Why Comparing ESA Letter Services Matters

Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide support and companionship to their owners living with mental health disorders. To live peacefully with their ESA, owners must have a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). Sometimes, it can take a while to set up an appointment with a mental health professional in person, and many are choosing to obtain their ESA letters online through an online ESA letter service provider. But how do you choose the best provider?

It's crucial to most ESA owners that ESA letters are legally compliant, legitimate, and relatively quick. Some service providers can get a legal ESA letter for you in as little as 24 hours. Let's compare two online ESA letter providers: Pettable and ServiceDogCertifications.org.

What to Look Out For When Choosing An Online ESA Letter Provider

When selecting an online ESA letter provider, it is essential to verify their legal compliance with ESA-related laws and look out for any potential red flags.

Meets Legal Requirements

Navigating through the many online ESA letter service providers can be tricky unless you know the legal requirements for an ESA letter. Legally, you are required to have a consultation with a licensed mental health professional in your state. Then, the LMHP will evaluate your need for an ESA by determining if you have a mental health condition that is listed in the DSM-5.

There are a few states that require additional stipulations, such as establishing a client-provider relationship for at least 30 days before receiving an ESA letter. So, you will want to look for any mention of state-specific laws.

Red Flags

You'll also want to look out for a few red flags. Some websites are misleading, whether intentionally or unintentionally, especially to individuals unfamiliar with the ESA letter process. A few things you should be on the lookout for are:

1. Websites that offer unnecessary products, such as ID cards, vests, registries, or certificates, often fail to provide legitimate ESA letters. These items are not required by law and can be misleading to individuals seeking a genuine ESA letter.
2. Any website promising an instant turnaround. It should take at least a full day to have a consultation with an LMHP and for them to determine your eligibility, write an ESA letter, and send it to you.
3. Any website that claims your ESA letter allows your animal to accompany you in public. ESAs are not allowed to have any public access, so that's not a good sign.
4. Lastly, any website offering an ESA letter without mentioning a consultation is likely a scam, as mentioned earlier, because you must have a consultation with a licensed mental health professional in your state to qualify for an ESA letter.

Pettable VS. ServiceDogCertifications.org - At A Glance

Digital ESA Letter
Money-back guarantee
Real clinicians
Live consultations
Transparent team
Phone customer support available
Optional 24 hour turnaround
Option for clinician to sign dditional documents/forms
Reviews	Trust Pilot 4.7/5	Trust Pilot 0/5, No Reviews

Pettable and ServiceDogCertifications.org offer similar services and provide ESA letters. Both companies work with licensed mental health professionals to offer their clients ESA letters. Pettable and ServiceDogCertification.org share similar missions: to help pet owners live with their assistance animals. Let's take a closer look at each brand and see how they compare.

Pettable

Pettable offers ESA letter services, psychiatric dog training, legal support, and a 24/7 online veterinary service, utilizing LMHPs in all 50 states to ensure the ESA letters are legal and valid. Pettable guarantees compliance with all state and federal laws and backs this up with a full refund if your landlord happens to deny your ESA letter illegally. Pettable has a responsive customer service team that is reachable by phone, email, or live chat seven days a week.

You can connect with us on most social media platforms. The website features buttons for Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as well as a newsletter subscription option to stay up-to-date with latest news.

ServiceDogCertifications.org

ServiceDogCertifications.org takes pride in offering accessories and services that help individuals with ESAs and service animals. These products show that their animals are assistance animals, not pets. ServiceDogCertifications.org offers IDs, vests, tags, certifications, and registrations, as well as psychiatric service dog and ESA letters. 

ESA letters can be purchased directly on the website. They state that they’ve partnered with a leading digital platform (they do not disclose the platform), and an LMHP who works with ESAs will send you an ESA letter. They do offer a refund if you don’t qualify.

ServiceDogCertifications.org lists a Facebook page but does not have a LinkedIn or other social media presence to connect with and learn about or verify their business.

Pettable VS. ServiceDogCertifications.org - Digging Deeper

Now, let's take a closer look at these two brands and how they stack up in the areas that matter.

