Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
Get an Emotional Support Animal letter based on your mental health and clinical background
What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An ESA provides comfort and emotional stability to a person with a mental health condition or emotional disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not specifically trained to perform tasks. Their primary role is to provide therapeutic benefit through companionship.
ESAs are not legally recognised in the same way as assistance/guide dogs in the UK, but they can still be helpful to individuals and may be considered in certain circumstances (e.g. housing, travel, workplaces). Landlords, airlines, and businesses are not obliged to accommodate ESAs, but may consider these requests.
What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter of support?
An ESA letter is a formal document written by a registered healthcare professional confirming that an individual has a health condition and that an emotional support animal could aid their wellbeing. This letter can support a request for reasonable accommodations.
Housing - Many landlords may allow ESAs as a reasonable adjustment, particularly if the animal helps with a diagnosed mental health condition and there's supporting medical evidence.
Flying with ESAs - UK airlines generally do not recognise ESAs. In most cases, only registered assistance dogs are permitted in the cabin.
Workplaces - Some workplaces may consider allowing an accompanying Emotional Support Animal (ESA) on an adhoc or frequent basis as a discretionary adjustment in support of an employee’s mental wellbeing
Who can benefit?
Our ESA letters may be suitable for:
Individuals with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or stress-related conditions
People struggling with social isolation
Students or professionals facing pressure and burnout
Registering your existing animal as an ESA
