Emotional support animals (ESAs) are an important part of life for many people with disabilities or mental health problems. If you’re in the same boat but don’t know what it might cost to get an ESA or make your own dog an ESA with a letter, then worry not because that’s exactly what we will demystify in this article.
We will also look at how you can get an ESA letter, what privileges it gives you, and more.
The Cost Breakdown of Making a Dog an ESA
While getting an ESA letter itself might not be so expensive – the entire process of getting and making a dog an emotional support animal can run high in terms of cost. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you can expect in each area:
1. Initial Evaluation and Letter
- Licensed Mental Health Professional Consultation: $75 – $250+ per session. Expect at least one session, potentially more, depending on your mental health history and the doctor’s assessment process. We recommend that you read reviews from other people of the doctor you plan to see to get a good idea of what their process is like.
- ESA Letter Fee: $50 – $200+. Some professionals, like US Service Animals, may include this in the consultation fee, while others will charge it separately.
2. Additional Costs
- Renewals: ESA letters typically require renewal every year, incurring similar fees as the initial evaluation. That means an annual payment of $50 – $200+ depending on the mental health professional you go to.
3. Dog Care
This is often the most expensive part of having an ESA because there are a lot of different costs involved in the process. These include the following:
- Adoption/Purchase: This varies significantly based on shelters, breeders, breed, and age. Shelter adoption fees generally range from $160-$800, while breeder costs can be much higher.
- Food: $20-$100+ per month, depending on brand, quality, and dog size.
- Veterinary Care: Annual checkups, vaccinations, and unexpected emergencies can add up. Plan for regular expenses and potentially higher costs for unforeseen issues.
- Training: Optional, but recommended. Costs vary greatly based on trainer experience, location, and program duration. Expect $50-$200+ per session, with discounts for packages.
- Supplies: Leash, collar, bed, bowls, toys, etc. Consider one-time costs and potential replacements. Budget around $100-$200 initially, with ongoing expenses for replacements and treats.
- Travel: Research pet-friendly travel options and associated fees (pet deposits, airline fees, etc.). Costs can vary greatly depending on destination, airlines, and type of pet travel accommodation.
Owning a dog is a long-term commitment – part of being a responsible owner is ensuring you can afford proper care throughout their lifespan before starting the ESA process. Different breeds have varying lifespans, impacting care costs over time, and some breeds are prone to specific health conditions requiring specialized care and higher expenses. Owning a dog also requires a commitment to walks, playtime, and training, something you’ll have to make time for.
Why Dog Care Is the Most Expensive Part of Having an ESA
As discussed earlier, getting an ESA letter isn’t too expensive. The main cost of having an ESA is caring for the dog itself. We discussed some of the costs earlier. Here is what else you can expect to pay for while caring for your ESA:
Training: While not essential, professional training can improve your dog’s behavior and make life easier. Training costs vary based on location, trainer experience, and program duration. Expect $50-$200+ per session, with potential discounts for packages. Remember that if your ESA displays aggressive behavior towards other people or animals, your landlord can ask you to remove it from the property. That’s why it’s important to train your dog so it’s always on its best behavior.
Supplies: Basic essentials like leash, collar, bed, bowls, and toys require an initial investment, plus ongoing replacements as needed. Budgeting $100-$200 initially with continued expenses for replacements and treats is sensible.
More services you may need depending on your lifestyle and needs:
- Dog walking: $20-$30+ per walk, helpful if you have busy days.
- Daycare: $30-$50+ per day, useful if you’re away for extended periods.
- Boarding: $50-$100+ per night, needed for vacations or travel.
- Grooming: $50-$100+ per session, depending on breed and frequency.
All of these costs can vary significantly depending on where you live. Urban areas often have higher vet fees, dog walker rates, and pet-related product prices compared to rural areas.
ESAs: What They Are and Why They’re Different From Service Dogs
ESAs are your companion animals that are there for emotional support and, typically, help with one or more symptoms or effects of a disability. Their main task is to be comforting and reduce stress, anxiety, and other symptoms.
Being protected by the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) in specific situations, they’re also allowed in housing with no pet restrictions. Another thing to note is that ESAs don’t have any training requirements – their presence and companionship alone are enough to make them eligible to become an ESA.
Here are three things to remember if you’re getting an ESA:
- ESAs are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so they don’t have public access rights beyond housing and air travel.
- Online ESA certification services are often scams. A licensed mental health professional must evaluate your disability and write a letter stating the animal’s benefit.
- Responsible behavior and proper care are crucial to maintaining housing and travel rights.
Service Dogs
In contrast, a service dog is one specially trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate a disability, directly assisting someone with physical, mental, or emotional limitations. Their jobs can include a lot of things, including guiding vision-impaired individuals, retrieving dropped objects, or alerting them to oncoming seizures. As you can imagine, they get a bunch of privileges that ESAs don’t:
Legality: Protected by the ADA, FHA, and ACAA, granting access to most public spaces like stores, restaurants, planes, and even schools.
