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

An ESA letter in Ontario is an official document validating a person’s need for an emotional support animal and the animal’s ESA status. 

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that benefits the owner’s emotional and mental health. ESAs do not require training and all animal species have the potential to be ESAs. 

Emotional support animals in Ontario are recognized under the Human Rights Code but remain underrepresented in Canadian laws. Lacking specific emotional support dog Ontario laws, ESAs depend on the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) for protection in housing and air travel, respectively.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) allows service dogs in public places and work environments, but it does not include emotional support animals. 

Therapists, psychiatrists, and physicians registered and practicing in the province are healthcare professionals authorized to recommend ESA letters. The ESA letter in Ontario must be kept up to date and renewed every 12 months. 

What is the Importance of ESA Letters for Ontario Residents?

The importance of ESA letters for Ontario residents is legalizing the animal’s ESA status and protecting its rights per provincial and Canadian laws. ESA letters prevent discrimination against people with mental or emotional disabilities. 

The Human Rights Code recognizes ESAs, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission says that “service animals for people with psychiatric disabilities or addictions do not have to be trained or certified by a recognized disability-related organization.”

The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) prevents landlords from instating no-pet policies in rentals, hence indirectly protecting emotional support animals. 

The Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulation (ATPDR) allows only Emotional Support Dogs (ESDs) on board aircrafts. ESDs are permitted to travel in the main cabin of Canada-based airlines under specific conditions. Besides the appropriate documentation (ESA letter from a registered medical professional and a veterinarian letter), ESDs need to be contained in specific carriers, thus the size of the dog matters. 

An ESA letter in Ontario is valid only if issued by a registered mental health professional or physician practicing in the province. ESA owners who just moved to Ontario are permitted to keep their already issued ESA letters, but once they expire, they must be renewed in Ontario. 

Why Get an Emotional Support Animal in Ontario?

Get an emotional support animal in Ontario for improved mental health. An emotional support animal (ESA) is any animal that benefits the owner’s emotional wellness with its mere presence, without requiring special training. 

In Ontario, the Human Rights Code recognizes emotional support animals, but they are poorly defined and marginalized in Canadian laws. Some regulations, however, defend their rights. 

For example, the Federal Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) protects air travel for Emotional Support Dogs (ESDs) under specific circumstances –ESAs as a category are not protected under the ATPDR and they are subject to the airlines pet policies– similarly, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) offers some level of protection to ESAs.  

An emotional support animal boosts a person’s mental well-being. “Pets may trigger feelings of comfort, security, and emotional support, which probably have positive effects on humans by counteracting feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, and depression,” reports a study “Pet’s Influence on Humans’ Daily Physical Activity and Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis,” published in Frontiers in Public Health in 2023. 

Registered mental health professionals and clinicians are authorized to recommend emotional support animals in Ontario as part of holistic treatments for mental or emotional disabilities. 

Anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic attacks, ADHD, autism, and cognitive decline are some of the conditions qualifying for an emotional support animal in Ontario.

Is ESA Registration in Ontario Required?

No, ESA registration in Ontario is not required. Emotional support animal registration does not exist. Canadian law does not require the ESA owner to register an emotional support animal in Ontario. 

The same applies to ESA certifications. Emotional support animal registration and certification are neither required nor legally valid steps. The only condition necessary for getting an ESA in Ontario is obtaining an ESA letter from a health practitioner registered in the province. 

Fraudulent websites and companies offer free or cheap ESA registration or certification. Stay away from such offers as they are likely to be scams. 

How do ESA Letters in Ontario differ from other Provinces?

ESA letters in Ontario do not differ from other provinces. registered mental health professionals issue ESA letters which remain valid for 12 months. 

ESA letters are written on the official letterheads of the practitioner and contain basic information. ESA letters in every state and province are similar in issuance procedure, validity, and outlook. 

The only difference between ESA letters in different provinces is the protection they offer. ESA laws in Canada vary greatly among provinces and territories. Always read about local ESA laws before applying for an emotional support animal in Ontario. 

How to Get an ESA Letter in Ontario?

The indicative instructions on how to get an ESA letter in Ontario are given below. 

1. Understand the ESA Letters’s Purpose. The ESA letter is the primary document that proves an animal’s ESA status and ensures protection under the law. Knowing the vital importance of the ESA letter is the first step toward obtaining one. 
2. Consult a registered Healthcare Provider. Visit a healthcare professional registered in Ontario or, if using an online ESA service, get contacted by one to schedule a mental health assessment. In the latter case, the assessment is done virtually. 
3. Receive the ESA Letter. Get the ESA letter as soon as approved in the form of a PDF, printable document. Request a hard copy to be delivered to your home address within a few business days if you prefer printed documents. 
4. Know the ESA Rights and Benefits. Emotional support animals are poorly defined per Canadian law and their rights vary greatly among provinces and territories. Learn about the ESA rights and benefits in Ontario before applying for an ESA. 

Apply for an emotional support animal letter in Ontario via CertaPet for a smooth experience and valid ESA documentation. The process entails three simple steps. 

First, answer the mental health-related questions in the pre-screening questionnaire to confirm ESA eligibility. Second, get contacted by a mental health professional registered in Ontario within two business days and schedule a phone or video consultation. Third, obtain a soft copy of the ESA letter Ontario or request a hard copy delivery. 

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

The advantages of getting an ESA letter in Ontario through CertaPet are given below. 

