ESA Letter Wisconsin: How to Get It and ESA Laws in Wisconsin

An ESA letter in Wisconsin is an official document, which qualifies an animal as an emotional support animal part of a person’s therapeutic treatment plan. 

Emotional support animals in Wisconsin enjoy benefits that do not apply to regular pets. ESAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), meaning landlords must provide reasonable accommodation to ESAs. 

Wisconsin ESA laws do not protect emotional support animals in air travel, public places, and work environments, but many airlines, properties, and employers make exceptions if the animal has a valid ESA letter Wisconsin.  

ESAs do not need special training. Registration and certification are not required for an emotional support animal Wisconsin. The ESA letter is the only necessary document. 

CertaPet is the answer to the question “How to get an emotional support animal in Wisconsin” in a fast and straightforward way. CertaPet is a reputable online platform that facilitates the process of getting ESA letters.  

What is the Importance of ESA Letters for Wisconsin Residents?

The importance of ESA letters for Wisconsin residents is to protect against discrimination based on mental or emotional disability. 

The ESA letter makes Wisconsin residents eligible for certain federal and state-level benefits. The letter helps differentiate emotional support animals from ordinary pets. 

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) obliges landlords to accommodate ESAs despite the properties’ pet policies. Wisconsin residents with ESA letters are exempt from pet rent, fees, and deposits. 

Getting an ESA letter in Wisconsin is easy and recommended to protect the animal’s rights. ESA letters are the only legally valid document for emotional support animals. 

Why Get an Emotional Support Animal in Wisconsin?

Get an emotional support animal in Wisconsin for comfort and support. An emotional support animal is any animal that provides a sense of safety, comfort, and companionship to people with mental and emotional disabilities. 

Emotional support animals are not trained to perform specialized tasks but they help alleviate certain symptoms or improve certain areas of their owners’ lives with their mere presence. ESA owners enjoy some legal protections under federal and state laws. 

For example, the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) prevents landlords from discriminating against people with disabilities and ensures reasonable accommodations even in properties that have no-pets policies. 

Pets help reduce anxiety, provide unconditional love and support, offer companionship, and give a calming presence, according to the results of the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly Poll conducted in March 2023. 

Increased exercise, improved allergies, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of heart disease are among the physical benefits of animals. 

An emotional support animal offers a holistic approach to therapy for a person with a mental or emotional disability. Stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, age-related cognitive decline, autism, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, and phobias are qualifying ESA conditions. 

How do ESA Letters in Wisconsin differ from those in other States?

ESA letters in Wisconsin do not differ from those in the majority of other states. There are no specific regulations or caveats to receive an ESA letter in Wisconsin compared to other states.

A licensed mental health professional (LMHP), or other authorized health care provider, must write and sign the ESA letter. The issued ESA letter is valid for 12 months. 

The process of getting ESA letters by state, the letters themselves, and federal ESA laws are the same. The only difference is in state laws shaping the rights of emotional support animals on a local level. 

How to Get an ESA Letter in Wisconsin?

The indicative steps on how to get an ESA Letter in Wisconsin are listed below. These are suggested steps as to how the process can work outside of CertaPet. 

1. Consult a Licensed Professional. If an individual is already being treated by a licensed mental health professional, or other health care provider, they should consult with them about the possibility of adding an ESA as part of their treatment plan.  If a person is not seeing a licensed professional, they can look for one. Search for a mental health practitioner, or other authorized healthcare provider (physician, physician assistant) licensed in Wisconsin. As a reminder, these professionals are the only individuals allowed to write an ESA Letter in Wisconsin. They can assess a patient’s mental health status and determine whether the applicant qualifies for an ESA.
2. Request an ESA letter. Approval for an ESA letter depends on the licensed professional’s assessment of a patient’s mental health status and whether an ESA is the right fit for the person’s treatment plan. Personal pets are allowed to become ESAs when recognized as a part of an individual’s therapeutic plan.
3. Receive the ESA Letter. Once approved, receive the ESA letter in a hard copy or a printable PDF version. The hard copy is available upon request and delivered within a few days, while the electronic version is immediately accessible. 

Get an emotional support animal letter in Wisconsin from CertaPet in three simple steps. First, take an online pre-screening test. Second, get contacted by a Wisconsin-licensed mental health professional. Third, receive the ESA letter.   

What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in Wisconsin through CertaPet?

The advantages of getting an ESA letter in Wisconsin through CertaPet are listed below. 

• Simple Procedure: Screening, talking to an LMHP, and getting the letter are the three simple steps for getting an ESA letter through CertaPet. 
• Fast Turnaround: The phone consultation is scheduled within two business days, and the ESA letter will be received immediately if the candidate is approved. 
• Valid Documents: ESA letters obtained through CertaPet are legitimate. Mental health professionals licensed in Wisconsin write and sign the letters. 
• Peace of Mind: Get an ESA letter online via CertaPet and enjoy the perks, like choosing a housing option with a no-pet policy and being exempt from pet fees, rent, or deposits.

CertaPet’s Quick and Easy Process for ESA Letters

1. Free online assessment. A quick online screening test determines whether an ESA is a good fit for the applicant. The test is free of charge and takes only a few minutes. 
2. Consult with a therapist. CertaPet automatically searches for a mental health professional licensed in Wisconsin with whom a patient will conduct their teleconsultations from the comfort of your own home. 
3. Get your ESA Letter. The CertaPet ESA letter provided by the LMHP is accessible online or is mailed directly to your address.  

Do ESA Letters in Wisconsin need to be Renewed Annually?

Yes, ESA letters in Wisconsin need to be renewed annually. ESA letters do not expire in the standard way, but regular renewal is important. 

Updated ESA letters are essential for keeping the medical records accurate and protecting the ESAs’ rights under federal and state laws. 

