# Real ESA Letter Made Me Believe in Emotional Support Animals Again

By [Derek Thompson](https://paragraph.com/@derek-thompson) · 2025-11-04

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There was a stretch in my life when I thought emotional support animals were just a trend. I’d read stories online that sounded dramatic or exaggerated, and I figured a cat or dog could be comforting, sure, but not life-changing. Then I hit a rough patch with my [Bipolar II Disorder](https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-2-disorder) and met Milo, my golden [Maine Coon mix](https://www.maine-coon-cat-nation.com/mixes.html), and everything shifted.

My name is Derek Thompson. I’m 32 and from Georgia, and for the last few years I’ve been dealing with waves of hypomania and deep depression. Therapy and medication helped, but I still felt fragile through the swings. Milo arrived at a moment when I needed something consistent and gentle. He’s big, warm, and somehow steady in a way that soothed my worst days.

I knew I wanted Milo with me permanently, and I wanted to do it the right way, legally and respectfully. That’s how I found [RealESALetter.com](http://RealESALetter.com) while looking for a [legitimate ESA letter provider](https://www.realesaletter.com/). The site didn’t promise instant certificates or cheap shortcuts; it explained how a licensed mental health professional evaluates your need and issues a proper letter when appropriate. That transparency meant a lot to me.

### **Why I Took the Legitimate Route**

I didn’t want to risk a fake document that could get me into trouble. I’d heard horror stories about landlords rejecting sketchy letters and people getting evicted or fined. That wasn’t an option. [RealESALetter.com](http://RealESALetter.com) connected me to a licensed therapist who actually listened. We talked about my diagnosis, how Milo helps during depressive episodes, and how having him nearby reduces my impulsive behavior during hypomanic phases.

After a short, respectful consultation the therapist confirmed I qualified for an [**ESA letter Georgia**](https://www.realesaletter.com/esa-letter-georgia) and issued the official letter. It included the therapist’s credentials, the clinical rationale, and the clear statement that Milo is part of my treatment plan.

### **What the Letter Meant in Real Life**

Having that document changed the way I approached housing and my own mental health. When I moved into a new apartment, I didn’t have to sneak Milo in or hide him. I presented my letter and explained that this was a documented medical need. The leasing office reviewed it and accepted Milo as my emotional support animal.

Beyond just keeping Milo with me, the process restored my faith in the whole idea of ESAs. When a service is done properly, with licensed professionals and accurate documentation, it’s not a gimmick. It’s a real accommodation that allows people to live with the emotional stability they need.

### **Milo’s Everyday Impact**

People ask what Milo actually does to help. It’s the small things. When I’m spiraling into a low period and can’t get out of bed, Milo jumps up and curls next to me. His purring and weight are grounding. During hypomanic stretches, when my thoughts race and I start taking on too much, he forces me to slow down—feed him, groom him, play with him. Those routines give structure that helps level things out.

He also lowers the shame. I used to hide mood swings from friends and coworkers because I worried about judgment. Having Milo makes the idea of asking for help easier. When someone visits and sees Milo sleeping on my lap, it opens conversation in a quiet, human way. That kind of normalizing matters more than I expected.

### **Knowing My Rights**

Part of trusting the process was understanding the law behind it. The [Fair Housing Act](https://www.realesaletter.com/blog/fair-housing-act-emotional-support-animal) protects people who legitimately need emotional support animals, and knowing that gave me confidence to present my documentation without apology. [RealESALetter.com](http://RealESALetter.com) pointed me to clear resources about those protections and how to handle housing conversations respectfully and legally. That background made the housing process straightforward rather than adversarial.

### **Why the Experience Restored My Faith**

There’s a difference between an ad on a random website and an evidence-based, clinical approach. [RealESALetter.com](http://RealESALetter.com) offered the latter. It felt like dealing with clinicians who respect mental health, not a form-filling factory. Having my ESA letter from a licensed professional made landlords and others take my needs seriously. It also validated the idea that an animal can be part of a treatment plan.

I used to think I needed to “tough it out” on my own. Milo and the proper documentation taught me otherwise. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak; it makes you practical. The letter gave me both legal protection and emotional permission to prioritize my health.

### **My Verdict**

If you’re on the fence about getting an ESA letter, do it the right way. Connect with professionals who will evaluate you carefully and issue real documentation when it’s clinically appropriate. For me, doing things properly sealed the difference between skepticism and genuine belief. Milo is my anchor, and my ESA letter made it possible for him to stay by my side without worry.

If you want to understand your options or how a legitimate process works in your state, looking up resources on ESA letters and federal protections can help you move forward with confidence and clarity

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*Originally published on [Derek Thompson](https://paragraph.com/@derek-thompson/real-esa-letter-made-me-believe-in-emotional-support-animals-again)*
