Psychiatric Service Dog Letter

If you’re living with a mental health condition like PTSD, anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, a psychiatric service dog (PSD) can be a life-changing source of support. These specially trained dogs perform vital tasks to help manage your symptoms. But understanding how to legally qualify for a service dog and when you need a psychiatric service dog letter is key.

Learn how CertifyESA can help you connect with licensed professionals to obtain a legitimate, legally compliant psychiatric service dog letter.

What Is a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD)?

A psychiatric service dog is not just a pet. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s a working animal that’s individually trained to perform tasks related to a person’s psychiatric or emotional disability

Conditions that may qualify for a PSD include:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia
OCD or Autism Spectrum Disorders (in some cases)

At CertifyESA, our licensed professionals can assess whether your condition meets the ADA’s definition
of disability and whether you would benefit from a PSD, helping you take the first step toward
certification.

Why You Might Need a Psychiatric Service Dog Letter

Even though the ADA does not mandate a letter, a PSD letter from CertifyESA can be extremely helpful in many real-life situations:

1. Housing (Fair Housing Act)

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), housing providers must allow service animals—even in no-pet housing. With a PSD letter from CertifyESA, you can request reasonable accommodations, avoid pet fees, and protect yourself against housing discrimination.

2. Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act)

Many airlines require the DOT Service Animal Air Travel Form, but a PSD letter from CertifyESA can support your need and help smooth the approval process—especially for international or complex travel arrangements.

3. Employment (ADA Title I)

While workplace accommodations aren’t guaranteed, a CertifyESA PSD letter can be part of your official documentation when requesting to bring your psychiatric service dog to work.

4. Everyday Public Use

Although you’re not required to carry a letter in public, having a CertifyESA-issued PSD letter can help resolve misunderstandings with restaurants, rideshares, and other public places—especially when staff are unfamiliar with ADA protections.

PSD Letter vs. ESA Letter

Many people assume an emotional support animal (ESA) letter is the same as a PSD letter but they serve different legal purposes.

CertifyESA offers both types of letters but will only recommend a PSD letter if you meet federal criteria and your dog is trained (or in raining) to perform specific sychiatric tasks.

Examples of Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks

To be legally recognized, your dog must be trained to perform tasks that help with your psychiatric disability.

These may include:

Here at CertifyESA, we can help you understand what counts as a qualifying task and whether your dog’s training meets the legal standard for PSD classification. Contact us if you have questions.

Who Can Train a Psychiatric Service Dog?

Option 1: Professional Trainer or Program

You can work with a certified dog trainer or PSD training organization. These programs offer structured
training and public access preparation.

Option 2: Self-Training

Under the ADA, you are allowed to train your own psychiatric service dog. This is a great option for people who already own a dog or want to bond through the training process.

CertifyESA supports both approaches. During your evaluation, the licensed professional will ask about your dog’s training and tasks. If your dog is still in training but already performing at least one psychiatric task, you may still qualify.

What If My Dog Is Still in Training?

Many people ask if they can get a PSD letter while their dog is still being trained. The answer is: Yes—if your dog is already performing or learning tasks that assist your disability

With CertifyESA, our mental health professionals take into account your training plan and your dog’s current capabilities. We recognize that training is a process, and as long as your dog is actively working on specific tasks that assist your condition, you may qualify for a PSD letter.

How To Get PSD Letter from CertifyESA

A psychiatric service dog can offer real, trained support that helps you regain independence, peace of mind, and daily functionality. And with a legitimate PSD letter from CertifyESA, you’ll have the legal protection and professional validation you need to navigate housing, travel, and public life with confidence. It’s Easy:

1. Take Our Online Pre-Screening

Begin with a brief online assessment to determine if you’re a good candidate for a PSD letter.

2. Speak to a Licensed Professional

If eligible, you’ll be scheduled for a live video consultation with a licensed therapist in your state. CertifyESA only works with real mental health professionals – no gimmicks or instant approvals.

3. Receive Your PSD Letter

Once approved, your psychiatric service dog letter will be delivered digitally (and optionally by mail), with all necessary legal elements included.

Psychiatric Service Dog

Psychiatric Service Dog Letter