Name: ESA Letter
Brand: Pettable
Price: 149.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (4340 reviews)

Frequently Asked Questions

Emotional Support Animal Overview

What would count as an emotional support animal?

An emotional support animal provides comfort to help relieve a symptom or effect related to a person's disability. Also, there is no animal or breed restrictions for ESA's as long as it is reasonable and justified.

Note that being an emotional support animal is not the same as being a service animal (like seeing-eye dogs). These types of animals have stricter criteria that must be met, including different forms of training such as obedience, public access and disability training. These additional trainings are necessary since service dogs have public access and travel rights, unlike emotional support animals who are only protected under housing rights.

ESA's do not have public access or travel rights, so it's best to check with individual business guidelines to see if they allow ESA's. Additionally, you can train your dog to become a PSD (psychiatric service dog) in order to have public access and travel rights.

How do I know if I qualify for an Emotional Support Animal?

The general criteria is to have some emotional or psychological condition that is improved by having an animal that provides support. Conditions may include depression, generalized anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, and others. And remember, Emotional Support Animals do not require special training!

Only a licensed mental health professional is qualified to determine if you meet the criteria. Through our service, you can speak directly with a qualified mental health professional in the state where you reside. Pettable connects you with a licensed mental health professional for a consultation to determine if you qualify for an ESA. Unlike, some less legitimate services, we do not provide letters for fee, but instead we connect you to a professional for an honest evaluation.

What does the ESA process look like at Pettable?

Step 1: Once payment is submitted and your appointment is scheduled through our website, you will receive an email to activate your account.

Step 2: Once your account is activated, the process will prompt you to fill out the required forms to give more information to your clinician before your scheduled appointment.
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Step 3: Your assigned clinician will call you at your scheduled appointment time and will let you know if you have qualified. If you've qualified, your clinician will upload your letter in your portal for you to view and print.
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If for any reason you are not approved we will refund your entire purchase.

Get your official ESA Letter

How do I know my letter will work?

When you take our quiz we collect information to match you with a therapist that has experience with your case and can meet your specific needs.
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Additionally, to our knowledge, Pettable is the only provider that offers a full Money Back Guarantee - meaning if you do not qualify for a letter after your consultation or your landlord does not accept it after filing a complaint with the HUD, then we’ll refund 100% of your purchase.
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We have experience with every kind of ESA situation - multiple pets, breed restrictions, weight/size restrictions, traveling across state lines, immediate turnaround, etc. We are confident we can help you with your specific ESA needs and if we can't, we will refund your money 100%. See our Money Back Guarantee FAQ for more information.

Can you confirm that this is legal?

Our Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letters are fully compliant with the Fair Housing Act. These are the two primary laws the dictate the terms by which individuals like you may leverage an ESA Letter for mental health purposes and live with a designated emotional support animal in situations where you otherwise would not be able to.

We employ a vetted network of licensed and qualified mental health professionals who possess the credentials necessary to write a certified ESA Letter.

Our website is also HIPAA Compliant, ensuring that your information is protected according to nationally mandated federal law.

What makes your ESA Letters legitimate?

Licensed Professional In Your State - All of our Licensed Mental Health Professionals are fully qualified and have passed board exams. The LMHP we select will be one that is legally qualified to approve ESA Letters for your state.

‍Phone Consultation - Our professionals will reach out to you to setup a phone consultation and establish a relationship.This gives our professionals the authority and basis for prescribing you an ESA letter.

‍Compliant Letters - The ESA Letter is issued directly from a LMHP with their license number and their contact information included. The letter will come on the professional letterhead of the Licensed Mental Health Professional and contain everything legally required for an ESA prescription within the body of the letter.

What happens if my landlord wants to validate that my letter is legitimate?

No problem, we've got your back!

Our mental health professionals should be able to call your landlord to verify the legitimacy of your letter.

Should your landlord request a validation of your letter, please have them reach out to your therapist using the contact information on your ESA letter.

