animals are therapy

A brown curly-haired dog with long ears, open mouth, and tongue out, standing at a doorway in sunlight.
A small dog with white and brown fur carrying a bone-shaped chew toy in its mouth, standing on a wooden floor in a cozy living room with a fireplace, rug, chairs, and table.
Two black and white cats cuddling together in a pet bed, sleeping peacefully.
Close-up of a black and white dog with floppy ears and a long tongue hanging out, walking on a brick sidewalk in a city area with colorful buildings and a church with a tall steeple in the background, under a clear blue sky.
A happy dog with curly, cream-colored fur sitting on fallen autumn leaves in a park, with trees and a body of water in the background at sunset.
Two Labrador retrievers inside a vehicle, one looking forward with its mouth open and the other looking to the side with a calm expression.
A close-up of a brown and white dog resting on a brown couch, with one eye partially closed and one eye open, looking relaxed and sleepy.
A fluffy dog with a tan and black face wearing a green knit cap with a pom-pom and a patterned bandana, standing on a gray floor in a room with light-colored walls.
Close-up of a dog with a gray coat, white markings, and pink spots on its chin, lying on a black surface with a person in the background wearing a beige jacket.
A white and tan cat lying on its back on a brown couch, looking up with large eyes.
A happy small dog with light fur and darker markings, looking up with an open mouth, sitting on a patterned rug inside a house.
Two cats lying together in a circular cat bed near a window.
A ginger cat with closed eyes, lying on a light-colored couch, wearing a red and green Christmas stocking on its front paws.
A brown dog with floppy ears sits on the sand at the beach, facing the camera with a serious expression, with houses on dunes and cloudy sky in the background.

emotional support animal assessment & letters

What Is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal (usually a dog or cat) that provides comfort and emotional support to a person with a diagnosed mental health condition or emotional disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks, but their presence helps reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health challenges.

What Included in the Service?

  1. 60-75 minute initial assessment via in person or virtual to assess for mental health condition

  2. Clinical evaluation of your emotional/mental health needs

  3. Determination of ESA qualification

  4. A valid ESA letter (if eligible)

    • All assessments are fully confidential and protected under HIPAA.

    • Participating in the initial assessment does not automatically qualify an individual for an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) letter. I will use my clinical and ethical judgment to determine the need based on the assessment.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal Letter?

An ESA letter is a formal document written and signed by a licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. This letter states that:

  1. The individual has a legitimate emotional or mental health condition.

  2. An ESA is part of their treatment and helps alleviate symptoms.

  3. The LMHP (licensed mental health professional) is licensed in the person's state and is qualified to make this recommendation.

Why am I qualified?

As a licensed mental health professional, I am qualified to assess emotional and psychological conditions and determine clinical eligibility for Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters. I’ve completed specialized training in the laws, ethics, and diagnostic criteria related to ESAs and service animals, ensuring my evaluations are compliant with federal and state regulations, including the Fair Housing Act.

All ESA assessments are conducted ethically, confidentially, and in accordance with HIPAA standards of care.

Disclaimer: I provide clinical recommendations only. I am not responsible for the behavior, training, care, or actions of any emotional support animal. Owners are solely responsible for their animal’s conduct and compliance with all local laws and housing policies.

Rates:

  1. 60-75 minute initial assessment via in person or virtual to assess for mental health condition: $175

  2. A valid ESA letter (if eligible): $175

    1. Total: $350

      *You are only charged for the letter if you qualify. We will not charge for the letter if you do not qualify

Legal Disclaimer:

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters are provided only after a clinical assessment and at the sole discretion of the licensed therapist. Completion of an intake form or scheduling an appointment does not guarantee eligibility for an ESA letter.

This service complies with all relevant laws, including the Fair Housing Act (FHA). I do not guarantee acceptance of ESA letters by third parties (e.g., landlords, property managers) and am not liable for any decisions made by those entities based on the letter.

I do not provide ESA letters for travel purposes, as Emotional Support Animals are no longer recognized under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).