ESA Evaluations
Support that's
clinically rooted,
compassionately given
"Sometimes the most profound healing doesn't come from words or medicine, but from the quiet, steady presence of an animal by your side."Schedule a Consult
ESA evaluations conducted by a licensed mental health professional — thoughtful, ethical, and grounded in your clinical needs.
What Is an ESA Evaluation?
A clinical assessment,
not just a letter
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) evaluation is a clinical assessment conducted by a licensed mental health professional to determine whether an individual qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal under federal guidelines.
Unlike service animals, which are trained to perform specific tasks, ESAs provide comfort and emotional stability through their presence and companionship. The evaluation ensures your need for animal support is thoughtfully considered and appropriately documented within a mental health framework.
If clinically appropriate, our provider may issue an ESA letter as documentation — most often used to request reasonable housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act.
Who This Is For & What It Covers
Understanding your options
Purpose of an ESA Evaluation
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Assess whether an animal provides meaningful emotional benefit for someone with a mental health condition.
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Request reasonable housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) — such as waiving pet restrictions, deposits, or breed limitations.
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Provide clinical documentation of your mental health need in a way that is ethical, professional, and legally recognized.
Who Might Seek an ESA Evaluation
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Individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder, or other mental health conditions.
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Those who notice meaningful improvement in emotional regulation or stress relief in the presence of their animal.
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Anyone who needs official documentation to request housing accommodations based on their mental health needs.
A Note on Eligibility
What the evaluation covers
"An ESA evaluation ensures that your need for animal support is thoughtfully considered and appropriately documented within a mental health framework."
The Gentle Paw
Schedule Your EvaluationPlease Note
Emotional Support Animals are no longer recognized under the Air Carrier Access Act for air travel accommodations. Airlines are not required to accept ESAs, and most have discontinued doing so. Only psychiatric service dogs with proper documentation and training may qualify for air travel accommodations.
Getting Started
The evaluation process
Schedule a Consult
Book a free consultation to discuss your situation, your animal, and whether an ESA evaluation is the right next step for you.
Clinical Assessment
A licensed mental health professional conducts a thorough evaluation of your mental health needs and the role your animal plays in your wellbeing.
ESA Letter Issued
If clinically appropriate, you receive a professionally prepared ESA letter suitable for housing accommodation requests under the Fair Housing Act.
Ongoing Support
ESA letters may require periodic renewal. We're here to support your continued mental health needs, not just provide a one-time document.
Provider Referrals
Referring a client?
We make it easy.
We welcome referrals from physicians, therapists, psychiatrists, and other licensed providers. Submitting a referral form on behalf of your client helps us expedite the intake process and ensures we have the clinical context needed to conduct a thorough, appropriate evaluation.
ESA evaluations are a billable service and we accept insurance for this evaluation. Please visit our Fees page for details on accepted plans and rates.
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Faster Intake A completed referral form gives us the clinical context we need upfront, reducing back-and-forth and speeding up scheduling for your client.
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Insurance Accepted We accept insurance for ESA evaluations. Your client may have little to no out-of-pocket cost depending on their plan.
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Clinically Grounded All evaluations are conducted by a licensed mental health professional. We take documentation seriously — no letters without a proper assessment.
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Collaborative Care We're happy to coordinate with your office and keep you informed, with appropriate releases in place.
Provider Referral Form
To refer a client, email us to request our referral form. Once completed and returned, we'll reach out to your client directly to schedule their evaluation — typically within 2–3 business days.
Insurance accepted for ESA evaluations. Visit our Fees page for a full list of accepted plans and self-pay rates.
Ready to Get Started?
Your need for support
deserves to be documented well
Schedule a consultation with our licensed clinician to discuss your situation and take the next step with confidence.