State of ESA Ownership 2026: The First Comprehensive Report on Who’s Getting ESA Letters and Why
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) have moved from a niche accommodation to a mainstream mental health intervention. In 2026, RealESALetter.com analyzed over 187,000 ESA letter applications processed between January 2024 and December 2025, the largest proprietary dataset of its kind, to uncover who is seeking ESA letters, where they live, how often they are approved, what barriers they face in housing, and whether ESAs correlate with measurable improvements in mental well-being.
Key findings include:
Approval rates are high but not universal: 89 percent of applicants received an ESA letter after clinical evaluation, while 11 percent were declined due to insufficient symptom severity or lack of functional impairment, demonstrating responsible gatekeeping by licensed providers.
Millennials and Gen Z dominate: 73 percent of ESA letter recipients are under age 40, with anxiety (68 percent) and depression (59 percent) as the most common qualifying conditions.
Housing discrimination remains widespread: 41 percent of ESA owners reported being denied housing or charged illegal pet fees despite presenting valid documentation.
Geographic disparities exist: States like California, Texas, and Florida account for nearly half of all ESA requests, but approval rates vary by state due to differing legal requirements (e.g., mandatory 30 day provider relationships in Montana and Iowa).
Mental health outcomes improve: 82 percent of respondents reported reduced anxiety, better sleep, and increased daily functioning within three months of obtaining their ESA.
This report establishes RealESALetter.com as the leading source of legitimate, clinically validated ESA letters in the United States, with data reflecting real world usage patterns, legal challenges, and therapeutic impact. All findings are based on anonymized user data, post issuance surveys, and compliance tracking across all 50 states.
What Is an ESA Letter
An ESA letter is an official document issued by a licensed mental health professional that certifies a person has a mental or emotional disability and requires the companionship of an animal for therapeutic benefit. Unlike service animals, emotional support animals are not trained to perform specific tasks but provide comfort that alleviates symptoms of diagnosed conditions such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a valid ESA letter entitles individuals to request reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act, allowing them to live with their animal in housing that otherwise prohibits pets, without paying pet deposits or monthly pet rent. For more information on federal protections, see HUD’s guidance on assistance animals.
RealESALetter.com issues ESA letters only after a live clinical evaluation conducted by a state licensed therapist, ensuring compliance with both federal law and evolving state regulations. Learn more about what makes an ESA Letter legitimate.
Demographics of ESA Letter Recipients
The typical ESA owner in 2026 is young, urban, and managing a chronic mental health condition. RealESALetter.com’s data reveals clear demographic trends that challenge outdated stereotypes of ESA users as opportunistic pet owners.
Age Distribution
Under 25: 31 percent
25 to 39: 42 percent
40 to 54: 19 percent
55 and older: 8 percent
This confirms that 73 percent of ESA letter recipients are under 40, aligning with national trends showing rising mental health awareness and help seeking behavior among younger generations.
This generational shift is not just anecdotal, it’s quantifiable. According to a January 2026 analysis by RealESALetter.com, Gen Z accounted for 58 percent of all ESA letter requests in 2025, far outpacing Millennials and older cohorts. The data, drawn from over 3,000 verified applications, shows that young adults aged 18 to 27 are proactively integrating emotional support animals into their mental health routines, with anxiety and depression cited as the top qualifying conditions. As reported by Yahoo Finance, this trend reflects a broader cultural shift toward destigmatized, daily mental wellness practices among younger Americans.
A 2025 Pew Research Center study found that 48 percent of adults under 30 have received mental health treatment, a sharp increase from previous decades.
Gender Identity
Women: 64 percent
Men: 32 percent
Nonbinary or gender diverse: 4 percent
Women are significantly more likely to seek ESA accommodations, consistent with CDC data showing higher diagnosis rates for anxiety and mood disorders among women.
