How to Get a PSD Letter

The four-step process

1. Take the free assessment

Start with our free 2-minute PSD assessment to determine whether a psychiatric service dog letter may be appropriate for your situation. The questionnaire asks about your mental health history, daily challenges, and support needs. Simply select "Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) Letter" as your goal. There's no obligation and no payment required until you decide to continue.

2. Meet your licensed clinician

Your PSD evaluation is completed through a secure telehealth appointment with a licensed mental health professional in your state. During the evaluation, the clinician determines whether your condition qualifies as a disability and whether a psychiatric service dog would help mitigate that disability through trained tasks. This professional assessment is the foundation of every legitimate PSD letter.

3. Receive your PSD letter within 24–48 hours

If approved, your psychiatric service dog letter is typically delivered within 24–48 hours after your evaluation. Every PSD letter includes your clinician's name, license type, license number, issuing state, signature, and the documentation commonly requested by housing providers, employers, and other organizations that verify disability-related accommodations.

4. Use your letter where it matters

Your PSD letter can support accommodation requests for housing under the Fair Housing Act, workplace accommodation discussions, and serve as supporting documentation when completing the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form for airline travel. If a landlord or employer needs verification, our dedicated verification team can confirm the authenticity of your psychiatric service dog letter.

A legitimate psychiatric service dog letter documents your disability-related need for a task-trained psychiatric service dog. It provides the professional documentation that housing providers, employers, and other organizations often request when reviewing accommodation requests.

However, a PSD letter does not train your dog. Your dog becomes a psychiatric service dog through individual task training—not through paperwork. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows owner training as well as professional training. Be cautious of websites selling PSD certification, service dog registration, or psychiatric service dog certificates, as none of these create legal rights under federal law.

Do I Need a PSD Letter to Have a Psychiatric Service Dog?

Legally, the ADA does not require you to carry a PSD letter for public access rights. Your rights come from having a qualifying disability and a properly task-trained psychiatric service dog. In practice, however, many housing providers and employers request documentation from a licensed mental health professional, making a legitimate psychiatric service dog letter valuable for accommodation requests. It also serves as supporting documentation for airline travel when completing the required DOT forms.

Does the Letter Make My Dog a Service Dog?

No. A PSD letter does not automatically make your dog a service dog. Any website claiming to instantly certify your pet as a service animal is misleading you. The letter documents your disability-related need, while your dog's legal status as a psychiatric service dog comes from consistent task training. Both elements work together under current federal law.

What If My Clinician Determines a PSD Isn't the Right Fit?

If your clinician determines that you don't qualify for a psychiatric service dog letter, you'll receive a full refund. In some situations, the clinician may recommend an ESA letter instead if an emotional support animal better matches your needs. An ESA letter provides important housing protections without requiring specialized task training.

Our PSD letter pricing is simple and transparent:

Every evaluation is completed by a licensed mental health professional, and if you don't qualify for a PSD letter, you'll receive a 100% refund.

Take our free assessment and connect with a licensed mental health professional serving all 50 states. If approved, you'll receive a legitimate psychiatric service dog letter backed by our full refund guarantee if you don't qualify.

Know the distinction

Not sure whether you need a n ESA letter or a psychiatric service dog letter? Learn how task training, disability-related needs, housing rights, public access rights, and legal protections differ so you can choose the option that's right for you.