Name: ESA Letter
Brand: Pettable
Price: 149.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (4340 reviews)

Frequently Asked Questions

Psychiatric Service Dog Overview

What's the difference between an emotional support animal and a psychiatric service dog?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a pet that helps its owner by providing companionship, helping relieve stress and otherwise comfort its owner just by being present. ESA owners’ rights to keep an ESA in a rented home are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). The law requires landlords to allow ESAs even if they have a No Pets rule or limit the types or sizes of pets renters can keep in their homes.
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You’ll need a licensed medical professional to diagnose you with a qualifying condition and provide you with a valid ESA Letter to protect those rights. Unlike psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) and other service animals, airlines and businesses are not required to allow you to keep your ESA with you.
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ESAs do not have to receive intensive training but should be well-behaved. That is important because, while qualified ESA owners have specific rights when it comes to living with an ESA, bad behavior like constant barking, aggressiveness, or destructive actions are reasons that a landlord or property manager can have your pet removed or make you move out.
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A psychiatric service dog (PSD) is a dog trained to perform specific actions to assist someone to deal with the effects and symptoms of a recognized psychiatric disability. To provide that help, PSDs need obedience and situational behavior training. But they also need extensive, individualized training to provide the complicated help individual users require. We discuss those tasks and training requirements elsewhere in this FAQ.While ESA owners’ rights are limited to housing under the Fair Housing Act, the use of psychiatric service dogs, like other service animals, is also covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Those laws protect PSD users from discrimination while traveling on airlines and other commercial travel providers, in housing, and in access to most private businesses and public spaces. As long as their PSD is properly trained and can be reasonably accommodated, Psychiatric Service Dog users are entitled to have their PSD living with them in their home; in an airline's main cabin; and when they go to appointments, public events, and go shopping, out to eat, or on errands to other businesses.

What standard of training does a PSD need to meet?

It takes time to train any service dog, including PSDs. For most dogs, the service training process requires between one and two years of continuous training.
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As a responsible PSD user, you need to understand the service dog training and behavior requirements that apply where you live, including federal, state, and local rules. Under the regulations included in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dog training must include work or task training.
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All service dogs have to be well-trained to always behave properly in public. A service dog that behaves poorly or reacts inappropriately to an unexpected situation can be removed and banned from public places.
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Of course, that involves obedience training to react properly to commands. But service dogs also need training to NOT react to different situations. “Exposure” training involves a long checklist of potential triggers that a dog might react to, whether that’s somebody hugging you or petting them unexpectedly, people wearing unusual clothing like a long jacket or a hard hat, loud noises, or other dogs playing or fighting. The list of potential triggers is very long and training a service dog to react properly (or NOT react) to each one takes time.
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What makes a service dog, including PSDs, different from other well-trained dogs is that they must also learn to help you with specific needs created by your disability. That help falls into two categories: Work and Tasks.
Tasks are the actions a service dog will do when its user tells it to do something, like fetching something or helping you to stand up.
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Work includes all the actions a PSD is trained to do without prompting, like warning you when it senses a panic attack coming on, comforting you so you can get back to sleep after a night terror, or reacting to other non-verbal cues to help warn of and head off an episode.

What are example tasks and work PSDs can be trained on?

Psychiatric service dogs help their users cope with a wide variety of needs. Service dog “tasks” include any action the dog will do for you when you tell it to, whether that’s bringing you a bottle of water, opening a door, or turning on a light. It is truly amazing how many different types of help dogs can give you when properly trained.
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PSD “work”, on the other hand, are the actions a psychiatric service dog learns to do on its own when it senses you need specific help. In addition to the examples above, those can include touching or making eye contact when it senses you need to be distracted from your thoughts, leading you away from situations and guiding you home if you become disassociated and confused about where you are, or keeping a “safe zone” between you and other people.

Who can train a PSD?

There are many options for training a psychiatric service dog, as long as the dog is a suitable candidate. What works best will depend on your specific abilities and needs.
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If you have the time, patience, and knowledge, you can train the dog yourself. Many people want expert help from a training school or private trainer, to train their dog and to learn how to work with them effectively at the same time. You can also get a dog that is already properly trained by professional trainers and learn to work with them, but it can take time to find a dog that is properly trained to help with your specific needs.

Licensed Professional In Your State - All of our Licensed Mental Health Professionals are fully qualified
and have passed board exams. The LMHP we select will be one that is legally qualified to approve ESA Letters for your state.

Phone Consultation - Our professionals will reach out to you to setup a phone consultation and establish a relationship.
This gives our professionals the authority and basis for prescribing you an ESA letter.

Compliant Letters - The ESA Letter is issued directly from a LMHP with their license number and their
contact information included. The letter will come on the professional letterhead of the
Licensed Mental Health Professional and contain everything legally required for an ESA prescription within the body of the letter.

Are Pettable’s PSD Letters Legal?

