Companions in Healing: Why I Write ESA Letters for My Clients

Clients often ask whether their pet can be recognized as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). My short answer: sometimes—and when it’s clinically appropriate, I will document that need. My longer answer explains what an ESA actually is, what laws apply, and why I take this seriously.

What an ESA is (and isn’t)

Under U.S. housing law, an ESA is an assistance animal that provides therapeutic emotional support for a person with a disability; it does not need special training. In the eyes of housing law, assistance animals are not pets—they are a reasonable accommodation that enables equal use and enjoyment of a dwelling (Fair Housing Act; HUD FHEO-2020-01).

By contrast, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes service animals—dogs trained to perform specific tasks for a disability. Emotional support animals are not service animals under the ADA and do not have general public-access rights to places like restaurants or stores.

Air travel is different again: since 2021, U.S. Department of Transportation rules allow airlines to treat ESAs as pets (not service animals). Only trained service dogs must be accommodated in the cabin.

There’s no federal “ESA registry”—and beware online certificates

A frequent myth is that you “register” a pet as an ESA. There is no official federal ESA registry. In fact, HUD warns that “documentation from the internet is not, by itself, sufficient” to establish disability or disability-related need. Reliable documentation typically comes from a licensed health-care professional who knows the individual.

What I look for before I write an ESA letter

When a client seeks an ESA accommodation for housing, I complete a clinical assessment and, when appropriate, provide a letter that (a) confirms a qualifying mental-health condition and (b) explains the disability-related need for the animal in housing—without disclosing more than is necessary. This aligns with HUD’s guidance on reasonable accommodations and documentation.

I do not issue letters as a substitute for therapy or medication, nor as a workaround for “no-pets” rules absent clinical need. I discuss responsibilities (care, behavior, impact on others) and clarify that ESAs do not have ADA public-access rights—their primary legal protection is housing under the Fair Housing Act.

Why I support ESAs (when clinically appropriate)

The human–animal bond can meaningfully reduce distress and support recovery:

• Reviews of human-animal interaction research link contact with companion animals to lower stress markers and increased oxytocin, which is associated with bonding and calm (Beetz et al., 2012).

• A systematic review of people living with mental-health conditions found pets can offer emotional comfort, routine, social connection, and a sense of purpose—all protective factors in recovery (Brooks et al., 2018).

In practice, I see ESAs help clients stabilize daily routines, buffer loneliness, and ground during panic or depressive spirals. They are adjuncts, not replacements, for evidence-based care—most effective alongside psychotherapy, medication (when indicated), and skills for sleep, stress, and mood.

What my letter does—and doesn’t—do

• Does: Support a housing reasonable-accommodation request (e.g., “no-pets” building, pet fees, breed/size limits), consistent with the Fair Housing Act and HUD guidance.

• Doesn’t: Grant public-access rights under the ADA, or guarantee airline cabin access (airlines may treat ESAs as pets).

• Doesn’t: “Register” or “certify” your animal—there is no federal registry; online certificates alone are insufficient.

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Bottom line

I will gladly write ESA documentation when the clinical need is clear, because the evidence supports meaningful benefits and the law protects access to housing. I will not rubber-stamp letters, promote fake “registries,” or suggest that ESAs replace comprehensive treatment. Used responsibly, ESAs are a compassionate, lawful accommodation that can make daily life—and healing—more possible.

Sources & Key Guidance

1. HUD FHEO-2020-01: Assessing a Person’s Request to Have an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Fair Housing Act (assistance animals are not pets; documentation standards; clinician letters).

2. ADA: Service animals are trained dogs; ESAs are not service animals and lack ADA public-access rights.

3. DOT Final Rule (2020)/14 CFR Part 382: Airlines may treat ESAs as pets; only trained service dogs must be accommodated in cabin.

If you’re considering an ESA for housing, let’s talk. I’ll assess your needs, discuss responsibilities, and, when indicated, provide the appropriate documentation to support your request—ethically, legally, and with your well-being at the center.