Which Animal Letter is Right for Me?

Emotional Support Animal (ESA)

  • ACCESS: Limited to no-pet housing accommodations.
  • DEFINITION: An ESA is not considered a pet. It is a companion animal that provides therapeutic benefits to individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
  • THE LAW: Protected under the federal Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA), which prohibits landlords and homeowner associations from denying housing to ESA owners—even in no-pet buildings. These entities also cannot charge additional pet deposits or fees.
Property exemptions include:
    * Buildings with four or fewer units, where the owner occupies one of them
    * Single-family homes where the owner manages the rental/sale and owns fewer than three such homes
    * Organization-owned homes or private clubs intended for their members
  • ANIMAL TYPE AND QUANTITY: Carla evaluates individuals for one ESA (one dog or one cat only).
  • TRAINING: ESAs do not need to be trained to perform specific tasks but must be well-behaved in public settings.

Psychiatric Service Animal (PSA)

  • ACCESS: Grants full public access, including airplanes, restaurants, public transportation, stores, workplaces, hotels, and more.
  • DEFINITION: PSAs are a type of service animal. Only dogs can qualify as PSAs.
  • THE LAW: Protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The task(s) performed must be directly related to the individual's disability.
  • ANIMAL TYPE AND QUANTITY: Carla evaluates individuals for one PSA (one dog only).
  • TRAINING: PSAs must be trained to perform a specific task (assigned by Carla based on your psychiatric needs). You may train the dog yourself or hire a professional trainer. The PSA must also be trained to behave appropriately in public.

Who Can Be Evaluated for an Animal Letter?

Carla Mannino, LCSW-R, CAS, CCTP, CAMS is a licensed clinical social worker authorized to practice in the following states: New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, California, and Massachusetts.

Individuals aged 18 and older who reside in any of these states are eligible to schedule an evaluation.

What are the Necessary Qualifications to be Eligible for an Animal Letter?

Eligibility is not guaranteed. To qualify, you must have a debilitating mental health disability that has been formally diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional and necessitates the use of an emotional support animal.

What Does the Animal Letter Evaluation Process Entail?

The evaluation includes a comprehensive mental health assessment. During this session, Carla will gather detailed information regarding your symptoms and challenges to formulate an accurate diagnosis and determine whether you meet the criteria for an emotional support animal letter.

Are There Any Breed Restrictions?

Breed Restriction Policy: Please be advised that Carla does not provide emotional support animal letters for the following breeds due to safety concerns commonly associated with aggressive behavior: American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Akita Inu, Presa Canario, Tosa Inu, Mastiff, Gull Dong (Pakistani Bull Dog), Bandog, Chow Chow, Great Dane, Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Caucasian Ovcharka, and Wolf Hybrid.

What is the Charge for an Animal Letter? What Does it Include?

The fee for this service is $395. If you are deemed eligible, you will receive an official emotional support animal letter along with any necessary extended support services, which may include required legal documentation, phone consultations, email correspondence, and after-hours support related to your animal.

Does My Animal Letter Expire?

Validity and Renewal: Your emotional support animal letter is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. If you wish to renew your letter, please contact Carla at (212) 810-1724 (call or text) or via email at [email protected]to schedule a re-evaluation. The renewal fee is $195.

Are You a Licensed Mental Health Provider?

Carla Mannino, LCSW-R, CAS, CCTP, CAMS is a state-licensed clinical social worker in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, California, and Massachusetts, and the founder of Gotham Psychotherapy. She maintains a full-time private practice in New York City, where she specializes in integrative psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups.

Carla earned her master’s degree from New York University. She is certified by the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders as a Certified Addiction Specialist, with expertise in alcohol, drug, eating, sex, and gambling disorders. She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals, and a Certified Anger Management Specialist through the National Anger Management Association. In addition, Carla has completed advanced professional coursework in emotional support and psychiatric service animal assessments.

Where is Your Office Located?

Gotham Psychotherapy is located in The Chrysler Building at 405 Lexington Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10174. The office is easily accessible by New York City subways and buses, as well as the Long Island Rail Road, Amtrak, Metro-North, NJ Transit, and PATH.

Will My Appointment be In-Person or a Video Visit?

Appointment Options:

  • In-Person Appointment: Available to individuals located within the five boroughs of New York City.

  • Video Visit: Offered to individuals residing outside the five boroughs but within one of the following states: New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, California, or Massachusetts.

How Do I Schedule an Evaluation Appointment?

To schedule an evaluation appointment, please contact Carla by phone or text at (212) 810-1724, or via email at [email protected].