Pettable’s Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) Letters comply with all applicable laws, notably the Air Carrier Access Act (ACCA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). These laws establish your rights as a qualified individual to keep a designated psychiatric service animal in your home and to travel with your PSD, even when animals are generally not permitted in a residence or aboard an airline or other transportation provider.
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Pettable partners with state-licensed mental health professionals (LMHPs) who are legally qualified to diagnose qualifying mental or emotional health conditions and to create and certify psychiatric service dog letters (PSD letters).
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Pettable complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which ensures we do everything the law requires to protect the privacy and security of the health information you share with Pettable’s partners through our website.

What makes Pettable’s PSD Letters legitimate?

World Class, State-licensed Health Professionals – When you obtain a PSD Letter through Pettable, you are assured that the Licensed Mental Health Professional you work with is fully qualified to practice in your state and that all necessary certifications to provide this service are up to date and in force.
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Live ‍Phone Consultation – When you sign up with Pettable to get your PSD Letter, you will be contacted directly by a qualified LMHP to schedule a consultation. That one-to-one communication is necessary to give Pettable’s mental health partners the information they need and legal authority to prescribe a PSA to assist you in dealing with your qualifying condition. Remember, if the consulting LMHP can’t certify that you qualify, Pettable will immediately give you a full refund.
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‍Compliant PSD Letters – The ADA and FHA require that PSD Letters include specific information. Every PSD Letter obtained through Pettable’s service comes to you straight from a licensed professional with their license number, contact, and all other provider identification required by law. Your PSD Letter will be delivered on the LMHP’s official letterhead, and the Letter itself will include all legally mandated details and language.

What makes Pettable’s PSD Letters legitimate?

How can a landlord make sure my Pettable PSD Letter is legitimate?

If you run into a problem with someone accepting your PSD Letter, we will be standing behind you every time!
Pettable’s licensed mental health professional partners and our top-notch customer support staff are a phone call away. They will talk with your landlord to explain the legal protections your PSD Letter provides and reassure them of its legitimacy.
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You can have them contact the LMHP directly using the contact information included in the Letter or put them in touch with the Pettable support team by calling us at +1 (800) 851-7202 or emailing [email protected].
And remember, Pettable guarantees that every PSD Letter obtained through our service will work for you as promised. If we are unable to resolve your PSD issue with a landlord, we will refund 100% of the cost of our service.

How quick is Pettable’s PSD Letter consultation process, and when will I get my PSD letter?

At Pettable, we understand how urgent getting a legally valid PSD Letter can be, so we offer delivery in as little as 24 hours after your consultation is completed. You’ll pay a small “Express Service” fee for the fast turnaround if you choose this option during checkout.
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Whichever turnaround time you need, it is critical to remember that we can only deliver your PSD Letter if we’ve received all required forms and they are completely filled out and signed. You’ll receive all of those forms with instructions via email immediately after you pay Pettable’s affordable PSA Letter fee.
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As soon as you return the forms to us, we connect you to a mental health professional who is licensed in your state. Pettable’s large network of state-certified mental health partners across the country means connecting with the right person for your consultation happens as quickly as you need it to. Once your consultation is completed and the LMHP certifies that you are qualified for a PSA Letter, you’ll receive your legally compliant letter within 24 hours.

What information is included in Pettable’s PSD letters?

PSD Letters from Pettable’s network of LMHP partners include all information required by law:

Official letterhead of the mental health professional or practice.
Business address and contact information, and the authorized provider’s signature.
Full LMHP license information so you or your landlord can confirm their license is up to date and they are licensed in your state.
Clear and precise language confirming you have a qualifying disability and are legally entitled to live with your psychiatric service animal.

What information is included in Pettable’s PSD letters?

PSD Letters from Pettable’s network of LMHP partners include all information required by law:

Official letterhead of the mental health professional or practice.
Business address and contact information, and the authorized provider’s signature.
Full LMHP license information so you or your landlord can confirm their license is up to date and they are licensed in your state.
Clear and precise language confirming you have a qualifying disability and are legally entitled to live with your psychiatric service animal.

What is the Fair Housing Act and why does it matter for PSD Letters?

The Fair Housing Act gives you specific rights when you are renting a residence. The FHA mandates that landlords and property management companies have to let a qualified person keep service animals – including psychiatric service animals – in their home.

Service animals are trained to assist individuals with qualified medical disabilities by performing tasks or providing emotional support to help control or reduce symptoms of those disabilities.As the person asking for accommodation under the FHA, you also have responsibilities.

To ensure that your request for accommodation is necessary, you have to consult personally with a medical health professional licensed in your state to determine that you qualify and they must provide you with a prescription in the form of a PSD Letter.

What is the Fair Housing Act and why does it matter for PSD Letters?

The Fair Housing Act gives you specific rights when you are renting a residence. The FHA mandates that landlords and property management companies have to let a qualified person keep service animals – including psychiatric service animals – in their home.

Service animals are trained to assist individuals with qualified medical disabilities by performing tasks or providing emotional support to help control or reduce symptoms of those disabilities.

As the person asking for accommodation under the FHA, you also have responsibilities. To ensure that your request for accommodation is necessary, you have to consult personally with a medical health professional licensed in your state to determine that you qualify and they must provide you with a prescription in the form of a PSD Letter.

How will my consultation with a Pettable mental health professional partner happen?

