Keep Your Pet With You on Campus With ESA Letter

Yes. Most universities recognize ESA letters as part of their housing accommodations process. You submit your letter to the disability or housing office and follow their internal review. Some schools require additional forms, and we help you prepare what you need.

Yes, if it's written by a licensed therapist after a real evaluation. Universities reject letters from instant-approval sites because there's no documented therapeutic relationship. Our process meets the standard universities look for.

Your ESA documentation is typically ready within a few business days of your final session. Your university's disability or housing office then reviews it under their own timeline, which is usually 1 to 3 weeks. We help you understand what to submit and where.

Some states, including California, require a 30-day therapeutic relationship before an ESA letter is legally valid. Our 2 to 4 sessions across 2 to 3 weeks meet even the strictest state requirements.

On May 22, 2026, HUD narrowed federal enforcement for untrained ESAs. Congress did not amend the Fair Housing Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Plus, universities follow their own campus housing accommodation policies, which are separate from HUD enforcement. Your legitimate ESA letter from a licensed therapist still meets what universities look for.

Some universities ask for annually updated documentation, though the federal standard doesn't require it. If your school requests renewal, we help you complete the follow-up sessions and get the updated letter.

Your university's disability office handles accommodation conflicts. Under the Fair Housing Act, your right to a qualifying ESA generally cannot be denied because of a roommate's preferences, though housing arrangements may need to be reviewed.

Yes. Off-campus rentals fall under standard Fair Housing Act rules. Your landlord must consider your reasonable accommodation request just like any other renter. Your ESA letter is the documentation they use to review it. See ESA letters for housing for renter-focused steps.

ESAs are covered by the Fair Housing Act for dorm and off-campus housing accommodations, but they do not have access rights inside classrooms, dining halls, libraries, or other campus buildings. Service animals under the ADA do have that broader access. If you need your animal with you in academic settings, a psychiatric service dog letter (not an ESA letter) is what applies.

Most colleges accept dogs, cats, and small caged animals as ESAs when they are documented by a licensed therapist. Some universities have breed, size, or species restrictions in their own housing policies, so check your school's specific rules alongside your ESA documentation.

Start your application today. Most students complete their evaluation in 2 to 3 weeks. If your move-in date is tight, we recommend starting immediately so your letter is ready before you submit housing forms.