In the unlikely event that your letter does not work as intended and we've tried to make it work with the landlord we will refund your purchase 100%.

How long does the process take from start to finish and how quickly will I get my ESA letter?

We can turn around an ESA letter in as fast as 24 hours! If you need it this quickly make sure to choose our "Express Service." You can select this option at checkout.

To ensure the fastest turn around possible, it is important that you sign and submit our consent forms.

We have an extensive network of mental health professionals, licensed across states, with wide range of availability and can route you to someone that is able to meet your timeline needs.

Once a consultation is concluded, letters are turned around within 24 hours and most of the time much more quickly than that.

If I qualify, how would I go about getting an emotional support animal?

After speaking with a licensed mental health professional and receiving your own ESA Letter, all you need to do is designate which animal will be your specific emotional support animal. It can be any breed or species, whether an existing pet or a new pet you adopt or rescue. You do not need to go to any specific breeder or place to acquire one.

Are there benefits to having an Emotional Support Animal?

Absolutely! There is research and data that support the theory that animals provide substantial and measurable emotional support. If you're thinking about the benefits of an emotional support animal, you can learn more by researching online or talking to qualified mental health professionals in our network.

What is on your ESA letter?

Our ESA letters contain the following:

The official letterhead of the mental health professional.
Their business, contact information, and signature.
Their license information which allows anyone to check the status of their license.
Their confirmation that you meet the definition of a disability and recommendation for an emotional support animal.

I'm not familiar with the Fair Housing Act – what is it?

The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers such as landlords or management companies to allow the possession of animals that work, provide assistance for, or perform tasks that benefit individuals with qualified medical disabilities – or that provide emotional support to individuals to reduce a symptom or effect of a disability.

The Fair Housing Act also requires individuals, who wish to possess a service or support animal, to follow specific criteria relevant to the type of support needed.

For an emotional support animal, the individual has to speak with a licensed mental health professional in the state they reside and receive a prescription of an ESA Letter in order to qualify.

Do I need to renew my ESA letter?

Although the Fair Housing Act and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development does not specify guidance around the issue of ESA letter expiration, we recommend that you renew your ESA letter annually for a few reasons:

Landlords or property managers may refuse to accept an ESA letter that is expired. Renewing your letter enables you to provide current documentation that verifies your need for an emotional support animal as still relevant.
Clinicians may not validate an ESA letter that is expired in the event a landlord or property manager reaches out to verify. An annual consultation with a clinician to discuss your needs for an ESA letter is advised in order to keep licensed professional recommendations current.

Renewing your letter is easy through our seamless consultation process.

Renew Your ESA Letter

How do your consultations work?

Federal and state laws require a live consultation over the phone, video, or in person to properly vet and qualify an individual to warrant an ESA Letter.

To ensure our ESA letter are compliant, all of our consultations are conducted live over the phone in order to meet the legal standards set forth and assure the validity of your letter.

To get an ESA Letter, do I have to talk with a mental health professional?

Yes. Federal and state laws require a live consultation over the phone, video, or in person to properly vet and qualify an individual to warrant an ESA Letter. Since the letter grants privileges about keeping a pet in a place that otherwise would not allow it, base guidelines must be met to qualify.

Would an existing pet qualify as an Emotional Support Animal?

Yes. An emotional support animal can be any breed or species as long as it supports an emotional or psychological condition.

Since emotional support animals do not require any training, your childhood pet or newly adopted animal can qualify.

Can I qualify multiple pets with the same ESA letter?

Yes, you can register multiple pets on the same ESA letter. At Pettable we can accommodate up to two pets per letter for no additional charge.

According to the American Disabilities Act your request for multiple animals must be "reasonable".
An example of an unreasonable request is if you want four great danes registered as ESAs and you live in a tiny apartment.

In order to make sure we're meeting the standard of "reasonable" Pettable is able to accommodate up to two pets per letter as long as you meet the criteria to warrant an ESA letter.