Federal and state laws require that anyone seeking a PSD Letter has to speak personally to a qualified professional via phone, video, or in-person to make sure they qualify for a Letter. Pettable ensures that the PSD letters our partners deliver to you follow all legal requirements, including a live phone consultation.

I have multiple PSDs – are they all covered by Pettable’s PSD Letter?

Yes, but if you have more than two PSDs, you may need more than one letter.
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Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you may have the right to keep more than one service animal as long as your request is “reasonable.” That can depend on the size of your PSD, what kind of animal it is, the square footage of the home you are renting, or other things.
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While Pettable and its partners can’t advise you on whether your specific request will be considered reasonable, we support you by covering up to two animals per PSD Letter without charging an additional fee.

How does a Pettable PSD Letter help protect my rights?

The U.S. Fair Housing Act gives specific rights to disabled tenants who want to live with a PSD. A PSD Letter certifies that you are entitled to those rights, including being exempt from animal-based policies that landlords or property management companies may impose on renters.
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Psychiatric service animals, like other service animals, must generally also be accommodated by airlines and other transportation services. That is not the case for emotional service animals, so make sure you understand the difference and always check with the travel service provider for their requirements well before your scheduled trip.
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The PSD Letter you obtain through Pettable’s partners is legal documentation that you qualify for protection under applicable laws and are exempt from rules that prohibit or limit other people from living with; entering businesses, government offices, and public spaces; or traveling with pets.

Are PSAs and PSDs the same?

We use PSD in this FAQ for simplicity, but dogs are not the only animals that qualify as Psychiatric Service Animals (PSAs). Many other kinds of service animals have been trained to provide their users with the physical and emotional support they need. Most of the information we provide applies to other animals, but you should check local, state, and federal regulations to make sure your animal is covered.

At Pettable, we offer PSDs for your dog only.

How does the Money Back Guarantee work for PSD letters?

Pettable is the only ESA letter provider that offers a Money Back Guarantee encompassing a full 100% refund if you do not qualify for a letter after your consultation.
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‍The details: Our refund and cancellation policy ensures that our team of licensed mental health care professionals are effectively allocating their support to those in need. Once your order is placed, there is a $30 administration fee if a refund is requested before you have signed the LHCP consent form. Once signed, your order is non-refundable, unless you do not qualify for a PSD letter after your consultation as determined by the licensed mental health professional. You can read more about our full refund and cancellation policy in our Terms of Use.

‍For California residents, effective January 1, 2022, new law AB 468, requires those seeking an ESA letter for dogs (does not apply to PSD letters) to establish a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing documentation, which will result in having two consultations before qualifying. If you need to reschedule your second consultation, you are required to pay a $30 rebooking fee. If you cancel and request a refund after your initial consultation at least 2 business day before your second appointment, you are charged a $30 administrative fee, otherwise your purchase is non-refundable. The 100% money back guarantee still applies should you not qualify for a letter or if your landlord does not accept it after filing a complaint with HUD.

What our pet parents are saying

Verified customers. Real reviews.

I had an incredible experience with Pettable. I had just moved and was looking for a new therapist, but knew an ESA would really help me with the transition, so I came to Pettable to get documentation so I didn’t have to wait months to get approval from my landlord to bring a pet home. The process was straightforward, timely, and made me feel so valid in my journey. Now I am raising a puppy and never been happier and healthier! I can’t recommend Pettable enough!

“The process was straightforward, timely, and made me feel so valid in my journey.

Maddee W. Dog parent

5.0

My pup provides relief in stressful situations, particularly when I'm away on necessary travel. Pettable was an amazing resource, connecting me with a therapist who listened to my situation and provided advice above and beyond. I could hear her compassion over our call and appreciated her patience. Grateful for this service!"

Austin K. Dog parent

“I could hear her compassion over our call and appreciated her patience.

You were very attentive and I’m very satisfied with the provider I was assigned with, thank you again for helping relieve the stress of not being able to take my furry baby to our new home."

“Thank you again for helping relieve the stress.

Lauren M. Cat parent

Meet our Selected Therapists

19 Reviews

Bolutife "Bolu", LCSW-S, MPA

Licensed Therapist
Equipped with over 13 years, Bolu has worked with various populations (adolescents, couples, families, and adults), but finds passion in working with the BIPOC community suffering from trauma.

Shaunae, M.S., LPC

Licensed Therapist
I have worked in the mental health field for 10 years with experience across diverse populations and communities. I’m dedicated to ensuring the best care possible.

32 Reviews

Michael, LPC, LCDC

Licensed Therapist
I graduated from UT Dallas with my BA in Psychology, University of the Southwest with my MS in counseling, and California Southern University with my PsyD in Psychology, but have been an LPC and LCDC since 2011.

Jasmine, LCMHC

Licensed Therapist
I graduated with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Psychology. I completed my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since graduating, I have been working in private practice.

29 Reviews

Rhiana, MA, LPC, LAC

Licensed Professional Counselor
I primarily work with people experiencing homelessness. I began doing emotional support evaluations to increase housing access to all.

23 Reviews

Melissa, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. I graduated from the Catholic University's National Catholic School of Social Service with a Master of Social Work.