What’s the difference between a Service Animal and an ESA?

We do not provide letters for service animals. Service animals are specially trained to perform specific tasks and have broader public access rights.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), on the other hand, are not task-trained but provide comfort and emotional support. ESA letters are typically used for housing purposes.

What are the requirements for an ESA letter?

• You must already have your animal before a letter can be written

• The letter must be specific to your pet (not a general request)

• The letter will include your pet’s name and how they support your mental health symptoms

What does the process look like?

You will meet with one of our interns for three sessions. During this time, they will:

• Get to know you

• Review your symptoms and any prior diagnoses

• Explore how your animal supports your emotional well-being

In the final session:

• The ESA letter is completed collaboratively

• The intern’s supervisor reviews and signs the letter

Helpful Tip

We recommend getting your animal ahead of time so you can build a connection and better understand how they support you before starting the process.