Emotional Support Animals

As part of our ESA Program, Paws for Patrick is dedicated to supporting individuals facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health challenges by making it easier to obtain an Emotional Support Animal (ESA).

Through our comprehensive ESA program, we proudly serve families in all 50 states, focusing on clients ages 0–30.

The Dover Foundation is generously underwriting the adoption-cost portion of our ESA+ Program for the coming year. Their support helps advance our 2026 goal of 75 shelter and rescue adoptions nationwide, connecting young people with Emotional Support Animals that provide stability, comfort, and meaningful connection. Through this investment, The Dover Foundation is helping create life-changing partnerships between young people seeking support and animals in need of loving homes.

Please fill out the ESA Application to give us an idea of how we can help you. This form can be used for those individuals who are looking for help with an ESA letter, adopting an ESA, or simply getting training for your current animal.

Apply for an ESA

Submit an Application
Start by filling out a short application on our website. This helps us understand your needs and how we can best support you.

Get Connected with a Therapist (if needed)
If you need an ESA Letter—for example, for housing or college accommodations—we will connect you with a licensed therapist in your state. We will cover the cost of this step for one animal.
Find and Adopt Your Animal
Find an animal that fits your needs. We do not breed or sell animals, but we may be able to help cover the cost of adoption from a shelter or rescue for one animal.
Get Support for Training
After adoption, we offer financial assistance for training to help ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new companion.

Not every client needs every service we offer, so we tailor our support to fit each unique situation. We're here to walk alongside you and help wherever we can.

How it Works

Apply for an ESA

FAQs

An emotional support animal is any domesticated animal that helps alleviate symptoms of a mental health or emotional condition through companionship and presence. No special training required. No specific tasks have to be completed. Their presence is all that is needed.
Paws for Patrick will help with one ESA.
Paws for Patrick is able to help clients under the age of 30. If you are over age 30 but also the primary caregiver of children under 18, we will be able to help. Clients over age 30 with no dependents will receive a list of alternative resources. Age verification will be used.
Paws for Patrick does not discriminate based on gender, race, income, insurance status, immigration status, etc. All applicants will be considered.
If your child is under 18, you must fill out the form for them, but you will use their name and date of birth when you are asked to fill out information for the seeker. There will be opportunities later in the form to share parent contact information.

Eligibility & Application Process

Yes. When asked for Therapist's contact information, if you do not know it, you can simply put in your own contact information again.
One month prior to your letter expiration date, Paws for Patrick will send renewal instructions. If you did not receive instructions, please email donna@pawsforpatrick.org
Include your full name and the date of your original letter.
As soon as you applied, you were sent an email. Please check your spam. If you do not find anythin,g please send an email to donna@pawsforpatrick.org

ESA Letters & Legal Information

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is a legally recognized document issued by a licensed mental health professional as part of an individual's treatment plan. For those experiencing emotional or mental health challenges, the presence of an ESA can offer meaningful therapeutic support. A valid ESA letter grants housing protections under the Fair Housing Act (FHA)—allowing individuals to live with their emotional support animal even in residences with no-pet policies, and at no additional cost. Under the FHA, landlords cannot charge pet fees, require pet deposits, or enforce breed or size restrictions for ESAs.ion
From the moment you apply, it is possible to have an ESA letter in 24-48 hours. Some states require 2 appointments, 30 days apart, and in those cases, you will have an ESA letter after 1 month. As for adopting an animal, that is entirely up to your schedule. We do not breed or sell animals, but we help cover the cost of adoption from a shelter or rescue. Take as much time as you need to find an animal that fits your needs.
Paws for Patrick works with CertaPet and ESA Doctors to provide legitimate ESA letters from licensed professionals in your own state. Upon completion of the initial assessment, you will be contacted by a therapist within 48 hours. The process involves a free screening, an assigned licensed mental health professional, and a customer support team that is dedicated to getting you all the information you need.
Sometimes, colleges and landlords require more than an ESA letter. When this happens, you will be charged the extra fees, and you will be able to submit that to Paws for Patrick for reimbursement via a virtual gift card.

