The easiest and quickest way to find out if you qualify for an ESA letter in California is to connect with a mental health professional online who is licensed in the state of California and is familiar with California ESA laws. Telemedicine eliminates the hassle of long lines or needing to go physically in person for an evaluation. Connected with experienced mental health professionals from the comfort of your own home to find out if you qualify for an ESA in California.
California residents interested in an emotional support animal will need to obtain an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) for a small fee.
The fee for an ESA letter is around $149, however, the cost may vary because Pettable offers individual letters for housing and travel purposes. You can also receive a discount if you purchase both housing and travel ESA letters since our accommodation and travel package cost $199.
Pettable offers a risk-free guarantee and will refund 100% of the cost of your ESA Letter if it does not work. Once your ESA letter is verified, we will send an ESA letter to you electronically 24 hours after your application for an emotional support animal letter is approved by a licensed mental health professional. That ESA letter will also certify you as an ESA owner regardless of the state you live in.
Unlike other online ESA letter providers, Pettable guarantees your ESA application is approved. If your application for an ESA in California is not approved, Pettable will provide a full refund.
Answer a few questions about your ESA needs
We'll match you to a professional in your state
Receive it within 24 hours of getting approved *
We'll help with any extra forms you need signed and our therapists are available to talk to your landlord anytime.
* For California residents, effective January 1, 2022, new law AB 468 requires those seeking an ESA letter for dogs to establish a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing documentation, which will result in having two consultations before qualifying.
Getting an emotional support animal in California is available to anyone with a mental or emotional disability.
California recognizes the challenges associated with mental and emotional disabilities and as a result supports and endorses the use of emotional support animals as a component of a person's mental health treatment.
California has friendly policies, laws, and approaches towards emotional support animals. The best way to find out if you qualify for an emotional support animal in California is to connect with a mental health professional licensed in the state of California.
California as a state recognizes the need for emotional support animals when it comes to those that have a disability or illness. Anyone in the state of California that is struggling with a mental health condition is eligible to receive an emotional support animal certification. An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that helps its owners cope with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Emotional support animals do not receive the same training as a service animal, or more specifically, as service dogs. Instead, an ESA is meant to help their owner's mental or emotional disabilities with their presence alone. Not requiring the animal to provide a specific crucial service for its owner makes it easier for a mental health professional to determine whether a legitimate ESA is necessary.
Much of the regulation around emotional support animal is at the federal level and California has adopted many of those federal laws to ensure people with emotional support animals in California are protected by state laws as well.
Below we dive into each aspect of California law pertaining to emotional support animals to help guide you as to your rights and the accompanying benefits associated with having an emotional support animal in California.
For California residents, effective January 1, 2022, new law AB 468, requires those seeking an ESA letter for dogs to establish a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing documentation, which will result in having two consultations before qualifying. The 100% money back guarantee still applies should you not qualify for a letter or if your landlord does not accept it after filing a complaint with HUD.
Get Your ESA LetterCalifornia legislation has enacted in its own state the federal housing law (which is governed under the Fair Housing Act (FHA)).
This law gives individuals with an emotional support animal the right to live with that animal regardless of any rules or policies enacted by landlords. The reason this law exists is to help support people who suffer from a mental or emotional disability to live with their pet as they are a critical component of their mental health treatment.
The most a housing provider can do is ask to see the ESA letter, and under the Fair Housing Act, must allow the emotional support animal to be on the property with reasonable accommodation. The only way housing providers could refuse housing is if the animal proves to be a direct threat to other residents or other animals.
An ESA does not receive that same training, benefits and assurances from the ADA that service animals do; they are trained and provide a clear service to those with mental or physical disabilities. In California, service animals are permissible in public accommodations while an ESA is not.
California has also adopted regulations that allow individuals to bring their pets to work if they qualify as an emotional support animal.
California is unique in this respect compared to other states as most other places it is at the employer's discretion whether or not an ESA gets accepted.
This state specific law that California has enacted prevents employers from discriminating against the employee based on the disability and must make reasonable efforts to acclimatize a person's emotional support animal in the workplace.
As long as an individual has a valid ESA letter they are protected under California's Fair Housing & Employment Act.
ESA housing laws, such as the federal Fair Housing Act, must be followed nationwide. The law states ESA owners must be able to keep their ESA with them regardless of building policy.
Most states have strict laws that prevent an employer from discriminating against an employee based on their mental or physical disability.
In order to qualify for an emotional support animal in California you need to connect with a mental health professional licensed in the state of California and establish a client-provider relationship for at least 30 days prior to providing documentation.
One of the ways you can do this is through a telehealth marketplace like Pettable, which can connect you to professionals in your state with experience conducting mental health evaluations for support animals.
