TherapyPet.Org

TherapyPet.Org describes itself as a website that helps people quickly determine if they are able to qualify for an emotional support animal (ESA), and then aids customers in securing the proper documentation for their animals – all to avoid airline fees and excessive housing deposits for apartment rentals. 

The website says ESA letters help pet owners have access to a support animal that can provide happiness, emotional stability, and support while being able to travel almost anywhere its owner can. In particular, according to TherapyPet.Org, ESAs can help people feel more confident, sleep better, rest better, and serve as an effective way to combat the effects of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. 

TherapyPet.Org describes a five-step process for letters. First, prospective customers are asked to take a five-minute questionnaire to see if they are able to qualify. After choosing the type of letter needed, TherapyPet.Org says customers will then be contacted by a licensed therapist via chat so they can determine the details and the need for the letter. If approved, the website says the letter will be mailed out within three days if a customer selects expedited shipping.

TherapyPet.Org says letters do contain the license number of the therapist so customers are able to legitimize the letter by researching the therapist and their identification number. TherapyPet.Org has a plethora of information on its website about spotting ‘fake’ websites and fraudulent ESA letter services. However, the website has several red flags of its own that raise questions about services that are offered.

TherapyPet.Org is registered in the Bahamas, which is a red flag since the service is purportedly to help customers in the United States secure an ESA letter for their animals. 

The website registration is also suspect since the website does not list a physical address for the company. This is a point of concern since a legitimate ESA letter service needs a physical address for medical personnel and licensed physicians to work out of. The lack of a physical address raises questions about the website’s claims of working with properly accredited and licensed personnel. 

TherapyPet.Org does not list any additional details about the medical staff or personnel they have to review letters. Legitimate ESA letter websites offer extensive details about staff so customers can feel at ease that they are working with medical professionals who are legitimate. ESA letter websites that are shy about details sometimes work with doctors that are outside the United States and are not properly licensed for American ESA letters. 

The website also does not offer any information about asking for specific pet information before a letter decision can be made. ESA letters that are valid are required to have information about a pet and its role in emotional therapy. TherapyPet.Org’s claims of ‘bypassing breed and size restrictions’ should be a cause for concern, since airlines do change policies that restrict certain types of dogs from flying. 

A legitimate ESA website does not make promises about bypassing restrictions and will be very clear about current housing and airline policies while making sure to get specific details about your pet for the ESA letter. 

According to BBB customer reviews, many people have struggled to actually get letters after paying TherapyPet.Org. Several write how they have been waiting for weeks after paying for a letter, and that the website did not work to try and solve their complaints. 

Others say the website automatically charges payments without warning, forcing customers to have to file credit card disputes in an effort to try and recover the money. One customer, according to a BBB review, was able to dispute a charge from TherapyPet.Org and block them, but the website purportedly switched to a different merchant ID and continued to bill monthly and yearly renewals. 

Some customers also report difficulties in calling or following up with TherapyPet.Org after complaining, writing how they just get pushed to a voicemail or are told repeated promises that seem to not come true. A legitimate ESA letter website often swiftly follows up with customers and is responsive to messages, phone calls, and emails.

Other customers say TherapyPet.Org has an automated system so it is almost impossible to actually speak with a live person while calling in. One customer said their letter came from a medical professional that was in a different state. 

Legitimate ESA letters are required to be issued by a licensed medical professional who resides in the same state as the customer is living in. TherapyPet.Org does not make any notes that letters are actually being issued by doctors in the same state as their customers – something a legitimate ESA letter website would be sure to make clear.