r/EmotionalSupportDogs

I sent my apartment complex my ESA letter from my psychiatrist. In response, they sent me an additional form that they are asking for us both to fill out. For his section, it’s asking about my diagnosis, requirements to have an ESA for this diagnosis, etc.

For my section, it’s asking about info for the dog specifically. One thing I’m super worried about is whether they can deny my dog based on the information I put here. One question asks whether this dog has ever been reported to animal control, or if it’s ever bitten anyone else. When we adopted him, the shelter told us he had nipped at his previous owner because they got in the middle of him and another dog.

I know I have to be honest on this form, but I’m worried that based on this information, they could deny my dog. Part of me wants to say screw it and just pay the pet fees and hope they allow him to live there because there are a ton of restricted breeds that live at my complex. If I do this, I don’t think they would find out about his history that the shelter told me. What should I do??

In 2020 I attempted ☠️.... Selfish I know, I already live with the guilt everyday, please don't rip me apart. A friend gave me my companion and I began training him everyday for 1 1/2 years before I was able to go back to work. My ex husband and I separated and he kept my dog from me. For 3 years there was no signs he was going to let me have my dog back.
In August my son passed from a car accident. Causing my PTSD, anxiety, depression to be unbearable. Out of nowhere my ex husband reached out to me and asked if I wanted my dog back because he was rehoming him. It wasn't a question, I never wanted him away from me to begin with. So it wasn't a question. I got him back, registered him as my emotional support service animal and have an appointment with my therapist with my dog so she can do an eval and medically assign him as my servise animal. He is not just my companion, he also wakes me up from night terrors, wakes me up when I sleep walk, and helps when I am having panic attacks. The problem is I now have 2 asside from my boy. Where I rent we are only allowed 2 pets.... If I ever thought my ex would have given my boy back I wouldn't be on here asking.... Can the landlord make us get rid of 1 of our dogs? Even after the eval and my dog actually being deemed as medical equipment and not a pet?

So hopefully it is ok to post this here, but I need help. I finally found a semi-reasonable trainer for my service dog to be but I need to come up with about 5k. Does anyone know of any programs or anything similar? I don't just have 5k lying around, and I don't feel comfortable asking the trainer to lower their price/change how they do their payments (Half up front, half at pick up) since they are already doing me such a big favor by only asking for 5k.

hi! I had my therapist wrote an esa letter for me and sent it to my apartment, but they sent a document back requiring my therapist to sign. Unfortunately my therapist said she cannot sign it due to her clinic policy. I’m guessing it’s because there’s a part asking if she’ll be willing to testify in court. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

— correction: I wrote psychiatrist, it should be therapist

I'm looking into getting an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) letter in California in 2026 and wanted to get some advice from people who have gone through the process recently.

From what I've researched, California requires a licensed mental health professional to have an established provider-client relationship with you for at least 30 days before issuing an ESA letter for housing. Is that still how it's being handled in 2026?

A little background: I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 12 and have also dealt with social anxiety and periods of depression over the years. I got my dog about two years ago during a difficult period in my life, and they've been a major source of emotional support ever since.

I'm trying to make sure I do everything the right way and comply with California's requirements. I've been researching different providers and came across RealESALetter, which appears to have positive reviews and an A+ BBB rating, but I'm interested in hearing real experiences from people who have recently gone through the process.

A few questions:

• Is the 30-day provider relationship requirement still mandatory in California?
• How long did it take you to receive your ESA letter?
• Did your landlord accept it without any problems?
• Were you asked for any additional documentation?
• Has anyone here used RealESALetter or another provider they would recommend?

I'm not looking to abuse the system—I'm simply trying to obtain a legitimate ESA letter through the proper process. Any advice, experiences, or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I have had my dog as an ESA for 9 years. I got her when I was 18 due to PTSD sleep issues. I have issues with slipping into flashbacks while falling asleep. My dog sleeping on me helps me stay grounded and present.

My partner is very chill. We moved in together about 9 months ago. The only on going issue we have is that he doesn't want my dog in the bed.

I go to sleep at 10 pm and he goes to bed around 3 am so falling alseep with him isn't an option most nights.

Every time we talk about it, we can see where we are both coming from. Its hard to find a solution that works for both of us. Any ideas??

Just wanted to put this out there in case others have questions about the process. Here's what I've gotten so far:

1st response after submitting letter from GP for 2 ESA:

Your accommodation request for an assistance animal needs more information to continue with our review. Our review team has provided details in the Comment History at the top of your Assistance Animal profile.

Thank you for your request for accommodation. We are requesting supplemental information to proceed with our assessment of your request as follows:

Before we can move forward with your request, we need a little more information from your healthcare provider. When asking for more than one support animal, your documentation should include the following information:

Proof of Disability: A note confirming that you have a disability (defined as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities”)

The Number of Animals: Exactly how many animals your doctor says you need to help with your health.

The reason why: An explanation of why the patient's disability-related needs cannot be met through fewer than the number of animals prescribed.

Right now, your paperwork covers Point(s) #1, but it is missing information for Point(s) #2 and 3.

Next Steps:

Please talk to your healthcare provider and ask for an updated letter that includes the missing information. You do not need a separate letter for each animal; one letter that covers everything is fine.

2nd email after submitting amended ESA letter:

Your profile's status has been updated from Reviewing to Verifying. This means the request has been deemed to have met the HUD guidelines by the Assistance Animal Review Team, and now they are in the process of reaching out to the medical provider to confirm the authenticity of the accompanying documentation. As standard practice in our reviews for support animals, we contact medical/healthcare providers by email, fax, or phone to authenticate documentation submitted to us by the animal owner (Requester). Our purpose is simply, and only, to confirm the validity of the letter; that is, we ask "Did you issue the letter dated ___ on behalf of ____?". We do not ask about the Requester's condition, treatment, or any other information related to the specific nature of his/her disability.

** Will update if any new response from them