That’s a great first question to ask!

We try our best to make the process simple and transparent. We ensure everything is handled the right way, so your documents are provided by a trusted source. If you’re interested in an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter, the first step is to start therapy with one of our licensed clinicians.

In accordance with state law, before an ESA letter can be issued, we’ll work together for at least 30 days and ask that you complete a minimum of four sessions to be sure we fully understand your needs and that an ESA is the right fit for your treatment plan.

ESA letters are valid for one year, and renewals can be scheduled yearly to make sure your needs and documentation stay up to date.

For more details about how it all works, including costs and eligibility, check out our ESA Fact Sheet.

Be cautious of websites offering instant ESA letters or “guaranteed approvals.” Valid ESA letters can only be issued by a licensed mental health professional after a proper evaluation and ongoing care.

It depends on two things — your clinical need and the type of animal you have.

An animal may qualify as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) if a licensed mental health professional determines that its presence provides emotional comfort or reduces symptoms of a mental health condition as part of your treatment plan.

Under HUD and Arkansas law, ESAs must be common household animals that can safely and reasonably live indoors. Examples include:

• Dogs

• Cats

• Rabbits

• Small birds

• Hamsters or guinea pigs

• Fish or turtles

Requests for unusual or exotic animals (such as snakes, ferrets, or farm animals) require strong clinical justification and may not be approved by housing providers.

Please note, our clinic only provides ESA letters for common household animals. We are unable to issue documentation for exotic, dangerous, or non-traditional animals, as doing so falls outside the scope of our clinical practice and the professional standards we follow for ESA evaluations.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are no longer recognized under the Air Carrier Access Act.

Airlines are not required to accommodate ESAs in the cabin and may treat them as regular pets, with standard carrier and fee requirements.

Some airlines may still choose to allow ESAs, but policies vary widely. We recommend contacting your airline directly before traveling.

Note: Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs) are still covered under federal travel laws if properly trained to perform specific tasks related to a mental health disability.

ESAs are considered assistance animals, not service animals.

Service animals are highly trained to perform specific tasks, whereas an ESA is often not. For example, a service dog will get help when its owner has a panic attack. A seeing-eye dog guides someone with visual impairments. There are many service animals, but remember that a service dog and an emotional support animal differ.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which allows individuals with qualifying disabilities to live with their ESA, even in housing that doesn’t typically allow pets.

Housing providers must make reasonable accommodations without charging pet fees or deposits, as long as the ESA documentation meets HUD’s standards.

However, landlords may deny a request if the animal poses a direct threat to others, causes property damage, or if the request lacks sufficient clinical basis.

Air travel: ESAs are no longer covered by the Air Carrier Access Act. Airlines may treat ESAs as pets. Always confirm your airline’s current policy.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Our providers evaluate each client individually before issuing an ESA letter.

To qualify, clients must complete a minimum of four sessions and maintain an active therapeutic relationship for at least 30 days.

This ensures the letter is clinically appropriate and compliant with Arkansas State Law and HUD guidelines.

ESA letters require a therapeutic relationship of at least 30 days and four completed sessions before they can be issued.

This process ensures recommendations are clinically appropriate and supported by evidence-based assessment and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

ESA letters are valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually through a follow-up session with your provider.

ESA letters must be renewed every 12 months to remain valid. To renew, you’ll need a follow-up session with your therapist to review your current mental health needs and confirm that an ESA is still clinically appropriate.

If you haven’t had a session in the last 60 days, you’ll need to re-establish care before a new letter can be issued.

The renewal fee is $75, which covers the time and administrative work required to update your documentation. While the therapy sessions may be billed to insurance, insurance does not cover the cost of the ESA letter and administrative work itself.

We recommend requesting renewal at least 45 days before your current letter expires to prevent any gap in documentation and to ensure we can get you seen in the appropriate timeframe.

We currently provide Emotional Support Animal (ESA) evaluations and letters only for Arkansas residents.

To qualify, you must be an active client and AR resident with an established therapeutic relationship at our practice and meet clinical criteria indicating that an ESA is part of your mental health treatment plan.

If you live outside Arkansas or plan to move outside Arkansas, we’re unable to provide ESA evaluations or documentation due to state licensing laws and telehealth regulations. The letter we provide will only be valid for Arkansas use and will not transfer if you move states.