How Much Does It Cost to Make Your Dog an Emotional Support Animal?

How much does it cost to make your dog an emotional support animal? Getting my furry friend registered as my ESA was a worthwhile investment in my mental health, but it did come with some expenses. In this article, I’ll break down the various costs involved in turning your pet into an officially recognized emotional support animal.

Getting an ESA Letter

The first step in making your dog an ESA is getting a letter from a licensed mental health professional stating that you need your pet for emotional support.

• Expect to pay $100-$200 for an in-person session with a therapist or doctor to assess your need for an ESA.
• You may need 1-2 follow-up appointments at $100 each to finalize the letter.
• Alternately, you can get an ESA letter through an online mental health service starting around $125.

Some key factors affecting the cost include:

• Whether you see an in-person therapist or use an online service
• The hourly rate your provider charges
• The number of sessions needed to complete the evaluation
• Any additional follow-up appointments required

ESA Training

ESA training is optional, but can be extremely beneficial for your dog’s behavior in public settings.

You have two main options for training your emotional support animal:

• In-person professional training programs: These comprehensive programs work with you and your dog to teach obedience, manners, and tasks that help your ESA provide emotional support. Prices typically range from $500-$2,000+ depending on the length and intensity of training.
• Owner-led training: You can train your ESA yourself using books, online courses, and videos designed specifically for ESAs. Expect to spend $50-$100 on training materials. This is the more budget-friendly route, but requires time and consistency to see results.

Factors impacting the cost of professional ESA training include:

• Your location – urban areas tend to have higher rates
• The size/age of your dog – puppies require more training
• Group vs private sessions
• Boarding fees if you send your dog to a trainer
• Any customized tasks beyond basic obedience

Registration

While not legally required, registering your ESA provides added credibility and proof of your animal’s status.

• There are several national ESA registry services you can utilize. They maintain databases of registered ESAs.
• These registries charge a registration fee of $50-$200 to add your animal.
• You’ll also pay an annual renewal fee of around $50 to keep your ESA’s registration current.

Housing

If you rent an apartment or home, your landlord may charge additional fees for having an emotional support animal. Common housing-related costs include:

• Pet deposit – Typically $100-$500, this extra upfront deposit covers any potential damages. It may be refundable when you move out.
• Monthly pet fees – Ranging from $10-$50 per month, this added fee is meant to cover the landlord’s pet-related expenses.
• Your landlord may charge other one-time or recurring fees related to your ESA. Be sure to discuss all pet policies before getting an animal.

Travel

Bringing your emotional support animal on trips usually means paying some pet-related fees. Common travel costs include:

• Airlines – Most airlines charge an ESA fee of $100-$125 per flight to bring your animal in the cabin. This covers processing and cleaning.
• Hotels – Expect pet fees of $10-$100 per night at hotels to have your ESA stay with you. Some waived fees for service animals don’t always apply to ESAs.
• Uber/Lyft – Rideshares often add an extra pet fee of $5-$15 per ride if you bring your ESA.

Identification

Some optional gear can make traveling with your ESA easier:

• ESA ID cards – National registries provide ID cards, which usually cost $15-$50. These help demonstrate your animal’s status.
• Vests/patches/tags – Special ESA identification items cost $15-$30 and indicate your dog is an emotional support animal.
• Certificates – You can purchase $15-$50 certificates to formally identify your ESA.

Healthcare

Like any pet, your emotional support animal will need regular veterinary care and wellness visits:

• Annual exams and vaccinations – Budget $200-$400 per year for physical exams, vaccines, tests, and preventative care. This helps keep your ESA healthy.
• Pet insurance – Comprehensive pet insurance starts around $300-$500 annually. It can help cover unplanned vet costs for illness or injuries.

Unexpected Costs

Other potential expenses that come with having an ESA include:

• Supplies – Things like leashes, collars, beds, and carriers cost $100-$300+. Ongoing food, treats, and toy costs should also be budgeted.
• Furniture wear and tear – Your ESA can cause an extra $200-$500 in damages to furniture, floors, and home goods over time.
• Increased homeowners insurance – Some providers charge $100-$300 more per year if you have an ESA. Check on any rate hikes.

Total Estimated Costs

All said and done, be prepared to invest $1,500-$3,500+ in that first year of making your dog an emotional support animal. You’ll also have ongoing annual costs of $500-$1,000+. For many owners, the benefits are well worth the investment.

FAQ: Costs of Making Your Dog an Emotional Support Animal

1. What are the upfront costs to register my dog as an ESA? The main upfront costs are getting an ESA letter from a mental health professional ($100-$200) and optionally registering your dog in an ESA registry ($50-$200).
2. Is there a fee to get an ESA letter from my doctor or therapist? Yes, you will need to pay for the appointment time, usually $100-$200 to have your therapist assess your need for an ESA.
3. Do I have to pay to have my dog trained as an ESA? No, training is optional but recommended. Professional training programs range from $500-$2,000. DIY training resources cost $50-$100.
4. Will I need to buy any special equipment like a vest or ID tag for my ESA? Special ESA gear like vests and ID tags range from $15-$50 each. These items are optional but can be helpful.
5. Is there a renewal fee every year to keep my dog’s ESA status? If you register your dog in an ESA registry, there is typically a $50 renewal fee each year to maintain the registration.
6. Will my rent go up if I register my dog as an ESA? Maybe – your landlord may charge an extra $100-$500 pet deposit and/or $10-$50 in monthly pet fees for an ESA.
7. Can my landlord charge me extra fees for having an ESA? Yes, landlords can legally charge pet deposits and fees for ESAs even though they are assistance animals. Check your rental agreement.
8. Do I need to pay a pet deposit for my ESA? Usually yes, most landlords will require a $100-$500 refundable pet deposit when you register your ESA.
9. Will I need to pay pet rent for my ESA each month? Landlords can charge an added monthly pet fee of $10-$50 for ESAs to cover additional costs.
10. Are there any fees associated with flying with an ESA? Yes, most airlines charge a fee of approximately $100-$125 to bring your ESA on the plane.
11. Do I need to pay for my ESA to stay in hotels with me? Hotels usually charge $10-$100 per night for ESAs to stay in your room. Service animal fee waivers don’t always apply.
12. Will I need to pay extra homeowner’s insurance if I have an ESA? Some insurers charge $100-$300 more annually if you have an ESA. Check on rate changes.
13. Are there any taxes or licensing fees for ESAs? No, ESAs are not required to be licensed or pay any specific taxes.
14. Will I need to pay for updated vaccinations, exams, etc to register my ESA? Your ESA should have annual vet care ($200-$400) but no specific vaccinations are mandated for registration.
15. Are there any fees for registering my ESA in a national database? Yes, national ESA registries charge $50-$200 to register your animal in their database.
16. Can I be charged for an ESA vest or any identifying gear? Vests, patches, ID cards, and certificates range from $15-$50 each – so yes, you need to purchase this ESA gear.
17. Are there fees associated with getting an ESA ID card? If getting an ID card from a registry, expect fees from $15-$50. Some registries include ID cards with registration.
18. Is there a cost for an ESA to accompany me in Uber/Lyft rides? Yes, Uber and Lyft typically charge an extra $5-$15 per ride if you bring an ESA.
19. Will I be charged extra to have my ESA with me in AirBnBs? Some AirBnB hosts may charge pet cleaning fees similar to hotels, so check listing policies.
20. Approximately how much should I budget annually for having an ESA? Expect to budget $500-$1,000 per year in ongoing costs like food, healthcare, supplies, etc.