You don’t have to choose between stable housing and your emotional support animal. With a proper ESA letter, you can protect your rights, reduce stress, and maintain the support you need. The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on disability. If you have a legitimate emotional or psychological need for an ESA, and a licensed mental health professional provides you with an official ESA letter, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for you and your animal.
If you want a letter from your own therapist, have the therapist follow the guidelines below...
- Must be written by a licensed health professional
- Written on official letterhead
- Must include:
  - Full name of the professional
  - License number
  - Type of license
  - State where the license was issued
  - State the person has a mental health condition or emotional disability (recognized in the DSM-5).
  - Explain that the ESA is necessary to help treat and alleviate symptoms.
  - Clearly recommend the ESA as part of the person’s treatment.
- Dated and signed.
Clearly state that you are requesting a housing accommodation under the Fair Housing Act for an Emotional Support Animal.
Attach your official ESA letter to your email.
Refer to the animal as an ESA, not a pet, to avoid confusion and support your request.
Email is preferred to keep a clear record of your submission.
Have all forms ready before meeting with your landlord or housing office to ensure a smooth review process.

Adoption & Animal Care

When considering adoption, start by deciding what type of animal best fits your lifestyle and emotional needs, and consider adult animals, which often adjust more easily. Reach out to reputable shelters or rescues that allow you to spend time with animals before adopting, and let the staff know you are looking for a potential Emotional Support Animal (ESA). Shelter staff can help match you with an animal that has a calm, gentle temperament. While ESAs don’t require special training, it’s important to choose an animal that is emotionally responsive, easy to bond with, and able to adapt well to your home.
You can adopt from anywhere you feel comfortable. Paws for Patrick will ONLY reimburse for adoptions from recognized not-for-profit shelter and rescue organizations. At present, adoptions will be reimbursed up to $350. This is subject to change without notice at any time.
Paws for Patrick has a vetted list of trusted shelters we work with across the country. You can search for your location here: Shelter List
If you do not see your location on our list:
Start by researching local animal shelters and rescue organizations. Look for those that are transparent about their adoption process, provide medical care and behavior assessments for animals, and have positive reviews from past adopters. Reputable rescues will ask questions to ensure a good match and will be open to answering any questions you may have. It’s also important to check whether the organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and if it partners with veterinarians or national networks such as Petfinder or the ASPCA. Whenever possible, visit the shelter or attend an adoption event to get a sense of how the organization treats its animals.

Owning a pet comes with both financial and time commitments. On average, caring for a dog costs between $1,000 and $3,000 per year, while owning a cat typically ranges from $800 to $2,000 annually. Although cats generally cost less than dogs, both require consistent care and supplies. Cats and dogs need food, water, shelter, exercise, and affection. It’s important to provide high-quality, age-appropriate food and fresh water at all times, take them to the vet regularly for check-ups, vaccines, and parasite prevention, and keep their living space clean. Regular grooming and plenty of love contribute to their overall well-being. Dogs benefit from daily walks or outdoor time, as well as playtime and training for mental and behavioral health. Cats need toys, scratching posts, and safe spaces to climb or hide, along with a properly maintained litter box to stay happy and healthy.
When looking for a veterinarian, choose someone who is licensed, experienced, caring, and easy to talk to. Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or local shelters, and check online reviews on sites like Yelp, Google, or Facebook to learn about the clinic’s reputation. A good veterinarian will take the time to answer your questions, explain treatment options clearly, and focus on your pet’s overall well-being. If possible, select a vet who offers emergency care or has a plan in place for urgent cases.

Training and Behavior

While Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not legally required to have training, basic obedience training is recommended to ensure they are well-behaved and manageable. Paws for Patrick will help eligible clients with an Advanced Training Package from PetSmart.

Financial and Resource Support

Illness and Injury Funds
- Paws 4 A Cure
- Bow Wow Buddies Foundation
Non Basic Non-Urgent Care
- The Pet Fund (cancer treatment, heart disease)
Homeless Resources
- Pets of the Homeless
Chicagoland (Medical, Food and Emergency Boarding)
- Animal Rescue Foundation(ARF) Chicagoland Resources for Low-Cost Pet Care
Lifesaving/Urgent Care Funds

Hear From ESA Recipients

"The process was so simple, quick, and easy! I’m very grateful. Thank you, Paws for Patrick!"

ESA Client
"Paws for Patrick gave me a sense of hope that people are out there willing to help!"

ESA Client
"Before Paws for Patrick, life was hard, but now I am able to make it through."

ESA Client
"We are doing great and are so thankful for the help Paws for Patrick has given us."

ESA Client

While we strive to help every individual who reaches out, there may be times when Paws for Patrick is not the best or most immediate fit for your needs. We’ve compiled a list of trusted mental health and community resources that we know and recommend.