Emotional Support Animals
Your pet matters.
Our pets can play a vital role in our mental health and overall wellbeing. If you believe your pet is an important part in your mental health treatment, an Emotional Support Animal letter can help ensure your pet is able to live with you, no matter where you move.
Understanding your rights
The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to allow emotional support animals in a dwelling, even when it is against their usual pet restriction policies. For more details please visit the following websites:
Texas Disability Law - Service Animals
Texas Reasonable Accommodations
US Department Housing - Assistance Animals
It is important to note that emotional support animals are not offered the same rights as service animals. The legal benefits of emotional support animals are mainly limited to housing. Some individuals have successfully requested accommodations from jobs, however this is at the discretion of your employer.
Understanding the process
The evaluation process begins when you schedule your appointment with me. Before our session, I will send you forms to fill out so I can better understand your mental health history, current symptoms, and the role your animal plays in your wellbeing.
After reviewing your forms, I will conduct a comprehensive telehealth evaluation to assess your mental health symptoms, treatment history, and overall need for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). If a qualifying mental health condition is identified, we will discuss whether an ESA is an appropriate part of your treatment plan.
If an ESA is deemed clinically appropriate, I will provide you with a letter meeting the requirements for the Fair Housing Act assistance animal guidelines.
The cost for an emotional support animal evaluation is $100, which includes both the evaluation and, if eligible, the ESA letter. If I determine that an ESA is not clinically appropriate, the fee will be refunded.