"Therapy Dog" Might Not Be What You Need "Perro de Terapia" Puede No Ser Lo Que Necesitas
Most people searching for "therapy dog certification" actually need something completely different. Therapy dogs help others at hospitals and schools. If you need a dog to help you with anxiety, depression, or PTSD -- you're looking for an ESA or Psychiatric Service Dog. La mayoría de las personas que buscan "certificación de perro de terapia" en realidad necesitan algo completamente diferente. Los perros de terapia ayudan a otros en hospitales. Si necesitas un perro para ayudarte a ti con ansiedad o depresión -- necesitas un ESA o Perro de Servicio Psiquiátrico.
Therapy Dog vs. Service Dog vs. ESAPerro de Terapia vs. Perro de Servicio vs. ESA
These three categories are often confused but serve completely different purposes under federal law.Estas tres categorías a menudo se confunden pero sirven propósitos completamente diferentes bajo la ley federal.
Therapy DogPerro de Terapia
For VolunteeringPara Voluntariado
Therapy dogs visit hospitals, nursing homes, and schools to provide comfort to others -- not their owner.Los perros de terapia visitan hospitales y escuelas para brindar consuelo a otros -- no a su dueño.
- ✗ No public access rightsSin derechos de acceso público
- ✗ No housing protectionsSin protecciones de vivienda
- ✗ No airline cabin accessSin acceso a cabina de avión
- ✓ Volunteer at facilitiesVoluntariado en instalaciones
Emotional Support AnimalAnimal de Apoyo Emocional
For YOUR Mental HealthPara TU Salud Mental
An ESA provides therapeutic benefit to you through companionship. Requires a letter from a Licensed Clinical Doctor.Un ESA proporciona beneficio terapéutico a ti a través de la compañía.
- ✗ No public accessSin acceso público
- ✓ Housing protection (FHA)Protección de vivienda (FHA)
- ✗ No airline cabin (since 2021)Sin cabina de avión (desde 2021)
- ✓ No pet feesSin tarifas de mascotas
Psychiatric Service DogPerro de Servicio Psiquiátrico
Trained Tasks for YOUR DisabilityTareas Entrenadas para TU Discapacidad
A PSD is trained to perform specific tasks related to your mental health disability.Un PSD está entrenado para realizar tareas específicas relacionadas con tu discapacidad de salud mental.
- ✓ Full public access (ADA)Acceso público completo (ADA)
- ✓ Housing protection (FHA)Protección de vivienda (FHA)
- ✓ Airline cabin access (DOT)Acceso a cabina de avión (DOT)
- ✓ No pet feesSin tarifas de mascotas
How Our Process WorksCómo Funciona Nuestro Proceso
Get the documentation you actually need in three simple steps.Obtén la documentación que realmente necesitas en tres simples pasos.
Free ScreeningEvaluación Gratuita
Take our anonymous 3-minute screening to see if you may qualify for an Emotional Support Animal or Service Dog letter. No credit card required.Realiza nuestra evaluación anónima de 3 minutos para ver si podrías calificar.
Provider ReviewRevisión del Proveedor
A licensed mental health professional reviews your case and conducts a clinical evaluation.Un profesional de salud mental licenciado revisa tu caso y realiza una evaluación clínica.
Same-Day DocumentationDocumentación el Mismo Día
If approved, receive your official letter on provider letterhead. Digital delivery is instant.Si eres aprobado, recibe tu carta oficial. La entrega digital es instantánea.
Transparent PricingPrecios Transparentes
No hidden fees. You only pay if approved by a licensed provider.Sin tarifas ocultas. Solo pagas si eres aprobado.
Basic
Electronic DeliveryEntrega Electrónica
- ✓ Clinical evaluation with licensed providerEvaluación clínica con proveedor licenciado
- ✓ ESA or PSD letter on provider letterheadCarta ESA o PSD en papel membretado
- ✓ Digital documents (instant access)Documentos digitales
- ✓ 1 year portal access1 año acceso al portal
- ✓ Email & chat supportSoporte por email y chat
Ultimate
Electronic DeliveryEntrega Electrónica
- ✓ Everything in Basic, plus:Todo en Basic, más:
- ✓ Service dog / support animal registrationRegistro de perro de servicio
- ✓ Searchable verification databaseBase de datos de verificación
- ✓ Digital registration certificateCertificado de registro digital
- ✓ Priority supportSoporte prioritario
Premium
Physical Delivery IncludedEntrega Física Incluida
- ✓ Everything in Complete, plus:Todo en Complete, más:
- ✓ Physical identification tagEtiqueta de identificación física
- ✓ Service animal leashCorrea de animal de servicio
- ✓ Printed documents packetPaquete de documentos impresos
- ✓ Physical registration cardTarjeta de registro física
Our GuaranteesNuestras Garantías
Our Clinical Team
Every article is written by our team and clinically reviewed. Meet the experts behind our content.
