It has long been recognised that dogs and in particular assistance dogs can be remarkably effective for people suffering from severe depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Where can I get a Psychiatric Service Dog? [Taken from Assistance Dogs UK] “There are no ADUK accredited assistance dog charities at the present time that train dogs for people with mental health issues where this is the only disability.”
Generally, landlords must provide some level of accommodation for disabled tenants with service or guide dogs. Unlike service and guide dogs though, companion, emotional and therapy animals are not covered by existing provincial legislation in Alberta. However, the law is still developing in this area.
The cost of a service dog will depend on the training it receives and the breed of dog you've selected, but the average ranges from $15,000 to $30,000, although the amount can reach as high as $50,000.
It is against the law for service providers such as shops, banks, hotels, libraries, pubs, taxis and restaurants to treat people with disabilities less favourably because they have a guide or assistance dog with them.
For a person to legally qualify for an emotional support animal (ESA), he/she must be considered emotionally disabled by a licensed mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.), as evidenced by a properly formatted prescription letter.
The only legitimate way to qualify your dog as an Emotional Support Animal is by obtaining a recommendation letter from a licensed mental health professional. If you do not have a therapist or are having trouble finding one, you can connect with a mental health professional through an online platform.
Who Can Write The ESA Letter. There are roughly 28,000 psychiatrists in the United States – any one of them can prescribe an ESA letter. Also, any other licensed mental health professional or physician can prescribe an emotional support animal letter.
The Only Way an ESA Letter Can Be “Free” Is If You Already Have a LMHP. There is only one instance in which an ESA letter will be free: if you already see a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). A therapist you are seeing can issue your ESA letter at no added charge.
How to Ask Your Doctor for an Emotional Support Animal Letter
- Discuss Your Mental Health. First and foremost, you and your doctor should have an in-depth discussion regarding your mental health, if you haven't already done so.
- Ask about an ESA.
- Request the Letter.
Yes. A primary care physician can provide an emotional support letter provided he/she is licensed and authorized to do so. If your family doctor is taking care of your mental health conditions, he/she can write an ESA letter for you.
Top 10 Emotional Support Animal Dog Breeds
- 1 Labrador Retriever. Labrador Retrievers are happy and energetic and will encourage you to perk up even when you're not feeling too great.
- 2 German Shepherd.
- 3 Poodles.
- 4 Yorkshire Terrier.
- 5 Beagle.
- 6 Corgie.
- 7 Pug.
- 8 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Here's how to get an emotional support animal(ESA) letter for housing:
- Sign up or register online with us.
- Fill out a simple free prequalification form.
- Our doctor will contact you via video call and do your evaluation.
- If approved, you will receive the ESA letter via email within a few minutes.
The only person who can “prescribe” or recommend a recognized emotional support animal is a licensed healthcare professional. Fortunately, for people without a therapist or who have trouble seeing a professional in person, many licensed professionals work remotely and provide services online.
One way to get an ESA letter is to visit a licensed mental health professional. A licensed mental health professional can be a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor. First, you must go in for an evaluation in person to see if you are indeed qualified for an ESA.
You may give your landlord your ESA letter before or after you sign the lease. You are not required to let your apartment management company know that you need or may need an emotional support animal. Remember, the manager, owner or landlord must make reasonable accommodation for you and your ESA under Federal Law.
Currently Emotional Support Animals do not have the same legal rights as Service Animals in the UK. Registering your Animal may help you take your Emotional Support Animal shopping, travelling and living with you. These businesses also have discounts available for ESA Registry members and their ESA companions.
As a reminder, assist animals are NOT considered pets and cannot be counted in your limit. If you have doubts as to the disabilities, or if the applicant/resident has a fake looking document ordered from the internet, you do have the right to inquire.
Under the Equality Act 2010, owners of these dogs are entitled to the same level of services by restaurants, shops, and the like. They cannot be barred from public places, and are allowed to fly in aircraft cabins.
Steps to Certifying your Emotional Support Dog
- Recognize your need for an ESA.
- Connect with a licensed therapist/doctor.
- Demonstrate your need for an ESA.
- Get your document(s)
- That's it. No need to register your dog.
Instant ESA letter approvals may not be legitimate because it takes time for a real licensed mental health professional to approve you for an emotional support animal. ESAs also are not required to wear vests, and as an owner, you do not need to have any proof of registration for the animal.
Emotional support animals are not allowed in hotels unless it's a pet-friendly establishment. In both cases, you should not have to pay any additional fees for your pet. All you need to do is to prove that your pet is an emotional support animal is by presenting a note (commonly called a letter) from your physician.
If there's a term in your tenancy agreement which bans pets, you can ask your landlord to change it to allow you to have an assistance dog. In some circumstances, a landlord may be able to refuse to make a reasonable adjustment if they have a good enough reason, for example, on health and safety grounds.
If a tenant is found to be keeping a pet despite the tenancy agreement stating that they can't, the landlord has the right to evict them from the property as it is considered a breach of contract. After all, you may lose money from your decision to evict if you cannot replace the tenant soon enough.
Many people think it is difficult to get an ESA letter. ESAs need not have any special training and they can be any type of animal. The only requirement is that you have a mental or emotional health condition that can be verified by an LMHP and that you get a legitimate letter written by a mental health professional.
The only person who can “prescribe” or recommend a recognized emotional support animal is a licensed healthcare professional. Remote therapists provide an invaluable service for people who can't see a therapist in person, and HUD recognizes that online providers can issue valid ESA letters.
You can have more than one ESA. There are no specific rules stating the maximum number of ESAs you may have. As long as the animal(s) does not violate any state or local laws and your therapist agrees your ESAs are there for your well-being, you can have more than one emotional support animal.
Yes. A primary care physician can provide an emotional support letter provided he/she is licensed and authorized to do so. If your family doctor is taking care of your mental health conditions, he/she can write an ESA letter for you.
Though the specific amount will depend on the breed of dog and the type of training it gets, you can expect to buy a service dog for between $15,000 and $30,000 upfront. Some service dogs can cost as much as $50,000.
An Emotional Support Animal Letter must include:
- The ESA letter typically cannot be dated later than one-year of submission.
- The ESA letter should be on your therapist's official letterhead.
- The ESA letter should include the therapist's license number, date, and direct contact information.
If a licensed mental health professional writes an Emotional Support Animal letter of prescription, your pet can become an certified ESA.
- Ask Your Doctor for ESA Letter.
- Get Your ESA Letter Online.
- Know Your Rights as an Emotional Support Dog Owner.
- How to Find the Right Online Source for an ESA Letter.
To qualify for a service dog for depression, you must have a letter from a licensed mental health professional stating that your depression prevents you from performing at least one major life task without assistance on a daily basis.
