Our clinical standards
GetPetESA is not a clinic, and we never decide who gets a letter. Independent mental health professionals licensed in your state make every clinical decision. This page sets out what we require of them, and of ourselves, so that every letter we deliver is one we would be comfortable defending.
Six standards behind every letter
These apply in every state, in English and in Spanish, for ESA and PSD letters alike.
Licensed where you live
Your evaluation is done by a mental health professional who holds an active license in the state where you live: a licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor or mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Their license type, number and state appear on your letter, so anyone can confirm it with the licensing board.
A real evaluation, every time
Every assessment is read and evaluated by a licensed clinician before anything is decided. Approval is never automatic: no letter is produced at checkout, and every letter carries the name, license and signature of the clinician who decided.
Independent clinical judgment
Clinicians decide based on their professional standards and nothing else. We do not ask a clinician to change a decision, and we refund every client who is not issued a letter, so there is no reason to pressure anyone toward yes.
State rules followed exactly
In California, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana and Montana, the clinician's relationship with you lasts at least 30 days before a letter, and Louisiana's additional requirements are applied. In Colorado, clinicians apply the state's rules for an emotional support animal finding. When a rule cannot be met for you, we tell you and refund you.
Only what a letter needs
Letters state a disability related need and the animal's role, never the diagnosis. They are dated, signed, and carry a reference number so a housing provider can verify them without learning anything about your health.
Honesty about what letters do
We do not sell registrations, certificates, ID cards or travel letters, and we do not promise that a landlord will approve a request. The housing provider decides, and the law gives them a role. We would rather tell you that up front.
When the answer is no
Not everyone who takes the assessment is issued a letter, and that is how it should be. Sometimes a clinician finds that symptoms do not rise to the level the law describes. Sometimes they believe another kind of support would help more right now, like regular therapy. Sometimes state rules simply cannot be met in the time you have.
Whatever the reason, we let you know, and we refund your payment in full. If you think your situation has changed later, you are welcome to take the assessment again.
If anything in your assessment suggests you may be in crisis, you will see crisis resources right away, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which you can call or text at any hour, in English or Spanish.
How your information is handled
Your assessment answers go to the clinician who evaluates you and to the small team that coordinates your order. They travel over encrypted connections and are never sold or shared with advertisers.
Your housing provider learns only what is in your letter, and, if they ask us to verify it, whether we issued it, by whom, and when. Clinical records are kept by your clinician as their license and state law require.
What the assessment measures
Alongside questions about your animal and your housing, the assessment uses the PHQ-4, a brief screening scale widely used in primary care that asks how often, over the past two weeks, you have felt nervous or worried, or down and uninterested. It does not diagnose anything. It gives your clinician a shared, standard starting point for the evaluation.
For psychiatric service dog letters, the assessment also asks what your dog has been trained to do and how those tasks relate to your condition.
Questions about our clinicians
Are your clinicians employees of GetPetESA?
No. They are independent licensed professionals who choose to evaluate clients through GetPetESA. Their clinical decisions are their own, and they answer to their state licensing boards.
Can I choose my clinician?
We match you with an available clinician licensed in your state. If you have a preference, such as a Spanish speaking clinician, tell us and we will do our best to arrange it.
Can I check my clinician's license?
Yes, and we encourage it. Every letter shows the license type, number and state. Each state licensing board has a free public lookup.
Will my clinician keep treating me after the letter?
An ESA evaluation is a specific service, not ongoing therapy. If you want continuing care, we can point you to resources in your area.
An evaluation held to these standards
Start with the free assessment. You pay only after it, and get a full refund if no letter is issued.