The full process
How It Works
From intake to inbox — here’s exactly what happens when you start your ESA evaluation with MyPetESA.
- ~5 minutes
Complete the secure questionnaire
Answer a short set of questions about your emotional wellbeing, daily life, and your animal. Everything you share is encrypted and reviewed only by your assigned clinician.
- No account required to start
- HIPAA-conscious, encrypted intake
- You only pay once you book your evaluation
- Usually within 1–2 days
Get matched with a licensed professional
We match you with a mental health professional licensed in your state — therapists, counselors, clinical social workers, and psychologists whose credentials we verify directly with state boards.
- Licensure verified in your state
- Pick a time that works for you
- 20–30 minute session
Complete your telehealth evaluation
Meet your clinician by secure video (or phone where permitted). This is a genuine clinical conversation about your emotional health and the role your animal plays in supporting it.
- Private, judgment-free conversation
- Evaluations based on recognized clinical criteria
- Ask the clinician anything about the process
- 24–48 hours after approval
Receive your letter — if you qualify
If your clinician determines an emotional support animal is an appropriate part of your care, your signed letter is delivered securely as a digital document, with printed copies available on request.
- Signed on clinician letterhead with license number
- Landlord verification supported
- Full refund if you’re not approved
What’s in Your ESA Letter
Every letter we facilitate contains what housing providers look for when reviewing accommodation requests.
Clinician letterhead
Issued on the evaluating professional’s official letterhead with their signature.
License details
License type, number, and state of licensure — everything needed for verification.
Housing-ready language
Statements aligned with Fair Housing Act reasonable-accommodation requests.
Issue date
Clearly dated, so you and your housing provider know exactly when it was issued.
If you don’t qualify, we’ll tell you — and refund you.
Our clinicians make independent professional judgments and are paid the same whether or not they issue a letter. If your clinician determines an ESA isn’t clinically appropriate, you receive a full refund of your evaluation fee. Be cautious of any service that promises guaranteed approval.
State rules vary.
Five states — Arkansas, California (AB 468), Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana — require a 30-day client relationship with the clinician before an ESA letter can be issued, which means two sessions instead of one. We’ll walk you through your state’s requirements during intake so there are no surprises.
Planning to fly?
Since 2021, U.S. airlines are no longer required to accommodate emotional support animals in the cabin — ESA letters primarily support housing accommodations. If you’re exploring psychiatric service dog (PSD) documentation, mention it during intake and your clinician can discuss whether it applies to you.
Want state-by-state details? See ESA Laws by State.
Ready to take the first step?
Start your secure questionnaire now — it takes about 5 minutes.