Find Your Package in Under a Minute Encuentre Su Paquete en Menos de un Minuto
Answer three quick questions. We'll recommend the package that fits your situation — no pressure, no guarantees. Responda tres preguntas rápidas. Le recomendaremos el paquete que se ajuste a su situación — sin presión, sin garantías.
What do you primarily need documentation for? ¿Para qué necesita documentación principalmente?
Would you like your animal permanently listed in the International Registry? ¿Desea que su animal esté permanentemente en el Registro Internacional?
Lifetime registry means your animal stays in the database even after your letters renew. El registro de por vida significa que su animal permanece en la base de datos incluso después de renovar sus cartas.
Do you want physical items — ID card, certificate, collar tag, and leash? ¿Quiere artículos físicos — tarjeta de ID, certificado, placa de collar y correa?
Physical items are shipped to you. Digital access is included in every package. Los artículos físicos se envían por correo. El acceso digital está incluido en cada paquete.
Is your dog trained to perform specific tasks for a disability? ¿Su perro está entrenado para realizar tareas específicas para una discapacidad?
Task training is what makes a dog a Service Dog rather than a Support Animal. El entrenamiento de tareas es lo que hace que un perro sea Perro de Servicio en lugar de Animal de Apoyo.
Because your dog is task-trained, add Training Plus for the Service Dog Training Log and training documentation most venues and carriers expect. Como su perro está entrenado, agregue Training Plus para el Registro de Entrenamiento y la documentación que esperan lugares y aerolíneas.
Not ready to buy? Take our free 3-minute screening first to confirm eligibility. ¿No está listo? Tome la evaluación gratuita de 3 minutos primero.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPreguntas Frecuentes
No. There is no federally recognized "therapy dog certification." Organizations like Pet Partners offer voluntary evaluations, but these are not government credentials. If you need your dog to help YOU with a mental health condition, you need a PSD or ESA letter, not therapy dog "certification."No. No existe una "certificación de perro de terapia" reconocida federalmente. Si necesitas que tu perro te ayude a TI con una condición de salud mental, necesitas una carta de PSD o ESA.
A therapy dog provides comfort to other people during volunteer visits. An ESA provides therapeutic benefit to its owner through companionship. ESAs have housing protections under the Fair Housing Act; therapy dogs do not.Un perro de terapia proporciona consuelo a otras personas durante visitas voluntarias. Un ESA proporciona beneficio terapéutico a su dueño.
PSDs: Yes. PSDs fly in the cabin for free on all U.S. airlines under DOT regulations.
ESAs: As of January 2021, the DOT no longer requires airlines to accommodate ESAs. However, ESAs still have full housing protections under the FHA.PSDs: Sí. Los PSDs vuelan en cabina gratis en todas las aerolíneas de EE.UU.
ESAs: Desde enero de 2021, el DOT ya no requiere que las aerolíneas acomoden ESAs.
You may qualify if you have a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder, or OCD that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Our free screening can help determine if you might be eligible.Puedes calificar si tienes una condición de salud mental como ansiedad, depresión, TEPT, trastorno de pánico o TOC.
Need Help?¿Necesitas Ayuda?
Call UsLlámanos
(800) 851-4390Email UsEscríbenos
help@mypsd.orgOur OfficeNuestra Oficina
1030 15th St NW, Suite 170
Washington, DC 20005
Published by Our FounderPublicado por Nuestro Fundador
Part of The Invisible Series — exploring the unseen forces that shape disability, law, identity, and the human-animal bond.Parte de La Serie Invisible — explorando las fuerzas invisibles que moldean la discapacidad, la ley, la identidad y el vínculo humano-animal.
Independent Reviews We Don't ControlReseñas Independientes Que No Controlamos
We can't edit or remove what people say. That's real transparency.No podemos editar ni eliminar lo que la gente dice. Eso es transparencia real.
Ready to Get the Right Documentation?¿Listo para Obtener la Documentación Correcta?
Take our free, confidential screening to see if you qualify for an Emotional Support Animal or Service Dog letter from a Licensed Clinical Doctor.Realiza nuestra evaluación gratuita y confidencial para ver si calificas.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPreguntas Frecuentes
I don't need a therapy dog — I need housing documentation. Where do I start?I don't need a therapy dog — I need housing documentation. Where do I start?▾
If you need documentation for housing accommodations, you need a clinical evaluation by a Licensed Clinical Doctor — not therapy dog certification. TheraPetic provides same-day support animal documentation starting at $99 with a 100% money-back guarantee if you do not qualify. Start with a free 3-minute screening at certifytherapydog.org/screening.
