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ESA for Housing
If you are seeking an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter for housing, I offer structured, ethical ESA evaluations for adults residing in Louisiana, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, and Minnesota.
This service is designed for individuals who are looking for a legitimate clinical evaluation rather than a quick online letter. ESA documentation is provided only when clinically appropriate and after completion of the evaluation process.
What is an ESA evaluation?
An Emotional Support Animal evaluation is a clinical service used to determine whether a person has a mental or emotional health condition that substantially impacts daily functioning and whether an emotional support animal may help relieve symptoms related to that condition.
This is not an instant approval service and is not a pay-for-letter service.
My goal is to provide a thoughtful, assessment-based process that is ethical, thorough, and supportive.
Meet Your Evaluator
Catherine Schully, LPC-S
Catherine is a licensed mental health professional with experience in clinical assessment, diagnosis, and documentation of mental health conditions. In addition to her work in private practice, she has extensive experience completing structured clinical evaluations that require clear justification of medical necessity and functional impairment.
Her background includes:
- Conducting comprehensive mental health assessments
- Diagnosing and documenting anxiety, depression, and related conditions
- Evaluating functional impairment in daily life
- Providing clinical recommendations based on established standards of care
- This experience allows for a thorough, thoughtful, and ethically grounded ESA evaluation process rather than a quick or surface-level determination.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are protected under the Fair Housing Act, which allows individuals with qualifying mental health conditions to live with their ESA—even in housing with “no pet” policies.
However, both tenants and landlords have specific rights and responsibilities.
Landlord Rights & Responsibilities
1. Request Proper Documentation
Landlords can ask for a valid ESA letter from a licensed healthcare provider when the need is not obvious.
- The provider must be licensed
- The letter must support a disability-related need for the animal
2. Verify the Legitimacy of the Letter
They may confirm that:
- The provider is licensed
- The letter meets legal standards
(They cannot ask for your full medical records or diagnosis.)
3. Deny Requests in Certain Situations
A landlord can legally deny an ESA if:
- The animal poses a direct threat to others
- The animal would cause significant property damage
- The request creates an undue financial or administrative burden
- The housing is exempt from FHA rules (e.g., small owner-occupied properties)
4. Enforce Basic Behavior Standards
Your ESA must:
- Be under control
- Not be aggressive or destructive
- Follow reasonable community rules
Know Your Rights - what landlords cannot do!
1. Charge Pet Fees or Deposits
Because ESAs are not considered pets, landlords cannot charge:
- Pet rent
- Pet deposits
- Pet fees
(They can charge for actual damage caused by the animal.)
2. Deny Based on Breed, Size, or Weight
Breed or size restrictions do not apply to ESAs.
3. Require Special Registration or Certification
There is no official ESA registry.
Websites selling “certifications” or ID cards are not legally required.
4. Ask for Detailed Medical Information
Landlords cannot:
- Ask for your diagnosis
- Request detailed medical records
- Require disclosure beyond what’s necessary to verify the need
Caring Support for Mental Health
The ESA process works best when:
- Tenants provide legitimate, thorough documentation
- Landlords follow federal guidelines while protecting their property
Unfortunately, the rise of instant online ESA letters has made many landlords more cautious. This is why working with a qualified, licensed professional for a proper evaluation is so important.