Animal Welfare Professionals

I am a licensed psychotherapist and able to provide letters for my patients that have emotional support animals.  According to the ADA, these letters state that the animal has to accompany the person at all times.  Some of my patients are running into landlords that are not honoring these letters and want the tenant and animal to leave or be evicted. Does anyone know how to combat this?  Thank you, Melissa Klaskin

#PetSupportServices*

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Melissa Klaskin
psychologist
Reducing Animal Stress
CA
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That is a violation of the ADA and they should be able to take legal action against the landlord. In our area there is a non-profit called Pisgah Legal Services that does low cost/pro bono assistance to tenants dealing with Landlord issues.

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Elsa Enstrom
Helpline Coordinator
Asheville Humane Society
NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2025 08:35 AM
From: Melissa Klaskin
Subject: emotional support animal letters

I am a licensed psychotherapist and able to provide letters for my patients that have emotional support animals.  According to the ADA, these letters state that the animal has to accompany the person at all times.  Some of my patients are running into landlords that are not honoring these letters and want the tenant and animal to leave or be evicted. Does anyone know how to combat this?  Thank you, Melissa Klaskin

#PetSupportServices*

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Melissa Klaskin
psychologist
Reducing Animal Stress
CA
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Hi Melissa, 

Thank you so much for providing this much needed service! Elsa is absolutely right- your patients have rights! Please feel free to direct any individuals/families that need legal assistance our way by completing a legal aid request form here.  We serve LA County but can provide education/resources outside of our service area if needed. We can assist them with reasonable accommodation requests, communicate with the housing provider on their behalf, and help them file a complaint with the CA Civil Rights Department if necessary. 

I'm including some fair housing / assistance animal resources below for additional information: 

• HEART Assistance Animal FAQs
• CA Civil Rights Department FAQs

Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions regarding housing rights and assistance animals. 

Best,

Diana

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Diana Cruz
Program Director
Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART LA)
Los Angeles CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2025 08:35 AM
From: Melissa Klaskin
Subject: emotional support animal letters

I am a licensed psychotherapist and able to provide letters for my patients that have emotional support animals.  According to the ADA, these letters state that the animal has to accompany the person at all times.  Some of my patients are running into landlords that are not honoring these letters and want the tenant and animal to leave or be evicted. Does anyone know how to combat this?  Thank you, Melissa Klaskin

#PetSupportServices*

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Melissa Klaskin
psychologist
Reducing Animal Stress
CA
------------------------------

I'm not an expert but this is the information I was able to find when I was getting my ESA letter for my cat. From what I can remember, some housing/landlords do not have to allow ESAs if they meet certain criteria. I think this can vary by state but it was mostly targeted at smaller landlords. If they have fewer than a certain number of units. If they live in the home they are renting out. I think there are a few more but I can't recall them. They can also turn away an ESA if the animal would create a health hazard (if you are renting a room and someone else in the house is allergic) or if the animal is destructive/not suitable to live in the rented space (if you are trying to keep a miniature horse in an apartment for example). I'm in Virginia so laws may be different where you are, but this has been the information I was able to gather for my own ESA.

ESAs do not have the same rights as service animals. The letter doesn't allow the person to keep the animal with them "at all times". They cannot take the animal into stores, restaurants, etc. The ESA letters only apply for travel/housing. They can definitely seek legal help if they are being denied by landlords. 

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Jessica Clarke
Chesterfield County Animal Services
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2025 08:35 AM
From: Melissa Klaskin
Subject: emotional support animal letters

I am a licensed psychotherapist and able to provide letters for my patients that have emotional support animals.  According to the ADA, these letters state that the animal has to accompany the person at all times.  Some of my patients are running into landlords that are not honoring these letters and want the tenant and animal to leave or be evicted. Does anyone know how to combat this?  Thank you, Melissa Klaskin

#PetSupportServices*

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Melissa Klaskin
psychologist
Reducing Animal Stress
CA
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Hi Melissa, My colleague Dr. Janet Hoy-Gerlach is probably already someone with whom you're connected  yet best to make sure. Here's her social work hub on our website. Her email is socialwork@opendoorconsults.org. She has a free 3-part series on ESAs on our site if that is helpful to groups or any agencies with whom you work/network. Those are here. https://opendoorschool.thinkific.com/collections/recorded-webinars. Having you two connected is surely a good thing for response to push-back to the letters. Best, Heather

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Heather Cammisa
Chief Enterprise Officer
Open Door Veterinary Collective
CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2025 08:35 AM
From: Melissa Klaskin
Subject: emotional support animal letters

I am a licensed psychotherapist and able to provide letters for my patients that have emotional support animals.  According to the ADA, these letters state that the animal has to accompany the person at all times.  Some of my patients are running into landlords that are not honoring these letters and want the tenant and animal to leave or be evicted. Does anyone know how to combat this?  Thank you, Melissa Klaskin

#PetSupportServices*

------------------------------
Melissa Klaskin
psychologist
Reducing Animal Stress
CA
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