An emotional support animal (ESA) letter is an integral part of your disability-related treatment plan. If you need an emotional support animal in your life, you will also need to make sure that you secure an ESA letter.
It’s important to understand everything about these letters and how they can help you access certain types of rights with your emotional support animal. Below, we give you more details on ESA letters in Maryland and what to expect when obtaining one of these letters.
What Are Emotional Support Animals and How Can They Help?
According to this ESA guide, emotional support animals are animals of any variety (not just dogs or cats!) that are able to help relieve the symptoms of a mental health condition.
These animals are not trained to perform tasks directly related to a person’s disability. Instead, they comfort, support, and provide companionship for their humans. This emotional support helps many individuals go about their days with a greater sense of relief and strength.
Take note that if you do need specific tasks performed by your support animal, you may actually need a service animal instead of an ESA.
Who Qualifies for an ESA in Maryland?
Many different individuals and mental health conditions may qualify for the assistance of an emotional support animal in Maryland. The most common conditions that may benefit include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
What Is an ESA Letter Maryland?
An ESA letter in Maryland is a letter that is written by a mental health professional licensed in Maryland.
This letter is essential if you want to ensure your emotional support animal is official and that you can take advantage of your federally protected housing rights. These rights allow you to live with your ESA in any suitable area of housing without paying for pet fees, pet rent, or pet security deposits.
You cannot just print a random ESA letter off the internet, and you cannot write your own ESA letter in Maryland. You must have your licensed mental health professional evaluate your condition and prescribe you an emotional support animal.
How to Get an Emotional Support Animal Letter in Maryland
The first step to getting an emotional support animal letter in Maryland is making an appointment with a mental healthcare provider licensed in the state. Once you make your appointment, you can speak about your symptoms with the provider and discuss your desire to add an emotional support animal to your treatment plan.
Your provider will evaluate your condition and determine if you are able to provide proper care for your desired emotional support animal, in addition to evaluating whether or not an ESA will help with your specific condition and symptoms.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an ESA Letter Maryland?
There is no cost for the ESA letter itself in Maryland, though you may need to pay for your consultation with a licensed mental healthcare provider in the state, depending on your insurance coverage.
In general, you can expect to pay up to $150 for an appointment, but you might need to pay more if your mental healthcare provider wishes to evaluate your suitability for an emotional support animal with multiple sessions.
ESA Letter Maryland: Begin the Process Today
Getting an ESA letter in Maryland doesn’t need to be a stressful or drawn-out process. You can easily get an ESA letter online, but make sure that you are speaking to a mental healthcare provider licensed in Maryland. This ensures that any ESA letter you receive is valid and can be used to secure emotional support animal accommodations.
Certified Veterinary Technician Ethan Brooks has cared for companion animals in clinics and shelters for 13 years. Joining us in 2025, he shares health advice, training hacks, and product reviews that keep pets happy and owners informed. Off duty, Ethan rehabilitates injured wildlife and competes in agility trials with his border collie, Scout.
