{"id":5,"date":"2017-12-26T20:19:35","date_gmt":"2017-12-27T02:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/new-blog\/are-you-falling-for-an-emotional-support-animal-scam"},"modified":"2025-10-16T14:08:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T19:08:23","slug":"are-you-falling-for-an-emotional-support-animal-scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/are-you-falling-for-an-emotional-support-animal-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Falling for an Emotional Support Animal Scam?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every day, thousands of people register their emotional support animal (ESA) online to access services like housing, but what are they really getting for their money? The shocking answer is that most are getting absolutely nothing. If you only read one sentence in this article, it\u2019s this: you\u00a0need<\/strong>\u00a0to talk to a board-certified doctor or licensed mental health professional to qualify for a legal ESA letter.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t talk to a licensed health professional, you are being sold an unenforceable document that will not get your pet into your chosen accommodation for free. We have reviewed dozens of websites touting cheap ESA doctors’ letters; nearly all are scams. Below is a list of things to look out for to ensure you aren\u2019t being taken advantage of.<\/p>\n

Before diving into how to avoid a scam, we\u2019ll first review what ESAs are and the importance of obtaining an ESA letter.<\/p>\n

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?<\/h2>\n

Emotional support animals provide comfort and support to a handler. Unlike therapy animals that work with a group of people in specific locations, like hospitals or disaster sites, an ESA is prescribed to one individual and only aids them in their home.<\/p>\n

The primary role of an ESA is to provide comfort and security. These animals are particularly beneficial for handlers with emotional or mental disabilities such as anxiety or depression or who require support following bereavement or a traumatic event. While ESAs are valuable for physical and mental health support, their role is more like a pet than a service animal, since they don’t undergo specialized training to perform specific tasks to help with a disability, like retrieving medications or applying Deep Pressure Therapy.<\/p>\n

Register your emotional support animal today!<\/a><\/p>\n

The Importance of an ESA Letter<\/h2>\n

According to federal and state laws, housing providers are required to make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals. However, a verbal agreement that your animal is an ESA is\u00a0not enough. Many landlords and housing providers are entitled to request documentation to validate your ESA, which is where the ESA letter<\/a> comes in.<\/p>\n

An ESA letter is a document written by a licensed mental health care professional that states your need for the animal and how it helps with your mental or emotional disability. It\u2019s important to note that an ESA letter you obtain after speaking face-to-face (in person or online) with a licensed mental healthcare professional in your state is the only legitimate way<\/strong>\u00a0to validate your emotional support animal. Knowing that fact can arm you against potential scams in the future.<\/p>\n

If you have a disability such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you might qualify for an ESA letter; however, it is up to the mental health professional to verify this. Therefore, it is vital to see a qualified professional for an ESA letter rather than an agency that claims they can \u201cverify\u201d your animal without having you speak to a professional directly.<\/p>\n

Once you qualify, the mental health professional will provide you with a signed ESA letter on official letterhead that can be given to your landlord or housing provider.<\/p>\n

The Legal Benefits of an ESA Letter<\/h3>\n

Aside from verifying the emotional need for your emotional support animal, an ESA letter provides the following benefits:<\/p>\n