Denby - Cheaters exist in every aspect of life and sadly there are people that use weaknesses in the law to have fake service animals and fake emotional support companion animals.  This makes life harder for those who legitimately need such animals.  That said, emotional support companion animals are a valid category of animals and are truly needed by some people.  I am a licensed mental health professional with a private psychotherapy practice.  I have prescribed emotional support companion animals for clients who truly need them for psychiatric reasons.  It is very easy to spot these fake letters and condo associations can easily ask for a letter from an actual licensed mental health or health care provider.  It is also easy to very a license online.  Once I had to complete a form for a client provided by the condo association.  Such animals can do wonders for someone with severe and disabling clinical depression and other psychiatric illnesses.