An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is a legal document written by a licensed mental health professional that states your animal provides emotional support that helps alleviate symptoms of a mental or emotional condition. It can help you qualify for housing rights under federal law—like avoiding pet fees or breed restrictions—without needing to pay a pet deposit.

Yes — when evaluations are performed and the letter is written by a licensed U.S. mental health professional qualified to do so. If so, your letter is legit and legally valid under federal housing laws. 

Yes, as long as the evaluation is conducted by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) in your state. Our assessments are conducted by licensed clinicians who are authorized to issue legal ESA documentation in your state.

Anyone experiencing emotional or mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or stress-related disorders may qualify. The first step is taking our free wellness assessment to help determine your eligibility.

Yes! At Just Big Dogs, evaluations are available most days of the week. Our licensed providers offer flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. Weekend processing times may be a little slower, but we do accept and review evaluations every day to keep your process moving.

We’ve simplified the process into 3 easy steps:

1. Take the free wellness assessment – It only takes a few minutes and helps us understand your needs.

2. Get evaluated by a licensed professional after you complete your checkout – If you qualify, your responses are reviewed by a licensed provider in your state.

3. Receive your official ESA letter – If approved, you’ll receive your ESA letter quickly—often within 24 hours of submitting your application. We offer priority same-day processing if you need it sooner.* This does not apply to the states that require a 30-day provider relationship before a letter can be issued. Priority processing for these states ensures that you are prioritized over other applications to evaluation and issuing of the letter. 

A PSD (Psychiatric Service Dog) Letter is a legal document from a licensed mental health professional confirming that your dog is trained (or in training) to help with a mental health disability. PSDs have broader rights than ESAs, including public access under the ADA.

An ESA letter gives your pet housing protections under the Fair Housing Act, but no public access rights. A PSD letter grants housing rights and public access rights, allowing you to take your dog into most public places, stores, and transportation, provided they are trained to perform tasks for your disability.

Yes. PSDs must be trained to perform specific tasks that help you manage your mental health condition — for example, interrupting panic attacks or reminding you to take medication. The training can be self-directed or professional. When you purchase a PSD letter from us, you will have direct access to our personalized self-training modules based on your dogs size, breed and your condition. 

That’s okay! With a PSD letter, your dog must be trained to perform tasks that help with your condition, but self-training is allowed. After purchase, you’ll also get access to our personalized self-training modules — step-by-step guidance to help you train your dog at home.

No. The law allows you to self-train your dog. Many people successfully train their own Psychiatric Service Dogs using positive reinforcement and task-specific training. We provide self-training modules after purchase to support you with clear, easy-to-follow steps based on your condition(s). This 12-week program allows you to train your dog with the necessary skills needed to qualify. 

You must have a diagnosed mental health condition recognized under the ADA, such as PTSD, severe anxiety, or depression, and your dog must be trained or in training to assist with that condition.

Five states — California, Iowa, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Montana — require a 30-day provider-patient relationship before a licensed professional can issue an ESA letter. This means your provider must have an ongoing relationship with you for at least 30 days before completing and signing your ESA documentation.

If you’re in one of these states and need faster assistance, you may qualify for a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letter if you have a dog that is trained, or currently in training, to assist with a mental health condition. PSD letters are not subject to the 30-day wait and may be issued the same day once your evaluation is complete.

Yes. Some states require a 30-day relationship with your provider before an ESA letter can be issued. PSD letters often do not have the same waiting requirement, making them a faster alternative for eligible clients.

Five states — California, Iowa, Louisiana, Arkansas and Montana — require a 30-day provider-patient relationship before an ESA letter can be issued. In these states, Same-Day Delivery does not bypass the 30-day requirement. However, upgrading to Same-Day Delivery will prioritize your application for immediate review and processing once the 30 days have passed.

If you have a dog that is trained or currently in training to assist with a mental health condition, you may qualify for a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letter instead. PSD letters are not subject to the 30-day wait in these states and may be issued the same day once your provider has completed the evaluation.

Our free ESA assessment is designed to help determine if you may qualify for an emotional support animal. It’s the first step in the process and mirrors many of the indicators that our providers use during evaluation. There’s no obligation and no payment required to take it. 

Once you complete the assessment:

• You’ll receive an Emotional Wellness result.

• Your responses will be reviewed by a licensed provider in your state (if you choose to continue).

• If approved, you’ll get your ESA letter, often within 24 hours.

You’re always in control—and there’s no risk thanks to our money-back guarantee.

If your provider determines that an ESA letter isn’t the right fit, you won’t be charged. Every evaluation is risk-free — no approvals, no payment.

