To get an ESA letter in Pennsylvania you have a couple of options, ultimately you need to have a consultation with a mental health professional licensed in the state. If you already have an LMHP you speak with, explain to them that your pet provides support for your mental health condition and that you require an ESA letter. If the LMHP approves, they can write you a letter to make your ESA official.
For those who don't have access to an LMHP, you can look for one online for consultation. At Pettable, we can connect you with a Pennsylvania-licensed mental health professional who can assess your need for an emotional support animal. To get started, you can take our online quiz so we can figure out what your needs are and pre-qualify you for an ESA. At the end of the quiz, you can schedule a consultation for a time that works for you. After attending the consultation the LMHP will determine if you qualify for an ESA and write you an ESA letter if applicable. If you don't qualify, you will get your money back.
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 an additional fee.
* For Arkansas, California, Iowa, Louisiana and Montana residents, new laws requires those seeking an ESA letter 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.
In Pennsylvania, obtaining an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter can offer numerous benefits for individuals struggling with mental health challenges.
Firstly, an ESA letter provides legal documentation that verifies the individual's need for an emotional support animal, granting them certain rights and protections under federal and state laws. With this letter, individuals can secure housing accommodations, allowing them to live with their emotional support animal even in residences with no-pet policies or restrictions.
Moreover, possessing an ESA letter can foster greater understanding and acceptance from landlords, employers, and other entities, reducing discrimination and facilitating access to necessary accommodations.
Overall, an ESA letter in Pennsylvania serves as a crucial tool in ensuring the well-being and support of individuals with mental health conditions, empowering them to live more fulfilling and independent lives.
Although under federal law, service animals are legally entitled to be admitted to most public venues (including workplaces), emotional support animals do not have the same protection. This includes shops, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, theaters, and libraries. If you wish to bring your ESA with you to one of these places, make sure to present your ESA letter to the owner or manager (or your boss) and ask whether they would consider accommodating your needs.
Airlines are subject to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and their policies on emotional support animals are, in practice, similar to other establishments. They are not required to accept emotional support animals – only service animals. If you are planning a trip and want to take your ESA with you, contact the airline in advance to see whether they will allow your companion animal to board the aircraft. You should always provide your ESA letter as proof of your official status. Should the airline refuse, your emotional support animal may be able to travel with you as an ordinary pet – in the cabin, if they're small enough to fit in a carrier and the airline permits it, or in the cargo hold. You’ll have to read up on the airline’s usual pet policy. Otherwise, you could consider training your ESA as a psychiatric service dog (PSD) so that they will be permitted to join you in the cabin for future flights.
You’ll find that the laws surrounding housing in Pennsylvania are amenable to emotional service animals. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) stipulates that landlords must make reasonable accommodations for ESAs and their owners, as long as they can provide a valid ESA letter. This is the case even if your housing provider has a no-pets policy. Your ESA letter also exempts you from any pet fees and weight or breed restrictions that your landlord might otherwise impose.
In Pennsylvania, obtaining an Emotional Support Animal letter is the only legitimate method for certifying an ESA. Other forms of certification such as ID cards, badges, vests, and alternative methods are not recognized as valid documentation. It's essential to understand the proper process for obtaining an ESA letter to ensure your rights and your animal's status are appropriately recognized.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no legal requirement for emotional support animals to be registered in Pennsylvania. While some online platforms may offer registration services, it's important to note that ESA registration holds no legal significance and is not recognized by federal or state laws. Relying on such services can leave individuals vulnerable to online scams.
Online scams targeting individuals seeking ESA documentation have become increasingly prevalent. Unscrupulous websites may offer quick and easy registration processes, promising official-looking certificates and ID cards for a fee. However, these documents hold no legal weight and do not provide any additional rights or protections under the law.
When seeking an ESA letter or certification, it's crucial to choose a reputable and legitimate provider. Look for licensed mental health professionals who are qualified to evaluate your need for an emotional support animal. A legitimate ESA letter will be issued by a qualified healthcare professional after a thorough assessment of your mental health condition.
Determining eligibility for an Emotional Support Animal in Pennsylvania is not a one-size-fits-all process. While certain mental health conditions may qualify individuals for ESA status, the only way to be certain is to consult with a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP). LMHPs, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or licensed therapists, are qualified to assess an individual's mental health needs and determine if the presence of an emotional support animal would be beneficial.
Common Conditions that Could Qualify for an ESA:
It's important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and other mental health conditions may also qualify for ESA status. Additionally, each individual's situation is unique, and eligibility for an ESA should be determined through a thorough evaluation by an LMHP. If you believe that an emotional support animal could benefit your mental health, schedule an appointment with a qualified professional to discuss your options and determine if you qualify for ESA certification.
Emotional support animals offer Pennsylvania residents vital companionship, easing symptoms of anxiety and depression, while fostering a healthy daily routine through their unwavering presence and support.
