Living with an emotional or mental disability can be extremely overwhelming. It can make even small, everyday tasks major challenges, prevent individuals from fulfilling both short and long-term goals, and even lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. An emotional support animal (ESA) can provide therapeutic relief for people struggling with their disabilities.
If you’re considering an ESA to help with your disability, or want to make a current pet an ESA, you will need a letter from a mental health professional stating that the animal is necessary for your emotional well-being. This document is officially known as an “ESA letter.”
Obtaining an ESA letter in Oakland, California, can be difficult if you don’t know where to start — we’ll guide you through the process below and clarify exactly what an ESA is, what legal protections they receive, and who can qualify for one.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal is an animal that provides comfort, companionship, and reassurance to people with emotional or mental health disabilities. The benefits their presence brings can help ease disability-related symptoms and reduce feelings of isolation. They can even serve as a positive motivator in a person’s life since they need to be cared for.
Unlike service animals, ESAs don’t need any specialized training and don’t perform disability-related tasks — their main purpose is to provide emotional support. Any animal can also be considered an ESA, whether dog, cat, bird, rabbit, or reptile.
ESAs don’t require certification or registration with a specific database in the U.S. However, they do require an ESA letter to be eligible for legal protections.
Who Can Qualify for an ESA in Oakland, California?
Those with an emotional or mental health disability can qualify for an ESA in Oakland, California. The condition must be included in the DSM-5 manual and have been formally diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), such as a psychologist or therapist. Some common conditions that are eligible for an ESA include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
If you’re not sure how to find an LMHP in your area or aren’t sure if you’re eligible for an ESA, make sure to get in touch with our legal team at U.S. Service Animals. They’ll be able to help and schedule a consultation with an LMHP if you qualify.
What Are the Benefits of Having an ESA Letter in Oakland, California
While any pet can technically fulfill the role of an ESA without an ESA letter, obtaining one will grant you and your animal legal rights in Oakland, California.
One of the main benefits is the exemption from a landlord’s no-pet policies and pet-related fees (e.g. pet rent and security deposits). This is particularly helpful in Oakland where it can be extremely hard to find apartments available to rent, let alone ones that accommodate animals.
Having an ESA letter will also grant you the right to bring your ESA to the workplace. This will ensure you can perform at your full potential and will always have your ESA near you whenever you need their support.
How to Get an Emotional Support (ESA) Letter in Oakland, California
The process to obtain an ESA letter in California is different from most states. In January 2022, California introduced new legislation that requires individuals to have an established client-provider relationship for at least 30 days before they can receive an ESA letter.
This means you will need to be in contact with a licensed mental health professional over a month in advance if you need to receive your ESA letter for a particular time, such as renting an apartment or starting a new job position.
After you have built a 30-day relationship, you will then have to book a consultation with the LMHP to be evaluated for your ESA eligibility. In the consultation you’ll need to discuss your disability, the symptoms you experience, and how you feel an ESA will help relieve these symptoms.
If the LMHP believes you’ll benefit from an ESA, they’ll provide you with an ESA letter which you can show to employers and landlords. To be official, the letter should contain the following:
- State that you have an emotional or mental health disability that an ESA can help relieve symptoms of
- The ESA letter issue date
- Your name, address, and contact information
- The LMHP’s medical license information (e.g. the issue date, type, and number)
- The LMHP’s official signature and contact details
- The state the LMHP practices in; needs to be the same state you currently live in
The letter should also be printed on official letterhead. It’s not necessary to include information about your ESA, such as their name, species, or breed, but it is advisable.
Unfortunately, several scams out there claim they’ll be able to get you an ESA letter quickly, often for a large sum of money. No matter what they claim, there is no legal way to bypass the 30-day rule in California. The letter must also be obtained through a licensed mental health professional.
How to Get an Emotional Support Letter (ESA) in Oakland, California With U.S. Service Animals
Arranging appointments, finding an LMHP, avoiding scams and misinformation — all of this can be extremely tiring and difficult. This is especially the case if your symptoms are already preventing you from managing other life commitments.
U.S. Service Animals can take the hassle and confusion out of obtaining an ESA letter. Through their simplified ESA service, everything, from arranging appointments to finding an LMHP in California, will be taken care of. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect:
- You’ll begin by scheduling a free, risk-free ESA letter consultation. You can either submit a request via the website or call directly at (985) 570-5388.
- An appointment will be arranged with a licensed mental health professional where you will discuss your disability and why you would benefit from an ESA. They will inform you if you qualify.
- If approved, you will need to attend multiple online video or phone consultations over the course of a month with the LMHP. These will be arranged at your convenience.
- After 30 days, you’ll receive your ESA letter.
What Are the Laws About ESAs in Oakland, California
There are several federal laws and state laws that you and your ESA can benefit from while living in Oakland, California.
You will be protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which means you’ll be exempt from a landlord’s no-pet policies and pet rent fees, but you’ll also benefit from California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which will allow you to take your ESA to your workplace. As an ESA, your animal will even be exempt from breed, size, and weight restrictions.
