To legally take your dog into businesses (including stores, restaurants, and hotels) OR public entities (including parks, beaches and government offices) you must have a Service Dog.

*Psychiatric Service Animals (PSA’s) are a type of service dog and have the same legal rights as service dogs.

*Emotional Support Animals (ESA’s) have no legal access to businesses or public entities.

To legally fly in the main cabin of an airplane (with no fees) you must have a Service Dog.

*Psychiatric Service Animals (PSA’s) are a type of service dog and have the same legal rights as service dogs.

*Emotional Support Animals (ESA’s) are NO LONGER LEGALLY ALLOWED to fly in the main cabin of an airplane (laws changed in January 2021).

To legally live in housing that has a “no pets” policy OR has breed/weight restrictions you can either have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) OR a Service Dog.  In addition, you cannot be charged pet fees/deposits.

*Per US Federal laws landlords/property managers/HOA’s have the legal right to require a “properly” written ESA/PSA Housing Letter prescribed by a licensed therapist.

*Psychiatric Service Animals (PSA’s) are a type of service dog and have the same legal rights as service dogs.

Someone has a SERVICE DOG if they have a physical or mental/emotional disability, AND their dog has been specifically trained to assist them with their disability. The dog can be trained by anyone including themselves. There is no training certification required by law.

A service dog is generally allowed to go anywhere the public is allowed to go. A representative of a business or public place can legally only ask you 2 questions: 1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? 2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

*Psychiatric Service Animals (PSA’s) are a type of service dog and have the same legal rights as service dogs.

Someone has an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL (ESA) if they have a mental/emotional disability (such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, phobias, etc…) AND their dog comforts them.  Specific training to assist them with their disability is NOT required.

*ESA’s DO NOT have public access rights like service dogs.   Though, a few businesses will voluntarily allow ESA's even though they are not legally required.  

A psychiatric service animal (PSA) is a type of service dog.  PSA’s are for people with mental or emotional disabilities (such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, phobias, etc…).

PSA’s must be specifically trained to mitigate their handler's psychiatric disability. Their function is not to provide emotional support but to perform tasks that enable their partner to function in ordinary ways the non-disabled take for granted.  The dog can be trained by anyone including themselves. There is no training certification required by law.

A PSA has the same legal public access rights as a Service Dog.