) 

What are the benefits of emotional support animals?

Overall, animal companionship can benefit people with mental health conditions in various ways, including:

• Providing calming support 

• Distracting owners from upsetting symptoms, such as feelings of loneliness

• Helping owners maintain a positive self-image

ESAs can have a profound impact on daily living. For example, a 2020 study found that people who had an ESA felt more secure and active. What’s more, a 2021 study suggests that ESAs can significantly decrease depression and anxiety in people at risk of social isolation.

It’s unclear whether certain animals are more helpful than others. Nevertheless, researchers continue to study the benefits of owning an ESA to improve mental well-being.

What’s the difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal?

It’s easy to confuse emotional support animals with service animals. After all, they both help people with disabilities. The main difference is that a service animal is trained to perform specific tasks. They also have more legal protections than emotional support animals. Last, only a dog (or in some cases, a miniature horse) can become a service animal. 

Below are some examples of how service animals may help people with disabilities:

• A guide dog can help a blind person navigate busy city streets.

• A hearing dog can alert a hard-of-hearing person to a ringing doorbell or smoke alarm.

• A seizure dog can protect a person who is seizing from injury or alert others of an oncoming seizure.

An ESA does not receive special training to perform tasks. Instead, their presence provides emotional relief to someone with a mental health condition. In the end, this companionship can help improve a person’s quality of life as they manage emotional or mental challenges.

For example, consider someone living with PTSD. If they have a fear of intruders, a psychiatric service dog can perform a room check before their person enters. This specific task can help a person with PTSD have a better sense of security. 

An ESA may also help people with PTSD feel more secure. However, this security is obtained through animal companionship rather than a specific task. And someone with an ESA for PTSD rather than a service dog won’t have the same rights or legal protections.

Where can you take an emotional support animal?

Emotional support animals are not protected by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that most public places, such as grocery stores and restaurants, will not allow you to bring an ESA. 

In contrast, service animals are protected by the ADA. Therefore, public places are legally required to allow them to enter. If a public place denies a service animal, they are breaking the law. 

ESAs are protected by the Fair Housing Act. This means you can bring your pet into any type of housing, like an apartment or college dorm. But first, you must have gone through the process of establishing your animal as an ESA. 

When presented with official ESA documentation, a landlord cannot deny your ESA entry. This is true even if they have a “no pets” rule. They also cannot charge extra fees like a pet deposit or pet rent. 

When it comes to flying with your ESA, things can get a bit tricky. Since 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation no longer considers an ESA the same as a service animal. As a result, many airlines view ESAs as pets. This means owners are often required to pay to board their ESA as a carry-on. Also, the ESA must stay in a small carrier during the flight. 

Keep in mind that airline policies vary. So it’s best to check with your particular airline’s guidelines. Also, consider that your state and local government may have their own regulations about ESA access. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Kara-Marie Hall, RN, BSN, CCRN

Kara-Marie Hall, RN, BSN, CCRN, is a registered nurse who specializes in writing health content that connects with everyone — no matter where they are in their health journey. She has over 10 years of clinical experience in a variety of specialties, including critical care, surgery, and hospice.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP, has 15 years of clinical experience providing therapy. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Indiana and Illinois with treatment experience in individual, couples, family, and group therapy modalities.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts