Having a companion animal (or more) has almost become the norm these days, as statistics reveal that around 66% to 70% of U.S. households own at least one pet. More than that, the emotional bond between owners and their pets has gotten so strong that the majority of Americans have come to think of their furry friends as family members who enjoy the same status as their human counterparts.
But sometimes, welcoming a pet into the family goes deeper than that. Sometimes the reason why people decide to bring a pet into their lives is because they might be struggling with mental health issues, and animals are great at offering the comfort and relief one requires, in which case they become more than pets; they turn into Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).
If someone in your family needs an ESA as part of their treatment, getting an ESA letter is something you might want to look into – and CertaPet is here to help you out with the documentation process.
Understanding the necessity of ESA letters
Dealing with a mental or emotional health condition – whether it’s anxiety, depression, PTSD or any other disorder – is already difficult enough and handling health-related paperwork can feel quite burdensome, so you might wonder why there is a need for getting an ESA letter.
Any domesticated animal that is well-behaved and offers emotional comfort can become an ESA. There’s no need for special training, so the pet you have right now can be the perfect fit for the “job”. But in order for an animal to be officially recognized as an ESA, the person who needs them has to get an ESA letter from a qualified mental health professional by undergoing a specific evaluation.
Basically, this document serves as proof that someone who is diagnosed with a mental health condition could benefit from having an ESA around, as part of their treatment. This confirmation can come in handy in various situations, but it’s particularly important for granting housing protection under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
To put it plainly, an ESA letter gives individuals with mental or emotional disabilities the right to live with their ESAs, even if they reside in buildings that have strict no-pet policies. If the resident has a valid ESA letter, landlords and housing providers must comply and accommodate ESAs without imposing breed restrictions or charging owners security deposits or extra fees for them.
Getting an ESA letter with CertaPet
A lot of people don’t know where to start and can stress quite a bit about getting their ESA letters. That’s where CertaPet steps in, striving to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for everyone.
CertaPet is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform founded in 2015 whose goal is to serve as a bridge between patients and mental health professionals in order to facilitate ESA-related evaluations. Since it started its activity, CertaPet has helped over 278,000 pet parents get their ESA letters, with an acceptance rate by housing providers of 99.7%.
The service connects users with licensed therapists in 50 states and also provides support with landlord approval, so one benefits from professional guidance every step of the way. It only takes three simple steps to get an ESA letter with CertaPet:
- A free ESA screening – first, users are required to complete a quick assessment to see if they qualify for an ESA.
- Finding a licensed therapist – following the initial evaluation, the platform will connect the user with a qualified professional in their state. Within 2 business days, the therapist will contact the user and schedule an ESA consultation via phone or video call.
- Receiving the ESA letter – if the clinician decides that the user meets the criteria for an ESA, they’ll write an official letter stating that the animal is part of their treatment plan. Then they can use this letter to protect their housing rights, as needed.
- The entire process usually takes between two to five business days, so one can receive their ESA letter quickly and conveniently, without having to travel or deal with complicated procedures. If any issues arise with the landlords, CertaPet can help by offering educational materials explaining Fair Housing Act rights, as well as resources for filing HUD complaints if needed.
In terms of service costs, CertaPet’s ESA letters start at $149, with a 100% money-back guarantee if the application is not successful. The support that the platform provides goes beyond ESA letter approvals, as it also offers ongoing care from licensed mental health specialists and annual renewal plans starting at $99.
Spotting the red flags
Apart from making it easier for people to navigate the process of obtaining legitimate ESA letters, CertaPet also warns about the potential risks that often go unnoticed and the myths and misinformation surrounding ESA documentation.
It’s particularly important to learn how to spot scams and check the legitimacy of an ESA letter. First of all, one should be aware of the fact that ESAs don’t require registration or certification, so any service claiming to offer such documents is obviously a scam, as ID cards or registry listings don’t hold any legal value.
Another major red flag is the promise of offering instant ESA approval. In order to get an ESA letter, one requires a clinical evaluation from a qualified mental health provider, so it’s practically impossible to receive the document in just 5 minutes.
Legitimate ESA letters also include distinctive elements, such as the official letterhead of the clinician or practice, the therapist’s license number, state of licensure and contact information, as well as the letter’s date of issuance, to guarantee its validity, which typically lasts for 12 months.
Therefore, CertaPet’s services can make life easier for anyone seeking to obtain official ESA letters, so one can benefit from the solace and relief that ESAs offer, while enjoying full legal protection and peace of mind.
