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ESA Letters in Virginia

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How to Get an ESA Letter in Virginia Online

Obtaining an ESA letter in Virginia requires first meeting with a mental health professional licensed in your state to determine if you qualify for an emotional support animal

The availability of telemedicine makes seeking an ESA letter online easier than ever. We've performed extensive searches and interviews to find the best licensed mental health professionals (LMHP) in Virginia who are familiar with the state's ESA laws. 

Connect with one of our vetted LMHPs from the comfort of your home today to find out if you're eligible for an emotional support animal in Virginia.

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Our fast and simple process:

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3-minute assessment

Answer a few questions about your ESA needs

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Consult with a therapist

We'll match you to a professional in your state

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Get your ESA letter

Receive it within 24 hours of getting approved *

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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.

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If your ESA Letter is not approved, we will refund 100% of your payment.

Emotional Support Animals in Virginia

Anyone with an emotional or mental disability may qualify for an emotional support animal in Virginia. The state is very aware of the challenges those with mental health conditions face daily. Because of this, the state strives to keep considerate laws and policies in place that help protect those with emotional support animals as a key component of their mental health treatment plans.

ESA Laws in Virginia

Virginia emotional support animal laws largely mirror those at the federal level. The state is also quite pet-friendly and even has many laws in place to prevent animal cruelty. In addition, an individual in Virginia could face hefty fines for misrepresenting an animal as an assistance animal when it is not. 

Below, we'll cover specifics on Virginia's ESA laws for public access, travel, work environment, and housing. This information will give you additional insight into the rights, protections, and benefits available to you as the owner of an emotional support animal in Virginia.

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Virginia ESA Housing Laws

In accordance with the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), Virginia requires that housing providers make reasonable accommodation for any tenants with an emotional support animal, as long as they can present a valid ESA letter as verification. This means they are not allowed to impose any extra fees or breed or weight restrictions on the animal—regardless of the landlord’s typical policy or restrictions on pets. 

The only way that a landlord can legally deny a tenant with an ESA is if the animal poses a direct threat to others' safety or causes significant damage to the property or housing unit.

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Virginia Fair Housing & Employment Act

While service animals have protected access to public places, federal law gives no requirement for employers to accommodate emotional support animals. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) however, an employer cannot discriminate against you for having a disability or for owning an ESA. 

Some businesses may be empathetic and lenient. It's ultimately up to them to decide if your support animal can accompany you to work. Bring your ESA letter and explain your situation to your employer or HR department—they may just be willing to allow you to bring your furry friend to the workplace.

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How Do You Qualify for an ESA in Virginia? 

If you think getting an emotional support animal is the right move for you, you must have a live consultation with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) first. They can properly evaluate your mental health condition to determine if you qualify. If they find that you are eligible, they will write you a valid ESA letter to make it official. 

With our telehealth marketplace, we make it an easy, simple process to find and meet with a vetted LMHP who has knowledge of the ESA laws in your state and experience incorporating animals into a treatment plan.

Get your official ESA Letter
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Why Pettable? 

  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 an ESA 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!

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.

Why Pettable?


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.

Why Pettable is the Best Online ESA Provider in Virginia

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. 

We broke down the different services offered by every ESA service. And we looked for unbiased reviews from 3rd party sites.

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Reviews

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Verified Reviews: 4.8/5
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Trust Pilot: 4.7/5
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Facebook: 4.6/5
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*your purchase will be refunded 100% if your landlord denies your letter

What our pet parents are saying

Verified customers. Real reviews.
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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
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5.0
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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
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5.0
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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
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5.0
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Meet our Selected Therapists

Headshot of therapist: Bolutife
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19 Reviews

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.

Headshot of therapist: Shaunae
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19 Reviews

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.

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32 Reviews

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.

Headshot of therapist: Jasmine
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32 Reviews

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.

Headshot of therapist: Rhiana
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29 Reviews

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.

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23 Reviews

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Emotional Support Animal Overview
What would count as an emotional support animal?
How do I know if I qualify for an Emotional Support Animal?
What does the ESA process look like at Pettable?
How do I know my letter will work?
Can you confirm that this is legal?
What makes your ESA Letters legitimate?
What happens if my landlord wants to validate that my letter is legitimate?
How long does the process take from start to finish and how quickly will I get my ESA letter?
If I qualify, how would I go about getting an emotional support animal?
Are there benefits to having an Emotional Support Animal?
What is on your ESA letter?
I'm not familiar with the Fair Housing Act – what is it?
Do I need to renew my ESA letter?
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To get an ESA Letter, do I have to talk with a mental health professional?
Would an existing pet qualify as an Emotional Support Animal?
Can I qualify multiple pets with the same ESA letter?
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Life feels so much better with an emotional support animal.

At Pettable, we understand at a personal level the positive impact an animal can have on your life.

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