9 Best Emotional Support Animal Services: Top-rated ESA Certification Companies 2022

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An emotional support animal refers to an animal companion that provides some level of support and companionship to a person who has some form of disability.

An emotional support animal can give you affection, comfort, and companionship to lift your spirits each time your depression, anxiety, panic, or PTSD acts up.

To acquire and own a support companion, a mental health or medical expert has to prescribe it through an emotional support animal letter.

This guide will help you identify reputable sites that offer legitimate emotional support animal letters. Keep reading to choose one that suits your situation.

9 Best Websites To Get PSD & ESA Letters:

Getting a letter for your emotional support animal or psychiatric service dog is effortless as long as you meet the requirements.

The sites we’ve outlined below are dedicated to helping you get the proper paperwork to keep, travel with, and be with your companion wherever you are.

Here are our top picks:

1. ESA Pet: Best for fast letter turn around
2. CertaPet PSD: Best for psychiatric service dog letters
3. CertaPet ESA: Best for emotional support letters
4. American Service Pets: Best For US-based therapists
5. Support Pets: Best for travel
6. ESA Doctors: Best for letters for landlords
7. RealESALetter: Best for customer service
8. Pettable: Best for refunds
9. US Service Animals: Best for fast turnaround

1. ESA Pet: Top recommended for fast letter turn around

ESAPet is the top-recommended site to get an ESA letter for many reasons. The service offers low-cost, high-quality solutions and believes everyone deserves access to quality mental health care, regardless of financial situation or location. ESAPet has helped thousands of people across the country get ESA letters and bring their pets wherever they go.

This site provides a quick and easy way to get an emotional support animal letter. You will begin by taking a short, confidential assessment to determine whether you are a good candidate for an ESA or a PSA Letter. This short screening process can help you find a therapist to prescribe your ESA letter in as little as 2 minutes.

ESAPet will then set up a telehealth appointment with a licensed mental health professional in your state. The therapist will review your initial screening and further evaluate your condition during this appointment. This will ensure that you qualify to have an Emotional Support Animal or Psychiatric Service Animal.

Once approved, ESAPet will send your ESA letter in as little as 24 hours! It’s that simple.

Pros

• The site provides step-by-step instructions on how to get an ESA letter
• ESAPet offers a wide variety of services, including ESA and PSA letters
• You can contact customer support via phone, email, or live chat at any time
• Access to a large network of medical professionals licensed in different states across the country
• Fast turnaround times for ESA and PSA letters

2. CertaPet (Recommended) PSD Letter: Best for psychiatric service dog letters

CertaPet is a renowned telehealth provider based in Dallas, TX. The company understands how stressful it is to stay or travel alone when your emotional stability isn’t that great.

CertaPet is committed to helping people like you secure legitimate PSD letters so you can always be with your best friend. This company is 100% legitimate and BBB Accredited and it’s recognized as the most reliable and #1 rated Emotional Support Animal Consultation services in the US and Canada.

The difference between an emotional support animal letter, ESA, and a psychiatric service dog letter, PSD, is that a PSD is what is now required for travel. PSD is a great option for anyone that suffers from PTSD or anxiety.

Its requirements and processes are simple. They include a free pre-screening service and a therapy session to determine if you are eligible for the letter. Once you’ve completed pre-screening the CertaPet support team will guide you throughout the application process while adhering to state and federal regulations.

The company issues prescriptions that recognize the patient as having an emotional or mental disability. The letter recognizes the animal as a necessary reinforcement that will boost your mental wellbeing. It includes licensing information and other relevant details.  Whether you require the letter for travel, housing, or both, CertaPet will have your letter for you, should you qualify.

3. CertaPet ESA: Best for emotional support letters

CertaPet has licensed mental health professionals who are qualified in animal-assisted therapy.

To start, simply perform a five-minute pre-screening test. If you are deemed a fit for an ESA consultation, you will be connected via telehealth with a licensed mental health professional in your area.

If you qualify, the mental health professional will give you a custom treatment plan and a

letter after verifying that you have an emotional disability that requires an emotional support dog.

Pros

• Quick telehealth appointments·
• Complies with state and federal laws·
• Five-minute pre-screening process·
• Consultation scheduled within 48 hours
• Connects you with an LMHP in your state·
• Acts promptly upon request.

Cons

• If refunded, the customer receives a consultation price, less a $35 fee

4. American Service Pets: Best for US-based therapists

American Service Pets is one of the best emotional support animal certification websites. The site is easy to navigate and provides all the information you need to get your ESA pet certified quickly and easily.

Furthermore, American Service Pets is an excellent service for people who want to get an ESA certificate for their service dog. The website offers all the information you need to get an emotional support animal (i.e., how to get a prescription, where to go for the exam, what type of documentation is required by airlines, how to get an ESA letter for your landlord, and much more.).

