Emotional Support Animal Letters

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letter Services

Compassionate Support. Legal Protection. Peace of Mind.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) provides therapeutic comfort, companionship, and emotional support to individuals experiencing mental or emotional challenges. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not trained for specific tasks—but they can significantly improve quality of life by reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more.

ESAs can be a variety of domesticated animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and even mini pigs—as long as they are well-behaved in shared living spaces.

Legal Protections for ESA Owners in Texas

Although the state of Texas does not have specific ESA laws, federal protections apply under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Here's what that means for you:

🏠 Housing Rights

Landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for tenants with an ESA—even in “no-pet” housing.
No pet fees or deposits can be charged for ESAs.
Landlords may request your ESA letter, but they cannot deny housing due to your animal unless the animal poses a direct threat or causes significant damage.

🎓 Campus Housing

University campus housing is covered by the FHA.
Dormitories may be excluded; however, off-campus housing is eligible for ESA accommodations.

✈️ Travel

As of current federal regulations, emotional support animals are no longer recognized as service animals on flights.
Your ESA will be subject to the airline’s standard pet policy and fees.
Only service animals, as defined by the Air Carrier Access Act, are allowed to board free of charge.

💼 Workplace Access

Employers are not legally required to accommodate emotional support animals.
However, many companies now offer pet-friendly policies or workplace accommodations upon request—check with your HR department.

What an ESA Letter Does (and Doesn’t) Do

✅ Confirms that you are under the care of a licensed mental health professional
✅ States that your ESA is part of your mental health treatment plan
✅ Protects your housing rights under federal law
✅ Can be requested by landlords or housing coordinators
❌ Does not grant public access (stores, restaurants, gyms, etc.)
❌ Does not allow free airline travel (only service animals qualify)
❌ Does not apply to hotels unless they are pet-friendly

ESA Letter Services at Living Unapologetically 365 Counseling

We offer legitimate, therapist-issued ESA letters grounded in a clinical understanding of your mental health needs. This service is open to current and new clients in Texas.

📝 What’s Included:

Clinical evaluation and discussion of your mental health needs
Assessment of appropriateness for an ESA
Legally valid ESA letter signed by a licensed Texas LPC
1-year validity with renewal options available

How to Qualify

To be eligible for an ESA letter, you must:

Be a current or new therapy client
Be evaluated for a mental health condition such as anxiety, PTSD, or depression
Show how an ESA provides meaningful emotional support as part of your treatment plan

Fees & Process

ESA Evaluation + Letter: $125
Renewal Letter (12 months): $95
Turnaround Time: 3–5 business days after assessment is completed
Delivery: Secure PDF via email (printable for landlords, housing offices, etc.)

Note: We do not provide letters for individuals not engaged in therapy or seeking “instant” ESA documentation without a clinical relationship.

Ready to Get Started?

To schedule your ESA consultation or learn more, contact us today at 972-885-9832 or book online.

You can also access our services via Headway or Grow Therapy if using insurance.

FAQ

DOES INSURANCE COVER THE COST OF AN ESA EVALUATION?

Not at this time. ESA evaluations are considered a specialty service and, therefore, not covered by medical insurance.

DO YOU OFFER ESA ASSESSMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF AIR TRAVEL?

No. Due to changes to the Air Carrier Access Act, we no longer provide ESA assessments or letters for air travel.

WILL I BE UNDER THE CARE OF A THERAPIST?

Yes, but only during the assessment. I welcome you to continue individual therapy beyond the ESA evaluation if you and your therapist determine it would be beneficial.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY ESA LETTER?

If you meet the need for an emotional support animal, you will receive your letter by email within 72 business hours of your evaluation.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL YOU ASSESS AT THE APPOINTMENT?

I will look into the impact that your disability has on day-to-day functioning. I will ask questions about how your disability affects you to determine if an emotional support animal could help alleviate symptoms.

Additionally, I want to ensure that you are capable of caring for the animal.

WILL YOU COMPLETE SPECIFIC FORMS REQUIRED BY MY HOUSING PROVIDER?

Yes. If you meet the need for an emotional support animal, we can complete up to 2 single-page forms at no charge within 30 days of your appointment. After 30 days, the following fee schedule applies:

▸ Single page forms: $25

▸ Multi-page forms: $140 per hour billed in 15-minute increments

Note: A new ESA evaluation is required to complete any additional forms after 6 months.

IF MY HOUSING PROVIDER WILL NOT ACCEPT MY ESA LETTER, CAN YOU MAKE ANY REVISIONS?

Yes. However,I am only able to make minor revisions to our letter as it contains all the required information per the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. In rare cases, a housing provider may also request that we complete additional forms or include more information in an ESA letter. While you're certainly not obligated to provide specifics about your medical condition, we can add details upon your request. Form fees may apply.

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