Psychiatric service dogs
PSD Letter Evaluation
Documentation from a licensed mental health professional supporting your disability-related need for a task-trained psychiatric service dog.
- ADA public access rights
- Cabin travel under DOT rules
- Housing protection under the FHA
PSD vs. ESA — what sets them apart
A psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate a psychiatric disability — interrupting panic attacks, providing deep pressure therapy, reminding you to take medication, or guiding you out of overwhelming situations. Because PSDs are service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act, they have public access rights that emotional support animals don’t: stores, restaurants, workplaces, and airline cabins.
A PSD letter from a licensed clinician documents your disability-related need for the dog. It’s often useful for housing requests, workplace accommodations, and as supporting documentation when airlines ask about your service animal — though under DOT rules, airlines primarily rely on their own attestation forms rather than letters.
ESA vs. PSD at a Glance
| Feature | Psychiatric service dog | Emotional support animal |
|---|---|---|
| Task training required | Yes — specific tasks | No |
| Housing (Fair Housing Act) | Protected | Protected |
| Public access (ADA) | Yes | No |
| Airline cabin travel | Yes, via DOT forms | No (since 2021) |
| Species | Dogs only | Most domesticated animals |
What a PSD letter is not
No letter, ID card, vest, or "registration" makes a dog a service animal. A PSD must be trained to perform disability-related tasks. Our clinicians evaluate your disability-related need honestly — we don’t train dogs, and we’ll tell you if a PSD isn’t the right fit.
Training paths
You may owner-train your PSD or work with a professional trainer — the ADA permits both. Your clinician can discuss task ideas relevant to your needs during the evaluation.
PSD Letter FAQs
People whose psychiatric condition — such as PTSD, severe anxiety, panic disorder, or major depression — rises to the level of a disability and who benefit from a dog trained to perform specific mitigating tasks. Your licensed clinician makes that determination during your evaluation.
PSD evaluations use the same transparent pricing as ESA evaluations — $149 Standard or $199 Priority, one-time, with a full refund if your clinician determines you don’t qualify. Choose "psychiatric service dog letter" in the assessment.
Airlines primarily require the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form, which you attest to yourself. A PSD letter can be valuable supporting documentation and is often requested for housing and workplace accommodations, but the DOT form is what airlines process for cabin travel.
Think a PSD might be right for you?
Take the assessment and talk it through with a licensed professional.