#i saw your second ask and i havent even scoured the whole website for that option yet- i AM busy with homework haha

[weaselishmcdiesel]

AHSJSJ in reference to https://at.tumblr.com/weaselishmcdiesel/idk-if-youre-being-serious-in-the-tags-but-if-you/b7me6xnnx57f (i was the anon in question)

its definitely less “official” than proper therapist, but the letter of recommendation for an emotional supper pet you get is in fact from a Real Certified Therapist (at least mine was, i checked), and it carries no indication of being provided through the website, so i doubt people would be like “oh this isn’t legitimate”

in general is it cutting corners? certainly, but it is a good option if you dont have access to/funds for a proper diagnosis, and if you genuinely think an emotional support animal would make your life better, its worth researching. i dont know if i’d call it “fake” per say, but it is for sure easier to fake than yknow a proper diagnosis, so i see why this would be an issue nonetheless. two sides to everything etc etc

(if youre curious to know more or see my letter i’m happy to send it through dms or whatever)

oo, erm, please take the rest of my response in the context that i really have, maybe a collective of 3 hours worth of research on this topic as i was originally planning not to use an ESA site at all, and im not aware of the specifics of any experience using official, medical, therapy options.

im really glad that everything went smoothly for you, and i hope that more people can have access to treatment just as easily and with just as much documentation to prove it.

But the conduct surrounding the treatment of mental health is unfairly complicated so it's not unwise to be picky about which route one takes to receive the documentation and care they require. ideally, no one would have to worry if the letter they acquired IS legitimate and they could collect the proper benefits. unfortunately, i dont know if my school cares about my mental health more than their precious building so much so that they would dig around and find some critical loophole to keep my pet out

the research i DID do uncovered reviews stating that people had their pettable letters denied and in some cases there was fine print that prevented them from getting refunded. the question at the end of the day is do i trust the ESA site to give me valid documentation MORE than i trust my school to be OVERLY, even MALICIOUSLY nitpicky about the legitimacy of my paperwork.

and, i personally would have to be cautious since it's more than a simple drive my cat would have to endure but a plane ride too, and another one back if he's suddenly denied an ESA position, so i can't risk the letter having even one pitfall. i do hope you understand everyone's apprehension ^^ I will continue doing my research and hope that in the end i dont give my school one more reason to be even more strict with ESA especially for people who need them more than me (because there are, probably, people who poorly fake the papers and then make it harder for the rest of us as the other user is calling attention to)