Getting an ESA letter with American Service Pets is simple and doesn’t take long to complete. The site has a team of qualified professionals who will help you understand every step of the process.

This excellent customer service department can answer any of your questions about the certification process or anything related to ESAs. They can be reached via phone or email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Pros

• Very affordable compared to other companies offering ESAs and PSAs
• Great customer service team that will help to answer your questions and solve your problems
• The site provides a detailed list of laws and regulations related to emotional support animals
• Convenient access to ESA medical professionals in various states

Cons

• They do not offer any discounts or promotions for their services

5. Support Pets: Best for travel

Support Pets is one of the best ESA certification companies for owners that want to travel with their emotional service animals. They offer a wide range of services, from basic ESA letters to more advanced packages.

Support Pets was founded to help people with emotional support animals (ESAs) travel easier, safer, and more comfortably. They offer a variety of services, such as certifying your service animal as an ESA and getting insurance so you can take your ESA on vacation with you.

If your dog didn’t qualify as a service animal, Support Pets can still help you travel with your pet. The service helps you avoid paying the airline’s extra fees by ensuring your pet flys with you in their carrier in the cabin of the plane.

Support Pets is also committed to helping its clients get their pets certified as quickly as possible. To do this, they have streamlined their process. It now takes less time than ever to get your pet verified as an emotional support animal with Support Pets.

Pros

• Affordable pricing compared to other similar companies
• Professional customer service team with 24/7 availability
• High-quality ESA services that meet all legal requirements

Cons

• Some airlines do not accept travel ESA letters

6. Esa Doctors: Best for letters for landlords

ESA Doctors are committed advocates for people with mental illness who need emotional support that an animal can provide.

This BBB accredited technology firm helps those with emotional and mental disorders minimize their symptoms through animals’ comfort, love, and companionship.

Its mission is to provide limited access to consultations with licensed mental health experts. ESA Doctors use technology to connect people with professionals who can evaluate their condition and write an emotional support letter recommending animal companions.

The company also issues PSD letters to allow individuals with mental illness to fly with their companions and tag them in public places.

It has earned a name for itself for providing information that helps protect its clients and their emotional support animals against pet travel fees, increased rent, discrimination, and security deposits.

Getting an ESA Letter from ESA Doctors

ESA Doctors has an online questionnaire you need to fill to get started with your ESA letter application.

Your details will be forwarded to a mental health professional who will evaluate and determine your eligibility for the letter.

ESA Doctors value your confidentiality, so all your details are secure.

Once you complete the questionnaire, you’ll be required to make your payment through an encrypted, secure payment page.

A licensed mental health professional will contact you through a standard consent form, allowing them to assist you in determining and verifying your eligibility for emotional support animals.

If you qualify for the letter, ESA Doctors will send you a digital copy of the letter in 3-5 business days after approval.

This will allow you to live and travel with your emotional support animal wherever and whenever.

Pros

• Easy application process·
• Refund policy·
• Works with medical professionals·
• No need to travel to get a letter.
• Doctors deliver digital letters·
• Quick evaluation of questionnaires

Cons

• It takes longer to approve and send the ESA letter

7. RealESALetter: Best for customer service

Real ESA Letter is a reliable emotional support animal letter resource with friendly clinicians who will take charge of your letter application. Their professional evaluation will help you acquire and keep emotional support animals.

They have state-licensed diagnostic experts on hand to handle each client’s case.

The company’s administrative and medical professionals work 24 hours to ensure all clients’ requests are attended to. You can call any time of day to have your letter processed.

Real ESA Letter guarantees you reasonable rental housing access even in houses with no-pet policies.

If you need to travel, their legitimate letter will let you access all domestic flights accompanied by your best friend and companion without paying extra.

They ensure you get a signed emotional support animal letter on professional letterhead with full license and contact information recommended by the Fair Housing Act.

Getting an ESA Letter from Real ESA Letter

Real ESA Letter’s processes are legally certified.

To start the application process, you are required to fill in a simple questionnaire that will be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional.

The expert will then determine if you qualify for an emotional support animal letter.

Once your application is approved, they’ll place your order which guarantees you a legitimate letter.

Pros

• A licensed mental health professional.
• Available 24/7.
• They offer follow-up consultation and medical or psychological advice.
• Legally certified processes.
• 50% down payment, balance after delivery

Cons

• No refund policy.

 

8. Pettable: Best for refunds

Pettable is an excellent ESA provider focused on ensuring transparency and legitimacy in its ESA processes.

Pettable teams up with top-class mental health professionals who have worked in emotional support animals for many years.

They guarantee their clients that the letter they issue will work efficiently for them.

If it doesn’t, they’ll provide a 100% refund to the client.

Pettable has invested in top-of-the-line legal and customer support teams to provide you with an incredible experience. It boasts a 22 hours turnaround time.

With Pettable, you have a money-back guarantee at all times.

