HELP & KNOWLEDGE BASE
Frequently Asked Questions
Clinical, legal, and housing answers regarding legitimate emotional support animal documentation.
An emotional support animal (ESA) is a companion animal that provides therapeutic support and comfort to alleviate one or more identified symptoms of a mental or emotional impairment or disability. Under federal Fair Housing rules, an ESA is categorized as an "assistance animal" rather than a pet.
An ESA letter is an official document written on the professional letterhead of a licensed healthcare practitioner (such as an LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or Psychologist). It verifies that the individual has a disability-related need for the assistance animal under the federal Fair Housing Act and state fair housing regulations.
Under HUD guidelines, ESA documentation must be issued by a licensed healthcare professional who has personal knowledge of the individual's condition. This includes licensed mental health professionals (therapists, psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers) and medical doctors who are authorized to practice in your jurisdiction.
Yes, telehealth evaluations are legally recognized across the United States. HUD Notice FHEO-2020-01 specifically confirms that documentation from a licensed professional who provides telehealth services is reliable, provided the practitioner has personal knowledge of the individual and is licensed in the client's state.
No. Federal law does not recognize any official ESA registry, and HUD guidance explicitly states that online "registrations", "ID cards", or "certificates" alone do not establish a legal right to an emotional support animal. The only legally valid proof is documentation from a licensed healthcare provider based on an individualized evaluation.
No. Special vests, badges, ID tags, or harness patches are not required by law and hold no legal weight. Housing providers verify the authenticity of the clinician's written documentation, not accessories.
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords and housing providers must make reasonable accommodations for assistance animals in buildings with no-pet policies, unless an exemption applies (such as owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, or single-family homes rented without a broker).
Yes. Because assistance animals are accommodations and not pets, housing providers are prohibited from charging pet deposits, monthly pet rent, or pet application fees. However, tenants remain responsible for any actual physical damage caused by the animal.
Yes. Housing providers have the right to verify that the documentation is authentic and was issued by a legitimate licensed healthcare practitioner. Every document issued through our platform includes a unique Verification ID that landlords can check 24/7 on our secure portal or verify with our support team.
No. HUD guidelines explicitly state that housing providers cannot demand access to confidential medical records, diagnostic codes, or clinical treatment notes. The letter confirms that you have an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and that the animal provides support, without disclosing your diagnosis.
In most states, clients are scheduled with a state-licensed clinician promptly following intake. Once clinically approved, your official letter is delivered directly to your email. In California, state law (AB 468) mandates a 30-day clinical relationship before documentation for an emotional support dog can be issued.
Housing documentation is typically valid for one year from the date of clinical issuance. Most landlords require updated annual documentation when you renew your lease. Returning clients can book an annual renewal re-evaluation at a reduced fee ($79).
No. Under current U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Air Carrier Access Act rules (effective January 2021), emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals for commercial airline travel. Airlines are only required to accommodate trained service dogs. Our platform provides evaluations and documentation strictly for residential housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act.
A service animal is a dog (or miniature horse) individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person's disability (e.g., guide dogs, seizure alert dogs) and has broad public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). An emotional support animal provides comfort and emotional regulation through its presence and does not require specialized task training, but is protected primarily in residential housing under the Fair Housing Act.
If the evaluating clinician independently determines that an ESA accommodation is not clinically appropriate for your situation, our transparent refund policy applies. We do not charge the full evaluation fee if documentation cannot be clinically supported.
Yes, but each individual animal must be separately evaluated in relation to distinct disability-related needs. Multiple animals are not automatically approved under a single generic request.