An Emotional Support Animal Letter is a written statement from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) - such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or therapist - recommending an emotional support animal as part of a patient's treatment. Unlike a service animal, which is individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, an ESA provides comfort through companionship and isn't required to have specialized training. The letter typically connects the patient's condition to the recommended accommodation and references the framework housing providers work within, such as the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Because the rules surrounding these letters vary by jurisdiction - including, in some states, a minimum clinician-patient relationship period - the template is written for completion by a licensed professional who can speak to the specifics.
