Animal Support Certificate: Everything You Need to Know

Emotional support animals can change the way you approach a mental health disorder. Instead of relying on medications or other coping mechanisms to deal with mental health problems, you can welcome a support animal into your home. These animals can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions.

While emotional support animals are efficient, that doesn’t mean they’re always easy to get. You can’t just say your pet is an emotional support animal without supporting evidence, you can get into trouble that way. Thankfully, getting an animal support certificate is a breeze when you know where to start.

Read on to learn more below.

What Is a Support Animal?

Before we cover what a support animal certificate is, it’s important to understand what a support animal is. A support animal, or emotional support animal (ESA), is a type of animal that’s there to provide emotional support for mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and loneliness. An emotional support animal can be any companion animal as long as they’re friendly, respectful of property, and don’t bother others.

Most people get emotional support animals that remain with them in their homes, even if the home is not pet-friendly. However, you’ll need a support animal certificate if you want to live in a home that’s otherwise non-pet-friendly.

What’s the Difference Between a Support Animal and a Service Animal?

Emotional support animals and service animals are not the same thing. Service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They can accompany people in non-pet-friendly housing, on airlines, and out in public. However, to meet these requirements, they must have service dog training and help someone with a disability with a specific task or tasks.

On the other hand, support animals are handled more like pets except in housing situations. For example, they can’t come with you in public or on airlines, but they are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This means that they can live in otherwise non-pet-friendly housing if they have a support animal certificate.

What Is a Support Animal Certificate?

A support animal certificate is an official document provided by a licenced mental health professional. These certificates, formally known as ESA letters, are essential if you want to live in housing that is otherwise not pet-friendly. You can get these certificates by visiting your licensed mental health professional or therapist, but it’s also possible to apply online. Plus, it’s usually a faster and more affordable process when you apply online.

How to Apply for a Support Animal Certificate Online

The best way to apply online is to work with a reputable organization like US Service Animals, especially if you want a legitimate ESA certification. They can connect you with a licensed therapist who will evaluate your situation to determine if you qualify for a support animal. To apply for an ESA letter, follow the steps below.

1. Navigate to US Service Animal’s ESA certification page.
2. Read the guidelines for registering your support animal.
3. Provide details about yourself.
4. Provide details about the animal, including its breed, weight, and height.
5. Schedule a call with a licensed mental health professional.

Once you speak with a licensed mental health professional, they will determine if you’re eligible for a support dog. Once approved, all you have to do is wait for your letter to arrive in the mail. If time is of the essence, you may be able to expedite the process or download a PDF file.

Applying for a support animal certificate in person can be challenging. Finding the right mental health professional can be tricky, and going to an in-person session can take up way more time when compared to a telehealth meeting.

However, there is something to be said for the personal connection made face-to-face. All told, it can take longer and cost more, but it’s still as simple as meeting with a mental health professional capable of diagnosing you and providing a support animal certificate.

Get an Animal Support Certificate Today!

An animal support certificate is the only thing standing in the way of you enjoying the benefits of an emotional support animal in your home. Once you have an ESA letter, you don’t have to worry about being evicted from your home, even if your landlord enacts non-pet-friendly housing rules. We always recommend filling out an online application to save time and money.