According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), research shows that, in 2022, just over 23% of all adults in the U.S. were living with some form of mental illness. Other studies show that simply being around dogs can improve mental health in as little as 10 minutes. Therefore, it is no surprise that many people register their dogs or other pets as emotional support animals (ESAs) or psychiatric service dogs (PSDs).
In this guide, I explore the differences between an ESA and PSD and share my research on registering your pet as an ESA or PSD with a legitimate and reliable website, CertaPet. I share the process, the pros and cons, the cost of CertaPet, and more. I also give you my experience with the benefits dogs have on our mental health and a member of the Canine Journal team’s personal experience with CertaPet.
CertaPet Review
Contents
Product Name: CertaPet
Product Description: CertaPet is an online telehealth platform that improves access to mental health care and specializes in emotional and psychiatric support pet services.
Summary
CertaPet is an online telehealth platform that improves access to mental health care for pet owners and specializes in emotional support pet services. Their primary service is to create a care plan involving emotional support animals (ESAs) and psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) and provide a letter. CertaPet is a legitimate and trustworthy company.
Overall Score
Pros
- Quick letter turnaround (in most states)
- Compliant with federal and state laws
- CertaPet is a legitimate company
- A+ BBB accredited
- Covered by CertaPet money-back guarantee (if not suitable for a letter)
- Offers renewal discounts
- Payment plans are available for U.S. residents
Cons
- Must be renewed yearly
- Some states require a 30-day “therapeutic relationship” before getting a letter
What Is An Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal (ESA) is any animal that provides emotional support to a person with any mental illness to help manage their condition or disability. The impact of a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder can vary from mild to severe and often include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and more.
Any dog can be an ESA without any training; all they have to do is comfort the person they are assisting. Often, they give owners a sense of purpose, boost their confidence, improve and strengthen their social interactions and skills, reduce loneliness, and provide physical health benefits for owners. If you’re wondering what breeds make good ESAs, we have found the 13 best breeds known for providing the most emotional support.
Want to know more about the difference between ESAs, service dogs, and therapy dogs? Head over to our guide on service dogs vs therapy dogs vs emotional support dogs for more information.
What Is A Psychiatric Service Dog?
A psychiatric service dog (PSD) is similar to an ESA, but there are a few key differences. PSDs are a type of assistance animal trained to perform specific tasks for their owners who have a mental illness. These tasks are directly related to the handler’s disability to assist with their day-to-day life. PSDs often help individuals with their unseen and noticeable restrictions, and they need specific training to help with this (unlike ESAs, who don’t need any training).
PSDs can help with threat assessment by ensuring a room is empty or suitable for their owner, alleviating symptoms of panic disorders, and assisting with specific phobias. They can also offer therapeutic distractions, medical assistance, retrieval of medications, seeking help from other people, and much more. Watch this short video explaining what PSDs are, how they differ from ESAs, and their additional rights and protections.
A relatively new study has found that service dogs markedly improve PTSD symptoms in military veterans. Head over to our article to learn more about how dogs can help veterans recover mentally.
My Personal Experience With Dogs & Mental Health Recovery
Although my dog Bonkers isn’t an emotional support animal, he was paramount in my mental health recovery many years ago. In 2018, I moved to Germany (from the United Kingdom) and couldn’t take Bonkers with me for several months. At the same time, I was diagnosed with PTSD. Those few months without Bonkers were immensely difficult, and it got to a point where I became housebound. However, once he joined me, he gave me the boost to leave the house and comforted me, grounding me enough to focus on my treatment plan. Although I have recovered from PTSD, having a dog is still a crucial part of my life, and I don’t think I could be without one.
– Emma Braby, Rescue Dog Mom & Author
Benefits Of Having An Emotional Support Animal Letter
Having an emotional support animal by your side has many benefits, but what are the benefits of having an ESA letter? Medical doctors, including psychologists and psychiatrists, can prescribe ESAs for a person’s management and recovery. To qualify as an official ESA, you must obtain a letter from a licensed medical health professional (LMHP) stating that the ESA is part of your treatment plan. Emotional support animals do not have the same legal protections as PSDs or service animals but have some over “ordinary” pets. The two main benefits of obtaining an ESA letter are:
- Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), an ESA letter prevents landlords from refusing tenants with ESAs. This means you can apply for “no-pet” housing without paying a pet deposit or fee.
- Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), as long as the airline recognizes ESAs, you can fly with your pet in the cabin for no additional fee.
However, In December 2020, the U.S. Department Of Transportation (DOT) declared that airlines no longer have to recognize ESAs as service animals. As a result, most major U.S. airlines follow the DOT guidelines, and ESAs must follow the same rules as ordinary pets. This means that most airlines do not have to recognize an ESA letter. If they don’t recognize ESAs, your pet must meet their flying guidelines to fly in the cabin, and you still have to pay the additional fee. We have a guide on flying with your dog and how to make your journey as stress-free as possible.
