For individuals suffering from mental health conditions, such as PTSD and other anxiety disorders, going on with their daily lives can be difficult on its own. Their lives become even more difficult when they’re faced with situations that force them out of their comfort zones, such as traveling on a plane or staying in an unfamiliar sort of accommodation.

With something as delicate as mental health conditions, therapy is always customized to satisfy the needs of patients. In this case, many patients find great support and safety in having their pets by their sides in difficult and new situations. These are the situations when their pets can be considered their emotional support animals, but they need official proof to be able to have them by their sides at all times. When doing this with a partner, make sure that you both choose the animal together so that you find one that fits perfectly into your little family. Chewy is a great resource to shop and learn more about pets.

In order to get an emotional support animal (ESA) letter that’s widely accepted, you need to do the following.

1. Get Proof of Your Mental Health Condition

The first step is to get an expert testifying about the legitimacy of your mental health condition. To do that, you can do the following:

a. Seek Therapy

If you’re still new to this condition, or in case you don’t have a therapist, you should seek one. Aside from needing their medical opinion to apply for an ESA letter, having the counsel of a therapist is important to help you in dealing with, and overcoming, the issues you’re facing.

b. Ask Your Doctor

If you already have a trusted doctor whom you constantly seek for advice, then you can get started there. It’s best if your doctor is a certified psychologist or therapist. In case your doctor of choice is specialized in a different department of nutrition supplements for dogs medicine, then ask them to recommend a licensed psychiatrist for you to visit. They should also brief the psychiatrist about your condition; that way, it will be more legitimate.

c. Seek an LMHP

Legitimate ESA letters have some requirements, one of which is to be issued by a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP). To cut your visits to physicians short, try to seek therapists, psychotherapists, psychologists, nurses, or any other physicians who have acquired this license.

2. Apply for an ESA Recommendation Letter

There are a few steps in getting an ESA recommendation letter. These steps include the following:

a. Get Recommended

After getting in touch with an LMHP, they’ll conduct their own examination to make sure you qualify for having an ESA letter. Once they’re certain of your need for this letter, they’ll write you an official ESA recommendation letter.

b. Online Application

There are also many online sources where you can get an ESA recommendation letter. Getting your ESA letter online can bypass a lot of the hassle of the other methods, and if you click here, you’ll find easy steps to follow to get your letter. After going through a free and confidential screening test, you can get your official ESA letter in no time.

c. What the Letter Should Include

An official ESA recommendation letter should include the following:

1. The mental health expert’s letterhead, signature, date of insurance, and license information.
2. Confirmation of your need for an emotional support animal
3. A recommendation for an ESA letter, commonly referred to as “prescription”.
4. Your name and the preferred pet can be included, but they’re not necessary.

d. Pay for The Letter

Following the issuance of the letter, you’ll be required to pay for it. The prices of this letter vary according to your location, ESA regulations, and issuing practitioner.

e. Choose Your Support Animal

You might already have a pet that you’re most comfortable with, but in case you don’t have one yet, this is when you should consider your options. Make sure to prepare your house for your pet’s accommodation and alert your landlord about your letter if necessary.

3. Difficulties You Might Face

Despite the legitimate need for an emotional support animal by many individuals, there are some difficulties you might face in getting your letter. For starters, many physicians aren’t convinced of the efficiency of this kind of treatment.

Others have been visited by many individuals trying to abuse the need for an ESA despite not needing them. On the other hand, many online sources offer scam letters for cheap prices, and these letters won’t be accepted anywhere you go. The best thing you can do is to absorb all the information you can prior to asking a doctor, and follow the additional recommendations on this process from a reputable service like US Service Animals.

Having an emotional support animal by their side at all times can greatly benefit individuals suffering from mental and emotional health conditions. However, they’ll be required to show official proof in many places that have strict regulations against the presence of pets, such as airplanes or hotel rooms. To be able to take their ESA pets without facing any extra charges, these individuals can issue an ESA letter by the recommendation of an LHMP.