psychiatric service dogs

What is a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD)?

A dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual disabled by mental illness.

What is a disability?

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Having a psychiatric diagnosis does not necessarily mean a client is disabled under the law. What matters is that the degree of impairment is ‘substantial’. Mental health professionals help their clients by providing a letter that states s/he is disabled and that they support the use of a PSD.

What diagnoses may be assisted by a PSD?

Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are some of the challenges effectively supported by psychiatric assistance dogs.

Where are PSD allowed to go?

PSD are allowed to access public spaces including but not limited to:  restaurants, hospitals, airplanes, doctor’s offices, cabs, zoos, stores, etc.

Where may PSD be lawfully excluded?

PSD may be lawfully excluded from private spaces including but not limited to private homes, country clubs, churches, etc.  They may also be excluded from spaces where their presence would constitute a safety risk (e.g., operating rooms, research laboratories, constructions sites) or situations in which the animal poses a direct threat to others.

For more information about PSD see www.psychdogs.org

Emotional Support Animals

Dogs that provide companionship, relief from loneliness & depression, and similar support can be allowed in housing (even “No Pet” housing) without the requirement of a pet deposit. Those dogs are called “Emotional Support Animals”, but they do not have access to public places, either.

More information on Emotional Support Animals is available from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law at www.bazelon.org/issues/housing/infosheets/fhinfosheet6.html and the Disabilities Rights Center at www.drcnh.org.