EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS (ESAs)
What are Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional Support Animals (or ESAs) provide comfort and companionship to their owners, helping them to cope with mental health issues that they may be experiencing. Emotional Support Animals come in all shapes and sizes, but are most commonly cats and dogs.
Research shows that interactions with animals can impact the human body in positive ways, including reducing anxiety, lowering blood pressure, and releasing endorphins that can improve mood. Those who struggle with ADHD, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, and more can benefit greatly from ESAs.
How can Dr. DeSantis & Associates help?
In order to obtain an Emotional Support Animal, you must first obtain an Emotional Support Animal letter from a licensed mental health professional. Once a consultation is complete, a decision will be made on whether an ESA will be beneficial to you or not, and an official ESA letter will be generated. These letters will feature the doctor’s official letterhead, including their license information, and issue date.
These letters offer protections to you and your new support animal, including providing proof and validation that their presence in your home or apartment, and many public places is medically beneficial. Thanks to the Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot charge typical pet deposits or other fees if emotional support animals are obtained with an official letter from a medical professional. Legally, you may still be held responsible for any damages to property caused by your animal, however.
Many online services claim to offer official ESA letters online, however these services may not meet the requirements by law. Dr. DeSantis & Associates offers consultations with Doctoral-level clinicians who provide a comprehensive mental health screening and evaluation, to provide you with an additional peace of mind. Furthermore, your certified ESA letter may be available in as little as 24 hours after your evaluation is complete.
If you believe that you could benefit from an Emotional Support Animal, please contact us today for a consultation using the link below!
Apply For Your ESA Certified Letter Today
Some facts about Emotional Support Animals:
Emotional Support Animals (or ESAs) differ slightly from Therapy Dogs and Service Animals. While Emotional Support Animals provide comfort and companionship to those individuals struggling with emotional issues or mental health, Therapy Dogs are trained to provide comfort in specific settings, such as in hospitals or nursing homes. Service animals typically provide assistance for individuals who struggle with physical disabilities, such as a vision impairment, and undergo significant training–in contrast with ESAs, who do not require any training.
Access to an Emotional Support Animal letter is contingent on a DSM-V diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional. Some examples of DSM-V diagnoses include, but are not limited to: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Major Depressive Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)