ESA question need advice

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Hello! I recently purchased a duplex and own a few more rental properties. When I bought this duplex a few months ago we had tenants already in the building. Awesome tenants! They have 4 kids, have never paid a day in 24months, pay their utilities on time, house is always spotless and the outside is always picked up. We were afraid we would lose these tenants when we bought the property so we offered to have them sign a new lease and they will be staying until at least April 1st 2023. Our lease says no pets. Today I opened up my mail and received a letter from a legit mental health professional in the area stating the young lady was prescribed an ESA. The tenant also sent me a personal letter explaining her situation to me. She has suffered with PTSD, anxiety, and trauma induced bipolar since her mother’s murder suicide a couple years ago. She walked in and saw the scene and said she hasn’t been the same since. Anyways, she also said that she didn’t want to go the ESA route but she knew it would be a battle with our no pets policy if she asked me first. Which I can kinda understand because we are new owners. She also stated she has purchased renters insurance to include pets, and offered to talk privately and offer me a monthly fee and small deposit to help out if there are any damages. She also said dog is crate trained for when she has to run errands. I’m pretty sure she already adopted the dog.  Even though this isn’t allowed with ESA in Ohio can I accept a pet fee and deposit if she is willing to keep the peace ? I’m not excited about this. Dog is a maltipoo and is 12lbs. But I’m just unsure about the whole thing, it sounds like this tenant has a real emotional need so i don’t think it’s a fake. It came from a real doctor she has been seeing monthly for a year. Any advice? I wish she would of brought this up before we signed a new lease. Am I stuck? 

Thanks! 

[Bonnie Low]

I wouldn't be that worried about a small dog. Sure, sometimes they can be destructive but it sounds like you have good, responsible tenants and that will likely extend to how they take care of their pet as well. We allow pets in our rentals and it sometimes actually helps retain good tenants because many landlords don't allow pets so if you have a quality tenant with a pet, they are hyper vigilant because they know how hard it will be to find an alternative. Often, the people do far, far more damage than an animal. : \