At the end of the day it is a judgement call but we want to make sure that you are covered in any situation you're in, which is why we've set this policy.

My landlord says I can't keep my pet despite having a legitimate ESA letter. What do I do?

Once you have a proper ESA Letter, your landlord is required by the Fair Housing Act to allow you to keep your designated emotional support animal with you at your place of residence.

Sometimes landlords create barriers for individuals in attempt to refrain from accommodating legitimate ESA's. If this occurs please reach out to your assigned mental health professional to validate or assist in verifying your legitimate ESA letter.

What does an ESA Letter let me do?

An ESA Letter allows you to possess an emotional support animal of your choosing within any housing you decide to live, regardless of if pets are permitted by the landlord or management company. If a landlord questions this, you can point them to the Fair Housing Act, which lays this out explicitly. If you have an ESA Letter from us, they cannot deny you having an emotional support animal.

How does the Money Back Guarantee work?

Pettable is the only referral site that offers a Money Back Guarantee encompassing a full 100% refund for two reasons: (1) if you do not qualify for a letter after your consultation or (2) your landlord does not accept it after filing a complaint with the HUD. The details: Our refund and cancellation policy ensures that our team of licensed mental health professionals are effectively allocating their support to those in need. Once signed, your order is non-refundable, unless you meet the following two reasons: (1) you do not qualify for an ESA letter after your consultation as determined by the licensed mental health professional or (2) if your landlord does not accept your ESA letter after filing a complaint with HUD.

Are there scams out there I need to be aware of?

Unfortunately, yes. We've come across a number of fraudulent sites that claim to offer ESA Letters, but whose letters are not legitimate, nor comply with US federal and state laws.

The most common type of fraud we've seen are in particular sites that claim to certify service animals (different from emotional support animals) without requiring any formal testing or accreditation typical for that process. The US has cracked down on these forms of fraud. Now they will enact hefty fines – or even jail time – for caught offenders.

These are the clues you should be on the lookout for to spot a scam: The service does NOT require you to speak with someone live over the phone – All legitimate ESA Letter providers are required by law to ensure that you speak with a licensed mental health professional over the phone or video. If a service asks you to answer questions using a quiz or "exam" but doesn't ask you to schedule a live consultation afterwards, it is probably a scam. Pettable is not a purchase-diagnosis website, but instead refers you to a licensed professional who conducts a live evaluation and provides a legitimate ESA letter per their professional discretion.

What is an emotional support animal?

An emotional support animal helps individuals who are suffering from mental and/or emotional disabilities by providing support.

Once previously overlooked mental health conditions are more easily diagnosed as medical professionals learn more about mental health and in many cases, an ESA is a critical part of the coping process. While ESAs are not the same as service animals because they are not trained to perform a specific task, an ESA can be just as important to a person as a service animal. ESAs are responsible for providing their owners with a comforting presence which can facilitate the performing of daily life's tasks. Just like service animals, ESAs have rights under state and federal laws.

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

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a pet that helps its owner by providing companionship, helping relieve stress and otherwise comfort its owner just by being present. ESA owners’ rights to keep an ESA in a rented home are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). The law requires landlords to allow ESAs even if they have a No Pets rule or limit the types or sizes of pets renters can keep in their homes.

You’ll need a licensed medical professional to diagnose you with a qualifying condition and provide you with a valid ESA Letter to protect those rights. Unlike psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) and other service animals, airlines and businesses are not required to allow you to keep your ESA with you.

ESAs do not have to receive intensive training but should be well-behaved. That is important because, while qualified ESA owners have specific rights when it comes to living with an ESA, bad behavior like constant barking, aggressiveness, or destructive actions are reasons that a landlord or property manager can have your pet removed or make you move out.