If you need documentation for housing accommodations, you need a clinical evaluation by a Licensed Clinical Doctor — not therapy dog certification. TheraPetic provides same-day support animal documentation starting at $99 with a 100% money-back guarantee if you do not qualify. Start with a free 3-minute screening at certifytherapydog.org/screening.
Is there an official therapy dog certification?Is there an official therapy dog certification?▾
There is no single government-issued therapy dog certification in the United States. Therapy dog programs are administered by various organizations with different evaluation standards. A therapy dog visits facilities to provide comfort to others — this is different from a service dog or emotional support animal.
There is no single government-issued therapy dog certification in the United States. Therapy dog programs are administered by various organizations with different evaluation standards. A therapy dog visits facilities to provide comfort to others — this is different from a service dog or emotional support animal.
What's the difference between a therapy dog and an ESA?What's the difference between a therapy dog and an ESA?▾
A therapy dog is trained to comfort others in facilities and has no special legal rights for its handler. An emotional support animal provides therapeutic benefit to its owner and is protected in housing under the Fair Housing Act. Different roles, different legal protections.
A therapy dog is trained to comfort others in facilities and has no special legal rights for its handler. An emotional support animal provides therapeutic benefit to its owner and is protected in housing under the Fair Housing Act. Different roles, different legal protections.
Can I take my ESA or PSD on airplanes?Can I take my ESA or PSD on airplanes?▾
Trained psychiatric service dogs are permitted in the cabin on U.S. airlines with the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted at least 48 hours before departure. Emotional support animals no longer have guaranteed airline cabin access. TheraPetic includes DOT forms in every package.
Trained psychiatric service dogs are permitted in the cabin on U.S. airlines with the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted at least 48 hours before departure. Emotional support animals no longer have guaranteed airline cabin access. TheraPetic includes DOT forms in every package.
Do I qualify for an Emotional Support Animal or Service Dog letter?Do I qualify for an Emotional Support Animal or Service Dog letter?▾
Qualification depends on your individual clinical evaluation by a Licensed Clinical Doctor. Common qualifying conditions include anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder, and other DSM-5 recognized conditions. TheraPetic offers a free 3-minute screening at no cost or obligation.
Qualification depends on your individual clinical evaluation by a Licensed Clinical Doctor. Common qualifying conditions include anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder, and other DSM-5 recognized conditions. TheraPetic offers a free 3-minute screening at no cost or obligation.
How do I get my dog certified as a therapy dog?How do I get my dog certified as a therapy dog?▾
Apply through a therapy dog organization like Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International, or Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Your dog will be evaluated on temperament, obedience, and facility readiness. After passing, you and your dog volunteer together at approved facilities.
Apply through a therapy dog organization like Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International, or Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Your dog will be evaluated on temperament, obedience, and facility readiness. After passing, you and your dog volunteer together at approved facilities.
Can a therapy dog become a service dog?Can a therapy dog become a service dog?▾
A therapy dog can potentially be trained as a service dog if it learns specific tasks related to a handler's disability. However, the roles and legal protections are entirely different. TheraPetic partners with CSDT-certified trainers through OfficialServiceDog.com for service dog task training.
A therapy dog can potentially be trained as a service dog if it learns specific tasks related to a handler's disability. However, the roles and legal protections are entirely different. TheraPetic partners with CSDT-certified trainers through OfficialServiceDog.com for service dog task training.
Do therapy dogs need special documentation?Do therapy dogs need special documentation?▾
Therapy dogs carry credentials from their certifying organization to access hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. These credentials do not provide housing or airline rights — those require clinical documentation from a Licensed Clinical Doctor.
Therapy dogs carry credentials from their certifying organization to access hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. These credentials do not provide housing or airline rights — those require clinical documentation from a Licensed Clinical Doctor.
What temperament does a good therapy dog need?What temperament does a good therapy dog need?▾
Good therapy dogs are calm, patient, friendly with strangers, comfortable being handled by multiple people, not reactive to loud noises or medical equipment, and reliably obedient in distracting environments. Breed is less important than individual temperament.
Good therapy dogs are calm, patient, friendly with strangers, comfortable being handled by multiple people, not reactive to loud noises or medical equipment, and reliably obedient in distracting environments. Breed is less important than individual temperament.
