Oak Ridge ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Letters
Oak Ridge was built in 1942 as a Manhattan Project site in the Clinch River valley, and 31,402 people lived here at the 2020 census. If your animal helps you live with a mental health condition, a free screening reviewed by a Tennessee-licensed clinician is the place to begin.
Oak Ridge Pet Registration Tag
Oak Ridge Registration Tag Route
Answer three questions to see whether your pet needs a city tag, what it costs and where to get it.
Your tag plan
- Enter the details and select Plan My Tag.
Oak Ridge Clearance Badges
Each badge stands for one plan, and the price printed on it is read live from our checkout.
Three Steps for Oak Ridge Residents
Online screening
A short questionnaire about your health, your animal and your home.
Evaluation
A Tennessee-licensed clinician assesses you, using telehealth where clinically right.
Your letter
Approved? Select a plan and the signed letter is emailed to you.
A Planned City Behind a Fence
In 1942 the federal government bought farmland in the Clinch River valley and had Skidmore, Owings and Merrill plan a town for the Manhattan Project. After the war the community passed to civilian control under the Atomic Energy Commission, and in 1959 it incorporated with a city manager and council. Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex are still here, and in 2016 the element tennessine was named for the state in part because of work done in Oak Ridge.
Letters for Oak Ridge Households
ESA housing letter
Use it when asking a landlord for an exception to animal rules or fees.
Several animals, one letter
Lists each support animal that is part of your treatment plan.
Psychiatric service dog letter
Confirms the need for a dog trained to work for a psychiatric disability.
Certificate and ID card
Optional personal records that come with chosen bundle plans.
Melton Hill Lake, Five Ridges and a Friendship Bell
Melton Hill Lake
Created by Melton Hill Dam in 1963, with bike trails and picnic areas on the east shore and a name for rowing races.
Five ridges
Blackoak, East Fork, Pine, Chestnut and Haw Ridge run side by side across the city.
International Friendship Bell
Its pavilion stands in A. K. Bissell Park.
American Museum of Science and Energy
One of the city's science attractions, alongside the University of Tennessee Arboretum.
Oak Ridge Areas We Serve
Why Oak Ridge Renters Work With a Tennessee Clinician
Grounded in evaluation
Tennessee wants documentation from a provider with actual knowledge of the disability.
A sealed medical file
Anderson and Roane County landlords may verify a letter but cannot obtain your records.
Accuracy matters
False documentation counts as material noncompliance with a Tennessee lease.
Oak Ridge Questions on File
Does Oak Ridge require pets to be registered?
Yes. City residents who keep, own or harbor an animal over three months old must register it with the city.
How much is an Oak Ridge registration tag?
The tag is $5 for a pet that is spayed or neutered and $10 for a pet that is not altered.
Where do I register my pet in Oak Ridge?
Usually at the rabies vaccination, if your veterinarian is in Oak Ridge. If your veterinarian is outside the city limits, register at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter.
Where is the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter?
At 395 Belgrade Road. Call (865) 425-3423 during business hours or (865) 425-4399 after hours.
What does Oak Ridge Animal Control respond to?
Typical calls include animals running at large, dogs off leash, excessive barking and animals suspected of having rabies or distemper.
Must the clinician writing my letter be licensed in Tennessee?
The statute also accepts a provider licensed in another state, as long as that provider has actual knowledge of your disability. Our Oak Ridge clients are evaluated by Tennessee-licensed clinicians.
Knoxville-Area Pages Near Oak Ridge
General information for Oak Ridge residents in Anderson and Roane counties, current as of October 2026, and not legal advice. Registration fees and shelter details are set by the city and may change, so confirm with the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter. Screening does not guarantee a letter. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Clear the First Step in Oak Ridge
A free screening tells you whether a Tennessee-licensed clinician can support your emotional support animal or service dog request.