A psychiatric service dog (PSD) is a dog trained to perform specific actions to assist someone to deal with the effects and symptoms of a recognized psychiatric disability. To provide that help, PSDs need obedience and situational behavior training. But they also need extensive, individualized training to provide the complicated help individual users require. We discuss those tasks and training requirements elsewhere in this FAQ.While ESA owners’ rights are limited to housing under the Fair Housing Act, the use of psychiatric service dogs, like other service animals, is also covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Those laws protect PSD users from discrimination while traveling on airlines and other commercial travel providers, in housing, and in access to most private businesses and public spaces. As long as their PSD is properly trained and can be reasonably accommodated, Psychiatric Service Dog users are entitled to have their PSD living with them in their home; in an airline's main cabin; and when they go to appointments, public events, and go shopping, out to eat, or on errands to other businesses.

Who can write an ESA letter in California?

A Licensed Professional In Your State - All of our Licensed Mental Health Professionals are fully qualified and have passed board exams. The LMHP we select if you reside in California will be one that is legally qualified to approve ESA Letters for the state of 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.

Can a landlord deny an emotional support animal in California?

No, a landlord cannot deny an emotional support animal in California if you have a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional in your state.

How can I get an emotional support animal letter in California?

The easiest and quickest way to find out if you qualify for an emotional support animal letter is to connect with a licensed mental health professional online. 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 emotional support animal in California.

Does anxiety qualify for an emotional support animal in California?

Anxiety can qualify for an emotional support animal in California if it presents as a disability that impairs your life in one or more ways. To find out if your anxiety qualifies for an ESA get in touch with one of our clinicians for a mental health evaluation risk free (if you don't get approved we'll refund you 100%).

How many emotional support animals can I have in California?

There is no limit to the amount of emotional support animals you can have in California. The longer answer is a bit more nuanced in that each ESA must help you with your disability in some way shape or form. Additionally, your request must be reasonable (i.e. bringing 5 Great Danes into a California studio apartment likely won't be reasonable).

How do you qualify for an emotional support animal in California?

To find out if you qualify for an ESA in California, connect with a mental health professional licensed in the state of California who is familiar with the state’s ESA laws. They can evaluate your mental and emotional disability to determine if you qualify for an ESA.

How do I get an ESA letter in California?

The best way to obtain an ESA letter in California is to connect with a licensed mental health professional who can assess your mental illness and symptoms to determine if you qualify for an ESA. If you do, they can write you a valid ESA letter.

How to register a dog as an emotional support animal in California?

While there is no official “registration” for emotional support animals, you do need an ESA letter to legitimize your animal as an ESA. Once you obtain a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional, your dog is recognized as an official ESA.

How to get an emotional support animal in California?

In California, getting an ESA is available to anyone with a mental or emotional disability. The state recognizes the challenges associated with mental and emotional disabilities and endorses the use of ESAs as a component of a person’s mental health treatment. To find out if you qualify for an ESA, meet with a licensed mental health professional who can write you an ESA letter so you can receive the animal support you need.

Are online consultations for ESA letters legal in California?

Yes, it is legal in California to receive an ESA letter online that certifies your animal as a support animal. Just make sure you have a live consultation with a mental health professional licensed in the state of California.

Are emotional support animals allowed in hotels in California?

While California laws allow service animals to enter any public place, emotional support animals do not have the same access. This means hotels are not required to allow ESAs. However, it may still be worth asking the hotel before you book if they might be willing to accommodate your ESA. Otherwise, you can seek out a pet-friendly hotel to stay at instead.

Are emotional support animals allowed in restaurants in California?

Public places, such as restaurants and stores, have no legal obligation to accommodate your ESA. But, of course, it doesn’t hurt to ask, and some places may allow your furry companion inside if you simply show them your ESA letter.

Can a therapist prescribe an emotional support animal in California?

Yes, any licensed mental health professional can “prescribe” an ESA (or, in other words, write an ESA letter) in California – including therapists.

How does the Money Back Guarantee work for California residents?

Pettable is the only provider that offers a Money Back Guarantee encompassing a full 100% refund for two reasons: (1) if you do not qualify for a letter after your consultation or (2) your landlord does not accept it after filing a complaint with the HUD.

