An emotional support animal (ESA) can play a life-changing role in an individual’s mental health treatment plan; the comfort, companionship, and affection they provide can help ease disability-related symptoms and greatly improve quality of life.
An emotional support animal doesn’t need an ESA letter for an individual to benefit from their support, but it will grant legal protections that can make everyday life a whole lot easier in a city like Minneapolis, such as exemption from a rental’s “no-pet” policy.
Below, we’ll cover what an ESA letter is, who can qualify for one, and how you can obtain one for use in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We’ll also cover what legal protections an emotional support animal receives.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal is an animal that helps relieve symptoms of an emotional or mental health condition through their constant companionship. For example, an ESA’s presence can help ease feelings of loneliness or even provide a sense of security for those struggling with anxiety. Caring for an ESA can also provide people with a strong sense of purpose, which can have a positive impact on mood.
ESAs are not considered service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state laws. This is because, unlike service animals, they aren’t required to undergo training and do not perform specialized, disability-related tasks. They only support their owners through their presence.
Any animal can also be considered an ESA as long as they provide emotional support and the owner is legally allowed to keep them. Some common ESA species include dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and hamsters, though some people even find comfort and companionship in reptiles and spiders.
Who Can Qualify for an ESA in Minneapolis, Minnesota
In Minneapolis, — and any other U.S. city for that matter — anyone with a diagnosed emotional or mental disability that’s recognized in the DSM-5 manual is eligible to qualify for an ESA. Some conditions that qualify for an ESA include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood Disorders (such as bipolar disorder)
- Panic Attacks
- Personality Disorders
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
To be approved for an emotional support animal, you must receive an ESA letter from a mental health professional (LMHP) who is licensed to practice in Minnesota. The ESA letter will only be provided if you can demonstrate that the animal will help alleviate at least one symptom of your disability. Companionship alone is not enough.
Trying to find and connect with an LMHP in Minneapolis can be a time-consuming process, especially if you’ve just moved to the area. However, you don’t have to navigate this alone; U.S. Service Animals can get you in touch with a mental healthcare worker in Minnesota today.
What Are the Benefits of Having an ESA Letter in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
An emotional support animal letter entitles you to certain legal privileges in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For example, you and your animal will have the right to live in housing that typically doesn’t allow pets. Many landlords also have strict breed bans, pet regulations, or size limits in place; with an ESA letter, your animal will be exempt from all these restrictions.
Since a letter proves that your ESA isn’t just a pet but is a vital part of your treatment plan, a landlord’s pet-related fees, rent, or security deposits also won’t apply.
Many states do not recognize ESAs or provide additional protections beyond the federal laws already in place. However, under Minnesota’s Human Rights Act law — more on this later — an ESA letter will also give you the right to take your animal to your workplace.
How to Get an Emotional Support (ESA) Letter in Minneapolis, Minnesota
To get an ESA letter in Minneapolis, you’ll need to connect with a mental health professional, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist, who is licensed to practice in Minnesota. They will evaluate your disability and your need for an emotional support animal.
If they deem that an ESA plays a vital role in helping you manage at least one symptom of your disability, they will prescribe you an ESA and provide a legal ESA letter.
Some states, such as California, require you to have a 30-day client-provider relationship before receiving the ESA letter. However, this isn’t the case in Minnesota — you will only need one appointment with an LMHP.
The letter must state that you have an emotional or mental health condition and that an ESA is a necessary part of your treatment plan. The ESA letter should also contain the following information:
- The issue date of the ESA letter.
- The LMHP’s license information (number, type, issue date, and state they practice in).
- Your information and contact details.
- The LMHP’s official signature and contact details.
The ESA letter will need to be printed on official letterhead. While not a legal requirement, it’s advisable to include the animal’s name, species, and/or breed in the ESA letter.
Sadly, there are many malicious websites that prey on the lack of public knowledge surrounding ESAs and the fact that misinformation is rampant online. They will often offer to “register” your ESA or provide an ESA letter the next working day — for a hefty fee.
These websites are scams and should be avoided at all costs; ESAs do not require any formal registration and there is no official ESA database. It’s also impossible to get a valid ESA letter without first being assessed by an LMHP.
Obtaining an ESA letter is free, though it can be time-consuming. Our U.S. Service Animals team can help take the hassle out of this process.
How to Get an Emotional Support Letter (ESA) in Minneapolis, Minnesota With U.S. Service Animals
At U.S. Service Animals, we offer an ESA letter service that makes the whole process simple and stress-free. Here’s how it works:
- Start by scheduling an ESA letter consultation with U.S. Service Animals. You can do so via the official website or by calling directly at (985) 570-5388.
- A no-risk consultation will be arranged with a suitable LMHP to discuss your eligibility for an ESA; if you aren’t eligible, you won’t need to pay any consultation fees. The consultation will be held over video or phone, whichever is most convenient (and comfortable) for you.
- If you’re eligible for an ESA, you will receive your legal ESA letter — and that’s it!
Even after you’ve received your ESA letter, you won’t be left without a support system in place. The team at U.S. Service Animals will always be more than happy to assist you if you face any other legal barriers or have any concerns regarding your ESA rights.
What Are the Laws About ESAs in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
There are several federal laws and state laws that you can benefit from once you have obtained a valid ESA letter in Minneapolis. ESAs are federally protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which exempts them from no-pet policies and pet fees in housing, and they’re also covered under Minnesota’s Human Rights Act.
