What Disabilities Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal? A Detailed List

An emotional support animal (ESA) is so much more than a pet. For people living with disabilities, an ESA can be a calming presence, a source of comfort, and even a lifeline.

Unfortunately, many landlords and housing providers don’t understand the life-changing impact of an ESA on a person with a disability, believing ESAs should fall under their no-pets policies.

Thankfully, this isn’t the case. If you’re living with a qualifying disability, you can legally get an ESA regardless of the landlord’s policies. To help you do so, this article will explain:

• Which disabilities qualify you for an ESA
• How the law treats physical disabilities when it comes to ESAs
• How to get an ESA for your disability

Are There Any Specific Mental Health Conditions That Qualify for an ESA?

Yes, there are specific mental health conditions under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Version 5 (DSM-5) that qualify for an ESA. The most common conditions include:

1. Anxiety disorders
2. Mood disorders
3. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
4. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
6. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
7. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

Below, we’ll discuss these disorders and the impact of ESAs in more detail.

Anxiety Disorders

Whether you’ve recently experienced anxiety or have lived with it for years, an official diagnosis by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) qualifies you for an ESA. This applies to various anxiety disorders, such as:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS)
• Anxiety disorder due to another medical condition
• Agoraphobia
• Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia)

Plenty of research has shown that interaction with pets can have beneficial effects on anxiety, mainly by triggering the release of oxytocin. Depending on your specific condition, this can manifest in various ways.

For example, knowing that you have a companion by your side can make you feel more confident about going outside and help combat agoraphobia. If you have GAD and find yourself spiraling, the goofy grin of a pug or a cat’s gentle purr can be all it takes to ease yourself back into the present.

That said, animals that require quite a bit of care (like cats and dogs) can have the opposite effect and make issues like maladaptive worry and caregiver burden worse. If that sounds familiar, it’s worth talking to your LMHP about lower-maintenance alternatives like rabbits.

Mood Disorders

From a sense of structure and purpose to stability during emotional peaks and valleys, an ESA makes living with a mood disorder much easier. That’s why they’re approved for a range of related conditions, most notably:

• Depressive disorder NOS
• Major depressive disorder recurrent
• Bipolar disorder NOS
• Bipolar I disorder
• Bipolar II disorder

The most commonly demonstrated effects of pets on mood disorders include:

• Improved physiological mood
• Higher motivation to exercise
• Decreased feelings of loneliness

The sole act of caring for another being can brighten up your day and alleviate symptoms of mood disorders. You’ll also know you have a non-judgmental friend who’s there during the ups and downs to help you ride the downswings more smoothly.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

When your mind keeps racing and the world around you seems chaotic, an ESA can be exactly what you need to feel grounded. People of all ages living with ADHD can enjoy the sense of routine that a pet brings, which can greatly improve their quality of life.

In one study, animal-assisted intervention for children with ADHD demonstrated many positive effects, such as:

• Improved attention problems
• Higher self-esteem
• Reduced learning and cognition problems
• Enhanced motor proficiency

Think of an ESA as a furry coach that helps you stay on track and maintain your schedule despite all the internal and external chaos. Regular walks, playtime, and feeding encourage routine, infusing the much-needed stability that people with ADHD can benefit from.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

For trauma survivors, an ESA isn’t only a source of comfort—they’re also a watchful buddy who ensures you’re not alone when triggering memories start flooding in. The mere action of petting your furball can break hypervigilance cycles and bouts of panic or anxiety, bringing a sense of safety and calm.

According to a qualitative study of adults with PTSD, respondents highlighted several positive effects of just having an animal around, most notably:

• Lessened symptoms of hypervigilance
• Increased sense of companionship
• Improved overall quality of life

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs stresses that an ESA isn’t a replacement for PTSD treatment and encourages trauma survivors to explore evidence-based options. Still, the department highlights the emotional benefits of ESAs, from bringing out feelings of love to providing companionship. In any case, the sole fact that ESAs are approved for PTSD is a testament to their value for trauma survivors.

Besides PTSD, an ESA can be approved for other trauma- and stressor-related disorders. Examples include disorders that are only diagnosed in children, like the reactive attachment disorder or the disinhibited social engagement disorder, as well as specific adjustment disorders like:

• Adjustment disorder with anxiety
• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
• Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood
• Adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People with OCD can often benefit from a healthy distraction that breaks rumination cycles, and an ESA can be an effective one. That’s why LMHPs sometimes recommend getting an ESA for both children and adults living with this condition.

As OCD is a complex disorder with many underlying factors, there hasn’t been much research that directly explains the impact of an ESA on it. Still, we do know that furry friends are experts at curbing the anxiety that can result in obsessive behaviors.

With this in mind, some of the main ways an ESA helps with OCD include:

• Diverting attention from obsessive thoughts
• Interrupting the loop of anxious thoughts
• Countering harmful compulsions through positive rituals

While ESAs don’t require any specific training, some owners can train their animals to interrupt them when they start performing obsessive or compulsive actions. For example, a dog can nudge the owner’s hand if they start scratching themselves obsessively.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

ESAs can have a tremendous positive effect on people on the autism spectrum, especially children and young adults. This is particularly true for those whose ASD significantly affects their social skills, so therapists often use animals as a social medium.

