How to Get a Psychiatric Service Dog in Massachusetts?

If you’re dealing with a mental or emotional health condition, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or phobias, you can benefit from having a psychiatric service dog (PSD). These dogs are usually trained dogs that provide their owner’s comfort and companionship by performing daily tasks.

In this post, we will dive into the process of getting a psychiatric service dog, the benefits of psychiatric service dogs, how to become eligible for one, and many more.

Qualifying Mental Health Disabilities for Getting a Psychiatric Service Dog in Massachusetts

Psychiatric service dogs, or PSDs, help people with mental or emotional health disabilities. To be eligible for a psychiatric service dog in Massachusetts, you must have one or more qualifying mental health disabilities. Some of these are:

• Agoraphobia
• Autism
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic attacks
• Claustrophobia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia, and many more.

Training and Certification For Psychiatric Service Dog in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, your dog must be trained to help you with your psychiatric needs and day-to-day activities. There are no specific laws or regulations regarding training of psychiatric service dog. Although, in order to ensure your dog is well-behaved in public places, you can adopt various training methods such as self-training, working with a professional trainer or adopting an already trained dog.

To get a psychiatric service dog, there is no need to provide your dog with PSD certifications. However, obtaining a valid PSD letter written and signed by the licensed mental health professional would be beneficial and is accepted by law. The LMHP will evaluate your mental health condition, and if they find it valid, they will write a PSD letter for you.

What is a PSD Letter

A PSD letter is a legitimate document that says; a person has a mental or emotional disability that can be effectively treated with the help of a PSD and is signed by a licensed mental healthcare professional, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, doctor, nurse, or counselor.
A PSD letter serves as official proof that a person meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to own a psychiatric service dog.

How To Get a PSD Letter Online

Visit the Fast ESA Letter website in order to get a PSD letter online. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Apply Online
Start the process by filling the online evaluation form with accurate medical details and requirements for acquiring a PSD Letter.

Get evaluated by LMHP
The state’s licensed mental health professional will then evaluate your form based on the details that you have mentioned.

Get a PSD letter
Once the application form is evaluated, your PSD letter will be emailed to you immediately. You can use it when you need an accommodation or want to travel with your PSD.

Benefits of Having a Psychiatric Service Dog

Psychiatric service dogs help their owners in a variety of ways. These dogs not only provide them with support and care but also perform various tasks for them. Because psychiatric service dogs benefit people in many ways, they are in great demand. Some of these benefits are mentioned below:

A Sense of Freedom

You won’t need other people to do tasks for you if you own a psychiatric service dog, like carrying something or opening a door for you. Basically, you can easily delegate your daily tasks to your psychiatric service dog, who is always prepared to serve and available to help. After a while, depending on others for daily duties can burden you. You might feel restricted and dependent despite supportive family members and others who are willing to help. A psychiatric service dog lessens or eliminates that sensation and restores a sense of freedom in your life.

Enhanced Self-Assurance in Social Environment

Having a psychiatric service dog improves sociability for people with disabilities such as social anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias. A psychiatric service dog can encourage you to participate more fully in social gatherings. With the help of a PSD, you will feel more comfortable in situations you would have previously felt exhausted and wouldn’t be able to participate in.

Provides Motivation

Many persons with disabilities are overwhelmed by everyday tasks because of mental or emotional health issues. Having a psychiatric service dog by your side can restore motivation and bring some delight in performing day-to-day activities. Because psychiatric service dogs depend on their owners for care, they can keep them engaged in work and help them maintain a schedule that diverts their attention from thinking about tense situations.

Constant companionship

A psychiatric service dog is a loyal and devoted friend who can assist you in a variety of circumstances. Many PSDs will be held responsible for their actions if they fail to manage the chronic condition or disability properly. It will be easier to cope with your illness or disability if you feel secure and receive constant care. When a medical condition stops your ability to perform daily tasks, feeling alone is very easy. But you’re not alone if you have a psychiatric service dog because they offer constant companionship and care.

Psychiatric Service Dog Rights Massachusetts

Massachusetts has passed certain laws and protected the disabled people from discrimination by providing them with various rights.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act is established to protect people with mental or emotional health disabilities. According to this Act, people can live with their psychiatric service dog on any property without restrictions. As a result, people with mental disabilities are granted legal access since they require a PSD to get over their conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc. You are not required to pay additional fees or charges to live with your psychiatric service dog if you have a valid PSD letter and can live under the no-pet rule.

Public Access Rights

People dealing with mental or emotional health disabilities, such as anxiety, depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, PTSD, etc., can travel with their PSDs in various public places. These are

• Hotels, motels, and other places for lodging
• Places that sell food and beverages, such as restaurants and food stalls
• Any public gathering space, like a theatre or shopping mall
• Amusement parks, educational institutions, and museums
• Terminals, depots, and stations.

Employment Laws

As per the Massachusetts Employment Law, the person taking therapeutic advantages from having a psychiatric service dog can bring their PSD to the workplace. You must show your employer your medical reports and a valid PSD letter signed by the LMHP in order to bring your PSD to the workplace.

Conclusion

Providing you with every information you need is our top-notch concern. I hope this post has helped you gain complete knowledge about; how to get a psychiatric service dog in Massachusetts. Get your PSD letter from us today to avail the benefits of PSD laws and Rights.