Benefits Of Having A Psychiatric Support Dog Letter
Like the ESA process, the applicant must have a diagnosed mental health condition, and an LMHP must agree that having a PSD can assist in their treatment plan. Having a PSD letter can be extremely useful for housing and travel needs. However, having a PSD letter alone is not enough, as a psychiatric service dog must be properly trained as well (either by yourself or a professional dog trainer). But you might be surprised to learn that you don’t need a certificate to prove this training. Federal laws protect and support psychiatric service dogs, and having a PSD letter can be beneficial for the following:
- Under the FHA, landlords must accept tenants with a PSD and are not allowed to charge a pet deposit or fee.
- The ACAA allows disabled owners to take their PSD in the cabin onboard a flight without paying extra fees. Before your flight, you must submit a U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form.
In addition to the above, PSDs are granted with additional rights. Although you don’t require a PSD letter for the following, many owners find it reassuring to have a letter with them when entering the following places:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives disabled persons the right to take their PSD into public spaces. There are some exceptions, and they must comply with public health rules, such as not being able to enter a public swimming pool. Religious institutions are exempt from the ADA.
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) allows students to bring PSDs into places of education. However, depending on your state and school, this usually needs to be discussed with the institution.
Your Rights
Under the ADA, if you’re out in public or at an establishment, individuals are only allowed to ask two questions about your PSD:
- Is the dog a psychiatric service dog required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the PSD been trained to perform?
Everyone has a right to privacy and dignity regarding their condition and service animal needs. Establishment staff cannot ask for documentation or your PSD to demonstrate the tasks they have been trained to do. However, they can ask your dog to leave if they misbehave, are out of control, or are not house-trained.
What Is CertaPet?
CertaPet is an online telehealth platform that improves access to mental health care and specializes in emotional and psychiatric support pet services. Their primary service is providing ESA and PSD letters. After suitability screening, eligible applicants are provided access to a licensed mental health professional for those needing an ESA or PSD letter for travel, housing, or both. CertaPet also offers a wealth of guidance and info about the processes. Their goal is to “improve the quality of life for the millions of people who may have no other options for care.”
CertaPet complies with the federal and state rules and regulations governing ESAs and PSDs. Plus, a real mental health professional legally qualified to approve a letter in your state signs it off. CertaPet is also a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant website that protects your information, making it a trustworthy choice.
CertaPet meets BBB accreditation standards with an “A+” score, the highest BBB rating. This score and its positive reviews online demonstrate its commitment to customers and resolving consumer complaints. To date, it has helped over 65,000 pet owners in the United States and Canada. So, if you’re wondering, “Is CertaPet legitimate?” Rest assured, it is.
Other CertaPet Services
At the time of this writing, CertaPet is considering expanding its service to make getting and training a PSD more affordable, convenient, and hassle-free. Their website states they are coordinating with PSD dog trainers to work with their network of licensed mental health professionals.
Our Personal Experience With CertaPet’s Psychiatric Service Dog Letter
I had an ESA letter to fly with my previous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog. When the FDA rules changed, having a letter was not worth having anymore with my new Cavalier. However, when I learned about CertaPet’s Psychiatric Service Dog option, which gives you the ability to fly with your dog without a carrier and without paying fees (like ESAs did previously), I was relieved since flying gives me anxiety and having my dog stuffed under the seat does not provide the same emotional support while traveling.
First, I signed up for an account and selected the service I was interested in. After paying, you get a link to fill out the pre-screening questionnaire. They asked a number of things about my recent and previous mental and emotional state and my history of any physiological issues. They also give you the option to upload a photo of your dog in the application process. Within a day, a licensed therapist reached out to schedule an appointment, which I booked and spoke with on the same day. She reviewed my records and photo of my new Cavalier (since I submitted a photo during the screening) ahead of the call so we could jump right into my needs and see how a PSD letter could help.
She was extremely compassionate and friendly, answered all my questions I had, and after the call, sent several emails with resources on training my dog to the task of initiating tactile stimulation to interrupt and reduce anxiety symptoms and necessary forms and documents needed for airlines. She said to text or call her anytime with any questions or issues and explained the renewal process.
The whole process, from start to finish, took about two days, and I received the PSD letter immediately after our call. I used a different company previously to get my ESA letter, but this experience was way better in terms of all the support and resources I received, in addition to actually speaking to a professional therapist on the phone. I highly recommend CertaPet for ESA or PSD needs. I haven’t had the chance to fly yet with Georgie, but will report back about that soon!
– Sadie Cornelius, Dog Mom & Creative Marketer For Canine Journal
How Does CertaPet Work? 3 Simple Steps
CertaPet aims to provide ESA and PSD letters quickly, simply, and securely. Here’s how CertaPet works in three simple steps:
1. Free Pre-Screening Test
The pre-screening process is quick and straightforward. First, you have to choose what type of ESA or PSD letter you want:
- ESA housing letter
- ESA travel letter
- ESA housing & travel letter
- PSD letter
- PSD & housing letter
You’ll then be asked a few questions to help you determine whether you are a good candidate for an ESA letter. For the PSD letter, you are first asked suitability questions, and then given the option to choose the type of PSD letter you need. I answered both sets of questions in less than two minutes, and then it was onto the next step.
