If you have ever wondered whether your Shih Tzu could be officially recognized as an emotional support animal, you are not alone. Searches for “how to get an ESA letter” have grown sharply over the past few years as more people learn about the housing protections an emotional support animal can provide. Sorting through the information can feel overwhelming, with scam websites, conflicting advice, and changing federal rules all competing for attention.
This guide walks through what an ESA letter actually is, how to get one legitimately for your Shih Tzu, and what to watch out for along the way.
What an ESA Letter Is (and What It Is Not)
An emotional support animal letter is a formal document written by a licensed mental health professional that confirms two things: you have a mental or emotional condition that limits your daily life, and your animal helps relieve at least one symptom of that condition. With a legitimate ESA letter, your Shih Tzu is recognized under the Fair Housing Act as an assistance animal rather than a pet.
That recognition matters because it protects your right to live with your dog even in housing with a no-pet policy, breed restrictions, or size limits, and it exempts you from pet fees and pet deposits.
Understanding what an ESA letter does not provide is just as important. As of 2021, emotional support animals are no longer protected under the Air Carrier Access Act, which means airlines treat ESAs as regular pets and can charge airfare or apply travel restrictions. ESAs also do not have the public access rights that service dogs have under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A service dog is trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability, while an ESA provides emotional comfort through their presence alone.
How to Get an ESA Letter for Your Shih Tzu in 5 Steps
The process for getting a legitimate ESA letter is more straightforward than many websites make it sound. The key is making sure each step involves a real evaluation by a state-licensed clinician.
Step 1: Confirm You May Qualify for an ESA
Qualifying for an ESA requires having a diagnosed mental or emotional health condition that limits one or more major life activities. Common qualifying conditions include anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorders, and other emotional or psychological conditions recognized in the DSM. If you already see a therapist or psychiatrist, they are usually the first person to ask.
Step 2: Connect with a Licensed Mental Health Professional in Your State
Only a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) can issue a legitimate ESA letter, and they must be licensed in the state where you live. This includes therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed clinical social workers. Some people choose to work with their existing provider, while others use a reputable telehealth service that connects them with a licensed clinician for the evaluation.
Step 3: Complete a Real Clinical Evaluation
A legitimate ESA letter requires an actual evaluation, not a quiz or instant approval form. Expect to complete an intake form covering your mental health history, current symptoms, and how your Shih Tzu helps relieve those symptoms. You will then meet with the clinician via telehealth or in person for a real consultation, typically lasting 20 to 45 minutes.
Step 4: Receive Your Signed ESA Letter
If the clinician determines that you qualify, they will issue an ESA letter prepared on their professional letterhead. The letter should be delivered as a signed PDF and is typically valid for one year from the date of issue.
Step 5: Use Your Letter to Request Housing Accommodation
Once you have a valid ESA letter for your Shih Tzu, you can submit it to your landlord or housing provider with a written request for reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. Landlords are required to consider the request and cannot deny it based solely on breed, size, or a no-pet policy.
What a Legitimate ESA Letter Must Include
Not every document calling itself an ESA letter will hold up if a landlord challenges it. Under HUD guidelines and Fair Housing Act requirements, a valid ESA letter must include:
- The clinician’s official letterhead
- The clinician’s full name, license number, and state of licensure
- The clinician’s signature and date of issuance
- A statement that you have a mental or emotional disability
- A statement that your Shih Tzu is part of your treatment for that disability
- Your full legal name
If any of these elements are missing, the letter may be rejected.
Red Flags: ESA Letter Scams to Avoid
The ESA space attracts plenty of scam services, and they have become more sophisticated over the years. Watch for these warning signs:
- “Instant” letters or same-day approval. A real evaluation cannot happen in minutes, and several states require a 30-day patient-provider relationship before a letter can even be issued.
- No live evaluation required. If a service offers to issue a letter based only on a quiz, walk away.
- “ESA registration” or “official ESA certificate.” There is no government registry for emotional support animals. Anyone selling registration is offering something with no legal standing.
- Vests, ID cards, or “ESA kits” sold as required. None of these are required by federal law. They are accessories, not legal documents.
- Free or extremely cheap letters. A legitimate ESA letter typically costs between $79 and $199 because it requires real clinical labor.
State-Specific Considerations for ESA Letters
ESA laws follow federal guidelines, but several states have added their own requirements. As of 2026, California, Florida, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana require a 30-day client-provider relationship before an ESA letter can be issued. If you live in one of these states, the timeline from intake to letter is typically 30 days or longer.
For up-to-date federal guidance, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes the official rules for assistance animals under the Fair Housing Act.
Why Shih Tzus Make Excellent Emotional Support Animals
While many breeds can serve as emotional support animals, the Shih Tzu has natural traits that make them particularly well-suited for the role. They were bred specifically for companionship, with a long history as imperial lap dogs in China, and that heritage shows up clearly in their gentle, people-focused temperament. Shih Tzus are calm, affectionate, and highly intuitive about their person’s emotional state, which is exactly the combination most ESA owners describe as helpful in managing anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.
At Divine Pups, we evaluate every Shih Tzu puppy through a 12-trait temperament testing framework designed to identify the traits that matter most for emotional support work, including resiliency, friendliness, tender heartedness, and human focus. We do not issue ESA letters or replace the role of a licensed clinician, and our temperament reports can give your provider added context when writing a recommendation. Families who know they may pursue ESA recognition often appreciate the head start.
Frequently Asked Questions About ESA Letters
How long does it take to get an ESA letter?
In most states, the entire process takes 2 to 3 business days from intake to receiving your signed letter. In states that require a 30-day client-provider relationship (California, Florida, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana), expect 30 days or longer.
How much does an ESA letter cost?
A legitimate ESA letter typically costs between $79 and $199. Anything significantly cheaper or marketed as “free” is usually a scam.
How long is an ESA letter valid?
Most ESA letters are valid for one year from the date of issue. Many landlords request a current letter at lease renewal.
Can my Shih Tzu fly with me as an ESA?
Not under federal law. The Air Carrier Access Act was updated in 2021 to no longer recognize emotional support animals, so airlines now treat ESAs as regular pets. If you need to travel by plane, your Shih Tzu will be subject to standard airline pet policies and fees.
Does my landlord have to accept my ESA letter?
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are required to consider a request for reasonable accommodation when a tenant presents a legitimate ESA letter. They cannot deny based on breed, size, or a no-pet policy, and they can challenge a letter that lacks the required elements or appears fraudulent.
Can a puppy be an ESA?
Yes, an ESA can be any age. Very young puppies are still developing emotionally and behaviorally, so most clinicians and breeders recommend selecting a puppy whose temperament has been evaluated for the traits that support ESA work.
Looking for a Shih Tzu with ESA-Ready Temperament?
If you are exploring whether a Shih Tzu could be the right emotional support companion for you, the first step is finding a puppy whose temperament fits the role. Visit our Available Puppies page to see who is currently temperament-evaluated and ready for placement, or read our companion guide on whether a Shih Tzu can be an emotional support animal for more on what makes the breed such a strong ESA match.
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