Emotional Support Animal Letters

Are you Anxious? Depressed? Have Panic Attacks? Or Fear Flying?

You may be eligible for an Emotional Support Animal letter to allow your dog or cat access to “no pet” residences and airplanes.

What is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal is not a pet. It is a companion dog or cat that provides therapeutic benefit to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability.

Any size or breed of dog or cat can be an emotional support animal. They do not have to be professionally trained to perform any task, but must be trained to behave appropriately in a public setting.

Emotional support animals are protected under the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

The FHAA prevents landlord and homeowner associations from restricting your emotional support animal from living with you even when there is a no pet policy in place. These associations are also not allowed to assess special pet fees on you because of your companion animal.

The ACCAA protects individuals by allowing an emotional support animal to fly with them in the cabin of an airplane, without having to pay any additional fees.

While emotional support animals are often used as part of a mental health treatment plan, they are not considered service animals. Emotional support animals are only allowed access to airplanes and no-pet housing.

Who Can Be Evaluated for An Emotional Support Animal Letter?

Carla Mannino LCSW-R, CAS, CCTP, CAMS is licensed to practice within the state of New York. Individuals who are 18 years or older, and live in New York state, are eligible for an evaluation.

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

An individual who is considered emotionally disabled by a licensed mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.). As a result of this disability, the individual has certain limitations regarding coping with their symptoms that substantially limits one or more of their major life activities. In order to help alleviate these difficulties, the mental health professional will suggest an emotional support therapy dog or cat to help the individual live independently in their home, and/or for therapeutic companionship during airplane flights.

What Does the Emotional Support Animal Letter Evaluation Process Entail?

The evaluation requires an in-person, mental health assessment. During this session, Carla will obtain detailed information about an individual’s difficulties in order to make an accurate diagnosis, and to determine if he or she qualifies for an Emotional Support Animal letter.

How Many Emotional Support Animals Can I Have?

Carla assesses individuals for one Emotional Support Animal, either a cat or a dog.

Are There Any Breed Restrictions?

Carla does not provide Emotional Support Animal letters for the following aggressive breeds: Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers.

Additional Resource: American Kennel Club 

Are You a Licensed Mental Health Provider?

Yes. Carla Mannino, LCSW-R, CAS, CCTP, CAMS is a New York State licensed clinical social worker, and the founder of Gotham Psychotherapy. She specializes in integrative psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups. 

Carla holds a masters degree from New York University. She also been certified by The American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders as a Certified Addiction Specialist (alcohol, drug, eating, sex, and gambling), the International Association of Trauma Professionals as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, the National Anger Management Association as a Certified Anger Management Specialist, and has completed additional coursework in emotional support animal assessment. Carla maintains a full-time private practice in New York City, conveniently located on 34th Street in Manhattan.

What is the Charge for and Emotional Support Animal Letter? What Does it Include?

The charge for this service is $395.00. If you are eligible, you will receive an Emotional Support Animal letter, kit (dog leash, identification tag, and educational materials), and any extended support services (required airline/housing paperwork, phone calls, emails, etc.) that you may need related to flying or living with your emotional support animal.

Does My Emotional Support Animal Letter Expire?

Your Emotional Support Animal letter for is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Should you wish to have your letter renewed, you will need to contact Carla to be reevaluated. The cost to renew this letter is $150.

How Do I Schedule an Appointment?

To schedule an appointment, please call or text Carla at (212) 810-1724 or carla@gothampsychotherapy.com.

Gotham Psychotherapy is proud to support the care and maintenance of the Washington Square Park Dog Run in the heart of Greenwich Village in New York City.
Gotham Psychotherapy is proud to support the care and maintenance of the Washington Square Park Dog Run in the heart of Greenwich Village in New York City.