Service Legitimacy & Compliance

Let’s compare their services and compliance with legal requirements.

Pettable

Pettable's ESA letter process is straightforward and meets federal and state requirements. Pettable offers live consultations via telehealth with an LMHP in your state. You can expect to get your ESA letter within 48 hours in most states. However, in some states, such as California and Arkansas, where a 30-day client-provider relationship is required, you will need to wait 30 days for your letter. On the home page of the website, Pettable states:

"For Arkansas, California, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana residents, new laws require those seeking an ESA letter to establish a client-provider relationship with their individual for at least 30 days prior to providing documentation." wealso inform people in these states that they will have two consultations.

ServiceDogCertifications.org

To purchase an ESA letter, you can simply add the emotional support animal letter to your cart with an option to add an ESA ID. You click "Continue," and you are taken to a cart page that asks for information to check out.

ServiceDogCertifications.org’s ESA letter process states:

• You will be paired with an LMHP online, who will determine if you qualify for an ESA letter.
• You'll receive your letter via email.
• If you don't qualify for an ESA, you will get your money back.

The process is a bit fuzzy. There is an email address where you can reach out if you have any technical difficulties, but that's about it. There doesn't appear to be any actual consultation appointment with an LMHP, or if you will be matched up with an LMHP from your state, which is a legal requirement for ESA letters. There isn't an estimated timeline for you to match with the LMHP or get your ESA letter.

There is also no mention of compliance with state-specific laws. Therefore, if you reside in any state that requires a 30-day prior relationship and are sent an instant ESA letter, it will not be a valid letter.

Pricing & Packages

Let’s compare each company's pricing structure, transparency, and clarity of their services.

Pettable

Pettable's pricing is not listed on the main website, although after completing a short 3-minute assessment you can see the pricing options for your specific needs, pricing for an ESA letter starts at $149. They offer a short assessment that helps connect you to an LMHP near you. If you need an ESA letter within 24 hours, they offer an expedited ESA letter for an additional $50. However, if you opt for the regular service most ESA letters are delivered within one to three days. You do need to pay for the consultation up front, but if you do not qualify for an ESA or your landlord denies your ESA letter, you are entitled to a full refund.

Pettable demonstrates transparency by listing some of the LMHPs they work with, along with team members and photographs, so you know who you are dealing with when you visit the site.

The ESA letter process is straightforward. They mention how long it will take to receive your letter if you qualify, as well as offer a customer service team that can assist you by email, phone, or live chat when questions arise.

ServiceDogCertifications.org

ServiceDogCertifications.org lists its pricing on the website. Their ESA letter costs $159, with an additional add-on of an ID badge for $39. The next step is the cart, where you put in your payment information. There is no questionnaire or form to fill out, other than your payment information and address.

There are a couple of issues regarding transparency and clarity. First, while the "About Page" contains some information about the company, it lacks details about the team and information on the LMHPs. ServiceDogCertifications.org aims to help individuals with service animals and ESAs by providing ID cards, vests, and other accessories to help them demonstrate that their animal is an assistance animal. However, ESAs are not allowed public access, and people who are unaware of this could choose to purchase these accessories and assume that they can take their ESAs anywhere, just like service animals.

The only customer service available was a help page with preloaded questions and answers, which is helpful for people with generic questions. However, no contact information was listed other than an email address for technical issues.

Customer Reviews & Experiences

It’s always a good idea to check what past customers are saying before choosing an ESA letter service provider.

Pettable

According to reviews on Trustpilot and Reddit, most Pettable users have shared that it was a great experience obtaining an ESA letter through them. Some users cite the company's overall transparency and the ease and speed of the whole process. Many prior customers mention that their ESA letters were accepted by their landlords. Users also appreciate the responsive customer care team and help with any legal questions.

ServiceDogCertifications.org

Reviews from the ServiceDogCertifications.org website claim that the ServiceDogCertification.org provided them with education about ESAs, which helped them learn about their rights. Another customer from their website mentioned that ServiceDogCertifications.org was responsive to their questions. However, finding reviews and testimonials on third-party sites such as Trustpilot was very difficult. It is a bit concerning when most of the positive customer reviews are only found on the company's website.

