Get Your US Psychiatric Service Dog Letter.

Legitimate Psychiatric Service Dog Letter In the US.

The US Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) is a type of assistance animal that’s trained to perform specific tasks for individuals living with a mental illness. These unique tasks are directly related to the handler’s disability.

Guide dogs, like seeing eye dogs, are typical service dogs, supporting individuals with various physical disabilities. However, a Psychiatric Service Dog helps people whose disability may not be visible to the naked eye. For example, service members suffering from PTSD and folks who live with various anxiety disorders can find the service of a PSD to be very helpful.

Recent changes to air travel in the United States now allows for Psychiatric Service Dogs to accompany their handler in the aircraft main cabin.

Interested in Getting US Psychiatric Service Dog?

ESAD Int’l has an extensive network of licensed, accredited, and truly exceptional clinicians who use animal-assisted therapy to help you deal with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and more.

Our role is to connect you with a licensed nearby clinical team member to assess your "disability and disability-related need" for an assistance animal. Disabilities include:

What is US Psychiatric Service Dog?

US Psychiatric Service Dogs are different from an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and under new U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) rules, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), PSDs may also fly on planes free of charge.

The ACAA defines a service animal as a dog, regardless of breed or type, individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. Airlines are required to recognize dogs as service animals and accept them for transport on flights to, within and from the United States. Transport can be denied if the service dog:

• Violates safety requirements - e.g., too large or heavy to be accommodated in the cabin;
• Poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
• Causes a significant disruption in the cabin or at airport gate areas; or
• Violates health requirements - e.g., prohibited from entering a U.S. territory or foreign country.

READ: Most Cheap ESA Letter Bought Online Are Problematic.

Can I Self-Train my US Psychiatric Service Dog?

The ADA allows owners (US travelers only) to self-train their PSDs, so if this describes your situation, you can simply enter your own name into the Trainer section.

We're currently working with dog trainers and organizations across the US to team up with our clinical network to make the process of getting a Psychiatric Service Dog smooth sailing.

That being said for US travelers, certain air carriers (typically from the EU) require assistance dogs to be certified by an organization affiliated with Assistance Dogs International (ADI), International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or other organizations. We do not offer such certifications and the animal's training is the client's total responsibility.

Service Dog Determination in US.

Airlines can determine whether an animal is a service animal or pet by:

• Asking an individual with a disability if the animal is required to accompany the passenger because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform;
• Looking for physical indicators such as the presence of a harness or vests;
• Looking to see if the animal is harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered; and
• Observing the behavior of the animal.

Airlines are not permitted to require other documentation from service animal users except to comply with requirements on transport of animals by a Federal agency, a U.S. territory, or a foreign jurisdiction.

Travel Documents, Identification, and Certification for your US Service Dog.

If your disability is not readily apparent, you may be asked for "reliable" documentation substantiating your need.

Be prepared with the following:

• An identification card for your assistance animal
• Written documentation from a credible association who trained the animal
• Credible verbal assurance from the association who trained the animal
• Carry tags
• A harness

What's Inside Our US Psychiatric Service Dog Letter of Recommendation.

A US PSD letter of recommendation from a licensed physician or mental health professional should:

• Be on your attending mental health professional’s letterhead
• Include the type of license held by your mental health professional and the jurisdiction in which it was issued
• Be less than a year old
• State that you are currently under the care of the licensed health professional who prepared the document
• State that you have a mental or emotional disability recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM V)
• State that you require the assistance animal as an accommodation for air travel and/or for an activity at your intended destination
• State the task that the animal performs for you when traveling
• State whether you require your assistance animal to travel as a lap-held Emotional Support Animal

It's All About Need For The Assistance Animal.

This determination can be performed by mental health and certain medical professionals. We very strongly recommend this provider be licensed, residing, and practicing in your state.

If you’re not currently under the care of a licensed provider, a telehealth platform such as ESADoggy can improve access to mental health care, with a focus on providing services to individuals who are seeking animal assisted interventions as part of their treatment plan.

Unlike other online ESA platforms and their bogus 2-minute questionnaire, our proprietary intake exam is geared to assess and address an individual’s need for the assistance animal. Developed by leading experts in the mental health care field, our HIPAA-compliant exam will take about 15-30 minutes to complete.