Below, we’ll delve further into these laws and explain exactly what they mean for you and your ESA. We’ll also discuss travel rights, general public access rights, and exceptions to ESA laws.
Can I Fly With an ESA in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
A common misconception is that emotional support animals are granted the right to fly with their owners on board and are exempt from an airline’s restrictions and pet fees.
This used to be the case; ESAs were protected under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and received the same travel rights as service animals. However, the ACAA was amended in 2021 to exclude ESAs, leaving their travel rights up to each airline’s discretion.
Virtually every major airline in the U.S. has opted to provide no additional protections to ESAs and they are therefore subject to standard pet fees, regulations, and restrictions.
Can I Live With an ESA in Minneapolis, Minnesota
You have the legal right to live with your ESA practically anywhere in Minneapolis, thanks to the Fair Housing Act, a federal law that protects individuals against discrimination in housing. This applies to both the purchase and rental of property.
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are not allowed to treat ESAs as pets and must accommodate them even if they have a “no-pet” policy in place. Emotional support animals are also exempt from pet-related fees, such as pet rent or security deposits, and any pet restrictions (like breed bans).
Can I Bring My ESA to Work With Me in Minneapolis, Minnesota
ESAs are not granted any workplace or public access rights under federal law, but luckily, Minnesota does grant additional protections. Under Minnesota’s Human Rights Act, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals in the workplace.
If you would like to bring your ESA to work with you, you will need to speak to your employer, make a request for a reasonable accommodation, and explain the necessity of having your ESA at the workplace. The employer is also likely (and legally entitled) to ask for a valid ESA letter.
What Exceptions Are There to ESA Laws in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Both the Fair Housing Act and Minnesota’s Human Rights Act have some exceptions to be mindful of.
Certain types of housing are exempt from the FHA and therefore aren’t legally obligated to accommodate your ESA. These are properties that are:
- Owner-occupied with four or fewer units.
- Single-family owned that has been sold or rented without the use of a real estate broker.
- Owned by private clubs or religious organizations (members can receive preference).
- Can’t reasonably accommodate your animal’s species or size; it would likely hinder the animal’s quality of life.
While your ESA is exempt from pet-related fees, you are still obligated to pay for any property damage your animal causes. Landlords of rental properties can also deny your rights if your animal is destructive, aggressive, or endangers other tenants living there.
The same principle applies under Minnesota’s Human Rights Act: ESAs who are poorly trained, aggressive, or disruptive can be denied accommodation in the workplace. Other exceptions include:
- Accommodating the animal causes undue hardship on the employer, poses a health or safety risk, or would impose a significant cost on the employer.
- The employer can provide another accommodation that would allow the employee to perform the job (though alternative options would have to be discussed with the employee).
Where Can You Take Your ESA in Minneapolis, Minnesota
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, ESAs are only legally guaranteed housing rights and reasonable accommodation in the workplace. Unfortunately, they are not protected under the ADA and therefore aren’t entitled to public access rights in the same way that service dogs are.
With that said, there are plenty of pet-friendly locations, attractions, and businesses in Minneapolis that welcome ESAs. With so much to explore, you’re sure to always find fun activities to enjoy together. Some of our personal favorite pet-friendly spots in Minneapolis include La Quinta Inn & Suites, which is a pet-friendly hotel, and Minnehaha Dog Park, a 6.6-acre off-leash park. You can also grab a bite with your ESA at the restaurant Unleashed Hounds and Hops.
Important Facts About ESAs in Minneapolis, Minnesota
We’ll finish up with a recap of the most important facts about ESAs in Minneapolis, Minnesota:
- Only those with a diagnosed emotional or mental disability are eligible for an ESA letter. The letter must also come from a mental health professional who’s licensed to practice in Minnesota.
- ESAs are not the same as service animals. ESAs assist people with emotional or mental disabilities solely through their presence, while service animals are specially trained to perform at least one disability-related task. Because of this distinction, ESAs receive different legal rights at both federal and state levels.
- ESAs are no longer protected under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and most U.S. airlines have opted to treat them as pets. Expect to abide by standard pet policies, fees, and regulations when traveling.
- ESAs in Minneapolis, Minnesota do not have public access rights. However, employers must make reasonable accommodations to allow them at the workplace.
- ESAs receive housing rights and are exempt from no-pet policies, as well as pet-related restrictions (i.e. breed bans or weight limits) and fees (i.e. pet rent).
- Any animal, regardless of species, can be recognized as an ESA. It’s also possible to have multiple ESAs.
- ESAs don’t require any specific training, but they can be denied their rights if they are aggressive, destructive, or significantly disruptive.
- Online certifications and registrations for ESAs aren’t legally binding — only an ESA letter obtained through an LMHP can grant you the protections outlined above.
If you have any further questions about an ESA’s legal rights or the process of obtaining an ESA letter, do reach out to our team at U.S. Service Animals. They’ll get back to you as soon as they can.
Get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letter in Minneapolis, Minnesota Today
Emotional support animals provide immeasurable support through their presence, affection, and unconditional love, something that can help people better manage the symptoms of their disabilities.
An ESA letter will grant both you and your animal legal protections that can make it easier to navigate day-to-day life in Minneapolis. The letter, which officially declares your need for an ESA, must be written by a mental health professional licensed to practice in Minnesota.
Our legal team at U.S. Service Animals can connect you with an LMHP and help you obtain a valid ESA letter as soon as possible. You can schedule your risk-free consultation with us today to find out more about how we can assist you.