Maesk Counseling provides Emotional Support Animal (ESA) evaluations to help clients with psychological issues by providing a source of comfort and grounding. The benefits of having an ESA include reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and increased social interaction. Recent updates to HUD guidelines, issued on January 28th, 2020, have made it easier for ESA owners to find housing that accommodates their needs.

Under the new HUD guidelines, there are several key updates that ESA owners should be aware of:

• No breed/weight restrictions, and no fees and deposits are allowed for ESA owners.

• Housing providers must consider the specific animal in question, rather than relying on breed or weight restrictions, and must evaluate each request for an ESA on a case-by-case basis.

• Housing providers may request reliable documentation of the disability and the disability-related need for the ESA, but cannot require specific types of documentation, such as proof of training or certification.

• Housing providers may not deny a reasonable accommodation request for an ESA simply because they have a no-pets policy or because of the animal's breed, size, or weight.

These updates to the HUD guidelines provide much-needed clarity for ESA owners and landlords. They ensure that ESA owners have the same rights as those with service animals under the Fair Housing Act.

To qualify for an ESA, you must be evaluated by a licensed professional who has personal knowledge of your situation/condition, which is a requirement of HUD. Maesk Counseling establishes an ongoing relationship with you, the client, and has thorough personal knowledge of your unique situation. This ensures that you receive a valid ESA letter that affords you protections under the Fair Housing Act of 1988.

The process of getting an ESA letter from Maesk Counseling is simple and straightforward. First, you call or email to schedule an evaluation and complete some paperwork online in advance of your session. Evaluations can be done by phone or video conference as long as you are located within the state of Florida. Second, you meet with Doug Maesk, LMHC, who conducts a thorough diagnostic assessment to determine if you meet the criteria for a mental or emotional disability recognized by the DSM-V and if an ESA helps to mitigate your symptoms. Finally, if qualified, you will be presented with a letter for your ESA which you can present to your homeowner’s association/condo board.

Maesk Counseling provides a reliable and professional service to help clients qualify for an ESA. If you are interested in getting an ESA letter, call Maesk Counseling at 954-353-4680 or email to schedule your Emotional Support Animal Evaluation.