Is TheraPetic a real medical practice or an online letter mill?

TheraPetic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit healthcare provider founded in 2016 by Dr. Patrick Fisher, PhD, NCC, LPC — a Licensed Professional Counselor with peer-reviewed doctoral research on support animal therapeutic outcomes. Every evaluation is conducted by a Licensed Clinical Doctor, not a chatbot or automated quiz. Our providers carry verified NPI numbers and state licenses. We have served over 50,000 people across the United States and Canada.

How fast do I receive my documentation and is there a money-back guarantee?

If your clinical evaluation determines you qualify, you receive same-day personalized documentation delivered electronically to your secure client portal. Ultimate package physical items — holographic ID card, medal tag, and identifying leash — ship overnight via UPS or FedEx. If your evaluation determines you do not qualify, you receive a 100% full refund. Physical items can be returned within 30 days.

What is a psychiatric service dog?

A psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a handler's mental health disability — such as interrupting anxiety attacks, providing deep pressure therapy during panic episodes, or alerting to dissociative episodes. Unlike emotional support animals, psychiatric service dogs are protected under the ADA for public access.

Do I need a letter from a doctor for my service dog?

For housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act, you need documentation from a Licensed Clinical Doctor confirming your disability-related need. For public access under the ADA, documentation is not legally required but recommended. TheraPetic provides comprehensive clinical documentation covering housing, airline, and public access needs — all signed by a Licensed Clinical Doctor with a verified NPI number.

How is MyPSD different from online registry sites?

MyPSD is the flagship clinical evaluation platform of TheraPetic Healthcare Provider Group — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a doctoral-level clinical director, NPI-verified Licensed Clinical Doctors, and over 10 years of operation. Registry sites sell certificates and database listings that have zero legal standing. TheraPetic provides real clinical documentation with a public verification portal at officialserviceanimal.com.

What does the screening process involve?

The free 3-minute anonymous screening covers generalized anxiety, depression, and related conditions using validated clinical assessment tools. No account required. No cost. No obligation. If the screening indicates you may benefit from support animal documentation, you can proceed to a clinical evaluation with a Licensed Clinical Doctor.

Is my information kept private?

Yes. All evaluations are conducted through a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. Your personal health information is encrypted and never shared with landlords, airlines, employers, or third parties without your explicit consent. Only your Licensed Clinical Doctor and TheraPetic clinical staff have access to your evaluation records.

Do you accept HSA, FSA, and insurance?

Yes. We accept Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), all major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Affirm financing. Our medical classification code (MCC 8099) qualifies for HSA and FSA reimbursement as a healthcare expense.

Can my landlord verify my documentation?

Yes. Every TheraPetic document includes the Licensed Clinical Doctor's name, license number, NPI, and direct contact information on the letterhead. Landlords and property managers can verify documentation instantly through our public verification portal at officialserviceanimal.com or verify.mypsd.org.

What if my landlord denies my support animal request?

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot deny a reasonable accommodation request supported by valid clinical documentation from a licensed provider. If your request is challenged, your TheraPetic documentation includes all legally required elements for FHA compliance. You may also file a complaint with HUD at no cost. TheraPetic documentation has been designed to meet federal verification standards for over 10 years.

My landlord is demanding documentation within 48 hours — can TheraPetic help?

Yes. TheraPetic delivers electronic documentation same-day. Even if your landlord pressures you with a short deadline, your documentation can be in hand within hours of your clinical evaluation. There is no federal law requiring you to produce documentation within 48 hours — HUD guidance gives landlords 10 business days to respond to your request. Your documentation includes your Licensed Clinical Doctor's NPI, license number, and contact information for immediate verification at officialserviceanimal.com.

How does TheraPetic help with airline documentation and the DOT 48-hour requirement?

Airlines require the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form to be submitted at least 48 hours before departure for trained psychiatric service dogs. Every TheraPetic package includes pre-completed DOT forms signed by your Licensed Clinical Doctor, delivered same-day with your documentation — ready to submit to your airline well before the 48-hour deadline. Emotional support animals no longer have guaranteed airline cabin access under federal law, but psychiatric service dogs with proper DOT documentation retain full cabin access rights.

Blog

Public Access Test: What Your Service Dog Needs to Demonstrate

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 27, 2026June 6, 2026

Learn what the public access test requires, why each behavior matters, and how to train your service dog to meet these essential public standards.

College Dorms and Support Animals: What Students Need to Know About Campus Housing Rights

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 26, 2026June 6, 2026

Understand your college dorm support animal rights under the FHA, Section 504, and ADA. Learn what documentation campuses require and how to request housing accommodations.

Support Animals and Anxiety: What the Research Actually Shows

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 25, 2026June 6, 2026

Support animals and anxiety: discover what peer-reviewed research shows about cortisol reduction, oxytocin, and real mental health benefits of animal bonds.

Ontario Support Animal Housing Rights: What Tenants Need to Know

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 24, 2026June 6, 2026

Ontario support animal housing rights protect tenants under the Human Rights Code. Learn how to request accommodation, gather documentation and file a Tribunal complaint.

Can a Landlord Deny a Support Animal Request? What the Law Actually Allows

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 23, 2026June 6, 2026

Learn when a landlord deny support animal request is actually legal under the FHA, and how denials must be documented to avoid fair housing violations.

Support Animal Damage: Who Pays When a Tenant Has an FHA Letter?

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 22, 2026June 6, 2026

Support animal damage is a landlord's right to claim. Even under the FHA. Learn who pays, how to document damage and what the law actually requires.

Therapy Dog vs. Service Dog vs. Support Animal: Which One Do You Need?

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 21, 2026June 6, 2026

Confused by therapy dog vs. service dog differences? This plain-language guide explains all three categories, their legal protections, and which one fits your needs.

Service Dog Public Access Rights: What People Get Wrong

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 20, 2026June 6, 2026

Service dog public access rights are widely misunderstood. Learn what the ADA actually requires and what businesses can and cannot ask.

Service Dog Training Timeline: How Long Does It Really Take?

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 19, 2026June 6, 2026

The service dog training timeline typically spans one to two years. Learn the training phases, why puppy selection matters and what to realistically expect.

Support Animals and Depression: How the Therapeutic Bond Helps You Heal

by Ryan Gaughan, Executive Director
May 18, 2026June 6, 2026

The depression support animal bond offers routine, purpose and unconditional connection. Learn how the therapeutic bond supports mental health and how to get documentation.

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