For example, a 2019 study found that animal-assisted activities (AAA) programs in school settings had a major impact on the social functioning of children with ASD. The key improvements included:

• Increased social approach behaviors
• Decreased social withdrawal
• Increased interest in attending school

In adults, the routines related to owning a pet can greatly improve the quality of life. Walking a dog around the neighborhood can encourage small talk with other pet owners, helping people with ASD engage in conversations in a low-pressure way.

The benefits of an ESA go far beyond social interaction. A fluffy friend can help with sensory regulation and ease anxiety or panic caused by loud or hectic environments. Petting a dog, hugging a kitten, or even watching a fish glide through the tank gives people with ASD a focal point that soothes their nervous system.

Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

An ESA can be particularly valuable for those with schizophrenia and other severe mental conditions that involve psychosis. Avolition, paranoia, and other symptoms can lead to isolation, and a pet offers unconditional, non-judgmental support that helps combat loneliness.

This kind of consistent presence and acceptance can mean the world to those who feel stigmatized because of their condition. A pet won’t flinch or leave when a psychotic episode starts. Instead, they’ll be there to offer support and a friendly presence.

More importantly, an ESA can even gently draw individuals with schizophrenia out of their heads and help them feel grounded. In a study discussing the impact of animals on people with long-term mental conditions (including schizophrenia), one respondent said that listening to his birds helped divert his attention from the voices in his head.

Quite a bit of research has shown similar effects. For example, a 2016 study showed that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) benefited individuals with schizophrenia in many ways, such as:

• Reduced hallucinations and delusions
• Increased motivation and affect
• Lower cortisol levels
• Improved quality of life

What About Physical Disabilities?

ESAs are almost exclusively reserved for individuals with mental health disabilities. In case of physical impairments, you can qualify for a service animal. Eligible disabilities include:

• Partial or complete blindness and deafness
• Diabetes
• Paralysis
• Epilepsy
• Seizures
• Speech problems

While ESAs and service animals might seem similar, they have notable differences, as seen below:

As you can see, service animals are available to people with physical disabilities and certain mental conditions recognized by the ADA, including:

• Autism
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• PTSD

If you have any overlapping conditions, you can choose between a service animal and an ESA. When making your decision, consider these factors:

• Type of support: If you only need emotional support and companionship, choose an ESA. If you also need an animal to perform specific tasks related to your disability, a service animal is a better option
• Public access: ESAs are mainly protected for housing purposes, while the ADA allows public access for service animals. If you need to take your companion to hotels, shops, and other public spaces, a service animal is a better option
• Animal species: As long as an animal can live safely in your environment, provides true emotional support, and isn’t a danger to others, it can qualify as an ESA. By contrast, the ADA only allows dogs (and miniature horses in rare cases) to act as service animals

How To Claim an ESA for Mental Health

To get an emotional support animal for mental illness (or register your current pet), you need to go through the following steps:

1. Find an LMHP: Look for a mental health professional practicing in the state you wish to find housing in
2. Undergo an evaluation: Let your LMHP evaluate your condition to provide a diagnosis and determine if you qualify for an ESA. Some LMHPs offer remote consultations, while others only perform in-person evaluations that require you to travel to their practice
3. Obtain an ESA letter: If your LMHP determines you have a qualifying condition, they’ll prescribe an ESA letter that makes you eligible for obtaining an animal or registering your existing one
4. Share the ESA letter with your landlord: Once you’ve got an ESA letter, submit it to your housing provider as proof you need an ESA. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlord must accommodate your condition regardless of their pet policies

While this process seems straightforward in theory, it’s not always smooth sailing. Individuals with mental health conditions often run into various obstacles while trying to obtain an ESA.

Common Challenges To Expect When Getting an ESA

Obtaining an ESA letter can drag out and stand in the way of your dream home. The main reasons for this include:

• Misinformation: Some people mistakenly believe they can get an ESA without an ESA letter or going through the official process. Besides preventing you from obtaining an ESA quickly, this can cause legal obstacles in case you try to circumvent the correct procedure
• Lack of an existing relationship with an LMHP: If you don’t have a therapist or another licensed professional, finding the right one can take a lot of research.
• Variations in local regulations: Besides federal regulations, some states have specific laws you must understand and comply with. For example, California requires a 30-day relationship with an LMHP, so you must factor this into the overall timeline

You can avoid these obstacles by working with an ESA letter provider that expedites the process. If you decide to do so, stay on the lookout for scams (which are sadly more common than you might think). Common red flags to look out for include:

If you need a trusted ESA letter provider to help you obtain a letter effortlessly and without risk, Your Service Animal is here to help.

Your Service Animal—The Easy Road to Your Friendly Companion

Your Service Animal makes obtaining an ESA letter safe, quick, and effortless. The entire procedure happens online, which helps those whose mental health conditions make it challenging to go outside.

After completing the free qualification quiz, you’ll be connected to a licensed professional in your state. This ensures an accurate evaluation and diagnosis, as well as full compliance with federal and state laws.

Other benefits you can enjoy include:

Obtain an ESA Effortlessly With Your Service Animal

If you’re ready to brighten up your life with a furry (or feathery or scaly) friend, you can start the ESA letter process in four 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