5 Questions to Ask A Health Professional About Emotional Support Animals

The best way to fight stress and depression is to get yourself a pet. A dog or cat will act as your companion and will always be by your side in times of need.

These pets are known as emotional support animals that help in dealing with anxiety, certain disabilities, and mental disorders. Emotional support animals can also be birds, hamsters, or even goats.

How Does the ESA Process Work?

If you’ve been feeling mentally out of place for a while, you might consider going to a psychiatrist or a therapist to know the issue and get treatment. A common and highly efficient treatment is to get an emotional support animal (ESA), but it requires you to follow a process.

Well-wishers and ESA supporters at https://therapetic.org/ suggest a simple three-step process to get an ESA letter that can ultimately get you a pet. An ESA letter helps in legalizing your pet’s position as an emotional support animal that aids you in releasing your mental stress. 

You need to go through an ESA screening test that can determine whether you qualify for an emotional support animal (ESA) letter or not. The next stage is going through a brief consultation with a medical expert that will examine your status and will help in clearing all your questions. The last step is to finally receive your letter. It is generally an easy process and takes less time. 

While you’re at the consultation stage with the health professional, a lot of questions might arise.

Apart from those, you need to ask 5 important questions to your doctor that can help you go through the ESA application process smoothly.

1. I Already Have a Pet. Can They Qualify to Be an ESA?

A specific requirement for any pet to be qualified as an emotional support animal is to be well behaved and well trained, especially when in public. However, no special screening or evaluation is required to determine it. Also, it is important that your pet feels great and comfortable being outside as well.

Even if you have other animals apart from dogs, like hamsters or even reptiles that make you feel comfortable and at ease while being with them, they can easily qualify to be an ESA. It’s not necessary to get just one pet to be registered as an ESA; many people get two pets as ESAs at the same time. 

2. What are the Specific Conditions to Get an ESA Letter?

As mentioned above, an ESA letter is easy to get if you are diagnosed with mental disorders like anxiety, depression, stress or other mental concerns. If your pet is already helping you to get through a sad day, almost every day, you and your pet would easily be qualified for a letter.

Basically, the animals put you to ease and provide comfort instead of human interaction. Simply being with an animal or your pet provides you through emotional support.

3. Are There Any Other Benefits of Getting an Emotional Support Animal?

Treating your mental health is the primary goal of getting an ESA, but to do so, being with them all the time is necessary. With an ESA letter, you can travel with your pet anywhere, even on airplanes.

Pets are either prohibited on-board or you need to pay a hefty amount to bring them along. With an ESA certificate, your pet will travel with you without any additional charges. 

4. What is the Validity of an ESA Letter?

An ESA letter usually lasts for 12 months and can be easily renewed by paying a small fee. A few providers might declare a lifetime validity, however, that is not legally appropriate. You can register online to get your ESA letter in less time than going physically.

5. How Can I Deal with Apartments and Residential Premises that Prohibit Pets?

You can stay in a residence with your furry friend without paying any extra fees or deposit upon showing your letter. However, you might have to pay for any damages that your pet could cause. ESAs are also legally allowed in residential premises where pets are strictly prohibited to live.

It’s possible that your landlord might be unaware of the ESA procedure and so, it’s necessary to explain the letter with all the details within. It is not legally allowed for them to refuse your stay. 

The dependence on emotional support animals has been increasing recently with the enormous shift in workload and life responsibilities. This tactic seems to be working. If you’re suffering from mental disorders and love animals, we recommend getting an emotional support animal as well.