Like Everything We Do Around Here, There Are No Shortcuts.

Once the order is placed and our intake completed, we’ll connect you with a team member located in your state. During a telephone or video call, our licensed provider will determine if an assistance animal would be a beneficial part of your treatment plan. Should that be the case, a PSD letter of recommendation (PDF file) is made available for download from our secured therapy portal.

In certain locations (California, Indiana, and Illinois for example), two or three sessions are required.

Our Psychiatric Service Dog letter is issued, signed, and dated by your assigned licensed provider, on their letterhead, and includes licensing and contact information. Our therapeutic and administrative process fully complies with all state and Federal law. Many years and counting now, we very rarely run into any problems (hence our amazing reviews).

This entire process normally takes five to eight business days to complete. Expedited appointments are available (additional fees apply).

READ: Our No Worries Guarantee (tm) Takes the Worry Out of Your ESA Letter.

Don't Get Scammed with Psychiatric Service Dog Registration.

The assistance animal industry is rife with questionable business practices exploiting consumers, prejudicing the legal rights of individuals with disabilities, duping landlords, and generally interfering with good faith efforts to comply with Federal law. Predatory vendors, ethically-challenged clinicians, and sketchy customers are readily, and all too easily, found across the Internet.

Says founder Chaz Stevens, "clients come to us burdened with turbo-charged anxiety, so why make their life worse?"

"Sure, anyone can string up a website peddling crappy, red-flag inducing, bot-generated garbage letters auto-signed by a schlocky therapist - just look at the first page of Google. It's no wonder why owners of those spammie websites go out of their way to hide their identities. And don’t get me started with Service Dog registration."

So, how do you avoid getting scammed? Here are a few simple rules to follow.

• Are they looking to register your dog or sell you a certificate?  If so, just run away. If you have a broken ankle, hobble away at best possible speed.
• Does the vendor operate from a physical location, or are they operating out of a PO Box? Can you find them on Google Maps?
• Call them up (800-372-4125 is our number) and speak to the someone. Ask them these questions - do you have a therapist who is licensed, practicing, and residing in your state. Who owns and operates your company? Chat with the owner.
• Ask them how long they've been in business (our holding company is going on its 26th year).
• Check out their reviews (we have loads going back on a decade now). Forget Trustpilot and hotpo reviews (they are easily faked and bought online from unscrupulous overseas operators).

Documentation from the Internet.

Some websites sell certificates, registrations, and licensing documents for assistance animals to anyone who answers certain questions or participates in a short interview and pays a fee. In HUD’s experience, such documentation from the internet is not, by itself, sufficient to reliably establish that an individual has a non-observable disability or disability-related need for an assistance animal.

By contrast, legitimate organizations such as ESAD Int’l and its team of licensed health care professionals ethically deliver services remotely. You’re going to connect with a nearby licensed provider, engage in one or more therapy sessions, and receive a letter of recommendation that’s been revised and upgraded thru the years.

READ: Learn About ESAD INT'L (ESADoggy).

Get The US Psychiatric Service Dog Letter That Lets You Take Control Of Your Life.

You’re well on your way to getting a legitimate "Psychiatric Service Dog recommendation" from a licensed mental health professional and all done from the comfort of your home.

Eligibility for a Psychiatric Service Dog requires an individual to have a mental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a mental disability as “any mental or psychological disorder” such as “emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.” Examples of such disabilities include:

• Anxiety Disorder
• Depression
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Panic Attacks
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Additionally, the PSD’s handler must have a need for a task trained dog to assist with their disability. Providing companionship and comfort is the role of an emotional support dog. This does not qualify as performing a “task on queue.”

According to the ADA, no registration, paperwork, or identification is needed. However, a diagnosis of mental illness from a licensed mental health care professional is required.

Is a Registry Site or Service Animal Vest Required?

No, that’s a scam and the reddest of red flags. Run, don’t walk, away from sites that want to register your animal.

That said, many ESA/PSD owners choose to outfit their animal, clearly distinguishing it from an ordinary pet. An ESA/PSD ID card is also a common item these individuals make it a point to have on hand. We’ve found this card helps lower the handler’s overall stress level.