Emotional support animals offer invaluable companionship and comfort to Pennsylvania residents facing mental health challenges. Their unwavering presence provides a sense of security and emotional stability, helping individuals navigate through difficult times with reassurance and understanding. Whether it's a comforting nuzzle, a gentle paw, or simply the warmth of their presence, emotional support animals have a remarkable ability to lift spirits and alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. Through their unconditional love and companionship, these animals offer a constant source of emotional support, serving as loyal confidants and trusted allies in the journey towards improved mental well-being.
For many Pennsylvania residents struggling with anxiety and depression, the presence of an emotional support animal can be profoundly therapeutic. These animals offer a sense of calm and tranquility, helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Whether it's through their soothing presence during moments of heightened tension or their playful antics that bring moments of joy and laughter, emotional support animals have a remarkable ability to ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Their unconditional love and non-judgmental nature create a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can find solace and peace amidst the challenges of their mental health journey.
Emotional support animals play a crucial role in promoting a healthy daily routine for Pennsylvania residents. Their presence encourages regular exercise through walks and outdoor activities, which not only benefits physical health but also enhances mood and mental well-being. Additionally, caring for an emotional support animal fosters a sense of responsibility and purpose, providing structure and stability to daily life. From feeding and grooming to providing affection and attention, the routine of caring for an emotional support animal instills a sense of routine and consistency that can be immensely beneficial for individuals struggling with mental health challenges. By integrating the presence of an emotional support animal into their daily lives, Pennsylvania residents can cultivate a sense of balance, purpose, and fulfillment that contributes to their overall well-being.
In Pennsylvania, psychiatric service dog training is a vital resource for individuals with mental health conditions who require specialized assistance. These service dogs undergo rigorous training to perform tasks tailored to their handler's specific needs, such as alerting to impending panic attacks, providing grounding during dissociative episodes, or retrieving medication during times of distress. With the support of trained professionals, psychiatric service dogs are equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively mitigate the symptoms of mental illness and enhance their handler's quality of life. Through structured training programs and ongoing guidance, Pennsylvania residents can access the invaluable support and companionship provided by psychiatric service dogs, empowering them to navigate through the challenges of mental health with greater independence and confidence.
At Pettable, we offer an online psychiatric service dog training program that enables you to train a PSD on your own. To enroll in the course, start by taking our short online quiz by clicking the button below.
You can put your trust in Pettable. Our world-class therapists and our incredible customer support team will do everything in their power to make sure your ESA letter works for you. In the unlikely event that it doesn't, we'll provide you with a full refund as part of our customer satisfaction guarantee.
1. ESA Letters That Work, Guaranteed
Your peace of mind matters to us, which is why we stand by our assurance that your letter will effectively serve its purpose, or we'll refund your money.
2. World-Class Mental Health Professionals
We've assembled a team of top-tier mental health professionals who can provide you with an ESA letter prescription that's guaranteed to be accepted wherever you reside in The United States.
3. Unmatched Customer Support
Navigating the process of getting your pet approved to live with you can be stressful. That's why we've heavily invested in a dedicated team of support specialists to ensure you receive the care and assistance you need.
4. Licensed Nationwide
Our extensive network of mental health professionals spans all 50 states, ensuring nationwide coverage. We've also built a deep bench of professionals to meet any deadlines or requirements.
5. Personal Connection and Rigorous Evaluations
For your letter to be effective, a live consultation with a mental health professional is a must. At Pettable, we ensure our clinicians adhere to HUD standards and conduct comprehensive phone consultations to truly understand your mental health situation.
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.
It's easy to see that Pettable is the best choice when it comes to online ESA letter providers. With our user-friendly online services, you’ll receive a live consultation with a highly experienced LMHP, our 100% satisfaction guarantee, and transparency every step of the way. Take a look at our glowing customer reviews and see for yourself how we compare with our competitors!
MSW, LCSW
Jennifer Bronsnick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Anxiety Treatment Specialist, & Heartmath Certified Trainer. She provides customized workshops and trainings to working professionals and teams to help build resilience and reduce stress with practical strategies.
MSW, LCSW
I graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before obtaining my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2021. I have eight years of experience in the mental health field working in and with various populations, including case management, intake coordination, and residential, inpatient, and outpatient programs. I am certified in Brainspotting to help individuals deeply process negative emotions and trauma/significant life events. Additionally, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and safety planning in sessions/groups.
LCSW
As a clinical social worker, I have been able to work within multiple types of settings, such as hospitals, community centers, and family welfare. I enjoy having the clinical and administrative experience to holistically serve those I work with.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If for any reason you are not approved we will refund your entire purchase.
Get your official ESA Letter
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
Our ESA letters contain the following:
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.
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:
Renewing your letter is easy through our seamless consultation process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At Pettable, we understand at a personal level the positive impact an animal can have on your life.
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