Sample Letter for a Service Dog in No Pets Housing

Here is a sample letter for a landlord from a doctor or other health care provider stating you are disabled and need a service dog.  A similar letter could be used to state you need an emotional support animal.  The letter should be written on letterhead and dated, of course.  And of course, you'd put in your own name and list some of the things you have difficulty doing. Note that the letter does not need to say what your disability is, just that you are disabled.

Dear Landlord:

Kelly is my patient, and has been under my care for about six years. She meets the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Fair Housing Act. Due to her disability, Kelly has a number of functional limitations. For instance, she has difficulty bending forward to pick up items from the floor or to remove laundry from the clothes dryer. She may have difficulty retrieving medication or a telephone if she needs to call for help. In order to  alleviate these difficulties and to enhance her ability to live independently and to fully use and enjoy her dwelling, Kelly needs a trained service dog to assist her. A specially trained service dog will help to mitigate her disability and improve her quality of life .

Sincerely,

Doctor