Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) Letters
For Californians whose dog does more than comfort — it performs trained tasks that make daily life possible.
What is a psychiatric service dog?
A PSD is a dog individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a psychiatric disability — such as interrupting panic attacks, providing deep-pressure therapy, reminding the handler to take medication, waking them from night terrors, or guiding them out of overwhelming environments. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a PSD is a service animal with full public-access rights.
PSD vs. ESA — the key differences
| Psychiatric Service Dog | Emotional Support Animal | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Task-trained for a disability | No task training required |
| Species | Dogs (miniature horses in rare cases) | Most companion animals |
| Public access | Yes — stores, restaurants, transit | No general public access |
| Air travel | Flies in cabin free (DOT forms) | Treated as a pet by most airlines |
| Housing | Protected (FHA/FEHA) | Protected (FHA/FEHA) |
Who qualifies for a PSD?
You may qualify if a psychiatric condition — such as PTSD, severe anxiety or panic disorder, major depression, or bipolar disorder — substantially limits major life activities, and a trained dog can perform tasks that mitigate it. Our licensed clinicians evaluate both parts honestly: your clinical need, and whether a task-trained dog is an appropriate support.
What our PSD letter includes
- Confirmation from a licensed California mental health professional that you have a disability-related need for a psychiatric service dog
- The clinician's license type, number, and jurisdiction
- Documentation suitable for housing requests and DOT air-travel attestation forms
- Verification support if a housing provider or airline follows up
How to get started
Book a confidential telehealth evaluation. If a PSD is clinically appropriate, your letter is issued by your licensed clinician — see our pricing page for current rates, including the popular ESA + PSD combo.