The easiest, fastest way to get a legitimate ESA letter in Michigan

  • Schedule an appointment with a licensed therapist in a few clicks
  • Your ESA letter is legally compliant with all state and federal law
  • 100% money-back guarantee if your ESA letter is not approved or accepted

The Process

1

60 second survey

Answer a few questions about your mental health concerns.

2

Meet with a therapist

We'll connect you with a licensed mental health professional in your state.

3

Get your ESA letter

Receive your legally compliant ESA letter in 24 - 48 hours if approved. Get a full refund if you're not.

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Get 100% of your money back if you’re not approved or your ESA letter is not accepted.

Fair Housing Protection

Live anywhere with your ESA—no pet rent or deposits.

Covers All Housing

Apartments, condos, or houses—your rights are secured.

Legally Valid

Fully licensed and state-recognized, meeting all federal guidelines.

Money Back Guarantee

Guaranteed acceptance, or your money back.

Choose your Location

Get an Emotional Support Animal in Michigan

Life feeling too heavy to handle? Sometimes, the most effective remedy comes with a wagging tail and unwavering devotion. At Your Service Animal, we’re making it easier for Michigan residents to connect with licensed mental health professionals who understand it all.

No busy waiting areas. No stigma. Just convenient virtual consultations with qualified therapists who recognize the profound connection you share with your animal companion. They’ll assess whether an emotional support animal (ESA) letter suits your circumstances, securing housing protections for you and your faithful friend anywhere from Ann Arbor apartments to Traverse City rentals.

Our network of Michigan-based professionals isn’t just ticking administrative boxes—they’re fostering an environment where your mental health concerns receive genuine attention. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or just the overwhelming pressure of daily life in the Great Lakes State, we’re ready to explore how an animal companion might be the support system you’ve been searching for.

get started

Qualifying for an ESA in Michigan

Emotional support animals provide comfort to those managing mental health difficulties. While many benefit from animal companionship, ESA letters are specifically intended for people whose symptoms significantly impact their everyday functioning throughout the Great Lakes State. Qualifying conditions include:

  • Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder)
  • Depression and mood disorders
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Grief and adjustment disorders
  • Insomnia and sleep disorders
  • Phobias
get started

Our Assessment Process

When you connect with one of our certified Michigan therapists, they conduct a comprehensive assessment following clinical standards from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)—the authoritative reference utilized by mental health practitioners throughout Michigan.

Our mental health professionals take this evaluation beyond merely recognizing symptoms. They analyze:

  • How your symptoms affect your everyday functioning
  • The intensity and persistence of your condition
  • Whether an animal’s presence noticeably alleviates symptoms
  • If an ESA would function as a beneficial component in your complete mental health treatment plan
  • The effectiveness of previously attempted interventions

This thorough methodology ensures that ESA letters are provided to those who will genuinely benefit from animal companionship as an element of their mental health care strategy. The assessment generally involves a detailed conversation about your mental health history, current symptoms, and the specific ways an ESA might help in your particular circumstances.

Our Michigan-based therapists maintain the strictest ethical principles, advocating for an ESA only when it’s clinically appropriate for your individual situation.

get started

ESA Laws

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) functions as the key federal regulation protecting ESA owners throughout Michigan. It states that:

  • Property managers must provide “reasonable accommodations” for tenants with ESAs, even in buildings with no-pet policies
  • Residents with ESAs aren’t required to pay pet deposits or monthly pet rent
  • Housing providers can’t deny residence based on breed, weight, or species limitations that typically apply to regular pets
  • Landlords may not request training certifications or registration paperwork
  • A legitimate ESA letter from a licensed Michigan mental health professional is the only necessary documentation
get started

Michigan ESA Laws

When it comes to emotional support animals, Michigan follows federal law and doesn’t have any ESA-specific state regulations. Still, some sections of other state laws may complement the FHA-prescribed rules, showing why an ESA letter is essential for carefree co-living with your animal:

get started

Legal Challenges

In Cox v. East Bay Manufactured Home Community and Hastings Mutual Insurance Company (2016), a Michigan resident faced eviction from East Bay Manufactured Home Community in Fenton due to the presence of their emotional support animal, a pit bull named Kylee, which was prohibited under the property’s insurance policy. After legal intervention, the case was settled for $40,000, and both the housing provider and the insurance company agreed to modify their policies regarding ESAs.

get started

What Makes an ESA Letter Legal and Valid in Michigan

Only licensed mental health professionals can legally issue ESA letters. This includes therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed counselors, and clinical social workers with a valid license to practice in Michigan.

These professionals must have an adequate understanding of your mental health condition to confidently recommend adding an emotional support animal to your treatment plan.