2. Speak To A Licensed Therapist
If you’re a good candidate for a CertaPet ESA or PSD letter, you must enter your contact details and make a payment. A team member will contact you to schedule an online telehealth appointment with a suitable LMHP. The appointment takes around 15 minutes, and you’ll discuss your symptoms, needs, and how your pet plays a role in managing your mental and emotional well-being.
3. Receive Your Letter
If you qualify for a letter, CertaPet states that a medical professional will write it immediately. Once they’ve written it, you can access it in PDF format on the CertaPet platform. You can also request that they ship a hard copy to your address via USPS Priority Mail for an additional cost.
How Long Does CertaPet Take?
In most states, the typical turnaround time to arrange a phone session with your therapist is approximately two business days. If the therapist agrees that an ESA or PSD should be part of your recovery, they will write your letter almost immediately.
For other states, recent rules require therapists to have an “established” relationship with their client 30 days before obtaining a letter. For these applicants, they must have two consultations instead of one. At the time of writing, this 30-day rule applies to residents of the following states:
- Arkansas
- California
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Montana
This new rule may make it difficult for anyone living in these states to legitimize their emotional support animal quickly with a letter. There is also an extra application cost for these residents.
How Much Does CertaPet Cost?
So, how much does an ESA or PSD letter from CertaPet cost? It depends on the type of letter you need and where you live.
- ESA housing letter: $149.99
- ESA traveling letter: $149.99
- ESA housing & traveling letter: $199.99
- PSD letter: $149.99
- PSD & housing letter: $199.99
- View all options
If you live in a state that requires a 30-day therapeutic relationship, CertaPet charges an extra one-off $20 fee to accommodate the additional consultation.
An ESA and PSD letter is valid for one year. You can renew your letter with CertaPet at a discounted rate of $99 for one letter or $149 for two. When you sign up for your letter, you can choose to set up automatic renewal, or you can do this at any time during the year. If the letter expires, you’ll need to start the process again at the first-year rate.
CertaPet Coupon
Canine Journal readers can get 10% off with CertaPet coupon code CANINEJOURNAL using this link.
What Happens If You Aren’t Approved For A CertaPet ESA or PSD Letter?
Not all applicants are approved for a letter. If that’s the case, what is CertaPet’s refund policy? CertaPet’s Money-Back Guarantee protects your application fee. If the medical professional does not approve your application, CertaPet will refund you. This excludes $40, which covers the cost of the consultation and administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that there are many questions about emotional support animals and how to obtain an ESA or PSD letter with CertaPet. If you don’t see your question below, ask us yours in the comments section below, and we’ll find the answer for you.
Is CertaPet Legitimate?
Yes, CertaPet is a legitimate website that enables eligible applicants to obtain a PSD or ESA letter. Many websites offer fake letters, but they aren’t legal and can result in action being taken against you.
Is CertaPet The Right Service For Me?
If you need a simple and hassle-free way to get a letter online, CertaPet could be the right service. If you’re wondering about CertaPet vs. Pettable, they essentially offer the same service but with a few noticeable differences. CertaPet is a slightly cheaper service, but Pettable has a money-back guarantee if a landlord doesn’t accept your ESA letter.
What Does A PSD Or ESA Letter Look Like?
A medical professional writes a letter on their professional letterhead. The letter contains their license number, contact information, and everything legally required for an ESA or PSD prescription and its validity date.
Do I Need To Register My Pet For Them To Be An ESA?
No, you don’t need to register your pet on a “registry site.” This is not a legal requirement; you only need a letter in some circumstances.
Can I Use My ESA Or PSD Letter For On-Campus Accommodation?
Yes, you can use your ESA or PSD letter for any accommodation (in apartments with more than four units and houses where the landlord owns multiple properties), including on-campus housing.
Taking Care Of Your Dog
Dogs do so many amazing things for us, which is one of the many reasons why we want the best for them. Picking a high-quality diet can improve Fido’s health and happiness, so why not consider a fresh diet made with the highest-quality ingredients? With your vet’s approval, you could also add a probiotic supplement or other dog vitamins to their diet. As a reward for the comfort and love dogs shower us with, why not award them a selection of interactive toys to play with?
Do you have an emotional support animal or psychiatric service dog? Perhaps you have experience with CertaPet that you’d like to share? We love to hear from our readers, so please share your stories with us in the comments below.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Emma has two rescue dogs, Bonkers, who has been with her for nearly ten years, and Chips, who recently joined her family. Bonkers has been fundamental in her mental health recovery journey, and she knows how important dogs are in many people’s lives. Emma works with a dedicated team at Canine Journal, which reviews, tests, and recommends the best dog products and businesses to help readers and their pups live their best lives.