Psychiatric Service Dog

A Psychiatric Service Dog or PSD is classified under service dogs and trained to perform tasks which will help mitigate psychiatric disabilities of their owners.

What is a Psychiatric Service Dog?

Unlike an Emotional Support Dog or ESA a PSD is a dog that provides more than comfort or emotional support.  A PSD is usually a working dog that helps the handler with certain tasks that can’t be performed due to disability.

First, let’s examine definitions under regulatory law, specifically 28CFR36.104:

Disability means, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.  Mental impairment means – Any mental or psychological disorder such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities, including but not limited to, mental retardation, emotional illness, and specific learning disabilities.

What’s the Difference Between PSD and ESA?

There is a very distinct difference between the two, a PSD is trained for tasks just like service dogs and fall under the service dog certification program.  PSA’s therefore meet the requirements of Service Animals and should be registered as such.

You can register your PSD for free on the blue form to the right.

We also offer a full line of Service Dog Gear at link below.