Emotional Support Animals

  • Interested in an ESA letter?

    Start here to see if you qualify!

    Review this information to learn more about the Emotional Support Animal (ESA) requirements and see if you're ready to proceed with the assessment process

  • What is an ESA?

    An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides comfort, companionship, and emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s mental health disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not required to be trained to perform specific tasks.

    ESAs are NOT service animals and should not be referred to as such. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for someone with a disability, while ESAs provide comfort and support simply through their presence.

  • Basic ESA Requirements*

    An individual is assessed and found to meet criteria as having or being regarded as having a disability and
    There is an identifiable relationship between the animal's presence/qualities and the alleviation of one or more of the individual's disability-related symptoms.

    *List is not exhaustive and exclusionary criteria may apply.

  • Timeframe

    All clients must be established with a provider to receive an ESA Letter. If you are established with another provider, they can refer you.

    If you would like to become established with us - there is a minimum of 6 sessions before receiving your ESA letter.

    Appointments are required and are subject to counselor's availability.
    Appointments are typically scheduled at least one week apart.

    The ESA assessment may either be a 2 hour time block, or take approximately 3 55 minute appointments depending on counselors availability, and may take longer if recent treatment records are not available or if further assessment is needed.

  • Are there guarantees?

    No! Letters are only issued when the assessment reveals that an individual meets criteria and may benefit from an ESA letter.

    An individual may request ESA accommodation(s) for housing and/or air travel with an ESA letter but accommodations cannot be guaranteed.

    Refunds are not available.

  • Prices

    All clients must be established with a clinician in order to qualify for an ESA letter.
    You can be referred from your current clinician and schedule an ESA assessment or you can establish care with us (minimum of 6 sessions).

    ESA assessments are $150 and cannot be covered by insurance. This price will include the official recommendation letter if determined.

    ESA letters are only valid for 12 months and can be renewed for $100 (an updated assessment will be required.)

    A letter cannot be provided until care is confirmed or established. Ongoing appointments may be covered by insurance.*

FAQs

What type of animal can an ESA be?

Any type of animal could be considered an ESA – a dog, cat, bird, snake, etc. ESAs are not required to have any specialized training. Per the Fair Housing Act, ESAs are only permitted within the owner’s dwelling. Since an ESA is not a task-trained Service Animal required to help carry out tasks associated with daily living, it is not required nor able to accompany a person with a disability at all times

Do I need to register my Emotional Support Animal, purchase a certificate, or get a vest?

There is no centralized ESA registry nor registration process (no, that listing that appears in your search results is not required and is not a valid way to claim your animal is an ESA!). Vests, ID tags, certificates, etc. are not required for Emotional Support Animals. What may be needed is an assessment and letter from a qualified provider to ensure that an individual meets the criteria of having or being regarded as having a disability and a nexus is identified between the disability and the animals ability to help alleviate one or more of the individual's disability-related symptoms.

What rights are given for Emotional Support Animals?

Emotional Support Animals do not have specialized training and do not carry out tasks associated with daily living, and, therefore, they are not required nor permitted to accompany a person with a disability at all times. Per the Fair Housing Act, ESAs can be requested as a reasonable accommodation and permitted within the owner’s dwelling.

Previously, under the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines were required to permit certain ESAs (which meet the airline's requirements for age, type or size) to travel on an airplane to/from certain destinations as a disability accommodation. A final rule was released on 12/2/2020 which amended the Air Carrier Access Act and details that airlines are now only required to accept trained Service Animals (with required documentation and notice) as disability accommodations provided criteria are met for travel. As of 1/11/2021, most major airlines are no longer accepting ESAs as disability accommodations; however, many will still transport your animal per their pet policy. Consult your air carrier for policies and details.

What Emotional Support Animal policies apply for an assessment or letter?

Catalyst Mental Health PLLC offers select assessments or evaluations, including disability and emotional support animal assessments. Assessments may include any combination of clinical interview, client screenings or assessments, and/or records review from other treatment professionals. In cases of Emotional Support Animal or Disability Accommodations, it is counselor’s duty to determine whether client is assessed to meet the legal definition of having or being regarded as having a “disability,” and to identify whether related criteria are met, prior to rendering any decisions. It is important to understand that you may not qualify. It is also important that you be fully informed about what this decision and determination means for you, and what your rights and responsibilities are, should you decide to utilize and/or disclose this information to a third-party for any reason.

For disability and/or emotional support animal accommodations, some organizations such as colleges/universities may have specific requirements related to evaluation, the length of treatment, etc. It is your responsibility to consult with the organization regarding their requirements and to fully understand those requirements.

These assessment services are available only to individuals who are established counseling clients with Catalyst Mental Health PLLC, or an established client at another mental health practice with recent documented clinical records released to business/counselor from their primary clinician. To ensure a full assessment, first-time mental health clients are not eligible for this service until they have completed at least an assessment and 6 appointments. Clients who are established at another mental health practice and have released records to counselor may be able to be assessed in less than 3 appointments.

Fees for the process are the same as standard counseling appointment rates, and insurance may be billed (if it is an in-network insurance plan, or a super bill may be provide for out-of network). If indicated, a report/letter fee ($150 - non-refundable) will also be charged for the ESA letter.

Disability endorsement, Emotional Support Animal letters, and/or assignment of reasonable disability accommodations by an organization cannot be guaranteed by business/counselor and are subject to applicable laws, rules, and/or policies/procedures. Emotional Support Animal letters are typically considered valid for one year. Recommendations for continued treatment or other options will be provided by counselor. Client should seek legal counsel or representation as needed.

Schedule your ESA consult here!

Fill out this form to be contacted to schedule your ESA screening/consult and assessment.

If you are being referred from another provider, please have your provider fill out the Provider Referral for ESAs.