Refund & Guarantee Policy

When purchasing an online ESA letter, you may want to request a refund for various reasons. Let's examine the refund policies for both Pettable and ServiceDogCertifications.org.

Pettable

Pettable offers a 100% money-back guarantee for two different reasons. One, if you don't qualify for an ESA, they give your money back in full. Two, if your landlord denies your ESA letter, then they will refund all of your money. 

ServiceDogCertifications.org

ServiceDogCertifications.org also offers a full refund. If you, for any reason, don't qualify for an ESA, they will refund your money. However, there is no mention of refunding your money if your landlord happens to deny your ESA letter. So, the question is, what happens if the ESA letter is denied?

Pettable is the best choice in terms of refund policy, as you can rest assured that if your letter is denied, you will receive a refund. There's really no risk involved with Pettable.

Verdict: Why Choose Pettable?

Pettable is clearly the best choice for individuals who desire full compliance with state and federal laws, as well as HIPAA regulations. Pettable also exhibits all the signs of a reputable company, including access to customer service teams and a money-back guarantee, even if the landlord denies your ESA letter. Lastly, Pettable doesn't sell any unnecessary items or services, such as vests or registration.

ServiceDogCertifications.org is a great option for individuals seeking a quick ESA letter, provided they are willing to make some trade-offs. There is no transparency about who the LMHPs are or whether it's just one who signs off on all the ESA letters. If your landlord denies the ESA letter or questions its validity, you will not get your money back.

Pettable

ServiceDogCertifications.org

How to Get an ESA Letter Online with Pettable

Let's take a look at Pettable's simple and easy process of obtaining an ESA letter.

Step One: Take the Online Assessment & Book Your Consultation

The first step is taking Pettable's short online assessment to determine your need for an ESA. After completing your questionnaire, you will receive instructions to schedule a consultation with an LMHP in your state.

Step Two: Connect With a Licensed Mental Health Professional

The next step is meeting with your LMHP via telehealth. This consultation will consist of a formal evaluation of your need for an ESA. You will discuss your emotional and mental health needs and explain how your pet helps alleviate your symptoms. After the consultation, if the LMHP determines that you need an ESA, they can write your ESA letter.

Step Three: Receive Your Letter!

The third and final step to obtaining an ESA letter through Pettable is to receive your letter! In most cases, you can expect to get your letter within 48 hours. However, in states where a 30-day provider-client relationship is required, you will have two consultations total and wait a month before they can issue your ESA letter. Your official ESA letter will contain all the legally required information, such as:

• The letter will be on a professional letterhead
• The LMHP's full name, signature, and licensing number
• Your full name and a brief mention that you have a mental health diagnosis that would benefit from an ESA
• The type and breed of your ESA
• A legal reference to the Fair Housing Act (FHA)
• An issue and expiration date

FAQ Section

Can I trust online ESA providers?

If you know what to look for in a legitimate ESA letter provider service, then you can trust them. For one, a legitimate ESA letter service provider will have licensed mental health professionals writing the ESA letters. The second thing to look for is an actual assessment. If you receive an ESA letter online without an actual assessment by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), then the letter isn't legally valid.

How do I know my ESA letter is legitimate?

To determine if your ESA letter is legitimate, verify that the licensing number for the LMHP is valid by checking it in the state's medical or professional licensing database. A valid ESA letter should also include the following information:

• The LMHP's name, licensing number, state, date, and signature
• Your name and contact information, as well as a statement that mentions you have a mental health disorder that benefits from an ESA
• A brief reference to the Fair Housing Act (FHA)

What are some obvious red flags that an ESA provider is a scam?

Some obvious red flags to look for in an ESA provider include:

• Instant ESA letters
• No mention of a consultation with an LMHP
• Selling unnecessary items and services like certifications
• Low-cost ESA letters
• ESA letters that are generic and don't contain pertinent information about the LMHP
• Offering ESA letters that last a lifetime

What states have specific ESA laws?

At the time of writing this article, the following states have specific ESA laws:

• California
• Arkansas
• Iowa
• Montana
• Louisiana