Can I Fly With an ESA in Oakland, California
Emotional support animals used to be able to fly with their owners for free and without restrictions. However, the changes to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) in 2021 unfortunately mean that ESAs are no longer granted the same rights as service animals. They are now treated as pets under the ACAA and are subject to any requirements, policies, and fees that an airline sets.
Since every airline’s regulations can vary regarding pets and ESAs, it’s best to contact the airline you intend to fly with directly to find out more information.
Airlines that accommodate pets on board will usually require your animal to be kept in a pet-safe carrier for the duration of the flight. This means your animal will also need to be small enough to fit within a carrier.
Service animals, including psychiatric service dogs (PSD), are still protected under the ACAA. It’s possible that your ESA can be trained to become a PSD if you would benefit from them performing at least one disability-related task; our team at USSA can help with this too.
Can I Live With an ESA in Oakland, California
People with ESAs are granted the right to live with their animals in rental homes in Oakland, California, even if landlords have “no-pet” policies in place. This is thanks to the Fair Housing Act, a federal law that prevents housing discrimination based on characteristics such as religion, race, familial status, sex, and disability.
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act also offers similar legal protections and has made it unlawful to evict or deny housing to a renter because they have an ESA.
As well as being given the right to live in places with no-pet policies, ESAs are also exempt from pet fees, pet deposits, and restrictions in terms of size, weight, or breed.
Showing your landlord a valid ESA letter should be enough evidence to exempt you from the no-pet policy and pet-related fees. However, if you experience any issues or the landlord denies you the right to rent because of your animal, make sure to reach out to a fair housing organization in Oakland. They will be able to advocate for you and enforce your legal rights.
Can I Bring My ESA to Work With Me in Oakland, California
While federal law does not grant ESAs any public access rights, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act gives ESAs the right to be with their owners in the workplace. This means any employer, regardless of their policy on pets in the building, must make a reasonable effort to accommodate your animal.
Do keep in mind that your employer will likely request to see a valid ESA letter before making reasonable adjustments for your animal. That’s why it’s vital to get your ESA letter prepared in advance before you begin your new job position.
What Exceptions Are There to ESA Laws in Oakland, California
ESAs are permitted housing rights and accommodation in the workplace in Oakland, California. However, in certain situations, these access rights may be denied. Both employers and landlords can deny your ESA accommodation request if:
- Your ESA is destructive and causes property damage
- Your ESA is aggressive, poorly trained, or puts others in harm’s way
- The building itself can’t reasonably accommodate your animal’s size, weight, or species
Certain types of buildings are also exempt from the Fair Housing Act, including:
- Owner-occupied housing with four or fewer units
- Single-family housing that’s sold or rented without the use of a broker
- Private clubs and religious organizations (preference can be given to members)
Where Can You Take Your ESA in Oakland, California
Emotional support animals aren’t granted general public access rights in Oakland, California — whether or not your ESA can enter into a public building or area is at the business’s discretion.
Fortunately, many cafes, restaurants, parks, and hotels in Oakland have opted to accommodate pets and ESAs. Some of our favorite pet-friendly places include:
- Waterfront Hotel: Situated in Jack London Square, Waterfront Hotel offers guests a luxurious stay with spacious rooms, plenty of amenities, and waterfront views. Your pet can also enjoy a luxurious stay here, with the hotel accommodating dogs up to 50 pounds.
- Xochi the Dog, Cafe: This picturesque, dog-friendly cafe serves a range of cakes, pastries, and beverages. They even provide treats for dogs too!
- Joaquin Miller Dog Park: This spacious dog park is nestled amongst nature and will allow your pet to roam freely and play. It features two separate areas for small and large breeds.
Important Facts About ESAs in Oakland, California
We’ll provide a brief overview of the most important facts about ESAs in Oakland, California below to ensure you know your rights.
- ESAs aren’t considered Service Animals and are therefore entitled to different legal rights. Only animals that are trained to perform a disability-related task can be considered service animals.
- ESAs have housing rights and are exempt from no-pet policies and pet-related fees, such as pet deposits. Breed, size, and weight restrictions also don’t apply to ESAs.
- Any animal you can legally keep can be recognized as an ESA.
- Your employer must make an effort to reasonably accommodate your ESA in the workplace.
- ESAs aren’t required to undergo any training, but housing and workplace accommodations can be denied if your ESA is aggressive or destructive
- To qualify for an ESA, you must have an emotional or mental disability that has been diagnosed by an LMHP. You also require an ESA letter from a medical professional who you have at least a 30-day relationship with.
Get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letter in Oakland, California Today
Getting a valid ESA letter isn’t just about getting your ESA legally recognized in Oakland; it grants you legal rights that can make it easier to navigate daily life, from finding rental accommodation to fulfilling your work obligations.
If you feel an ESA is suitable for you, schedule your risk-free consultation with USSA today to learn how we can assist you in getting a valid ESA letter in Oakland, California.