How Does ESAD Int'l Protect My Privacy?

Your privacy is our top concern. We’re a HIPAA-compliant online mental health care platform, which means we follow the same privacy laws as a brick and mortar location. ESADoggy just simplifies the experience by delivering exceptional mental health care on your terms.

ESAD Int'l offers virtual appointments with licensed professionals that are separate from your employer and insurer. So, you can find the help you need from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Why Choose Us?

This is a labor of love; going on eight years now, not a single complaint, rated BBB A+ flawless, amazing reviews, all operated with world-class ethics. It takes a Herculean effort to deliver remote ethical, compassionate, empathetic care that passes regulatory muster.

Our clients enjoy amazing 24/7 customer support, state of the art data privacy protection, and an extensive therapeutic network.

For those in financial need, we offer pro-bono assistance animal assessments. Restrictions apply.

The following is only for air travel within the United States, or international air travel to/from the US.

Every order comes with an ESA or PSD ID card, collar tag, and leash.

Tasks On Queue

Differing from an Emotional Support Animal, a Service Animal performs a task on queue, such as:

• Balance Assistance – Providing extra security when walking.
• Ground and reorient – Provide grounding during an anxiety attack
• Interrupt and Redirect – Limit obsessive compulsive and self-destructive behaviors
• Navigation and buffering – A PSD can provide a buffer and help guide their handler through stressful environments.
• React/Alert to specific sounds – Help detect unusual noises.
• Room Search – Helpful for those who suffer from PTSD hyper-vigilance.
• Stabilize routines
• Tactile stimulation and pressure therapy

Professional Psychiatric Service Dog Trainers

Individuals sometimes lack time and expertise to properly train a psychiatric service dog. The cost for training greatly varies, so it’s best to speak with several trainers.

Self-Training

For handlers with an existing emotional animal bond, self-training (which takes a lot of time and care) might be an option. If the psychiatric service dog completes the tasks directly related to the handler’s mental disability, then it does not matter who performed the training.

Psychiatric Service Dog Access Rights

Air travel is allowed and requires PSD owners to submit a signed certification form prior to departure, documenting disability training and good public behavior. Animals who are disruptive or out of control may indicate a lack of training and can be denied entry.

Airlines may also consider paraphernalia such as harnesses, vests, and tags – helpful indicators for owners suffering from invisible disabilities. Accessories alone do not make a PSD – that comes from appropriate training and a disability-related need.

Psychiatric Service Dog and Invisible Disabilities

There are many types of psychiatric service dogs that serve individuals with a wide range of invisible disabilities.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Individuals who have gone thru extremely stressful events may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PSDs can help ameliorate their disabilities by performing tasks on queue such as:

• Block and buffer in crowded areas
• Calming via deep pressure therapy (lying across the handler’s body)
• Interrupt destructive behaviors
• Medication retrieval

Depression Psychiatric Service Dog

Those with severe depression often are home confined, finding difficulty engaging in life activities. With constant negative thoughts and at times suicidal, a psychiatric service dog can help chronically depressed people by:

• Comfort with responsive touch
• Establishing a daily routine
• Get the handler up and about
• Medication retrieval and usage
• Tactile stimulation

Anxiety Psychiatric Service Dog

Those with chronic anxiety know the accompanying excessive uneasiness and apprehension can be debilitating, leading to compulsive behaviors or panic attacks.

Psychiatric service dogs can be trained to help anxiety attacks by:

• Blocking people from crowding the handler
• Deep pressure therapy
• Keeping the person grounded by licking or pawing
• Locating/bringing a telephone
• Impending panic attack recognition

We Are The Patient Experience.

In an industry full of questionable operators, we're focused on delivering ethical, compassionate, empathetic care. Enjoy amazing 24/7 customer support, state of the art data privacy protection, and the largest therapeutic network in the business.

Helping Our Most Fragile Residents

We are launching a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public charity focused on providing mental health care to individuals who could not otherwise afford it. Our charity, the Ford-Polly Gunderson Foundation, will be laser-focused on helping the most vulnerable come out of the shadows and fully realize the full potential of their lives.