For Maryland residents, the first step to obtaining an ESA letter is to meet with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who can work in your state. This clinician will conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether you qualify for an emotional support animal in Maryland.
One of the most convenient ways to meet with a LMHP is through a telehealth platform such as Pettable. By offering online consultations with LMHPs who are authorized to practice in Maryland, we eliminate the hassle of having to travel to your therapist’s office. Instead, you can meet with a licensed mental health professional from the comfort of your own home.Emotional Support Animals in Maryland
Maryland law protects the rights of emotional support animals and their owners. Most importantly, you are legally entitled to have your emotional support animal live with you. All you have to do to exercise this right is to obtain a legitimate ESA letter from a mental health professional.
Answer a few questions about your ESA needs
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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.
According to the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as long as you can provide a valid ESA letter, your landlord must make reasonable accommodations for your emotional support animal to live with you in your residence – even if it is usually a “no pets” property. Your ESA letter also waives any pet deposits, additional fees, and weight or breed restrictions that your housing provider may typically require.
Unlike the right to housing, the right to air travel is not guaranteed for emotional support animals, even if you have a valid ESA letter. Under the revised Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), while service animals must be allowed on all flights, airlines can determine on a case-by-case basis whether or not they will admit emotional support animals. Before making travel plans, ask the airline whether they will accommodate your emotional support animal, and don’t forget to provide your ESA letter. If the airline does not make special allowances for emotional support animals, your companion animal may still be able to fly with you as an ordinary pet. Another option is to train them as a psychiatric service dog (PSD), thus guaranteeing that they will be admitted to the airline cabin with you.
When it comes to other public places (and your workplace), Maryland state law protects service animals, but it does not obligate proprietors or employers to allow emotional support animals. However, it never hurts to show your ESA letter to your boss or the manager of an establishment and see whether they will compromise with you. Otherwise, you'll need to seek out a pet-friendly establishment or leave your emotional support animal at home.
Get Your ESA LetterHow Do You Qualify for an ESA in Maryland?
To qualify for an emotional support animal, Maryland requires you to have a live appointment (either face-to-face or online) with a licensed mental health professional who can assess your mental or emotional disability. If they determine that you have a disability-related need for an emotional support animal, they will write you an ESA letter to make it official.
Get Your ESA Letter
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.
Not sure if Pettable is the right choice for you? Check out how we compare to other online ESA providers. If our transparent policies, top-notch legal support, and customer satisfaction guarantee aren't enough to convince you, just take a look at how our satisfied customers have rated us.
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*review chart on how Pettable stacks up vs. the rest
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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