Emotional Support Animals provide emotional assistance to their handlers and may qualify as an ESA as long as the animal does not cause a disturbance or undue hardship for the property owner. Common household domesticated animals of any age may qualify as an ESA and, unlike service dogs, these animals do not need any specific task training. This is because their very presence reduces the symptoms associated with a person’s psychological or emotional disability.
To legally qualify for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), a person must be considered emotionally disabled by a licensed mental health professional. This necessarily requires the individual to meet the diagnostic criteria for a disorder described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5).
An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides comfort and companionship to individuals who are experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties. An ESA is deemed by a medical/mental health expert to offer assistance to a person with a disability. This can involve enhancing one aspect of the disability. Emotional support animals – commonly dogs or cats, but occasionally other animals – can be utilized by individuals with various mental health disabilities. An emotional support animal may be prescribed by a mental health professional to offer comfort and support or to ameliorate symptoms of a mental health disability, but ESAs are not obligated to undergo training for specific tasks like service animals.
If you feel that you would benefit from a prescribed emotional support animal and are suffering from anxiety, depression, phobias, compulsive behaviors, PTSD, or any qualifying disorder, contact me to set up your ESA evaluation today.
WHAT ARE MY LEGAL RIGHTS & PROTECTIONS?
The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 protects the rights of an emotionally disabled person and their ESA. It allows those with a legitimate ESA to live in housing that usually forbids pets, and prevents them from being charged a pet fee. Furthermore, it exempts emotional service animals from any housing provider’s size or breed limitations.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM AN ESA ASSESSMENT?
This assessment is performed by a licensed psychologist and typically includes two parts. You must register on my client portal to complete the assessment.
The first part is the completion of a questionnaire that must be completed before scheduling your appointment. This questionnaire will ask a number of questions about your mental health functioning and levels of disability.
The second part is the face-to-face evaluation, which you can schedule at any time after registering on the client portal, but your questionnaire must be completed and reviewed prior to your online clinical interview. This portion is completed via a HIPAA-compliant video meeting similar to Zoom. You will need a good internet connection and a quiet, private place to engage in the consultation.
HOW MUCH DOES THE ESA EVALUATION COST?
The complete ESA evaluation is $125,.
DOES INSURANCE PAY FOR ESA EVALUATIONS?
Insurance does NOT cover ESA evaluations, which are considered a specialty service.
WHAT INFORMATION IS ASSESSED DURING THE EVALUATION?
Your assessment will focus on the presence and scope of your disability and the impact that it has on your daily functioning. You’ll be asked questions about your mental health history and symptoms and how they affect you to determine whether an emotional support animal could help reduce your symptoms. Additionally, the assessment seeks to ensure that you are capable of caring for the animal.
DOES COMPLETING AN ASSESSMENT GUARANTEE THAT I WILL RECEIVE AN ESA LETTER?
No, it does not. ESA letters are only legally written for those with an emotional disability that qualifies them for an emotional service animal under the provisions of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. The purpose of the assessment is to determine whether or not you meet those qualifications.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY ESA LETTER?
If you are determined to meet the requirements for an emotional support animal, you will receive a pdf copy of your ESA letter within five business days.
CAN I BE ANYWHERE DURING MY ESA EVALUATION?
No. Although Dr. Buzan is authorized to perform psychotherapy with clients in most of the United States, he can only perform ESA evaluations for clients in North Carolina at the time of the evaluation. Furthermore, you must be in a quiet, private location with a good internet connection.
DOES AN ESA LETTER AUTHORIZE MY EMOTIONAL SERVICE ANIMAL TO FLY ON AIRLINES?
No. Air Travel is not authorized by ESA letters due to modifications in the Air Carrier Access Act.
WILL I BE UNDER THE CARE OF A THERAPIST?
Yes, during the assessment. If you decide that you do not wish to stay on as a therapy client or you choose to engage in therapy with a different provider, your case will be closed once your evaluation is complete. I do encourage those seeking emotional support animals to pursue psychotherapy, as the animal does not replace effective treatment provided by a mental health professional.
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY ANIMAL WITH ME DURING MY EVALUATION?
No, you do not. The animal is not being evaluated — your need for an ESA is. However, I love animals and enjoy meeting them. I’d be delighted to meet them!
MY HOUSING PROIVIDER HAS A SPECIAL ESA FORM. WILL YOU COMPLETE THIS FORM?
If you qualify for an emotional support animal, I will complete additional paperwork required by your housing provider. The fee for additional paperwork is $150 per hour billed in 15-minute increments.
DO YOU MAKE REVISIONS TO MY ESA LETTER IF MY HOUSING PROVIDER DOES NOT ACCEPT IT?
Yes, I can. However, your original letter will contain all the information required by the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, so I can only make minor changes. For example, out of respect for your privacy, details of your medical condition are not included in the ESA letter. If necessary, I can add specifics upon your request. Additional fees may apply.
DOES MY ESA LETTER LAST FOREVER?
No. ESA letters expire after one year. You will need another evaluation to renew your letter.