Why Should You Get An ESA Letter?

Do you have an emotional support animal? Then follow my advice and get an ESA letter. Why? Well, let me ask you. Why not?

Your ball of fur helps alleviate any stress and elevates your mood. It helps improve your lifestyle. It can even help you socialize. So you would want to keep your ESA with you all the time. And an ESA letter will help you achieve that. It is like a badge that gives a legal qualification to your ESA. Also, you get the advantage of two of the most important ESA Laws: The Fair Housing Act and The Air Carrier Access Act. But, before I get into the details of these laws. Here are some important tips to help you get a legit ESA letter.

• Get yourself an ESA letter signed only from a licensed mental health expert like therapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses etc.
• Make sure your ESA letter has the following details:
• The letterhead with the name of the licensed mental health professional.
• The letter should be properly dated and signed by your doctor.
• It should have the license information and contact details of the doctor who issued the letter.
• Your letter should specify your mental disability and that you require an ESA as a part of your therapy.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act is a law passed by the federal government which gives every individual applying for accommodation the right to be treated equally. This law protects several categories of individuals one of which is people with disabilities.

ESA Laws

This Act allows an emotionally disabled individual to stay as a tenant with their ESAs. So irrespective of any residential policies related to pets. A landlord cannot prohibit an individual with an ESA from getting accommodation.

The Fair Housing Act gives you the following rights as an ESA owner:

• You can stay with your ESA even in accommodation with a no-pet policy.
• You cannot be charged extra rent or fees for your ESA.
• The landlord cannot ask you for any other certification or registration other than a legit ESA letter.
• You don’t have to give any details regarding your disability or diagnosis.
• A landlord cannot deny accommodation to your ESA on the basis of its breed.

Air Carrier Access Act

According to the Air Carrier Access Act, people with mental impairments who require assistance from animals will not be discriminated against by any airlines. So while airlines allow animals on planes. They are usually placed in cages in the cargo space. However, a certified ESA can travel with its owner in the cabin space without any extra charges. But, before you consider taking advantage of this law. Keep these points in mind:

Flying With Your Dog

• Carry your ESA letter and updated veterinarian documentation.
• Inform the airport before boarding the flight.
• Check in with the airport about the no-fly list and other restrictions, if any, before booking.
• Make sure that your ESA does not cause stress or inconvenience to the flight passengers.

Get your ESA letter today

You can apply for an ESA letter by visiting your nearest licensed mental health professional or get one online. Once you get your letter, you can take advantage of these ESA laws. However, you must remember that you can be denied these privileges if your ESA is not well behaved. Even though an ESA is not required to have any specialized training. You must ensure that your pet knows how to behave in public places and is obedient to you. If in case your ESA poses a danger to anyone, your landlord can deny you accommodation and an airline may not allow you ESA to travel with you.