For example, many landlords require currently valid ESA documents. The renewal of the ESA letter is simple and is done one month before the expiration date.  

Contact the LMHP who issued the letter or schedule an appointment with a new one. Online platforms allow electronic ESA renewal through the telehealth platform.   

What are the Requirements for Getting an ESA Letter in Wisconsin?

The requirements for getting an ESA letter in Wisconsin are having a mental or emotional disability and going through an evaluation with a licensed professional. 

Various mental and emotional disabilities, such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia, autism, age-related cognitive decline, and phobias, qualify for an ESA.

Talking to an LMHP is critical to getting an ESA approval. The professional evaluates the mental or emotional disability and recommends an emotional support animal if beneficial.  

Are ESA Letters Valid in Wisconsin only if Issued by a Licensed Professional within the State?

Yes, ESA letters are valid in Wisconsin only if issued by a licensed professional within the state. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric mental health nurses licensed in the state are able to issue ESA letters, as well as physicians, and physician assistants. 

Contact the mental health professional to ensure they are based and licensed in Wisconsin. The LMHP’s contact information is stated in the ESA letter. 

The ESA letter of a person who just moved to Wisconsin is valid until it expires, which is within 12 months of being issued. Once the letter has expired, it must be renewed in Wisconsin. 

Are there Scams in ESA Letters in Wisconsin?

Yes, there are scams when it comes to ESA letters in Wisconsin. Fake ESA websites and companies exist in all states. Careful research before using an ESA service is recommended. 

CertaPet is a legitimate platform whose letters are issued by Wisconsin-licensed clinicians after mental health consultations.  

The instructions on how to avoid scams in ESA letters in Wisconsin are given below. 

1. Consider the Price. Building a strong network of LMHP in different states takes time and money. An ESA service offering letters at very low prices is likely to be a scam, using professionals who are not licensed in the states or falsifying information.  
2. Read the ESA Letter. A valid ESA letter confirms the ESA need without disclosing the person’s disability. The letter must be written and signed by an LMHP whose credentials and contact information are clearly stated. 
3. Check the Letterhead. A legitimate ESA letter must always be written on the LMHP’s official letterhead. The letterhead contains basic information about the clinician. 
4. Confirm the LMHP’s Credentials. Contact the licensed mental health professional via email or phone to confirm the authenticity of the letter. A valid ESA letter displays the LMHP’s contact information on the letterhead. 
5. Set Reasonable Expectations. Fake companies offer unreasonable services such as instant turnaround, getting approved without talking to an LMHP, lifetime-lasting letters, or gifts like official registration, free certification, and ESA paraphernalia (ID tags, vests).  

What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Wisconsin?

The specific emotional support animal laws in Wisconsin are listed below. 

• Wisconsin ESA Housing Laws: The Fair Housing Act (FHA) enforces landlords to give reasonable accommodation to ESAs. The FHA trumps the property’s pet policies, meaning people with ESAs are allowed to live in rentals even if they have no-pets codes. ESA owners are exempt from paying pet rent, fees, and deposits. 
• Wisconsin ESA Employment Laws: Public and private employers in Wisconsin are not legally required to accept ESAs. Many employers, however, are understanding and allow ESAs as long as they are well-behaved and do not interfere with the work tasks. 
• Wisconsin ESA Laws for Public Places: Emotional support animal laws in Wisconsin do not permit free public access to emotional support animals. ESAs are allowed to be in public if the property is pet-friendly and permits pets on the premises. 
• Wisconsin ESA Travel Laws: The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) protects service dogs and their right to travel with their owners, but does not cover ESAs. Wisconsin ESA laws do not grant air travel, and ESAs in airplanes are at the airlines’ discretion. Airlines with pet-friendly codes allow ESAs to travel in-cabin for free or at additional fees.  

Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in Wisconsin?

Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in Wisconsin. Wisconsin allows residents to get ESA letters online. 

The main condition for obtaining an ESA letter is going through an evaluation with a licensed professional. The consultation with the licensed practitioner can be done online (phone call, video call, telehealth platform) or in person. 

A licensed professional issues the ESA letter if an emotional support animal is able to help with the person’s disability. Think of the letter as a prescription for an ESA. 

Be careful when requesting ESA letters online. Many online ESA services are scams, and their ESA letters are fake. Read reviews from other clients and research carefully before working with a website. 

Are Landlords Required to Accommodate ESAs of Tenants in Wisconsin?

Yes, landlords are required to accommodate ESAs of tenants in Wisconsin. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects against discrimination of people with mental or emotional disabilities. 

Under the FHA, landlords are not permitted to deny ESAs based on ESA size, breed, or weight. Landlords must provide reasonable accommodations to ESAs and exempt them from pet rent, fees, and deposits. 

Wisconsin landlords are legally allowed to deny ESAs if they are dangerous to other tenants, cause significant property damage, or pose undue financial and administrative burdens. 

Can you have Multiple Emotional Support Animals in Wisconsin?

Yes, you can have multiple emotional support animals in Wisconsin. Wisconsin does not limit the type or the number of ESAs per person. 

Wisconsin residents are permitted to have as many emotional support animals as an LMHP prescribes and deems necessary. People with several disabilities can have multiple ESAs provided that each animal is recognized to alleviate specific symptoms.

The state does not restrict the number of ESAs, but some landlords do. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must provide reasonable accommodation to ESAs. 

Having a very large number of ESAs, however, may not be reasonable. Landlords are allowed to deny accommodation if the ESAs pose a significant or undue financial or administrative burden.  

Ivana Crnec, DVM Veterinarian

Ivana Crnec got her veterinary degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bitola. She then continued her education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb, Croatia, where she specialized in domestic carnivores.

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