An ESA letter is a document from a licensed mental health professional that confirms your need for an emotional support animal. In Florida, it protects your right to live with your pet in housing that might otherwise restrict animals or charge pet fees.

Yes. Every ESA letter is issued by a licensed mental health professional from the state of Florida — never automated. In Florida, as long as your letter comes from a licensed provider, it is legally valid for housing protections.

Yes. As long as the letter is written by a qualified mental health professional licensed in the state of Florida, ESA letters obtained through secure telehealth platforms are legal and recognized under federal housing law.

Yes. Under SB 1084 (Fla. Stat. §760.27) and the federal Fair Housing Act, your ESA letter is valid for rental units, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), and condominium boards in Florida. Housing providers are required to make reasonable accommodations for residents with emotional support animals, even if they have breed, size, or weight restrictions.

However, HOAs and condos in Florida are also allowed to verify documentation and ask for additional details (such as vaccination records or confirmation of your need for each animal). That’s why it’s critical that your letter comes from a Florida-licensed or state-registered clinician. Letters from online registries or certificates that don’t include a licensed professional’s evaluation will not be accepted. With a compliant ESA letter from our licensed clinicians, you are protected from pet fees and wrongful denial, while remaining fully within Florida’s housing laws.

No. Florida law specifically rejects generic “registrations” or “certificates” that don’t involve an evaluation by a licensed clinician. These services are often advertised as quick or cheap, but they do not meet Florida’s legal requirements and can actually harm your case if presented to a landlord or HOA.

Under SB 1084, only ESA letters issued by a licensed Florida mental health professional or a properly registered out-of-state telehealth provider are valid. Our letters are written by clinicians who meet Florida’s standards, and we guarantee their acceptance with landlords, HOAs, and property managers.

Florida’s law sets strict requirements:

• It must be written by a licensed or state-registered clinician who has personal knowledge of your condition.

• It must confirm that you have a mental or emotional health need that qualifies under the Fair Housing Act.

• It must be signed and dated on professional letterhead.

We design every ESA letter to meet these requirements. You’ll see your clinician’s name, credentials, and license/registration number directly on your letter. This ensures that if a landlord, HOA, or condo board reviews your documentation, it stands up to scrutiny and provides you with the protection the law guarantees.

In Florida, the process is simple:

1. Complete a short wellness assessment to see if you qualify.

2. After you select the plan and make the payment, you will be connected with a licensed professional from the state of Florida.

3. Once approved, you’ll receive your ESA letter quickly and securely via our HIPPA compliant portal.

People who struggle with conditions such as anxiety, depression, or other mental or emotional challenges may qualify for an ESA letter. You don’t need to be formally diagnosed to qualify, you just need to show that an ESA will support you in your daily lives. A licensed Florida professional will evaluate your situation to determine eligibility. Your free assessment will tell you if you qualify. 

A Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letter documents that your dog is trained (or in training) to assist with specific tasks related to your mental health. Unlike ESAs, PSDs are recognized as service animals under the ADA and qualify for both housing and travel protections.

ESA letters provide housing protections but not travel rights. PSD letters apply to dogs only, and because they are recognized as service animals under the ADA, they qualify for both housing, public and travel protections.

Yes, a PSD must be trained to perform basic tasks that support your mental health. The training can be done by you or with the help of a trainer. The key is that your dog can perform basic commands and functional tasks. The mental health professionals job is not to verify your dogs qualifications, just ensure that you meet the needs for a PSD letter. 

If you have a mental health condition and a dog that is trained (or in training) to help you with some basic training, you may qualify for a PSD letter. A licensed provider will review your situation to determine if you are eligible.

Our free ESA assessment helps determine if you may qualify for an emotional support animal. It’s the first step in the process and mirrors many of the indicators licensed Florida providers use during evaluation. There’s no obligation and no payment required to take it. You can start now and just a few minutes know if you qualify or not. 

After completing your free wellness assessment, you’ll choose the plan that best fits your needs and pay for your evaluation. From there, you’ll be connected with a licensed health professional serving Florida. Your provider will personally review your responses through our secure portal, guide you through the process (ask any questions that need clarification), and perform the evaluation. Once they are complete, they will issue your ESA letter electronically through the portal.

No worries, if your provider determines that an ESA letter isn’t appropriate for you, you won’t be charged. That’s our 100% money back guarantee.  Every evaluation is risk-free — no approvals, no payment.

That’s exactly why the wellness assessment exists. It gives you a preview of your likelihood of qualifying, and then a licensed Florida provider makes the final determination.

Many websites make big promises but don’t follow through. JustBigDogs is different because:

• Every evaluation is reviewed by a licensed professional serving Florida.

• We never use automated approvals.

• Our process is built on compliance, trust, and transparency.

Yes, in many cases. Dogs and cats are the most common, but Florida residents may also qualify with other animals such as rabbits or birds, depending on the provider’s judgment.

ESA letters must be renewed annually to remain valid in Florida. This ensures your housing rights are protected year after year. If you get your ESA or PSD letter through Just Big Dogs, you can simply log back in during your renewal time, take advantage of our discounted renewal rate and have your new letter issued, its that simple!

• Landlords in Florida: Yes. Landlords must accept valid ESA letters when issued by a licensed provider.

• Airlines: Airlines generally no longer recognize ESA letters. For travel protections, a PSD letter may be required.

Yes. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords in Florida must accept valid ESA letters. This means your pet can live with you, even in housing that normally restricts animals or charges pet fees.

Yes. A valid ESA letter requires landlords to waive pet fees, deposits, and breed restrictions — so even breeds like Pit Bulls or German Shepherds are protected.

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) provides comfort and support for mental or emotional conditions. ESAs are protected under housing laws in Florida, which means landlords must allow them even in “no-pet” housing.
A Service Animal (including Psychiatric Service Dogs) is trained to perform specific tasks that help with a disability. Service animals are recognized under the ADA and have both housing and public access rights.

Most Florida residents receive their ESA letter promptly once they’ve completed the wellness assessment, chosen a plan, paid for the evaluation, and been approved by a licensed provider, usually within 24 hours. Delivery is secure and digital. If you need it sooner, we recommend you upgrade to same-day priority processing, where the Florida licensed mental health professional places your application to the front of the line. 

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 more than one pet provides therapeutic benefit, your licensed provider may include multiple animals in your ESA letter. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.

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. ESA evaluations qualify as eligible medical expenses, so you can use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) card at checkout, just like a debit card.

Because your evaluation is performed by a licensed clinician from Florida, it qualifies as a healthcare service. That means you can confidently use HSA/FSA funds — just as you would at a doctor’s office or pharmacy. If your HSA/FSA processor denies the charge, you can pay with another method and submit your receipt for reimbursement.

At this time, ESA evaluations are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid in Florida. You’ll need to pay out of pocket, but you can use an HSA or FSA card if you have one.

JustBigDogs is a platform that connects you with licensed Florida mental health professionals. Your ESA letter is always issued by a licensed provider in your state — never by JustBigDogs directly.