It’s no secret that most of us rely on our pets for comfort and security, and this has never been more evident since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, millions of Americans have acquired a pet to help deal with feelings of anxiety, depression, or isolation.
Unfortunately, despite the need to cope with these feelings, pets often limit us with issues such as travel or housing. Finding pet-approved housing or hotels in many cities can be virtually impossible, and traveling with pets can be daunting, primarily via air travel.
CertaPet is an online service that offers counseling evaluations so you can obtain an emotional support certification (ESA) for your pet. This may open up opportunities to make travel and daily life with your pets much more accessible.
Is CertaPet legit, and does it comply with all regulations? Please read our full review of CertaPet to learn everything you must know about this online service.
What is CertaPet?
CertaPet is an online service that connects pet owners with licensed mental health professionals to evaluate if they are eligible to have their pet certified as an emotional support animal. After completing a short consultation, patients may be given an official letter of certification that verifies their pet to be an ESA.
You may want to have your pet certified as an emotional support animal for several reasons, particularly related to housing and travel. ESA certification may make certain housing situations and travel accommodations more accessible. CertaPet is an easy, convenient way to obtain this certification.
How Does CertaPet Work?
CertaPet uses a simple process to obtain an ESA certification letter. You’ll begin by clicking “Get Started Today” on the company’s website, which will prompt you to complete a brief questionnaire about yourself, your pet, and your emotional well-being. Once completed, CertaPet will determine whether you are a good candidate for an ESA letter. If you are, CertaPet presents you with three available options, Housing, Travel, and Housing + Travel.
Once you select, CertaPet will arrange a consultation with a mental health professional in your state. This does require you to pay their fees, which are mentioned below, to guarantee you’ll receive an ESA consultation. If you’re not approved, though, CertaPet will refund your payment, excluding a non-refundable consultation fee of $40.
The consultation is a call or video chat with a mental health practitioner or licensed therapist. After the 20 or 30-minute evaluation, the professional will determine whether to approve or disapprove you for an ESA letter. If you are approved, you can download a copy of your ESL letter directly from the website. CertaPet will also ship you a hard copy to your address and an informational packet about your responsibilities and rights. ESA letters are valid for one year. CertaPet offers the option of signing up for auto-renew to schedule a renewal consultation, so you never have to worry about your certification expiring. You also get a 10% discount on the renewal letter.
If approved, the ESA certification prevents rental agencies, HOAs, or landlords from discriminating against you or your animal. These parties cannot legally charge you additional fees for your pet, nor can you be prohibited from renting “pet-free” accommodations to comply with the ADA. Although an ESA letter is not as effective as it once was for travel, it still makes a significant difference regarding housing.
ESA vs. Therapy Animal vs. Service Animal
In general, most customers are satisfied with their experience with CertaPet. In general, the customers that have not been satisfied with the service have been a result of not understanding the different types of service animals.
As per the ADA, there are three categories of service animals with specific regulations and definitions. They’ve also significantly changed since new laws were passed in 2021.
Service Animals
The ADA defines a service animal as “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.” Based on this definition, emotional support and therapy animals are not defined as service animals. However, the ADA notes that this definition does not limit or affect the broader meanings of assistance or service animals under the Air Carrier Access or Fair Housing Act.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals are “animal companion that provides emotional or physical benefits for an individual who suffers from symptoms of an emotional or mental disability.” Conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and others are all eligible. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not required to be specially trained or limited to specific dog breeds. You must obtain a letter from a qualified, licensed therapist or medical doctor to certify your pet as an ESA. ESAs do not receive the same accommodations as service animals but are protected under the Fair Housing Act.
Therapy Animal
Therapy animals are trained to provide therapy to patients in hospitals and other medical facilities.
CertaPet Pricing
As mentioned before, once you complete the questionnaire on CertaPet’s official website, you must choose three different letter options. You must also pay the fees before you consult with a licensed mental health practitioner but are given a refund if you don’t receive a letter.
