How much is an ESA letter for a dog?

Ondoc charges a flat evaluation fee — no monthly subscription. The fee covers the licensed-clinician evaluation, the letter itself, and one renewal question within 12 months if the landlord requests clarification.

Does the dog need to be a specific breed?

No. HUD guidance is clear that ESA housing rights are not restricted by breed, weight, or age. The letter is about your diagnosis, not the animal.

How long does an ESA letter for a dog last?

Most landlords accept an ESA letter for 12 months from the date of signature. After that, most require a renewal evaluation.

ESA letter · Emotional Support Animal · Housing (FHA)

ESA letter from a licensed mental-health clinician

Get a legitimate Emotional Support Animal letter for your dog, cat, or other companion animal. Issued only after a real telehealth evaluation by a licensed clinician — never an automated form.

Book a visit What ESA letters cover

Board-certified clinicians · Insurance billed · No subscription

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ikechukwu Ogbu, MD

MD · Board-Certified, Internal Medicine · Last reviewed July 2026

Dr. Ikechukwu Ogbu, MD

Board-Certified · Internal Medicine · Medical Director

4.7(2,380+ verified patient reviews)

All 50 states + DC·Video visit

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What Ondoc does not handle

We can't complete FMLA paperwork, short- or long-term disability forms, ADA workplace accommodations, or prescribe controlled substances (e.g., Adderall, Xanax, testosterone, opioids). Those require an established in-person relationship with a treating provider.

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Real evaluation, real letter

An ESA letter is a clinical recommendation. We only issue letters after a licensed clinician evaluates whether an ESA is appropriate for you.

FHA-compliant for housing

Letters are written for the Fair Housing Act — the federal protection landlords use to evaluate ESA accommodation requests.

On clinician letterhead

Signed, dated, and on the clinician's letterhead with license number — the format landlords and management companies expect.

What you get

Signed PDF letter on the clinician's letterhead
License number, state, and contact information for verification
Standard FHA language for housing accommodation requests
Annual renewals available with a brief follow-up visit

FAQs

Will I definitely get a letter?

Only if the clinician determines an ESA is clinically appropriate. We don't sell guaranteed letters — sites that do are putting patients and landlords in a bad position legally.

What does an ESA letter actually do?

It supports a Fair Housing Act accommodation request so a landlord with a no-pets policy must reasonably accommodate your assistance animal. It is not a service-animal certification and does not grant public-access rights.

Does the ESA letter work for flights?

No. Airlines stopped treating ESAs as service animals in 2021 under DOT rules. ESA letters today are primarily used for housing under the FHA.

How long is the letter valid?

Most landlords accept letters dated within the last 12 months. We offer a short renewal visit when yours is approaching expiration.

Can I get one for a cat, dog, or another animal?

Yes — dogs and cats are the most common, but the FHA does not limit ESAs to specific species. The clinician will document the species your letter applies to.