The biggest problem we have getting help housing homeless veterans is when they have a support animal without having the proper paperwork to house them with their pet.
Unfortunately it’s not as easy as spending a few dollars on the internet for a fancy emotional support animal card.
What is needed is a letter from the veterans Doctor. It is important that key words like REQUIRED is in the letter.
Fair Housing Article § 3604(3)(B)
Under the Fair Housing Act, a housing provider must allow a person with a disability to have a service animal as a "reasonable accommodation," meaning they cannot deny housing to someone solely because they need a service animal, and cannot charge extra fees for the animal, as long as the animal is necessary to alleviate the symptoms of their disability; this applies to shelters as well.
Here is an example letter.
[Your Medical Practice Letterhead]
[Your Name, M.D.]
[Your Medical Practice Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
[Recipient's Name]
[Recipient's Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I am writing this letter to confirm that [Veteran's Full Name], who is under my care, requires the assistance of a specific dog, [Dog's Name], as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and/or Service Dog due to [his/her/their] diagnosed condition(s).
[Veteran's Full Name] is a veteran of [Branch of Military] and has been diagnosed with [specific mental health diagnosis, e.g., PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, etc.]. This condition significantly impairs [his/her/their] daily functioning and quality of life.
The presence of [Dog's Name] is essential for [Veteran's Name] in managing the symptoms associated with [his/her/their] condition. [He/She/They] experiences [briefly describe symptoms, e.g., anxiety attacks, episodes of depression, difficulty in social situations], and [Dog's Name] provides [specific support the dog offers, e.g., comfort, companionship, a sense of security].
An Emotional Support Animal is crucial for [Veteran's Name]'s emotional and psychological well-being, as it helps alleviate the symptoms associated with [his/her/their] condition. [He/She/They] relies on [Dog's Name] for [specific tasks the dog assists with, if applicable, e.g., grounding during panic attacks, reminders to take medication, etc.].
I recommend that [Veteran's Name] be allowed to have [Dog's Name] as [his/her/their] Emotional Support Animal and/or Service Dog in accordance with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which recognize the importance of such animals in supporting individuals with disabilities.
Please feel free to contact my office at [your phone number] or [your email address] should you require any further information or clarification regarding this matter.
Thank you for your attention and support in this important matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Your Medical License Number]
[Your Specialty, if applicable]
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