Welcome to the first step of qualifying for an emotional support animal. This simple questionnaire will take just a few minutes.
A complete application for an Emotional Support Animal will take between 5 and 7 business days to process. Upon processing, the office will schedule an appointment once all paperwork and necessary forms are received.
In the event that you are not an established patient at APHPCC, medical records will be required to provide proof of the need for an ESA, along with a note stating your mental condition. Medical records not received within 5 business days of an ESA application could delay the approval process.
Please note that your information is saved on our server as you enter it.
DORA COLORADO Emotional Support Animal
Healthcare professionals must first establish whether a disability exists and if found, determine whether there is sufficient information for a recommednation for an ESA to provide a therapeutic benefit for that disability. In order to make such determinations, licensees must be both sufficiently familiar with the patient and the patient’s disability; and legally and professionally qualified to make this determination.
Nursing and mental health law (Section 12-255-133(3)(a) and 12-245-229(3)(a) Colorado Revised Statutes) further clarifies that “a licensee shall not make a determination … unless the licensee has met with the patient in person.” Registered nurses are permitted to issue ESA recommendations but must be under the direct supervision of a licensed physician.
Physicians shouldn’t make a determination unless having “met with the person or by telemedicine,” according to 12-240-144(3)(a), C.R.S
An ESA is an animal that provides a therapeutic benefit, such as emotional support, comfort, or companionship, to a person with a mental health or psychiatric disability. An ESA is not considered a Service Animal and ESA users don’t receive the same accommodations as service dog users.