Free ESA Letter Template Examples | No More Wingin’ It, Here’s How To Get It Right!

When it comes to living with an emotional support animal (ESA), an ESA letter is the only difference between “Sorry, no pets allowed” and “Welcome home.“

This single document holds the power to secure your animal buddy’s presence in your dream home, so it’s naturally tempting to use an ESA letter template to speed up the process.

Yes, templates have their place (like helping therapists draft letters efficiently) which is why we’ve included sample formats below for reference. However, there’s a big difference between using a template as a guide and printing out random samples from the internet and using them to bypass pet policies.

In this guide, we’ll share some emotional support animal letter template examples to give you an idea of what an ESA letter might look like. However, since templates aren’t the complete solution, we’ll also cover:

• What landlords (and the law) actually look for in your letter
• Why getting a professional ESA letter written by a real professional is safer and more effective in the long run
• How to get the proper documentation easily and stress-free

Why Do You Need an ESA Letter?

An ESA letter issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) grants you housing protections under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), the main law regulating ESAs. The FHA requires landlords and housing providers to make “reasonable accommodations” for your ESA, meaning:

• Landlords can’t charge you pet deposits or monthly pet rent
• They can’t deny your ESA because of breed or size restrictions
• They have to accept you and your animal friend even in pet-free buildings

Without the right paperwork, landlords might treat your furry companion like a regular pet, and you’ll lose out on the benefits designed for ESAs.

You don’t need any other ESA registration or fancy certificate that some online platforms advertise. In fact, there’s no government-approved ESA registry, so any service selling these fake registrations is likely a scam. An official ESA letter from an LMHP is the only legitimate piece of documentation you’ll ever need.

What Should Your ESA Letter Include?

Not all ESA letters carry the same weight—some are as good as a sticky note that says, “Trust me, my dog’s a therapist.” To hold up legally, your ESA letter should come on the LMHP’s official letterhead and include:

• The LMHP’s name, signature, National Provider Identification number, state license number, and contact details
• Your full name and a statement confirming you have a mental health condition listed in the DSM-5-TR (details of your diagnosis aren’t required)
• Clear recommendation for a support animal as part of your treatment plan
• A description of the animal it applies to, if possible

3 Free Sample Emotional Support Animal Letter Templates for LMHPs

To show you what ESA letters look like, we’ve curated three free ESA letter template samples suited for different scenarios. These can serve as helpful starting points for your mental health professional or give you an idea of what to expect:

1. Sample ESA letter for housing
2. ESA letter for multiple animals
3. ESA renewal letter for existing patients

Disclaimer: These ESA letter templates should be personalized and filled out by a licensed professional after a thorough medical evaluation. They’re not meant to be a DIY solution—using them without medical oversight may result in legal rejection or penalties.

Sample ESA Letter for Housing

[Official Letterhead]

[Address]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

[Date]

RE: Emotional Support Animal Recommendation for [Your name]

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to confirm that [Your name] has been under my professional care since [Month/Year]. After thorough evaluation and ongoing treatment, I have diagnosed [Your name] with a mental health condition that qualifies as a disability under the Fair Housing Act. This condition, which is outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), substantially limits one or more major life activities.

As part of [Your name]’s comprehensive treatment plan, I have prescribed an emotional support animal to alleviate symptoms associated with their diagnosed condition. The presence of an emotional support animal has been clinically determined to be essential in mitigating the symptoms related to [Your name]’s diagnosis and improving their day-to-day functioning.

Please allow [Your name] to be accompanied by their emotional support animal as part of reasonable accommodations under the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Should you refuse this reasonable accommodation, please be advised that [Your name] has the right to file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for discrimination.

This letter is valid for one year from the date issued above, after which time [Your name]’s condition and need for an emotional support animal should be reevaluated.

Sincerely,

[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]

[Mental Health Professional’s Printed Name], [Credentials]

[License Type and Number]

ESA Letter for Multiple Animals

[Official Letterhead]

[Address]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

[Date]

To Whom It May Concern:

[Your name] is under my care and has been receiving professional treatment as part of my practice as a licensed [type of mental health professional].

Following a comprehensive assessment and ongoing therapeutic intervention, I have determined that [Your name] has a mental health disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act. This condition, which is in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) handbook, significantly impairs their ability to perform daily activities.

Due to the nature and severity of their condition, they require the therapeutic presence of multiple animals to effectively manage their symptoms and maintain their well-being. Specifically, I am prescribing the following animals as an integral component of [Your name]’s treatment plan:

• 1. A [breed] dog, who provides grounding and tactile stimulation during anxiety episodes

• 2. A [breed/type] cat, who offers consistent companionship that helps alleviate symptoms of depression

The presence of both animals has been clinically determined to be essential in mitigating different aspects of [Your name]’s diagnosis and improving their day-to-day functioning in a way that a single animal cannot provide.