• Valid ESA Documents: CertaPet collaborates with a vast network of registered mental health professionals and clinicians from different provinces and ensures its ESA letters are issued in accordance with local laws and regulations. 
• Simple Application Process: Applying for an emotional support animal via CertaPet is straightforward and convenient. The platform requires three steps, such as taking a short pre-screening test, talking to a healthcare provider, and receiving the ESA letter. 
• Fair Turnaround Time: CertaPet’s overall process, from application to receiving the ESA letter takes several business days which is reasonably fast considering the logistics behind the procedure and the need to involve registered health professionals. 
• Legitimate ESA Benefits: Get an ESA letter consultation online via CertaPet and enjoy the benefits of having an emotional support animal in Ontario, like getting reasonable accommodation to housing properties and flying with your ESD.
• Continuity of Care: The CertaPet team of experts is fully equipped to assist customers with potential rejections or any other issue they may encounter.

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 registered in Ontario 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 Ontario need to be Renewed Annually?

Yes, ESA letters in Ontario need to be renewed annually. ESA letters are considered invalid if older than 12 months. Landlords, employers, and airlines have the right to request current ESA letters for review. 

The process of ESA letter renewal is simple. Ontario residents are permitted to visit a new healthcare provider or contact the one who issued the previous letter. 

Online ESA services make the process even more straightforward. ESA owners are allowed to request ESA letter renewals through their telehealth platforms up to one month before the current letter expires. 

How to Avoid Online Scams in ESA Letters in Ontario?

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

1. Research the Online ESA Provider. Conduct thorough research and learn as much as possible about the ESA platform you are considering to ensure it is legitimate and offers lawful ESA documents. Many online ESA services are scams.  
2. Read the ESA Letter Carefully. The valid ESA letter is always written on the attending mental health professional’s letterhead and displays credentials, signature, and contact info. The letter states the need for an ESA but does not specify the person’s diagnosis.
3. Understand the Process. Consulting a mental health professional is critical for getting an ESA letter. Fraudulent sites offer instant ESA letters without talking to a healthcare provider or unrealistically cheap letters from clinicians who are not registered in Ontario. 
4. Have Reasonable Expectations. Getting an ESA letter takes time and once obtained the letter is valid for 12 months. Providers offering instant ESA letters or letters that are valid for more than a year are fraudulent. 
5. Decline Gifts and Suspicious Offers. Gifts (free vests, ID tags, and paraphernalia for ESAs) and unauthorized services such as emotional support animal certification and registration are warning signs the ESA platform is fake. 

CertaPet is a legitimate online ESA service authorized to issue emotional support animal letters in various provinces in Canada, including Ontario. 

What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Ontario?

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

• Ontario ESA Housing Laws: The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) protects emotional support animals indirectly. Section 14 of the RTA states that landlords must not include no-pet policies in the housing leases, and even if such a policy is added, it is considered void. The only exception to the rule are condominiums which have their own pet-related regulations. 
• Ontario ESA Employment Laws: Service dogs in Ontario are permitted to accompany their owners to work under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The AODA, however, does not protect ESAs, so allowing employees to bring their support pets to work is at the discretion of employers. 
• Ontario ESA Laws for Public Places: The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) grants service dogs access to public places, but it does not cover ESAs. There are no Ontario emotional support animal laws for public places and whether they are allowed or not depends on the place’s pet policy. 
• Ontario ESA Travel Laws: The Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) and Aircraft Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities are federal emotional support animal laws that allow only Emotional Support Dogs (ESDs) on board aircrafts. ESDs are permitted to travel in the main cabin of Canada-based airlines under specific conditions. Besides the appropriate documentation (ESA letter from a registered medical professional and a veterinarian letter), ESDs need to be contained in specific carriers, thus the size of the dog matters.
  • Necessary documents for air travel→ ESA letter from a registered mental health professional or physician, veterinary certificate that identifies the specific ESD by name and breed, and certifies that the ESD is healthy enough to travel, is up to date with its vaccinations, and is free of contagious diseases. 

What is the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act?

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a statute about the process of developing and enforcing accessibility standards. 

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario enacted it in 2005 intending to improve current accessibility standards for residents with mental and physical disabilities. 

Under the AODA, service dogs are allowed to accompany owners wherever they go, including public transportation, restaurants, grocery stores, and campus housing. 

ESAs, however, are not considered service animals because they lack specialized training. Therefore, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act does not protect emotional support animals. 

Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in Ontario?

Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in Ontario. The province does not prohibit obtaining ESA letters online. Residents have the right to choose between making an in-person visit with a health provider or scheduling a virtual meeting. 

The primary condition for getting an ESA letter is consulting a mental health professional who is registered in Canada and is in good standing with the law. Health professionals are considered to be in good standing with the law if they comply with the Canada Health Act. 

Getting an ESA letter online in Ontario is more practical as it is done from the comfort of the home and facilitated by an online ESA provider. 

Can a Landlord Reject an ESA in Ontario?

Yes, a landlord can reject an ESA in Ontario. Following Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, landlords must not include no-pet clauses in leases. 

Condominiums, however, do not fall under the Residential Tenancies Act and landlords have the right to deny ESAs if owners plan on renting condominium units. 

Landlords are also permitted to reject ESAs if owners fail to take proper care of them or if the emotional support animals misbehave. Misbehavior examples include endangering tenants or the landlord, property destruction, and consistent barking. 

Can you have Multiple Emotional Support Animals in Ontario?

Yes, you can have multiple emotional support animals in Ontario. The province does not limit the number of ESAs per resident. 

To obtain more than one emotional support animal, a person needs documents that are written and signed by a mental health professional or clinician who practices in Ontario.  

A person is allowed to have as many ESAs as a healthcare provider deems appropriate. Usually, people with multiple disabilities can have more than one emotional support pet. 

Each animal must have an ESA letter issued by a professional. In the ESA letter, the healthcare provider must state the disability the animal helps with and which role each animal has.

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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