Its compliance with state and federal laws ensures you’re legally able to travel and stay with your companion.

Pettable has a network of proficient mental health professionals who work on your consultation, and support letter processing is within the stipulated timeline.

Whichever state you reside in, you’ll get an expert mental health professional to prescribe an ESA letter there.

Their customer and legal support are unrivaled. If your landlord or travel organization gives you a hard time, they’ll ensure you have the documentation you need to keep your emotional support animal.

Getting an ESA Letter from Pettable

Receiving an emotional animal support letter from Pettable is a simple process with guaranteed results.

The company conducts a 3-minute assessment where you’re required to answer a few questions based on your ESA needs.

Afterward, they’ll match you with independent mental health professionals in your state to evaluate your condition.

Once your application is approved, you’ll have your emotional support animal letter in 24 hours.

Pros

• Convenient online application process.
• Quick certification processing.
• They follow state and federal regulations.

Cons

• Consultations are only carried out via telephone.

9. US Service Animals: Best for fast turnaround

US Service Animals is one of the top-rated emotional support animal certification companies in the US and for a good reason. They provide fast turnaround times for ESA certifications and their customer service team is available 24/7.

This service can help you get an ESA letter from a licensed therapist in your state. They can prescribe an emotional support animal for your emotional or mental health condition. Keep in mind that the US Service Animals site does not provide therapy or counseling services. Instead, they connect you with therapists who can help you obtain an ESA letter for your pet.

US Service Animals has over 1,000 licensed therapists on their platform and offers fast turnaround times for ESA letters. Once you have purchased your package and get approved for an ESA, they will send out your letter right away.

One of the things that set US Service Animals apart from other websites is that they offer multiple packages. They have different price points, so everyone can afford one. Packages range from $99-$299, depending on how fast you need your ESA letter.

Pros

• The website is easy to use, even for first-time users
• Fast turnaround time
• The site has an extensive FAQ section that answers all your questions

Cons

• Harder to get a service animal letter

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an emotional support animal the same as a service dog?
An ESA animal is not the same as a service dog. A service dog gets extensive training to perform specific tasks, like guiding the visually impaired or retrieving emergency medication. Because of this, service dogs can walk freely in all public spaces.

Emotional support animals (ESAs) don’t have the same special training. They provide emotional support to their owners and help to alleviate the symptoms of certain mental illnesses, like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. However, ESAs cannot go in all public areas as service animals can.

How do you get an emotional support animal?
The process to get an emotional support animal varies by company, state, and local laws. For the most part, you must fill out some paperwork with basic information and get approved by a therapist or other medical professional who’s licensed in your state. Oftentimes, this means completing an online application and having a telemedicine appointment. Your therapist must issue a letter verifying your need for an ESA.

Does anxiety qualify for an emotional support animal?
Yes, anxiety qualifies as an emotional support animal. Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults yearly. If you live with anxiety, having an ESA could help to reduce the symptoms, such as panic attacks or recurring fear.

Can my therapist write an ESA letter?
Yes, your therapist can write an ESA letter for you. Your therapist should be able to provide you with a letter for an emotional support animal. They can also certify your mental and emotional disabilities if you want to use a 3rd-party ESA letter service for faster turnarounds.

Psychiatric Vs Emotional Support Animals:

Psychiatric Service Dogs:

As the name suggests a psychiatric service dog or PSD is considered a service animal and not a support animal. You’re likely used to seeing service animals like seeing-eye dogs provide a service where they help their handler navigate the world. Psychiatric service dogs help with disabilities that can’t be seen like PTSD or anxiety.

These days airlines no longer allow emotional support animals on planes but they do still allow PSD’s aboard. Companies like Certapet are able to provide these letters to you should you qualify after speaking with their licensed mental health professionals.

Emotional Support Animals:

Emotional support animals help you navigate an emotional or mental disability. They are not considered service animals and therefore are not granted the same access as PSD’s.

You can still use an emotional support animal letter in some cases to get your ESA into an apartment or work facility but this will vary based on the individual owner.

In Conclusion

An emotional support animal letter gives you hope for keeping your emotional crisis in check. With the best companion beside you, you’ll cope with any stress, anxiety, or depression. And you’ll remember to take your medicine on time because you have a friend to remind you.

These sites are the best and will deliver legitimate ESA letters to help you and your animal live a free and comfortable life filled with love.

If you’re fond of cats, dogs, or rabbits, then Certapet will serve you to the utmost satisfaction. ESA doctors, on the other hand, ensure that you’re protected from discrimination at all costs.

Working with Real ESA Letter gives you access to plenty of resources and support 24/7. Whatever time of day, you’ll always find someone ready to attend to you.

As with Pettable, you’re assured of a money-back guarantee and satisfaction regardless of your city or state of residence.

 

 

The news and editorial staffs of the Bay Area News Group had no role in this post’s preparation.