What is an Emotional Support Animal? -

This is an Emotional Support Animal

Meet Bob and Doppler

I see them frequently on my daily walks around a nearby pond – both with smiles. (Yes, it’s true, dogs smile). They are quick to engage with anyone who wants to pet the dog or speak to the human. I have only seen Bob and Doppler together, but I can’t imagine one without the other. They are a team, perhaps inseparable – and so in synch, it’s hard to tell who is walking who.

Bob and Doppler made life better after the pandemic and continue to do so. There is no hint of concern about political affiliation, no raging bias. They are simply there for anyone who wants to enjoy their company. And they don’t seem to mind those that don’t.

They are perfect examples of an Emotional Support Animal and an Emotional Support Human. (I made that last term up, but it can be fitting for some people.)

Here is some advice, (not medical of course). If you want to feel better, maybe learn more about what life is about, turn off the news. Take a walk around the park with a dog. If you don’t have a dog, just walk around. Meet some people. Meet some dogs. You might learn that there are some wonderful conflict-free, non-dangerous zones in this world.

More Information on Emotional Support Animals

There is more to learn about the subject of ESAs in general. So, let’s continue with this blog and its story.

In a few words, an Emotional Support Animal is an animal that provides therapeutic comfort, stability, emotional support, and companionship for its owner. HUD (The Department of Housing and Urban Development) refers to these animals as “support animals”.

HUD recognizes that ESAs are not pets and therefore do not fall under a ‘no pets” policy when it comes to housing. In other words, a person has the right to live with their Emotional Support Animal. Furthermore, ESAs are not subject to pet deposits.

That’s important to know if you want to live with your ESA.

It’s also important to know that to exercise your rights, you are going to need a letter from a doctor or licensed therapist. That’s where we come in. And we really love what we do.

There are many companies out there that provide ESA letters. Many are excellent and some – well, maybe not so good. Companies that determine and document ESA eligibility are not all equal. Even HUD recognizes that with their statement.

From Housing and Urban Development:

“Documentation from the Internet

Some websites sell certificates, registrations, and licensing documents for assistance animals to anyone who answers certain questions or participates in a short interview and pays a fee. Under the Fair Housing Act, a housing provider may request reliable documentation when an individual requesting a reasonable accommodation has a disability and disability-related need for an accommodation that are not obvious or otherwise known. (35) In HUD’s experience, such documentation from the internet is not, by itself, sufficient to reliably establish that an individual has a non-observable disability or disability-related need for an assistance animal. By contrast, many legitimate, licensed health care professionals deliver services remotely, including over the internet. One reliable form of documentation is a note from a person’s health care professional that confirms a person’s disability and/or need for an animal when the provider has personal knowledge of the individual.”

With my ESA MD you will always speak to a doctor before getting ESA documentation.

This isn’t a scam. It’s our passion.

And if you don’t have an Emotional Support Animal, but feel you need one, we can help point you in the right direction. (Which animal you choose is ultimately up to you.)

Call 833-372-6388.