., the real estate market tanking, family deaths & serious illnesses, culminating in my own cancer diagnosis in 2010 (not playing the sympathy card, just explaining my circumstances).

Unless you are trained and certified in safe remediation techniques, taking your own measurements with a moisture meter is pretty useless and self diagnosis and removal of materials that are suspected to be contaminated is a bad idea.

They don't need to give you details about his medical records or diagnosis, but it's legal for you to have him prove he meets the legal definition, and that he has a disability that requires an emotional support animal, and how it will meet a need related to his disability, and to have a verified medical professional, from an office where he has been consistently treated, agree to all of the above.That way, he can't just bluff you with a scare about calling HUD with a complaint, or just buy a vest on Ebay or an online letter.  

I currently lease an apartment to a Social Services agency in NYC that supports independent living for people with a mental health diagnosis.

I went through my home warranty company (2-10) and their vendor didn't send diagnosis to them in timely fashion and home warranty company insisted on finding refurbished part.

ESA Certification requires diagnosis from a local health professional.

@Jason Chen I've never read his biography, but I'd be surprised if his cancer diagnosis did not humble him in some way. 

I may get to be the first BP member with an official diagnosis :/ At least if I come back negative I can end my not really optional, but technically not legally required, self quarantine.  

ESA Certification requires diagnosis from a mental health professional, signed by an actual Dr. on their letter head.

Officially, he has not put this diagnosis on paper but has written that she "needs help making cognitive decisions, etc.".The lawyer who did the paperwork died and my dad has no record of the notes and the original agreement.