The process of obtaining an emotional support animal (ESA) letter in South Dakota begins with a consultation with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who is authorized to practice in your state. If you are using a telehealth service such as Pettable, you can connect with an LMHP online, from the comfort of your own home. If your therapist determines that you meet the eligibility criteria for an emotional support animal, they will write you an ESA letter that you can use for housing and other purposes.
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.
For many people who struggle with mental health challenges, living with an emotional support animal can have significant therapeutic value. South Dakota law and federal law both recognize the potential benefits of emotional support animals, and thus protect the rights of ESA owners to equal access to housing.
South Dakota complies with the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These laws stipulate that housing providers cannot deny access to individuals with assistance animals. This includes emotional support animals in addition to service animals. As long as you can present a legitimate ESA letter, your landlord must make reasonable accommodations for your emotional support animal to live with you at the property.
ESA owners should bear in mind that although service animals have legally protected access to most public places, emotional support animals do not enjoy this same right. Commercial aircraft, workplaces, and other venues are under no legal obligation to admit your emotional support animal. If you would like your ESA to accompany you to an establishment that is not inherently pet-friendly, you'll need to ask the person in charge whether they will allow you to enter. Having an official ESA letter may help your case, but the decision is entirely up to the venue owner or manager (or your boss, if you’d like to take an ESA to your place of work).
For air travel, make sure to contact the airline as early as possible before your travel date. In the event that your request is denied, your ESA may still be able to fly with you as an ordinary pet, subject to the airline’s usual fees and policies.
Only a mental health professional licensed in South Dakota can assess whether a resident of the state qualifies for an officially-recognized emotional support animal. Your mental health practitioner must conclude that you have an emotional disability or mental health condition that impedes your daily activities in some way. If this is the case, your therapist can make an emotional support animal an official component of your treatment plan and issue you an ESA letter.
Rest assured that Pettable's ESA approval process is fully compliant with all state and federal laws. Our trusted therapists are authorized to practice in South Dakota and have significant expertise conducting mental health consultations via our innovative telehealth platform.
Pettable’s customer service representatives and legal support team will always go the extra mile to ensure that your ESA or psychiatric service dog (PSD) letter works for you. In the unlikely event that the letter doesn’t meet your needs, we'll refund you the entire fee for our services.
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.
With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, experienced and empathetic mental health practitioners, and top-notch legal support, Pettable is in a different league from our competitors. Just take a look at how our services and customer ratings compare to those of other online ESA letter providers.
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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.
At Pettable, we understand at a personal level the positive impact an animal can have on your life.
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