Yes — you very likely do, if you meet these simple, official criteria:

  1. You have a diagnosed (or diagnosable) mental or emotional disability Examples: anxiety disorder, major depression, PTSD, panic disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, severe phobias, etc.

  2. The condition substantially limits one or more major life activities (sleeping, concentrating, interacting with others, caring for yourself, etc.)

  3. A licensed healthcare professional determines that an animal would help alleviate your symptoms

That’s literally all the law requires under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and current HUD guidelines.

If those three points describe you, you are legally eligible for an Emotional Support Animal and its protections:

  • No-pet housing must accept your ESA

  • Zero pet deposits, pet rent, or breed/weight restrictions

  • Protection applies to apartments, condos, HOAs, and most university housing

Next formal step: Schedule a brief evaluation with a licensed mental health professional (in-person or telehealth). If they agree an ESA is part of your treatment plan, they issue the official ESA letter on their letterhead.

That single letter is the only document you ever need.

Have questions about your specific situation? A licensed provider can confirm eligibility in minutes.

(Accurate as of December 2025 — based on HUD, FHA, and ADA national guidelines.)