How It Works
The PSD Evaluation Process
A simple and convenient way to get evaluated from the comfort of your home.
Complete Your PSD Questionnaire
Share information about yourself, your circumstances, and how your symptoms affect daily activities.
Connect With a Licensed Professional
Your information is reviewed as part of an individualized professional evaluation.
Receive Documentation If You Qualify
If the professional determines you qualify, you can receive supporting PSD documentation.
Understanding PSD Letters
What Is a Psychiatric Service Dog?
A psychiatric service dog (PSD) is a service animal that is individually trained to perform work or tasks directly related to a person’s psychiatric disability, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions.
Unlike emotional support animals (ESAs), PSDs are not only for comfort — they must be trained to perform specific disability-related tasks.
Emotional comfort alone is not the defining requirement.
A PSD must be trained to perform work or tasks directly related to a person’s disability. Requirements and protections can vary by applicable laws and rules.
Where PSDs May Help
Where PSDs May Help
A PSD letter may be useful in different areas, depending on applicable laws and rules.
Public Access
PSDs may have broader access rights in public places compared to ESAs, under applicable laws.
Housing
A PSD letter may support your housing rights. Requirements can vary by housing provider and laws.
Air Travel
Airline policies for PSDs can change. It’s important to review current airline requirements before travel.
PSD vs. ESA
PSD Letter vs. ESA Letter
Both can be helpful, but they serve different purposes and have different legal considerations.
| Feature | Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) | Emotional Support Animal (ESA) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Individually trained to perform disability-related work or tasks. | Provides emotional support through their presence. |
| Training Required | Yes, task-specific training is required. | No specialized training required. |
| Legal Protections | May have broader public access rights under applicable laws. | Primarily housing-related protections. No automatic public access rights. |
| Letter Requirement | A letter can support your need, but the dog must also be trained to perform specific tasks. | An ESA letter from a licensed professional is typically required for housing. |
What Should a PSD Letter Contain?
A PSD letter from a licensed mental health professional typically includes:
- Licensed professional's credentials (e.g., name, title, license type)
- License information
- Provider contact information
- Issue date
- Signature
- A statement supporting your need for a psychiatric service dog
A letter does not itself make a dog a service dog and does not replace the requirement for appropriate task training. Eligibility depends on applicable laws and the dog’s training to perform disability-related tasks.
Why Choose Petfied?
Genuine Professional Evaluation
Real conversations with licensed mental health professionals to assess your unique situation.
Convenient Online Process
A PSD letter may evaluation from home, on your schedule.
Transparent Expectations
We follow a professional and ethical process. Eligibility is determined by the licensed professional, and approval is not guaranteed.
Important: A PSD Letter Is Not a Service Dog Registration
A PSD letter is only provided if a licensed mental health professional determines that a psychiatric service dog is appropriate for your situation. Eligibility depends on applicable disability requirements and the dog’s task training. Approval is not guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about PSD letters.
1 What is a PSD letter?
A PSD letter is a document from a licensed mental health professional that states you have a psychiatric disability and may benefit from a psychiatric service dog trained to perform specific tasks related to your condition.
2 Is a PSD letter the same as an ESA letter?
No. A PSD letter supports the need for a psychiatric service dog that is individually trained to perform disability-related tasks. An ESA letter is for an emotional support animal that provides comfort through companionship but does not require specific task training.
3 Does a letter automatically make my dog a service dog?
No. A letter alone does not make a dog a service dog. The dog must also be individually trained to perform work or tasks directly related to your psychiatric disability. Requirements and protections can vary by applicable laws.
4 Do PSDs have public access rights?
Under the ADA, service dogs — including psychiatric service dogs — may have broader public access rights than emotional support animals. However, requirements and protections can vary, and businesses may ask two specific questions to determine if a dog qualifies.
5 Can I fly with a PSD?
Airline policies regarding psychiatric service dogs can change. It is important to review the current requirements of your specific airline before traveling, as policies may vary between carriers.
Start Your PSD Evaluation Today
Take the first step toward understanding whether a psychiatric service dog may be appropriate for your circumstances.
Start PSD Evaluation
Simple. Secure. Professional.