That’s completely normal — many people aren’t sure at first. That’s why we created a free emotional wellness assessment. It helps identify whether you may benefit from an emotional support animal based on your current symptoms and situation. You’ll get instant feedback, including a personal result and guidance on next steps. It’s quick, pressure-free, and designed to help you make an informed decision.

We’re more than just a form. We built a platform dedicated to helping real people access legitimate ESA support:

• Trusted, licensed providers in your state

• Transparent pricing

• Fast turnaround (as quick as 24 hours)

• Full support from a U.S.-based care team

• Coverage for any animal that qualifies—big dogs, small dogs, cats and beyond

Yes. While we’re called JustBigDogs because we love big breeds, your ESA letter can apply to any animal that provides emotional support. That includes dogs (big and small), cats, rabbits, birds, and even less common pets. As long as the animal helps support your emotional wellness and is reasonable for your living situation, it may qualify. If you’re unsure, just start the evaluation — your provider will guide you.

Yes, ESA letters are typically valid for 12 months. We’ll send you renewal reminders before your letter expires, and we offer renewal discounts to make it easy to stay covered.

ESA letters are protected under the Fair Housing Act, which means landlords must provide reasonable accommodation. However, most airlines no longer recognize ESAs under the Air Carrier Access Act—so ESA letters apply primarily to housing situations, not travel. *Some international airlines do still allow, so we recommend you check with your airline directly prior to your travel date. 

Yes. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must accept emotional support animals with a valid letter from a licensed mental health professional. They cannot charge pet fees or deny housing due to breed or size.

Yes. With a valid ESA letter, landlords must typically waive pet-related fees and cannot enforce breed or size restrictions, as long as the animal doesn’t pose a direct threat or cause substantial damage.

An ESA supports emotional and mental health but doesn’t require specialized training. A service animal, on the other hand, is trained to perform specific tasks for someone with a disability (such as guiding the visually impaired). ESA rights apply to housing, while service animal rights apply to both housing and public places.

Your application is typically reviewed and processed within 24 hours on most days. Orders that are placed before 5 PM ET are sometimes completed the same day, while those placed after business hours may still be processed that evening if your licensed health professional is available, but this is not guaranteed.

For urgent needs, we offer Same-Day Delivery as an upgrade at checkout, which prioritizes your application for review and processing during business hours, if ordered before the 5pm ET cut-off. Otherwise, those applications will be prioritized for the next business day morning. 

In the five states that require a 30-day provider-patient relationship before an ESA letter can be issued (California, Iowa, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Montana), Same-Day Digital Delivery does not shorten this waiting period. However, it ensures your application is placed at the front of the line for review and processing as soon as the 30 days have passed.

If you have a dog that is trained or currently in training to assist with a mental health condition, you may qualify for a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letter instead. PSD letters are not subject to the 30-day wait in these states and may be issued the same day once your provider completes the evaluation.

Your application is prioritized for review as soon as it’s submitted. Orders before 5 PM ET are usually completed the same day. Orders after 5 PM ET may still be completed that evening if your licensed health professional is available; otherwise, they’re prioritized for processing the next business morning.

Yes, in some cases. If you have more than one pet that provides therapeutic benefits, your provider may include both in your ESA letter—depending on your circumstances and their professional judgment.

A service animal is trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability and is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional support animals are not task-trained but offer emotional and mental health benefits. ESA letters fall under housing protection — not public access.

Yes. We accept HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) cards for your telehealth mental-health evaluation. Just enter your benefits card at checkout like a normal debit or credit card.

Because our evaluations are performed by licensed clinicians, they qualify as eligible medical expenses. That means you can use your HSA or FSA card with confidence, just like you would at a doctor’s office or pharmacy.

Yes. Once approved by your licensed clinician, you’ll receive a secure digital copy of your ESA letter by email. You can download and use it right away for housing requests.

This optional upgrade includes:
• A Certificate of Recognition for your emotional support animal
• A professionally printed copy of your ESA letter
Both are mailed to your address via the U.S. Postal Service.

No. The only required document for housing accommodations is your clinician-approved ESA letter.
The certificate is an optional keepsake that many people enjoy having for display or easy presentation.

Most landlords accept digital ESA letters, as they are legally valid. Some may prefer a printed copy, which is why many clients choose the Certificate & Printed Letter Package.

Your digital ESA letter is delivered same day once approved.
Printed materials ship through the U.S. Postal Service and typically arrive within 3–7 business days.

Yes. If you are approved for more than one ESA, a certificate and printed letter can be provided for each approved animal.

JustBigDogs is a platform that connects individuals with licensed mental health professionals. Your ESA letter is issued by a licensed provider in your state—not by JustBigDogs directly.