If you’re seeking an ESA evaluation online (via telehealth), Michigan state regulations have specific requirements to ensure the process is legitimate:

  • Your assessment must include a live video consultation with the therapist—questionnaires, texts, or phone calls by themselves aren’t legitimate
  • The mental health professional must be licensed to practice in Michigan, regardless of their physical location
  • The professional needs to properly evaluate your condition through meaningful interaction
get started

Types of Emotional Support Animals in Michigan

Emotional support animals can be almost any species that provides comfort and helps reduce symptoms of psychological or emotional conditions. While cats and dogs are the most common across Michigan’s rural and urban areas, many residents receive meaningful support from various animal companions:

  • Small rodents (guinea pigs, hamsters, rats)
  • Reptiles (bearded dragons, geckos)
  • Rabbits
  • Miniature pigs
  • Cats
  • Fish/aquarium setups
  • Miniature horses
  • Ferrets
  • Dogs (all breeds qualify)
  • Ducks
  • Chickens
  • Birds (parrots, cockatiels, canaries)

What’s important isn’t the species but the therapeutic advantage the animal delivers to the person with a disability. In Michigan courts, judges generally uphold this principle, even in situations involving more unconventional support animals—like emotional support chikens.

get started

How an Emotional Support Animal Can Help

As research continues to show, emotional support animals provide significant benefits for those with mental health conditions, including:

  • Housing security: Legal protections for ESA owners help ensure that your support animal can remain in accommodations that might otherwise forbid pets
  • Establishing routine: Animal care provides structure and purpose, which can be vital for managing various mental health conditions
  • Sense of security: Many people report experiencing greater safety and comfort with an animal companion nearby
  • Reduced anxiety: Animal interaction releases oxytocin while lowering cortisol levels, decreasing stress and anxiety
  • Alleviating depression: An ESA’s companionship and unconditional affection can reduce the feeling of isolation and contribute to a better mood
  • Crisis prevention: ESAs may provide grounding during intensely emotional situations, potentially averting mental health crises
  • Increased physical activity: Even basic animal care typically involves movement, which has documented mental health advantages
  • Decreased loneliness: ESAs deliver social support and companionship that can alleviate feelings of isolation

In addition to these advantages, ESAs provide a unique bond that many find life-changing in their mental health journey. This connection proves especially valuable in Michigan communities where long winters and seasonal affective disorder can intensify feelings of isolation.

get started

Is an ESA Right for You?

Every person has unique mental health needs, and an emotional support animal might not be appropriate for all situations. Consulting with a qualified mental health professional who can properly evaluate your specific case is the most reliable method to decide if an ESA could benefit your particular circumstances.

Our quick screening helps determine whether you may benefit from an ESA and if arranging a session with one of our licensed Michigan therapists would be valuable for your situation. You’re under no commitment to continue, and we keep your information completely private.

This assessment was designed by mental health professionals to identify if your symptoms and personal circumstances correspond with conditions that generally show improvement with ESA companionship.

Your mental well-being matters. Start your path forward today.

get started

ESA Letter FAQs for Michigan

What are the requirements for an emotional support animal?

An ESA requires no special training but must be reasonably well-behaved and not pose a threat to others. The key requirement is a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional registered and practicing in Michigan who has evaluated your condition.

Does anxiety qualify for an emotional support animal?

Yes, anxiety disorders are among the most common qualifying conditions for emotional support animals. Still, your mental health provider will need to determine if your anxiety substantially limits one or more major life activities.

How do you prove a pet is an emotional support animal?

The only legitimate proof is an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional in Michigan. Registration certificates or ID cards purchased online aren’t legally recognized as proof of ESA status.

What diagnosis qualifies for an emotional support animal?

Qualifying conditions include anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, phobias, and other mental and emotional health conditions that significantly impact daily functioning. The key factor isn’t the specific diagnosis but the degree to which it affects your life.

Does Michigan state allow emotional support animals?

Yes, Michigan follows federal laws that recognize emotional support animals as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. Michigan doesn’t have additional state-specific ESA laws beyond federal protections.

Can landlords charge for ESA in Michigan?

No, landlords can’t charge pet deposits, pet fees, or pet rent for legitimate emotional support animals. However, tenants remain financially responsible for any damage caused by their ESA.

Can a landlord deny an emotional support animal in Michigan?

A landlord can only deny an ESA in very limited circumstances, such as if the specific animal poses a direct threat to others or would cause substantial property damage. General no-pet policies, breed restrictions, or weight limits don’t apply to ESAs.

Do ESA letters expire in Michigan?

No, there’s no universal expiration date for ESA letters under federal law. Still, most mental health professionals suggest renewing your letter every year to demonstrate an ongoing need for an ESA. If your Michigan ESA letter is outdated, reach out to Your Service Animal to get a new one within just a few days.

Get Your ESA Letter Started Today

100% compliant, 100% money-back guarantee.

Get Started