Sample letter requesting reasonable accommodation for emotional support animal

SAMPLE LANGUAGE FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL FOR
REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
FOR SERVICE DOG OR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL

(THIS SHOULD BE ON THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL’S LETTERHEAD)

I,  [Name of health care professional] ________________________________ , have examined and evaluated [Patient name]_____________________________________. I am familiar with his/her medical history and with the functional limitations imposed by his/her disability.

I have concluded that she/he requires a Service Dog [or Emotional Support Animal].

[Patient name] has certain limitations which affect his/her activities of daily living. To assist in alleviating these difficulties, and to enhance his/her ability to live independently, I am prescribing a service dog [or Emotional Support Animal] that will assist in coping with his/her disability. Therefore his/her request for reasonable accommodation should be granted.

Dated: __________________      ______________________________________________                                                         [Signature and License number of health care professional]

Note: These laws only apply to landlords who are covered under the Fair Housing Act. Some small landlords do not fall under the Fair Housing Act. Learn more: Epic Master List of Disability Accommodation Letters for Housing

Dear So and So,

Thank you for accepting me as a tenant in your building. I am very happy to be moving in and look forward to living there.

I am writing to request that you remove any  requirements of pet fees, pet deposits, veterinary exams, or additional charges related to my assistance animal. This request will allow me to have an assistance animal recommended by my physician as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act.

I am requesting that you please remove these fees and requirements in accordance with fair housing laws and the Joint Statement of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice: Reasonable Accommodations Under.

My [physician, psychiatrist, therapist, counselor] has prescribed me an assistance animal to help me cope with the functional limitations I experience that are directly related to my disability, and to enhance my ability to live independently and to fully use and enjoy my rental unit.

Attached please find documentation from my provider prescribing an assistance animal to help me cope with my disability. In accordance with the Fair Housing Act, the animal need not be certified or trained to perform this service for me.

More information on this topic can be found in the Joint Statement of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice: Reasonable Accommodations Under the Fair Housing Act, which states that:

• “The housing provider may not require the applicant to pay a fee or a security deposit as a condition of allowing the applicant to keep the assistance animal.”
• “Housing providers may not require persons with disabilities to pay extra fees or deposits as a condition of receiving a reasonable accommodation.”

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely, Me

Exceptions

If your area has state or local laws requiring that animals have rabies vaccines or other registration, your landlord may request that your animal follows these laws. If your landlord is going to be charged extra by his insurance company for having an animal that is not seen by a vet, the landlord may be able to pass the charge on to you. Request written proof of the additional charge.

When to Request an Emotional Support Animal

Some of our readers report that it was helpful to submit this information after being approved as a tenant, and before signing a lease. If you are not yet approved as a tenant, a landlord can reject the application and claim it was for other reasons (not because of the animal).

Either way, you should submit a letter to your landlord before the animal moves in.