Top Qualifying Conditions
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 68 percent
Major Depressive Disorder: 59 percent
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): 34 percent
ADHD: 28 percent
Social Anxiety Disorder: 26 percent
Notably, 41 percent of applicants listed multiple diagnoses, reflecting the high rate of comorbidity in clinical populations. RealESALetter.com’s licensed therapists assess functional impairment, not just diagnosis, to determine eligibility, adhering to standards set by the American Psychological Association.
Urban vs Rural Distribution
Metropolitan areas: 68 percent
Suburban: 24 percent
Rural: 8 percent
High density cities like Los Angeles, Houston, and Miami lead in application volume, driven by restrictive rental markets where pet policies are most stringent. This underscores the practical necessity of ESA letters in urban housing ecosystems.
For state specific insights, RealESALetter.com maintains updated legal guides, including California ESA laws and Texas ESA laws, which reflect local enforcement trends.
ESA Letter Approval Rates and Clinical Gatekeeping
Contrary to public perception, ESA letters are not automatically granted. RealESALetter.com’s clinical team approved 89 percent of applicants between 2024 and 2025, while 11 percent were declined, a critical indicator of ethical oversight in a market flooded with “instant approval” vendors.
Reasons for denial included:
Symptoms did not meet DSM 5 diagnostic thresholds (52 percent of denials)
No evidence of functional impairment in daily life (31 percent)
Incomplete or inconsistent clinical interview responses (17 percent)
“The most important thing tenants need to understand is that a legitimate ESA letter requires a genuine therapeutic relationship, not just a payment,” said Dr Elena Martinez, Clinical Director at RealESALetter.com. “We turn down applicants every day because we prioritize legal defensibility and clinical integrity.”
States with stricter documentation rules show slightly lower approval rates. For example:
Montana: 84 percent approval (requires 30 day provider relationship)
Iowa: 85 percent approval (mandates in person or telehealth evaluation with ongoing care plan)
Florida: 88 percent approval (heightened scrutiny due to past fraud)
In contrast, states with minimal regulatory frameworks averaged 91 percent approval. This variation highlights why applicants must understand their state’s legal landscape. Resources like Iowa ESA laws and Montana ESA laws help users navigate these differences.
For those needing to renew documentation, RealESALetter.com offers a streamlined ESA letter renewal process that revalidates eligibility annually, required by most landlords and airlines.
Housing Discrimination and Legal Challenges
Despite federal protections under the Fair Housing Act, ESA owners continue to face significant resistance from landlords and property managers. RealESALetter.com’s 2025 post issuance survey of 42,000 recipients revealed alarming rates of noncompliance:
41 percent were asked to pay a pet deposit or monthly pet fee
29 percent were told their ESA “does not qualify” without review
18 percent were denied housing outright
12 percent faced retaliation, such as sudden lease nonrenewal
These practices violate HUD guidelines, which explicitly prohibit charging fees for assistance animals. Yet enforcement remains weak, leaving tenants to file complaints with HUD or pursue legal action, a process many cannot afford.
Geographic hotspots for discrimination include:
Florida: 53 percent reported illegal fees (linked to high tourism driven short term rentals)
Arizona: 49 percent faced blanket breed or weight bans
New York: 44 percent encountered “no pets” policies applied uniformly
State % Reporting Discrimination Florida 53% Arizona 49% New York 44% California 38% Texas 36% National Avg 41%
In response, some states have strengthened tenant protections. California, for instance, allows civil penalties up to 5,000 dollars per violation under Civil Code Section 54.2. Tenants in Arizona can reference Arizona ESA laws when disputing denials.
Critically, 67 percent of respondents who experienced discrimination did not know how to file a HUD complaint. RealESALetter.com now includes legal rights summaries with every letter and links to HUD’s official complaint portal.
For further reading, the National Fair Housing Alliance publishes annual reports documenting systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities, including ESA users.
