An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) provides emotional, mental, or psychological support for a person when needed to meet life's challenges. EasyESA helps your dog or cat be recognized as an Emotional Support Animal when needed as a reasonable accommodation for an emotional disorder.

For a person to legally have an emotional support animal (ESA), the owner must be considered to have a qualifying mental health or psychiatric disability by a licensed mental health professional (e.g., therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.), which is documented by a properly formatted prescription letter.

Federal Law requires that you present your Prescription Letter for an Emotional Support Animal to your landlord or other authority. If you are in need of a Prescription Letter for an Emotional Support Animal, we can help. To schedule a consultation and speak with a licensed mental health professional in New York, please fill out the contact form below. If approved, you will receive your letter within 24 hours, and you will have the peace of mind that you and your ESA are protected under the Fair Housing Act.

The only requirement for a pet to be considered an ESA is an ESA letter issued by a licensed mental health professional. This document confirms that the individual has a legitimate mental health need for the support provided by their animal.

Getting an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is not inherently difficult, but it does require a legitimate process involving a licensed mental health professional. The key is to have a mental health professional evaluate your condition and determine if an ESA is part of your treatment plan.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

1. Need for Professional Evaluation:

Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP):

You need to consult with a licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychiatrist, who can assess your mental health condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment Plan:

The LMHP will need to diagnose you with a qualifying mental health condition and determine if an ESA is a necessary part of your treatment plan.

"Live" Consultation:

The LMHP must conduct an in-person or telehealth consultation to evaluate your condition.

2. Obtaining the Letter:

LMHP's Letterhead:

If the LMHP determines that an ESA is appropriate, they will write an ESA letter on their official letterhead.

Online Platforms:

Dr. Holtz uses the professional version of Zoom for virtual evaluations. You may also choose an in person consultation at his office in Plainview, New York.

It's crucial that the LMHP is licensed in your state (New York).

Landlord and Airline Requirements:

ESA letters are generally needed for accommodation and travel, but landlords and airlines may have specific requirements.

EasyESA cannot guarantee that your ESA Letter and Prescription will be recognized in all situations.

In summary: Getting an ESA letter is a legitimate process that requires a consultation with a licensed mental health professional. While finding an LMHP and verifying the legitimacy of online platforms can be challenges, the process itself is not inherently difficult for those who qualify. We make the process EASY.

Evaluation and Need:

The therapist must have conducted a proper evaluation to determine if you have a mental or emotional condition that would benefit from the companionship of an emotional support animal.

Treatment Plan:

The ESA should be part of your overall treatment plan and the therapist needs to document this in the letter.

Legitimate Letterhead:

The letter must be on the therapist’s official letterhead and include their license number, issue date, and the state they are licensed in.