After filling out the quiz and receiving authorization from our clinicians to work with you, you will be matched with an LMHP and have an over-the-phone consultation with them. You’ll complete a mental health evaluation to determine if you qualify for an ESA.
Once a Pettable LMHP determines whether an ESA is essential to your care and well-being, they will proceed with writing you a legitimate ESA letter. You will then receive an ESA letter within 24 hours from the time of your consultation.
Emotional support animals provide comfort to owners with certain mental health disorders or illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, specific phobias like agoraphobia and aerophobia, and depression.
ESAs can help people with specific phobias, such as aerophobia (fear of flying in airplanes). Some people find it an excruciating experience to travel on planes and this is why certain airlines allow aerophobic passengers to travel with an emotional support animal that can reduce anxiety.
Those with mental and emotional disabilities often require a social companion to meet their emotional and mental health needs. When you’re living alone and experiencing mental health issues, an ESA provides a reason to go out for a walk, a run, or just spend more time outdoors. These are all good activities for helping to maintain your mental well-being.
To receive a psychiatric service dog (PSD), you must have a diagnosed mental illness or psychological condition. The applicant must then meet with a specialist to confirm that a PSD would be useful to help the patient deal with conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, or schizophrenia. This meeting with a mental health professional should provide clarification on the type of psychiatric service dog breed that best fits your needs.
While any condition that qualifies for an ESA also qualifies for a PSD, a PSD is much different than an ESA. A PSD is trained to fulfill duties that allow disabled people to function in their everyday lives. Around three-quarters of psychiatric service dog owners will benefit from owning a PSD. To receive a PSD letter, simply apply online and you will receive a phone consultation from a mental health professional.
Obtaining an ESA or PSD letter is a key step in promoting well-being for those struggling with a disability. No matter what state you live in, your mental health must always come first. If you feel the need to acquire a valid ESA letter or a PSD letter, then contact Pettable today.
Get Your ESA Letter
Pettable has a network of experienced mental health specialists that can aid you in every state. They can provide an ESA letter that is recognized both in state and out of state. Whether it be by answering questions from a landlord or travel organization that may require additional documentation, your Pettable mental health specialist will be on your side. Pettable’s legal team can also provide support no matter the state you are in.
1. We Guarantee Our Letters Will Work For You
We believe you should not have to worry about your letter working or not. That's why at Pettable we offer a satisfaction guarantee - meaning your letter works or you get your money back.
2. World Class Mental Health Professionals
We have built a team of world class mental health professionals who can write you a PSD Letter prescription guaranteed to work anywhere you go.
3. Unparalleled Customer Support
We know getting your animal approved to travel or live with you can be stressful, which is why we invest so much in our team of dedicated support specialists to make sure you are always taken care of and have the support you need!
4. Licensed in all 50 states
Our network of mental health professionals is deep and spans across the entire country. Additionally, we have a deep team of mental health professionals to make sure we can meet any timeline.
5. Best In Class Legal Support
We are here to make sure your housing and travel needs are taken care of so you don't worry. Our legal team is dedicated to having your back should you need it!
6. Human Connection & Legitimate Evaluations
In order for your letter to work you need to have a live consultation with a mental health professional. At Pettable we make sure our clinicians adhered to HUD standards and conduct consultations over the phone to get to know you and your mental health situation well.
Pettable is the best provider because we're committed to making sure the process works for you. That means working with the best and most experienced mental health professionals in the psychiatric service dog letter space, as well as providing a guarantee that your letter will work for you. We back all of this up with outstanding customer support, a renowned legal team, and a commitment to making sure you have an incredible experience.
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*your purchase will be refunded 100% if your landlord denies your letter
Bolutife "Bolu", LCSW-S, MPA
Licensed Therapist
Equipped with over 13 years, Bolu has worked with various populations (adolescents, couples, families, and adults), but finds passion in working with the BIPOC community suffering from trauma.
Shaunae, M.S., LPC
Licensed Therapist
I have worked in the mental health field for 10 years with experience across diverse populations and communities. I’m dedicated to ensuring the best care possible.
Michael, LPC, LCDC
Licensed Therapist
I graduated from UT Dallas with my BA in Psychology, University of the Southwest with my MS in counseling, and California Southern University with my PsyD in Psychology, but have been an LPC and LCDC since 2011.
Jasmine, LCMHC
Licensed Therapist
I graduated with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Psychology. I completed my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since graduating, I have been working in private practice.
Rhiana, MA, LPC, LAC
Licensed Professional Counselor
I primarily work with people experiencing homelessness. I began doing emotional support evaluations to increase housing access to all.
Melissa, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. I graduated from the Catholic University's National Catholic School of Social Service with a Master of Social Work.
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