Here are the three purchasing options:
Housing ESA Letter ($149)
This ESA certification for housing is valid for an entire year. It ensures you will pay no security deposits or monthly pet fees for your pet. It also prevents refusal to accommodate an ESA in most housing complexes in the US, which the ADA protects.
Travel ESA Letter ($149)
Previously, the travel ESA letter would let you travel with your ESA on major airlines. However, based on DOT changes in January 2021, some airlines no longer honor ESA letters, so you should check before booking a flight.
For more information, contact customer service via:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 877-207-0561
What Customers Say About CertaPet
According to the official website, over 65,000+ pet owners have used CertaPet to obtain an ESA letter, over 4,000+ Google reviews, 8,500+ Trustpilot reviews, and over 10,500 Yotpo reviews.
Over 99% of customers generally report feeling satisfied with their CertaPet experience. Here are just a few of the verified customer reviews we found:
“Amazing and thorough service all questions were answered with two factors. First, confidentiality. We ALL want that. Second, positive turnover, meaning quick and efficient. CertaPet understands the needs and senses the urgency for patients seeking animal therapy. Highly recommend.
– Peter Strauss
“CertaPet has changed my life. My anxiety made taking flights near impossible. Now that I can bring my dog Bear, I am able to calm down and focus on him rather than my anxiety. I has reduced my panic attacks, and I look forward to traveling now. All airlines have been understanding and my landlord contacted my CertaPet therapist, she was able to speak to him and go over my diagnosis/necessary accommodations. SO thankful for CertaPet!
– Leah G.
“Highly recommend! Our letter arrived quickly and was approved by our airline. The customer service is amazing and the whole process was stress-less. Thanks CertaPet!”
– Julia S.
These are just a few of the thousands of happy CertaPet users. It appears that the simple, convenient process is perfect for anybody.
However, not everybody is happy with CertaPet. A few customers were dissatisfied they weren’t eligible to receive an ESA certificate. Other customers mistakenly think an ESA is the same as a service animal, which is why you know the difference before using the service.
CertaPet Pros & Cons
While plenty of similar services are available online, CertaPet is considered the best in class. However, it’s still not perfect. Here are the pros and cons of using CertaPet:
Pros
- Easy to Use & Navigate: The platform is simple so that everybody can navigate and use it easily.
- Easier & Cheaper Than In-Person: Obtaining an ESA certificate in person can cost several hundred dollars. CertaPet is both easier and cheaper.
- 100% Compliant – All ESA letters from CertaPet comply with state and federal regulations
- Money Back Guarantee – If you are not eligible for an ESA letter, you can receive a full refund on your purchase, minus the $35 consultation fee
- Pre-Screening Available: Pre-screening is available if you don’t want to spend the money immediately.
Cons
- Non-Valid for Travel: ESA letters are no longer valid for flights on some airlines based on DOT regulations from 2021
- Non-Guarantee: Just because you pay for a service doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to receive an ESA.
- 100% Out of Pocket: CertaPet services are not covered by HSA, FSA, or insurance
Is CertaPet Worth It?
Truthfully, CertaPet is one of many online companies that help pet owners obtain ESA certifications. However, most of these services do not provide letters from licensed professionals, so they are often illegitimate.
In addition, for the reasons mentioned above, it’s easy to see that CertaPet put a lot of work and care into developing its service. It’s designed to be the simplest, most convenient option available.
This is why we consider CertaPet the best online option to obtain an ESA letter. It’s the most trusted name in the space, has tens of thousands of customers, and has a proven reputation.
CertaPet Final Recap
Obtaining an ESA letter for your furry friend has never been easier with CertaPet. By clicking “Get Started Today” on the official website, you can begin your journey to get an ESA letter with a few clicks of your mouse.
If you’re interested in discovering more about CertaPet’s services or if you qualify for an ESA, head over to their official website now.
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