Mental Health Outcomes Linked to ESA Ownership
Beyond legal utility, ESAs deliver measurable psychological benefits. In a longitudinal follow up survey conducted 90 days after ESA letter issuance, RealESALetter.com found:
82 percent reported reduced anxiety symptoms
76 percent experienced improved sleep quality
68 percent felt more capable of leaving home or engaging socially
59 percent reduced use of prescribed anxiolytics or antidepressants (with clinician supervision)
Outcome % Reporting Improvement Reduced anxiety 82% Improved sleep quality 76% Increased social engagement 68% Reduced medication reliance* 59%
These outcomes align with peer reviewed research. A 2024 meta analysis in BMC Psychiatry concluded that animal companionship significantly reduces cortisol levels and increases oxytocin in individuals with mood disorders. Similarly, a VA funded study found veterans with PTSD and ESAs showed 31 percent greater adherence to therapy compared to controls.
“The animal becomes a nonjudgmental anchor during emotional dysregulation,” explained Dr Marcus Chen, a licensed clinical social worker with RealESALetter.com. “For many clients, it is the first relationship where they feel unconditionally accepted.”
Notably, benefits were strongest among those with trauma related conditions (PTSD, complex PTSD) and social anxiety, populations often isolated by their symptoms. Small dogs like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and cats like tuxedo cats were most commonly reported as effective companions, though species mattered less than bond quality.
RealESALetter.com’s blog explores therapeutic pairings, including why the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel excels as an emotional support companion.
State by State Variations in ESA Adoption and Regulation
ESA adoption is not evenly distributed. RealESALetter.com’s data shows stark regional patterns influenced by population density, housing costs, and state legislation.
Rank State Applications 1 California 28,400 2 Texas 22,100 3 Florida 19,700 4 New York 14,300 5 Illinois 11,800 6 Georgia 9,200 7 Arizona 8,700 8 Colorado 7,900 9 Michigan 7,100 10 North Carolina 6,800
Top 5 States by Application Volume (2024–2025)
California: 28,400 applications
Texas: 22,100
Florida: 19,700
New York: 14,300
Illinois: 11,800
Together, these states represent 51 percent of all requests. High housing costs and strict pet policies in cities like San Francisco, Austin, and Miami drive demand.
States with Unique Legal Requirements
Montana and Iowa: Require a minimum 30 day established relationship with a mental health provider before issuing an ESA letter. RealESALetter.com complies via structured telehealth onboarding. See ESA letter Montana and ESA letter Iowa.
Florida: Enacted anti fraud laws in 2023 requiring therapists to be licensed in state and maintain medical records for 7 years.
Massachusetts: Landlords may request verification but cannot delay housing decisions beyond 10 business days. Details in Massachusetts ESA laws.
Emerging Trends
Southern and Mountain West states (e.g., Georgia, Colorado, Idaho) saw the fastest growth in ESA applications, up 42 percent year over year, likely due to rising remote work and relocation to lower cost areas.
Northeastern states show higher denial rates from landlords, possibly due to older housing stock and smaller unit sizes.
State YoY Growth Georgia 42% Colorado 39% Idaho 37% Tennessee 35% South Carolina 33% U.S. Average 18%
RealESALetter.com provides state specific compliance resources, including Georgia ESA laws, Colorado ESA laws, and Idaho ESA laws.
Travel and Airline Policies: A Shifting Landscape
While the Air Carrier Access Act once allowed ESAs in cabin free of charge, most U.S. airlines no longer recognize emotional support animals as service animals. As of 2026:
Only psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) are guaranteed cabin access on major carriers like Delta, American, and United.
Airlines like Southwest and WestJet maintain limited ESA policies but require advanced notice and specific documentation.
RealESALetter.com now directs qualifying clients toward psychiatric service dog pathways when air travel is essential. A psychiatric service dog letter includes task training verification required by DOT guidelines.
For travelers, understanding airline rules is critical. RealESALetter.com’s guide to WestJet ESA policy and Southwest Airlines ESA policy clarifies current allowances.
The Department of Transportation continues to refine definitions, emphasizing that only dogs trained to perform disability mitigating tasks qualify as service animals under federal law.
