Ontario Emotional Support Animal Program

Why Choose The Counselling House for ESA / PSA Assessments

Choosing a professional assessment provider is important when seeking documentation for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or Psychological Support Animal (PSA). At The Counselling House, our process is designed to be ethical, clinically grounded, and compliant with professional standards.

Experienced Mental Health Professionals
Assessments are conducted by qualified psychotherapists with experience in mental health, trauma-informed care, and relational therapy approaches.

Ethical Clinical Evaluation
We do not issue “instant letters.” Every ESA or PSA designation is based on a structured therapeutic assessment process to ensure the documentation is clinically appropriate and responsible.

Understanding Housing and Accessibility Needs
We regularly support clients navigating accommodation requests in condominiums, rental housing, workplaces, and travel contexts.

Respectful and Supportive Process
We understand how meaningful the bond between individuals and their animals can be. Our approach is compassionate while maintaining professional integrity.

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Important Information About ESA / PSA Letters

Emotional Support Animal and Psychological Support Animal letters are intended to support accommodation requests, particularly in situations where a person’s mental health condition may require additional support.

However, it is important to understand that:

• ESA/PSA letters do not certify or license an animal
• They do not guarantee acceptance by landlords, airlines, or employers
• Decisions regarding accommodation are made by the housing provider, workplace, or organization involved

Our role is to provide clinical documentation that reflects the therapeutic need for a support animal when appropriate.

Our assessments are conducted with awareness of accessibility and human rights frameworks in Ontario, including:

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
• Ontario Human Rights Code

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Program Overview

ESA / PSA Assessment Program

Minimum of three clinical sessions

Program includes:

• Mental health assessment
• Evaluation of the therapeutic role of the animal
• Review of accommodation needs
• Animal suitability discussion
• Professional documentation when clinically appropriate

Upon completion of the assessment process, clients may receive a psychotherapist-approved ESA or PSA letter supporting their accommodation request.

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Connect With Our Community

We also invite clients to join our Emotional Support Animal Facebook Group, where individuals can:

🐾 Share their experiences with support animals
🐾 Learn about rights and responsibilities
🐾 Connect with others who understand the emotional benefits of companion animals

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💙 At The Counselling House, we recognize that animals can play a meaningful role in emotional regulation, resilience, and recovery. Our goal is to support individuals while maintaining ethical clinical practice and responsible documentation.

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Assessment Differences for Dogs and Small Animals

At The Counselling House, our assessment process recognizes that different types of animals interact with environments and people in different ways. For canine Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), we use a three-session assessment model. This allows us to evaluate the therapeutic role of the dog in supporting the client’s mental health, while also reviewing the animal’s behavioural readiness for shared environments such as condominiums, workplaces, or travel settings. Dogs are more likely to accompany their handlers into public or communal spaces, so additional time is taken to assess temperament, social behaviour, and the overall suitability of the animal for those environments.

For small companion animals, such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, or similar animals that typically remain within the home environment, we offer a one-session assessment model. These animals usually provide emotional regulation and comfort primarily within private living spaces rather than in public or shared settings. As a result, the clinical assessment focuses primarily on the therapeutic relationship between the individual and the animal, and the role the animal plays in supporting emotional well-being.

In both cases, assessments are conducted thoughtfully to ensure that the designation of an Emotional or Psychological Support Animal is clinically appropriate, responsible, and supportive of the client’s mental health needs.

Dog ESA Assessment

• 3 sessions
• Behaviour & temperament review
• Suitable for housing, work, travel contexts

Small Animal ESA Assessment

• 1 session
• Focus on therapeutic relationship
• Typically for home-based emotional support