Get Your Legitimate ESA Letter Online
Do not face life’s emotional challenges alone—take control with a legitimate emotional support animal (ESA) letter from MEDvidi. Unlock the support you need for a truly fulfilling life.
Our licensed healthcare experts will guide you from your first online assessment to getting your official ESA letter.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal is not just a pet but a lifeline for many people with psychological issues. They often help to alleviate symptoms associated with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Owning an ESA can be a transformative experience, offering both emotional and psychological relief.
Unlike service animals, which are specifically trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities, ESAs provide companionship, reduce loneliness, and offer emotional support.
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Service animal
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Emotional support animal (ESA)
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| Assists people with physical or sensory disabilities. | Provides emotional or mental support. |
| Trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. | No specialized training is required. |
| Governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). | Requires an ESA letter for legal recognition; not covered by ADA. |
| Access to most public places is guaranteed by law. | Limited public access but increased housing flexibilities. |
What Is an ESA Letter?
Benefits of an ESA Letter
- Housing. With an ESA letter, you can bypass pet restrictions in housing units and not be subject to hefty pet fees.
- No pet fees. Many public places and accommodations that charge fees for pets will often waive this cost for an ESA.
- Legal protection. An ESA letter provides legal recognition, ensuring your right to live with your emotional support animal.
Consult with our medical professionals about getting a certified ESA letter
Elements of a Legitimate ESA Letter
- Healthcare professional’s letterhead. Includes the professional’s name, license number, and contact information.
- Patient’s details. Your name and description of your mental health condition.
- Statement of need. An explicit statement indicating your need for an emotional support animal.
- Date of issue and expiry. ESA letters are generally valid for one year from the issue date.
- Signature of the mental health professional. A physical or electronic signature is mandatory.
Basic ESA Package
- An online 30-minute consultation
- ESA eligibility assessment
- Discussion of emotional or psychological challenges
- Formulating a support plan
- Issuance of the ESA letter
- 24/7 support during a year
- Over-the-phone verifications
$150
Package
- An online 30-minute consultation
- ESA eligibility assessment
- Discussion of emotional or psychological challenges
- Formulating a support plan
- Issuance of the ESA letter
- 24/7 support during a year
- Over-the-phone verifications
- All additional forms provided on request throughout a year
From $199
ESA
Renewal
- An online 30-minute consultation
- Monitoring emotional and psychological state
- ESA eligibility assessment
- Updating ESA letter if necessary
From $99
Who Qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal
Qualifying for an ESA requires a diagnosed emotional or psychological disorder that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Some common conditions are presented below.
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Condition
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How an ESA can help
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| Generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, and social anxiety disorder | An ESA offers a comforting and constant presence, reducing symptoms of anxiety and helping you feel more secure in social situations. |
| Depression | Through companionship and a structured daily routine, an ESA can help alleviate feelings of sadness and increase motivation. |
| Bipolar disorder and mood disorders | An ESA can provide a soothing and consistent emotional anchor, helping to balance mood swings and offer emotional support during manic or depressive episodes. |
| Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | The calming presence of an ESA can help reduce flashbacks and anxiety attacks, providing comfort during moments of extreme stress. |
| Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) | An ESA can interrupt repetitive behaviors or thoughts by providing a distraction, helping to manage OCD symptoms. |
| Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders | The companionship of an ESA can offer emotional support that helps individuals focus on recovery and maintain a healthier relationship with food. |
| Stress and sleep-related disorders | An ESA can contribute to relaxation and a more stable sleep pattern by offering a sense of security and routine. |
| Phobias and fears | An ESA's constant companionship can offer emotional support and act as a “safety net,” making confronting phobias less daunting. |
To determine whether you qualify for an ESA, you would need an evaluation by a licensed healthcare professional.
3 Steps to Get an Emotional Support Dog Letter
Step 1. Book an initial appointment
Sign up and choose the most suitable date and time for your online visit. Our healthcare provider will assess your symptoms, make a diagnosis, and offer a personalized comprehensive treatment plan.