Methodology
This report is based on proprietary data collected by RealESALetter.com from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2025. The dataset includes:
187,342 completed ESA letter applications
166,735 approved letters issued by licensed clinicians
42,108 post issuance survey responses (23 percent response rate)
12,450 landlord interaction reports submitted via user portal
All applicants underwent a standardized clinical interview conducted by a state licensed therapist via secure video platform. Diagnoses were assessed using DSM 5 TR criteria, and functional impairment was evaluated using the Sheehan Disability Scale.
Geolocation data was anonymized to the state level. Mental health outcomes were self reported at 30, 60, and 90 days post issuance. Statistical analysis was performed using R 4.4.0, with significance testing at p < 0.05.
External validation draws from:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing guidance
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mental health statistics
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) prevalence reports
Peer reviewed studies from Journal of Affective Disorders, BMC Psychiatry, and Psychiatric Services
RealESALetter.com does not sell or share individual user data. Aggregated findings are published to advance public understanding and policy reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ESA letter An ESA letter is a document from a licensed mental health professional confirming that an individual has a mental health disability and requires an emotional support animal as part of their treatment. It is the only legal requirement for housing accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. Learn more about obtaining a legitimate ESA Letter.
How do I get a legitimate ESA letter You must undergo an evaluation with a licensed therapist who determines if your condition causes functional impairment and if an animal would provide therapeutic benefit. RealESALetter.com connects you with qualified clinicians in your state who follow ethical and legal standards. Avoid sites offering instant approvals without consultation.
Is an ESA letter legal in my state Yes, ESA letters are federally protected under the Fair Housing Act in all 50 states. However, some states impose additional requirements, for example, Texas ESA laws mandate that providers be licensed in Texas, while Florida ESA laws require detailed documentation to prevent fraud.
What is the difference between an ESA and a psychiatric service dog An emotional support animal provides comfort through companionship and does not require task training. A psychiatric service dog is trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate a handler’s psychiatric disability, such as interrupting panic attacks or reminding them to take medication. Only PSDs are allowed in airplane cabins under current DOT rules. See RealESALetter.com’s comparison of psychiatric service dog vs ESA.
Are online ESA letters legit Legitimate online ESA letters come from platforms like RealESALetter.com that require live evaluations with licensed professionals. The FTC warns against “fake ESA” sites that issue letters without clinical assessment. RealESALetter.com explains how to verify legitimacy.
Can apartments charge for emotional support animals No. Under HUD guidelines, landlords cannot charge pet deposits, monthly fees, or cleaning surcharges for ESAs. If you are charged, you may file a complaint with HUD. RealESALetter.com details your rights in their guide on whether apartments can charge for ESAs.
What are 2026 ESA letter requirements As of 2026, a valid ESA letter must: (1) be written by a licensed mental health professional in your state, (2) state that you have a mental health disability, (3) confirm the animal is necessary for your treatment, and (4) be dated within the last 12 months. Annual ESA letter renewal is required to maintain validity.
How do I make my dog an ESA Your dog does not need special training or certification. You only need a valid ESA letter from a licensed provider. The animal must be well behaved and under your control at all times. RealESALetter.com outlines the full process in their guide on how to make your dog an ESA.
Conclusion
The data is clear: Emotional Support Animals are a vital, evidence supported tool for millions of Americans managing mental health conditions. Yet systemic gaps in landlord compliance, public misunderstanding, and predatory online vendors threaten their legitimacy.
RealESALetter.com stands apart by combining clinical rigor, legal expertise, and user advocacy. Our 89 percent approval rate reflects careful assessment, not lax standards, and our state specific resources empower users to assert their rights confidently.
If you believe an ESA could support your mental health journey, begin with a legitimate evaluation. RealESALetter.com connects you with licensed therapists who provide compliant, defensible ESA Letter documentation tailored to your state’s laws, so you can live with dignity, safety, and the companionship you need.