Psychiatric Support Animal provides emotional support and carries out tasks that help individuals with psychiatric disabilities cope with their everyday life. Service Dogs are specifically trained to perform tasks that mitigate a person's physical disability.

You qualify for a PSA if you have a verifiable emotional or psychological disability diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional. They can provide an ESA letter, stating that the animal is necessary for your well-being.

Yes, you need a medical professional's letter for your Psychiatric Service Animal. This letter, often referred to as a letter of prescription or recommendation, must be from a licensed healthcare professional treating you for the disability your PSA will assist with. 

All of our Free My Paws PSA letters are certified by a licensed therapist, after a telehealth consultation.

No, not any animal can be a Psychiatric Service Animal. Dogs are the most common type but miniature horses also qualify if they are trained to perform specific tasks that directly assist with a disability.

A Psychiatric Service Dog must be trained, and the training can be provided in various ways. PSAs must be able to carry out tasks related to the disability, such as helping to calm an individual prior to a panic attack. They must also be able to behave appropriately in a variety of public situations - for example, they must be able to ignore common distractions, such as other dogs or loud noises. 

Professionals such as certified dog trainers or organizations specializing in service dog training can undertake this, or you can train the dog yourself to reach the standard required.Online training and certification is becoming increasingly popular.

Yes, you can train your pet dog to become a Psychiatric Service Dog. However, this training process can be complex and requires adherence to specific standards. Many prefer working with professional trainers, in-person or online, to ensure proper training and obtain a certification.

Learn how our expert dog trainers can help you!

No, you do not need to register your Psychiatric Service Dog. There is no official registry for Psychiatric Service Dogs. A legitimate PSA requires a PSA  letter from a licensed mental health professional, created after a telehealth or in-person consultation, to be recognized as valid.

While a vest, leash, tag, or other accessories are not mandated for Psychiatric Service Dogs, they can help clarify that your animal is a Psychiatric Service Dog, thereby reducing questions and intrusive approaches.

No, there is no specific size limit for service dogs. Service dogs come in various sizes, and their suitability is based on their ability to perform tasks and assist with their owner's disability.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law in the United States. Yes, it prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in various areas of public life, including employment, transportation, and public accommodations. It also grants certain rights to individuals with disabilities who use service dogs.

Learn more about the ADA

Businesses and establishments may ask for specific information regarding your Psychiatric Service  Animal. They can ask whether your animal is a service animal and what tasks it has been trained to perform. However, they cannot inquire about your disability, request documentation, or ask for a demonstration of tasks.

In most cases, yes, you can take your Psychiatric Service Dog anywhere. Service dogs have the right to accompany their owners in public spaces, including restaurants, stores, and transportation. However, some exceptions exist, such as sterile environments such as hospital operating rooms.

Yes, Psychiatric Service Dogs fly for free. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, service dogs can fly in the cabin with their owner at no additional cost. However, you will need to complete DOT forms, and every airline has its own policies, so it's advisable to inform the airline well in advance of travel. 

Check out our comprehensive guide to flying on US airlines with your PSA

No, landlords, restaurants, or public places cannot typically refuse Psychiatric Service Dogs. Under the ADA, service dogs can stay with their owners in most public areas, including restaurants and stores. Landlords are also usually required to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with service dogs.

Learn more

Yes, your  service dog must be on a leash unless the leash interferes with their tasks. In such cases, the dog must be under control through voice or hand commands.

Yes, you can be asked to leave if your service dog is being disruptive. If a service dog is disruptive, such as barking excessively or causing a significant disturbance, a business owner may ask you to remove the dog from the premises. However, they should allow you to obtain the goods or services without the dog's presence.

Businesses are allowed to ask two main questions: 

• Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? 
• What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? 

However, they cannot ask about your disability, request documentation, or ask for a demonstration of tasks.

Yes, PSA letters expire twelve months from the issue date and need to be renewed so that you may continue enjoying the privileges it provides.

Yes, you really need to renew your PSA letter every 12 months to ensure that it will continue to be accepted as valid.  

Renewing your letter is easy with Free My Paws through Felicitails seamless consultation process.

Yes, your psychiatric support dog may be a tax write-off, as service animals fall under medical expenses. That's Schedule A on Form 1040. Consult your tax expert for the latest regulations.

The IRS requires documentation. Keep all receipts and invoices related to your PSA so you can write off nearly all pet-incurred expenses, including:

• Food
• Grooming
• Training
• Purchase price
• Vet bills
• Boarding
• Other miscellaneous costs