Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Requests for service animals and emotional support animals (ESA) are frequently misunderstood or improperly denied. Housing providers and businesses often impose unlawful barriers, including demands for excessive documentation, surcharges for use of an ESA, misapplication of “no pet” policies, or confusion regarding the legal standards governing assistance animals. These issues are particularly common where disabilities are not readily apparent. As a result, the outcome of these matters often depends on how the request is structured at the outset.

Our flat-fee services focus on targeted legal intervention with clearly defined scope and pricing to prepare a legally grounded accommodation request letter if necessary documentation is obtained. These letters are carefully drafted to establish the existence of a qualifying disability, demonstrate the nexus between the disability and the need for the animal, and frame the request within applicable law, while avoiding unnecessary disclosure of sensitive information. They are also designed to anticipate and address common objections, reducing the likelihood of denial.

After requests are denied or delayed, other flat-fee services include drafting structured responses that clarify legal obligations and correct deficiencies in the decision-making process. These communications often play a key role in resolving disputes without escalation and in creating a record for potential enforcement if needed.

Matthew Dietz’s experience as trial and appellate counsel in many assistance animal cases, including Bhogaita v. Altamonte Heights Condominium Association, Inc., informs this work, particularly in understanding what constitutes sufficient documentation and how accommodation requests are evaluated. These services are designed not only to achieve compliance, but to ensure that requests are positioned effectively if further action becomes necessary.

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