Compassionate Physician • Medical Educator • Board-Certified Specialist • Advocate for the Human–Animal Bond
Meet our Medical Director and favorite doctor – Dr. Rick Rieser, affectionately known as “Dr.Rick” Dr. Rick has dedicated the last 40 years of his life to moving his patients towards healthier outcomes. His medical career includes work in hospitals, universities, diagnostic imaging centers, and in telemedicine.
As Medical Director of My ESA MD, Dr. Rick provides individualized emotional support animal (ESA) evaluations for patients whose mental or emotional disabilities may improve from animal companionship and support. The fact that he cares shines through in the initial interview process. He listens, understands, and respects the patient’s point of view and circumstances, without judging.
The result? Every evaluation is thoughtful, ethical, and tailored specifically to the individual’s needs and circumstances. The evaluation is also written so that others, such as a landlord, can easily understand it.
Dr. Rick Rieser has carried on the family medical tradition. His father and grandfather were physicians, both with interesting careers. His grandfather was a doctor to a quite famous New York celebrity, and his father participated in New York theater before becoming a doctor. (Dr. Rick’s mother was also in the New York theater. These influences explain Dr. Rick’s musical and artistic endeavors.)
Dr. Rick explains that there is one particular lesson he has learned through the years:
“Every once in a while you wake up and realize a particular patient was lucky you were there because you were the one who figured out what was wrong. It is an incredible privilege to help save someone's life.”
Dr. Rieser earned both his bachelor's degree and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Louisville. He completed postgraduate training in pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine, including residency training at Stanford University Hospital. Dr. Rieser became board-certified by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine in 1989.
Over the years, he has served as Chief of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Director of multiple medical organizations, Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University, researcher, lecturer, published author, entrepreneur, and telemedicine physician.
Dr. Rick’s interest in the field of Emotional Support Animals wasn’t surprising to those who know him. He has always loved animals and people. Once he realized the remarkable relationships that can develop between people and animals, Dr. Rick jumped at the opportunity to facilitate these relationships. Over the last several years, he has advocated for his patients and the legitimacy of Emotional Support Animals.
Dr. Rieser has witnessed the unconditional comfort that animal companions often provide. They don't ask patients to justify their struggles or explain their diagnoses. They offer companionship, consistency, and acceptance. He knows from his clinical experience and feedback from his happy patients that animals can help calm overwhelming anxiety, provide stability during emotional crises, and serve as trusted partners in recovery. When medically appropriate, protecting that bond can be an important factor in preserving a person's well-being and quality of life. In other words, he is a patient’s best advocate.
Dr. Rieser understands that, when it comes to ESAs, the human-animal relationships are more crucial than many realize. He often finds the need to explain the clinical significance of an emotional support animal to landlords or dorm management. In other words, he understands the legitimate role of Emotional Support Animals and goes to bat for his patients.
Every patient deserves an individualized evaluation because every patient’s life situation is unique. And so is their Emotional Support Animal. For example, ESAs are commonly dogs or cats, but not always. An ESA might be a guinea pig or an iguana. Dr. Rieser believes it’s not his role to judge, but rather to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and make recommendations based on his professional medical judgment.
His goal is to provide honest medical guidance while treating every patient with dignity and respect.
Dr. Rieser recognizes that all administrative work must be completed promptly to address any life situation that could threaten the Emotional Support Animal relationship with the patient. That’s why he insists on our company guarantee that all paperwork will be completed within 24 hours.
Dr. Rick loves Star Wars, woodworking, his grandchildren, learning new things every day, and life in general. He is known to strike up conversations with strangers, who leave feeling they have a new best friend.
And all of the above explain the reasons why we all love Dr. Rick!
One of Dr. Rieser's favorite moments is telling a qualified patient, “If anyone ever tries to take your animal away from you, call me.”
He says many patients jokingly save his number as “Dr. Dog,” “Dr. Cat,” or even “Dr. Fish.” Behind the humor is a sincere promise: when the medical evidence supports an ESA recommendation, he believes patients deserve a physician who will stand behind both the evaluation and the therapeutic value of that human–animal bond.
Medical Director, My ESA MD
“Every patient has a story. My responsibility is to listen carefully, evaluate fairly, and provide honest, evidence-based medical care. Whether I am reviewing complex diagnostic studies or conducting an emotional support animal evaluation, my commitment remains the same: treat every person with dignity, compassion, and integrity.”
Patients choose My ESA MD because they want an evaluation performed by an experienced physician who combines decades of medical expertise with genuine compassion. Dr. Rieser believes that trust is earned through listening, honesty, and careful medical judgment—not rushed appointments or one-size-fits-all decisions.
Same-day telehealth appointments are available. Speak with a licensed, board-certified physician about whether an ESA is right for you.
My ESA MD is a family-run practice. Get to know everyone who helps our patients along the way.
Meet the Full Team