Emotional Support Animal
Assessment & Letter
A clinically grounded ESA evaluation for housing accommodations — not a form, not a letter mill. A real clinical consultation with a licensed social worker, conducted via telehealth statewide in Wisconsin.
- ✦A structured clinical evaluation by a Wisconsin-licensed LCSW
- ✦A 45–60 minute telehealth consultation — not a form, not a questionnaire
- ✦Documentation of a qualifying mental health condition and disability-related need
- ✦A legally defensible letter for housing accommodation requests under the Fair Housing Act
- ✦Retained in your clinical record with full documentation
- —Not a letter mill — letters are not issued without a clinical consultation
- —Not a service animal certification (ESAs and service animals are different legal categories)
- —Not a guarantee — letters are issued only when clinically appropriate
- —Not covered by insurance — this is a private-pay specialty service
- —Not a public access pass — ESA letters cover housing only, not public spaces
How the Assessment Works
Request Your Appointment
Use the scheduling link to request an ESA assessment appointment. You'll receive an intake form to complete before the consultation.
Complete the Intake Form
The intake form covers your mental health history, current symptoms, and the role your animal plays in your daily life. This is reviewed before your consultation.
45–60 Minute Clinical Consultation
We meet via telehealth for a structured clinical evaluation. This is not a rubber-stamp process — it's a real conversation about your mental health, your disability-related need, and your animal.
Letter Issued Within a Few Business Days
If the evaluation supports a letter, it is issued on LCSW letterhead with your license number, the qualifying condition, and the disability-related need — everything a housing provider requires.
Annual Renewal Available
ESA letters are generally accepted for one year. Returning clients can schedule a renewal consultation at a reduced rate.
Includes intake review, 45–60 min consultation, letter, and clinical documentation.
Private pay only. Annual renewals available at a reduced rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can write an ESA letter in Wisconsin?
Under Wisconsin Statute § 106.50, licensed mental health professionals — including licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) — are explicitly authorized to provide emotional support animal documentation. An LCSW is one of the most qualified providers for this assessment because the evaluation is fundamentally a mental health determination, not a medical one.
Do I need to be an existing client to get an ESA letter?
No. ARO Therapy offers standalone ESA assessments for individuals who are not current therapy clients. The assessment involves a structured clinical consultation — not just a form — so that the letter is clinically grounded and legally defensible.
What does the ESA assessment process look like?
After you request an appointment, you'll complete an intake form. We'll then meet for a 45–60 minute clinical consultation via telehealth. I'll review your mental health history, assess the therapeutic role the animal plays, and make a clinical determination. If appropriate, the letter is issued within a few business days. The entire process is documented and retained in your clinical record.
What animals qualify as emotional support animals?
Under the Fair Housing Act, any species can qualify as an ESA — there is no breed or species restriction in federal law. I assess dogs, cats, and other common domestic animals routinely. Requests involving less common animals are evaluated case by case based on the clinical appropriateness and the client's living situation.
What is the fee for an ESA assessment and letter?
The all-inclusive fee is $195. This covers the intake form review, the 45–60 minute clinical consultation, the letter itself, and documentation in your clinical record. Annual renewals are available at a reduced rate for returning clients.
Will my insurance cover the ESA assessment?
ESA assessments are not a covered benefit under any insurance plan. This service is private pay only, regardless of your insurance coverage for other services.
Is an ESA letter the same as a service animal certification?
No. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks and are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional support animals provide therapeutic companionship and are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) for housing accommodations. An ESA letter is not a service animal certification and does not grant public access rights.
How long is an ESA letter valid?
ESA letters are generally accepted for one year. Housing providers may request updated documentation annually. ARO Therapy offers annual renewal consultations for returning ESA clients.
Request Your ESA Assessment
Use the scheduling link to request your appointment. You'll receive an intake form to complete before we meet. The entire process is conducted via telehealth — no office visit required.
Request ESA AssessmentWisconsin Licensed LCSW · Telehealth Statewide · Private Pay · $195 All-Inclusive
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