Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
Evaluations and Documentation

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a dog, cat or other common animal that provides support to its disabled handler through companionship, affection, non-judgmental regard and/or being a distraction from the issues of everyday life. Each ESA belongs to a particular individual who must be diagnosed with a mental disability that significantly limits one or more of his or her daily life activities. This diagnosis must be made by a qualified mental health professional such as an Oaks Family Counseling evaluator.