You must get a letter of prescription from a licensed medical professional (listed below) stating you need an emotional support animal for a mental or psychiatric disability that is recognized by the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It's better to contact a doctor or therapist directly rather than through a 3rd party website because most, if not all, are scams.
From there, any pet you own can become your ESA. However not all pets make good candidates. The rule of thumb is that the pet should be manageable, calm, quiet, and well behaved in public and at home. Only the Fair Housing Act officially covers ESAs. However, there are exceptions to the law if your pet misbehaves. (I'll go into more detail in another post).
Who specially can prescribe an ESA?
Primary Care Physician
Licensed Mental Health Professional (including psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist)
Licensed Therapist
Licensed General Physician
You must be an active patient of one of these licensed medical professionals and have a disorder recognized by the DSM in order to receive an ESA letter. Online websites that promote quick turnaround with a "doctor" you've never met before are usually scams. Especially if they use an impersonal online "quiz" and tote "registries" or "certificates." For which there are no officially recognized form of any of these.
What disorders are recognized by the DSM and could benefit from an ESA?( This is not a comprehensive list)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety disorders
Learning disabilities
Major Depressive disorder
Intellectual disabilities
Motor skills disorders
PTSD
Bipolar disorder/mood disorder
Schizophrenia
Only your licensed medical professional can determine whether they feel your disorder qualifies for an ESA or if they feel it suits your needs. Whether you have these disorders or not doesn't necessarily mean you will get an ESA letter. It's something you must actively discuss with your Primary Doctor or Therapist.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation and lack of education amongst the public when it comes to ESAs and Service Animals. Not all medical professionals are even aware of the laws and differences between them. So if you approach your doctor about getting an Emotional Support Animal and they are unsure of the process, you may need to find someone else who does.
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