The details:

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.

What does the new law AB 468 mean for obtaining an ESA letter in CA?

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.

I am in California so the law here is a little different with a 30 day period and 2 therapy sessions but it was extremely worth it

January 23, 2025

As California becomes less ESA friendly, this really helped me keep my EAS pets.

Thank you Pettable I appreciate the smooth process and quick response. You guys are awesome.

Very easy thorough process. Kya Miller, LICSW, LCSW was very helpful. I would recommend the services of Pettable to anyone!

May 19, 2025 - Texas

The process was very simple and the people are very kind and understanding

May 16, 2025 - Texas

Received my call on time, had a forthright conversation with a licensed clinician and received my ESA letter within 24 hours. Straightforward process.

May 06, 2025 - Texas

What our pet parents are saying

Verified customers. Real reviews.

I had an incredible experience with Pettable. I had just moved and was looking for a new therapist, but knew an ESA would really help me with the transition, so I came to Pettable to get documentation so I didn’t have to wait months to get approval from my landlord to bring a pet home. The process was straightforward, timely, and made me feel so valid in my journey. Now I am raising a puppy and never been happier and healthier! I can’t recommend Pettable enough!

“The process was straightforward, timely, and made me feel so valid in my journey.

Maddee W. Dog parent

5.0

An image of a man with a dog in his backpack

My pup provides relief in stressful situations, particularly when I'm away on necessary travel. Pettable was an amazing resource, connecting me with a therapist who listened to my situation and provided advice above and beyond. I could hear Rhiana's compassion over our call and appreciated her patience. Grateful for this service!"

“I could hear Rhiana's compassion over our call and appreciated her patience.

Austin K. Dog parent

You were very attentive and I’m very satisfied with the provider I was assigned with, thank you again for helping relieve the stress of not being able to take my furry baby to our new home."

“Thank you again for helping relieve the stress.

Lauren M. Cat parent

Pettable across California

We Work with clinicians in almost every district of California.

How To Get An Emotional Support Animal Letter In California Online

Our fast and simple process:

3-minute assessment

Consult with a therapist

Get your ESA letter

California ESA Laws & Your Rights Explained

How Pettable Ensures Your ESA Letter is Fully California-Compliant

Easy 3-Step Process to Obtain Your ESA Letter in California

Avoiding Common ESA Myths in California

Why an ESA Letter Makes Life Easier in California

‍How Do You Qualify For An ESA In California?

ESAs vs. Psychiatric Service Dogs in California

How to Get a Psychiatric Service Dog in California

Your Top Questions - Answered

Why Pettable?

Why Pettable Is The Best Online ESA Provider?

What our pet parents are saying

Meet Our Mental Health Experts

Jennifer Bronsnick

Emilie Kay

Marvy Beckman

Frequently Asked Questions

Emotional Support Animal Overview

Life feels so much better with an emotional support animal.

Schedule your ESA Letter consultation today.

Pettable across California

We Work with clinicians in almost every district of California.

How To Get An Emotional Support Animal Letter In California Online

Our fast and simple process:

3-minute assessment

Consult with a therapist

Get your ESA letter

California ESA Laws & Your Rights Explained

How Pettable Ensures Your ESA Letter is Fully California-Compliant

Easy 3-Step Process to Obtain Your ESA Letter in California

Avoiding Common ESA Myths in California

Why an ESA Letter Makes Life Easier in California

‍How Do You Qualify For An ESA In California?

ESAs vs. Psychiatric Service Dogs in California

How to Get a Psychiatric Service Dog in California

Your Top Questions - Answered

Why Pettable?

Why Pettable Is The Best Online ESA Provider?

What our pet parents are saying

Meet Our Mental Health Experts

Jennifer Bronsnick

Emilie Kay

Marvy Beckman

Frequently Asked Questions

Emotional Support Animal Overview

Life feels so much better with an emotional support animal.

Schedule your ESA Letter consultation today.

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