Step 2. Attend a follow-up ESA сonsultation
Step 3. Receive your ESA letter
Why Choose MEDvidi?
Highly qualified healthcare specialists.
ESA letters fully compliant with federal laws and regulations
Get psychiatric help online from the comfort of your home
Exceptional customer support 24/7.
Lower prices than in walk-in clinics.
Know Your Rights as an ESA Owner
The Fair Housing Act (FHA)
The FHA prohibits landlords from discriminating against individuals with disabilities, which extends to those requiring an ESA.
What this means for you:
- No pet policies. Landlords cannot enforce “no pet” policies against ESA owners.
- No additional charges. You cannot be charged extra fees or deposits for keeping an ESA.
Reporting Discrimination
If you face discrimination for owning an ESA, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Legal remedies may include fines for the discriminating party and compensation for you.
It is essential to understand that your rights as an ESA owner differ from those of service animal owners. ESAs are not granted access to public places like restaurants, hotels, or shopping centers unless these places have specific policies that allow it.
Advantages of Online ESA Letter Service
- Reduced inaccuracies when providing a companion animal letter online.
- Quick and convenient access to your ESA letter.
- Streamlined service, with ESA letters delivered straight to your inbox.
- Fast and easy updates for your ESA letter.
FAQ
No, emotional support animal (ESA) letters are not limited to therapy dogs alone. A wide range of animals can be ESAs, including cats, rabbits, birds, and even miniature pigs, among others. The primary function of an ESA is to provide emotional comfort and support, rather than perform specific tasks or therapies that service animals are trained for.
So, when you apply for an ESA online, you have the flexibility to choose an animal that best suits your emotional and psychological needs. Make sure your choice is reasonable and within the guidelines of any applicable housing regulations.
To get an ESA letter from your therapist, be honest and straightforward about your emotional or psychological challenges. Describe your symptoms, how they impact your daily life, and why you think an emotional support animal would help you. You can directly ask if you qualify for an ESA letter and if any other interventions, like psychotherapy or medication, are also required for your condition. Make sure to provide any relevant medical history or documentation to support your request.
Yes, your online ESA letter is legitimate if you obtain it through a legitimate service. Ensure that the service employs licensed healthcare professionals qualified to assess your need for an ESA. The process should involve a thorough evaluation of your emotional or mental health condition and how an ESA could benefit you. Always make sure the service complies with federal guidelines and offers a verification process to confirm the letter’s legitimacy. With MEDvidi, you can be assured of the legitimacy and compliance of your online ESA letter.
As of January 11, 2021, under new regulations passed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines are not required to accommodate Emotional Support Animals. So, the allowance of ESAs on board flights may vary from airline to airline. Please contact your airline of choice for their most up-to-date policies on Emotional Support Animals.
No, you cannot write yourself an ESA letter. For the letter to be legitimate and legally recognized it must be issued by a licensed healthcare professional and have their physical or digital signature.
MEDvidi can issue an ESA letter only based on a detailed evaluation of your mental health and as a part of a comprehensive treatment strategy. After an initial appointment, you will have at least 30 days to follow the received treatment plan. Then, during a follow-up video visit, a healthcare provider will assess your health dynamics and prepare an ESA letter if deemed appropriate in your situation—the letter will be ready in up to 3 business days.
Getting an ESA letter is not difficult if you have a genuine need for emotional pet support. The process involves a consultation with a healthcare professional. Reputable services like MEDvidi streamline the process, making it convenient.
Yes, you can get an ESA letter approval if you have an anxiety disorder. Emotional support animals can also be helpful in the case of depression, specific phobias, PTSD, and chronic stress, among others. People with these conditions may find significant relief through the companionship of ESAs. To obtain an ESA letter for anxiety or another disorder, you will need to consult with a qualified healthcare professional who can assess your condition and determine if an emotional support animal would be beneficial for you.