What if my documentation is not accepted by my landlord?What if my documentation is not accepted by my landlord?▾
TheraPetic documentation includes the Licensed Clinical Doctor's NPI, license number, and contact information on every letterhead. Landlords can verify at officialserviceanimal.com. If denied, you can file a HUD complaint at no cost. TheraPetic documentation meets all Fair Housing Act requirements.
TheraPetic documentation includes the Licensed Clinical Doctor's NPI, license number, and contact information on every letterhead. Landlords can verify at officialserviceanimal.com. If denied, you can file a HUD complaint at no cost. TheraPetic documentation meets all Fair Housing Act requirements.
Support Animal Letter vs. Service Dog Letter & Forms Carta de Animal de Apoyo vs. Carta y Formularios de Perro de Servicio
TheraPetic® offers both — so every client gets the documentation that truly fits their situation. Here's a plain-English side-by-side to help you decide. TheraPetic® ofrece ambos — para que cada cliente reciba la documentación que realmente se ajusta a su situación. Aquí tiene una comparación clara para ayudarle a decidir.
Support Animal Letter Carta de Animal de Apoyo
A signed clinical letter from a Licensed Clinical Doctor confirming an emotional or mental health condition and that a companion animal is part of your care plan. It's the documentation landlords ask for under the Fair Housing Act. Una carta clínica firmada por un Doctor Clínico Licenciado que confirma una condición emocional o de salud mental y que un animal de compañía es parte de su plan de cuidado. Es la documentación que los propietarios solicitan bajo la Ley de Vivienda Justa.
- Who it's for: People whose condition is eased by the presence of an animal — anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic, grief. Para quién es: Personas cuya condición se alivia con la presencia de un animal — ansiedad, depresión, TEPT, pánico, duelo.
- Any species: Dog, cat, rabbit, bird — whatever helps you. Cualquier especie: Perro, gato, conejo, ave — lo que le ayude.
- No task training required: The animal provides comfort by being present. No requiere entrenamiento: El animal da consuelo con su presencia.
- Housing protection: Fair Housing Act — "no pets" rules and pet deposits can be waived. Protección de vivienda: Ley de Vivienda Justa — se pueden eximir reglas de "no mascotas" y depósitos.
- Not for: Public access (stores, restaurants) or airline cabin travel (rules changed in 2021). No aplica para: Acceso público (tiendas, restaurantes) ni cabina de aerolíneas (reglas cambiaron en 2021).
Service Dog Letter & Training Forms Carta y Formularios de Entrenamiento de Perro de Servicio
A clinical letter confirming a qualifying disability, plus the training documentation airlines and public venues expect. Our triple-reviewer model pairs a Licensed Clinical Doctor with a certified trainer (CSDT #6202) and veterinary review. Una carta clínica que confirma una discapacidad calificada, más la documentación de entrenamiento que aerolíneas y lugares públicos esperan. Nuestro modelo revisa con un Doctor Clínico Licenciado, entrenador certificado (CSDT #6202) y revisión veterinaria.
- Who it's for: People whose disability substantially limits daily activities and whose dog is trained to perform specific tasks. Para quién es: Personas cuya discapacidad limita sustancialmente actividades diarias y cuyo perro está entrenado para tareas específicas.
- Dogs only: Must be trained to perform at least one disability-related task. Solo perros: Debe estar entrenado para realizar al menos una tarea relacionada con la discapacidad.
- Training support included: Task logs, handler guides, and Training Plus documentation are available. Apoyo de entrenamiento incluido: Registros de tareas, guías para el manejador y documentación Training Plus disponibles.
- Public access (ADA): Service dogs are allowed where pets are not — stores, restaurants, workplaces. Acceso público (ADA): Los perros de servicio son permitidos donde las mascotas no — tiendas, restaurantes, trabajos.
- Air travel (ACAA): Protected for cabin travel with the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form. Viaje aéreo (ACAA): Protegido para cabina con el Formulario del DOT de EE.UU. de Transporte Aéreo de Animal de Servicio.
| What It Covers Qué Cubre | Support Animal Animal de Apoyo | Service Dog Perro de Servicio |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Fair Housing Act)Vivienda | ✓ | ✓ |
| Public access (stores, restaurants)Acceso público | — | ✓ |
| Airline cabin travelCabina de aerolínea | — | ✓ |
| Species allowedEspecies | AnyCualquiera | Dogs onlySolo perros |
| Task training requiredEntrenamiento de tareas | — | ✓ |
| Reviewed by Licensed Clinical DoctorRevisado por Doctor Clínico Licenciado | ✓ | ✓ |