Training: Extensive training and certification required. Trained by professionals or dog owners with specialized skills.
Species: Primarily dogs, but sometimes miniature horses, trained for specific tasks related to various disabilities.
How Are They Different From ESAs?
Here are some differences between ESAs and service animals:
- ESAs provide emotional support through their presence, while service dogs perform specific tasks that they have been trained for.
- ESAs require no specific training, while service dogs undergo extensive training.
- ESAs have housing rights, while service dogs have broad public access rights in addition to housing rights (they are allowed to go nearly everywhere with their handlers) under the ADA.
- ESAs are protected under only a few specific laws, while service dogs are protected under the ADA.
Steps to Make Your Dog an ESA
Though it may not seem like it initially, there is a right and a wrong way to make your dog an ESA. The wrong way mostly has to do with the cheap, sometimes even free online ESA letters. These are usually scams and are absolutely not legally binding. To get an ESA letter the right way, here are the steps to follow:
1. Talk to a Licensed Mental Health Professional
Consult a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist experienced in evaluating ESA needs – you’re going to explain your mental health challenges to them and discuss how your dog provides emotional support. It’s absolutely crucial that you’re transparent and honest about your intentions in this consultation.
2. Get Assessed by a Professional
The professional will proceed to assess your mental health, your dog’s suitability, and how it alleviates your symptoms. They will not issue an ESA letter if they believe it’s not ethically justified, which is an outcome you should be prepared for.
3. Obtain a Letter and Guidance
If they find that there is a genuine need, the doctor will write a legitimate ESA letter for you. They can also provide guidance on responsible dog ownership and the ethical use of an ESA along with it.
4. Understand the Limitations of the Letter
Remember, ESAs have limited rights, primarily centered around the right to live with you in most long-term housing. They are not service animals with broad public access under the ADA.
5. Understand Responsible Ownership
Ensure your dog is well-behaved, properly trained, and vaccinated. This is particularly important in terms of respecting housing and travel regulations regarding ESAs.
Life With an ESA Dog: Dos and Don’ts
Life with an ESA can be incredibly rewarding, providing emotional support, companionship, and comfort on a daily basis. However, it’s also a big responsibility, and there are important things to consider. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons, along with some helpful dos and don’ts:
What You’ll Love
- Reduced Stress and Anxiety: ESAs can lower stress hormones, improve relaxation, and ease anxiety symptoms. Helping you feel better is the whole point of getting an ESA.
- Increased Feelings of Happiness and Security: The unconditional love and companionship of an ESA can boost your mood and create a sense of safety and belonging.
- Improved Social Interaction: Your ESA can be a conversation starter and help you connect with others, potentially reducing social isolation.
- Motivation and Routine: Caring for your ESA can provide a sense of purpose and encourage you to maintain a consistent routine, which can benefit your mental health.
What You Might Not Love as Much
- Financial Commitment: As we discussed above, food, vet care, training, and other expenses can add up. Be sure you can afford this responsibility.
- Time Commitment: Your ESA needs walks, playtime, training, and attention. Ensure you have the time and energy to care for them properly.
- Travel Restrictions: While ESAs have housing rights, they don’t have full public access like service animals. Consider potential limitations.
- Lifestyle changes: Owning a dog impacts your daily life. Be prepared for adjustments like walks, clean-ups, and training sessions.
Dos
- Choose a Suitable Dog: Consider temperament, size, and needs that match your lifestyle and disability.
- Train Your Dog: Basic obedience training ensures good behavior and respect for others.
- Provide Proper Care: Maintain good health with quality food, vet care, and vaccinations.
- Be Responsible: Clean up after your dog, respect housing and travel rules, and prioritize responsible pet ownership.
Don’ts
- Misrepresent Your Needs: Don’t seek an ESA letter fraudulently to gain access rights you’re not entitled to.
- Neglect Your Dog’s Care: Prioritize their well-being, avoiding actions that can harm them or cause nuisance to others.
- Expect Miracles: While ESAs offer support, they are not a cure-all and may not solve all your problems.
- Forget the Limitations: Respect ESA rules and limitations regarding public access.
- Exploit the System: Use your ESA status ethically and responsibly, not for personal gain or special treatment.
Change Your Life With an ESA
An ESA can be a life-changing addition to your routine, especially if you’ve been suffering from symptoms that make it difficult for you to get through the day.
That said, it’s important to make sure you’re considering the cost of the whole process, including the implications of doing it the right way. Making your dog an ESA is a pretty straightforward process as long as there is a genuine need for it and you’re able to show that to a licensed mental health professional.
To get an ESA letter, you need to see a doctor, and each session with them can cost anywhere between $75 and $250. There will be additional costs associated with taking care of the dog. You’ll have to take it to the vet on a regular basis. You’ll also have to renew the ESA letter annually, which can cost $50-$200, depending on the doctor you choose to get it from.
An ESA can greatly help reduce stress and improve your life, but it’s important to recognize that it can be expensive and require lots of attention and love, just like any other pet.