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Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Program

Find Comfort, Healing, and Support — One Paw at a Time.

Our ESA Program helps individuals connect with qualified mental health 
professionals who can evaluate and document the clinical need for an ESA 
— so you can find the peace, support, and protection you deserve.

Are you curious to see if our ESA program is right for you?

You may qualify for an ESA if you:

Note: ESA protections primarily apply to housing under federal law. Other settings (like workplaces or public spaces) may permit ESAs at their discretion.

Life can feel heavy sometimes — but you don’t have to carry it alone.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) offer more than companionship; they provide genuine comfort and emotional stability for those facing mental or emotional challenges.

Get all or part of your evaluation covered by insurance

In many states, insurance can help cover the cost of your evaluation, and we’ll confirm your benefits before you book.

Why LateDX Evaluations Are Different

Important Distinction

Emotional Support Animals are not the same as service animals or therapy animals.

Service Animals

Are trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability.

Therapy Animals

Provide comfort in clinical or group settings.

ESAs

Provide comfort and emotional stability to their individual owner through companionship.

 

Your Privacy Is Fully Protected

Confidentiality is non‑negotiable. Your results are yours, and yours alone.

100% Confidential

Your evaluation is private and stays between you and your clinician only. No sharing, ever.

No Reporting, No Codes

We don’t provide diagnostic codes to employers, insurance, or government agencies—period.

HIPAA-compliant

All results are safeguarded under HIPAA standards, giving you complete control over your information and privacy.

Records Protected

Even government agencies can’t access your file without your clear consent. Your privacy is our promise.

Want to schedule an evaluation?

Choose the Payment Option That Works Best for You

Available in all 50 states • Insurance accepted in select states • CareCredit financing available

Find your state and choose the evaluation that fits your needs

Florida

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Massachusetts

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New York

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All other US States

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What is an ESA?

ESA stands for Emotional Support Animal. ESAs are domesticated animals that help improve the symptoms of individuals experiencing disabling functional limitations through companionship. ESA protections largely apply to housing. Other entities may allow ESAs at their discretion and as a courtesy.

Anyone ages 18+ who lives/is located in the United States.

Our program does not assist with dorm housing at this time.

ESA protections largely apply to housing. Other entities may allow ESAs at their discretion and as a courtesy.

No. ESAs are not service animals, therapy animals, or pets. ESAs provide comfort through their presence, as deemed clinically necessary by a mental health professional. ESAs are not service animals, and are not covered by the same protections that  apply to service animals. More information can be found here.

Support with disability documentation or similar processes requires an ongoing treatment relationship with a provider who is implementing, overseeing, and modifying treatment approaches at regular intervals. This program does not provide this type of treatment relationship, as it’s an evaluation program, but we do have treatment options through our Mental Health programming.

  • Insurance Verification (optional)
  • Patient booking
  • System sends intake forms to be completed
  • Patient navigator sends welcome information and assessments to be completed prior to the initial visit 
  • Initial visit with the provider
  • Follow up visit(s) 1-2, 30 days between visits, occurrence at provider discretion
  • Report and letter uploaded to patient portal within 10 business days of the final visit
  • Self Pay: $749 for the complete program, report and letter.
  • Insurance: Eligibility Verification, plus $250 self-pay for the report and letter.

No,  an ESA letter serves as documentation that a qualified mental health professional has assessed for the clinical necessity of an ESA to assist with the patient’s symptoms. There is no specialized licensing or training requirement that must be completed by/for Emotional Support Animals.

Our ESA letter includes the date, name, DOB, confirmation that the patient meets criteria (if applicable), information about protections and restrictions, and the provider information (name, licensure by state, date of eval, expiration date).

A qualified mental health professional must evaluate a patient and determine clinical necessity based on a number of factors including; Self-report, psychiatric and medical history, Intake documentation, Animal information, Owner preparedness, Patient assessments, Telehealth sessions (30+ days apart).

The entire process takes anywhere from 70-100 days depending on the number of visits needed, as well as flexibility with scheduling. There is a minimum of 2-3 visits, with at least 30 days between sessions. The final report and letter are issued within 10 business days of the final visit if deemed clinically appropriate.

Yes, our ESA letters expire after 1 year.

Yes and no.

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are required to accommodate tenants with ESAs unless doing so would impose an undue financial burden, fundamentally alter the nature of the housing provider’s services, or if the specific ESA poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or would cause substantial physical damage to the property that cannot be reduced or eliminated by another reasonable accommodation. 

 

Some reasons for denying pets or emotional support animals include:

  • Property damage: Pets can cause significant damage to rental properties, including scratching, chewing, or staining floors and carpets. Emotional support animals may also cause damage if not properly trained or managed.
  • Allergies: Some tenants may have severe allergies to pets or emotional support animals, which can cause health problems and make it difficult to live in the rental property.
  • Noise disturbances: Some pets, such as dogs and birds, can be noisy and disruptive, which can cause issues for other tenants and neighbors.
  • Violation of lease terms: If the lease agreement explicitly prohibits pets or emotional support animals, they may have the right to deny their presence as part of the contract.

No, landlords cannot charge pet fees, pet rent, or pet deposits for an emotional support dog (ESA) under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Our ESA letter does not include airline, train, boat, or other public transportation methods, or travel outside of the US.

ESAs are not service animals, and are not covered by protections which apply to service animals. Some businesses may choose to allow ESAs entry, though this is not guaranteed.

  • Self Pay
  • Insurance ($250 self pay for report with insurance option on top of insurance cost)
  • Care Credit (flexible financing)

Deposits are required to book and hold insurance-based appointments. These deposits will be applied towards any out of pocket insurance costs including copays, deductibles, coinsurance, and more. If you do not have a patient responsibility, or your responsibility is less than the deposit amount, the deposit (or difference owed) will be refunded upon successful completion of the program. 

Frequently Asked Questions