Emotional Support Animal Letter: What You Need to Know
For some people, living with a mental or emotional health condition can affect everyday life in ways that are not always visible to others. An animal may provide comfort and emotional support that helps a person manage certain symptoms. An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is a document that may be provided following an appropriate evaluation by a qualified mental health professional. An ESA is different from a service animal. Service animals are specifically trained to perform tasks related to a person's disability, while an emotional support animal primarily provides emotional comfort and support. What Is an Emotional Support Animal Letter? An emotional support animal letter is a professional document that can establish that a person has a mental or emotional health-related need for an assistance animal, when the applicable legal requirements are met. The evaluation should consider the individual's circumstances rather than simply approving a request for a letter. A lic...