This constitutes a reasonable accommodation request under the Fair Housing Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Denial of this accommodation may be considered disability discrimination, potentially resulting in a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

This recommendation remains valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Professional regards, 

[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]

[Mental Health Professional’s Printed Name], [Credentials]

[License Type and Number]

ESA Renewal Letter for Existing Patients

[Official Letterhead]

[Address]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

[Date]

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter serves as a renewal of the emotional support animal authorization previously issued for my patient, [Your name], on [Original letter date]. I continue to serve as [Your name]’s mental health provider, maintaining our therapeutic relationship since [Original start date].

During our recent evaluation on [Recent evaluation date], I confirmed that [Your name] continues to experience symptoms of their previously diagnosed mental health condition. This condition still meets the criteria for disability as defined by the Fair Housing Act and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), as it substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Based on documented therapeutic benefits observed over the past year, I am renewing my recommendation for my client’s emotional support animal, a [animal type and species/breed]. The continued presence of this support animal remains medically necessary and constitutes an essential component of my patient’s ongoing treatment plan.

This renewal authorization is valid for one year from the date of this letter.

Respectfully,

[Mental Health Professional’s Signature]

[Mental Health Professional’s Printed Name], [Credentials]

[License Type and Number]

The Problem With Using ESA Letter Templates

While it’s purr-fectly fine for your therapist to use a template as a framework or reference, what you present to your landlord can’t be a general or vague auto-generated document that you downloaded from a random website. To have any legal bite, the letter must be personalized, professional, and tied to a real patient-therapist relationship.

Before you copy and paste your way to an ESA letter, consider these three significant issues that could arise:

1. Missing key details and legal essentials
2. Possible rejection by landlords or housing providers
3. Potential legal and compliance issues

Missing Key Details and Legal Essentials

If you’re downloading and filling out a generic emotional support animal letter template from the internet, you’re essentially getting a document that’s worth less than the paper it’s printed on. That’s because a template won’t contain the necessary information required for an ESA letter to be legally valid, including:

Possible Rejection by Landlords or Housing Providers

A self-created or purchased ESA letter template is an easy target for scrutiny by knowledgeable landlords or housing authorities. When your landlord identifies those telltale template signs, there can be serious consequences:

• You could lose your dream apartment to another applicant while you scramble for legitimate documentation
• Some landlords flag “suspicious” ESA requests in tenant screening reports, leaving a permanent mark on your housing record and making future rentals harder
• If your letter fails mid-lease, you could face pet fees (retroactively), along with eviction threats and other penalties

Potential Legal and Compliance Issues

Let’s not sugarcoat it—using a DIY template without proper professional backing could land you in the “fraud zone.” And that’s not a fun place to be! We’re talking about possible fines, an eviction notice, or, in some cases, a date with the legal system (and not the kind that ends with dinner and a movie).

For example, in Florida, misrepresenting an animal as an emotional support animal is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor. You could face criminal penalties, including possible jail time and fines of up to $500 for presenting fake ESA documentation.

How To Choose a Legitimate ESA Letter Provider (and Avoid Legal Troubles)

ESA template letters can be risky. But here’s the good news—getting a real ESA letter isn’t complicated if you know what to look for. By working with a legitimate provider from the start, you can avoid the legal gray areas and last-minute panic.

Here’s what to look for in a trustworthy ESA letter service:

• Professional network of LMHPs—Choose a service that connects you to a currently licensed therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified LMHP in your state 
• Compliance with laws—The service should follow all the federal and state-specific legal standards and provide a letter that includes all the necessary details, including the LMHP’s license numbers that can be verified through state boards
• Real clinical evaluation—Legit providers require a comprehensive in-person or telehealth medical consultation to assess your need for an ESA. Avoid services that offer “instant approval” with no evaluation
• Transparent pricing—Legitimate services charge for the professional’s time and expertise, not a flashy certification or registration. Stay away from websites that sell suspiciously cheap ESA letters or shady upsells like ESA IDs, vests, or tags

Looking for a service that checks all these boxes? We have the perfect solution—Your Service Animal. The service cuts through the noise with a 100% online process that gets you a legally compliant ESA letter, giving you peace of mind without the waiting room visits or complicated paperwork.

Your Service Animal—Get a Legally Compliant ESA Letter Online

Your Service Animal connects you with a licensed mental health professional in your state who can assess your specific needs and write a fully compliant ESA letter upon approval. The best part? The entire process is streamlined to offer you the speed and convenience you and your furry friend deserve.

Here’s what you get with Your Service Animal:

Get an ESA Letter ASAP

Getting an official ESA letter with Your Service Animal takes a few simple steps:

1. Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
2. Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
3. Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
4. Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter