How to Qualify Your ESA Dog as a Psychiatric Service Dog?

Before qualifying your ESA dog as a Psychiatric Service Dog, it’s crucial to understand the legal implications. In the U.S., under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a Psychiatric Service Dog is defined as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a mental disability.

To qualify for a PSD, you must:

• Have a mental health condition that is recognized as a disability under the ADA.
• Be prescribed a service dog by a licensed mental health professional.
• Have a trained dog that performs specific tasks that directly help with your condition.

This is where the difference between an ESA and a PSD really stands out. Your ESA must undergo formal training to assist you with your psychiatric condition. Some common tasks include:

• Alerting you to panic attacks before they occur.
• Interrupting harmful behaviors, like self-harm.
• Providing deep pressure therapy during anxiety attacks.
• Waking you up from nightmares, especially in cases of PTSD.

Note: Training your dog to perform these tasks can be done by a professional trainer, or you can train the dog yourself as long as the tasks are performed reliably.

A Psychiatric Service Dog must demonstrate good behavior in public places. This means your dog should:

• Be calm and nonaggressive.
• Remain focused on their tasks.
• Be housebroken and well-mannered in public.

The ADA states that a service dog must be under control at all times, either through a leash or voice commands. It’s important to note that PSDs are allowed to accompany you to places where pets are usually not allowed, such as restaurants, stores, or public transportation. However, your dog’s behavior is key to maintaining these privileges.

Once your ESA qualifies as a Psychiatric Service Dog, they are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). These laws give you the right to:

• Live with your PSD even in housing with a no-pet policy, without paying pet fees.
• Bring your PSD into public places that normally don’t allow pets, including restaurants, grocery stores, and other public areas.

The first step in self-training is identifying the tasks your dog needs to perform. A Psychiatric Service Dog must be able to help with your disability in practical ways, such as:

• Interrupting panic attacks
• Grounding you during episodes of anxiety
• Waking you up from nightmares
• Providing medication reminders

Note: These tasks should directly address your symptoms.

Before teaching your dog complex tasks, ensure they have a solid foundation of basic obedience. This includes:

• Sit, stay, down, and come commands.
• Loose leash walking.
• Responding to commands in various environments.

Obedience is crucial because your Psychiatric Service Dog needs to be well-behaved in public and able to focus on its tasks.

Once your dog has mastered obedience, start training them for the specific tasks related to your psychiatric condition. For example:

• Alerting to anxiety: Teach your dog to recognize physical cues (e.g., shaking, sweating) and respond by nudging or pawing at you.
• Grounding during panic attacks: Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog to apply gentle pressure on your chest or lap during moments of high anxiety.

Finally, once your dog is trained, test their ability to perform tasks reliably in different situations. If your dog can respond consistently and perform tasks when needed, they’re ready to be your Psychiatric Service Dog!

Note: Remember self-training takes time, patience, and commitment. If you find that you’re struggling, you can always seek professional help for specific aspects of training.

If you choose to work with a professional trainer, the costs can range widely based on the level of training required and the trainer’s experience.

• Basic Obedience Training: $100- $500 for a 6 to 8-week program.
• Advanced or Specialized Task Training: $2,000- $10,000 or more, depending on the tasks the dog needs to learn. For psychiatric service dogs, specific tasks such as alerting to anxiety or waking you from nightmares can add to the cost.

Many professional service dog training programs offer intensive courses, but these can be quite expensive. In some cases, comprehensive programs designed for Psychiatric Service Dogs can cost upwards of $20,000 to $30,000 if the training includes both basic and specialized tasks.

Training your ESA yourself can be a more affordable option, but it will still involve some expenses:

• Training Supplies: Purchasing leashes, collars, treat bags, clickers, and other supplies could cost between $50 to $200.
• Books/Online Courses: You might want to invest in service dog training guides or online courses, which can range from $50 to $300.
• Time Investment: While Self-training reduces monetary costs, it requires a significant time investment. Expect to spend several hours each week working on obedience and task-specific training.

• Public Access Training: Since Psychiatric Service Dogs are often taken into public places, you might want to pay for specialized public access training to ensure your dog behaves appropriately in different environments. This can cost $500 – $1,500.
• Certification (Optional): While not legally required, some people choose to pay for certifications, which typically range from $50 to $200. Be cautious, as many online certification services are scams.

Note: If you’re tight on budget and have the time, self-training with occasional professional guidance could be a great compromise.

• The International Association of Canine Professionals.
• The Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

Once you have a list of potential trainers, make sure to check their qualifications. While there’s no government certification for service dog trainers, look for trainers certified by reputable organizations.

Note: Ask about their experience training Psychiatric Service Dogs specifically, as training for physical disabilities and psychiatric disabilities may differ.

• Do you have experience training Psychiatric Service Dogs?
• What is your training philosophy (e.g., positive reinforcement vs. corrective methods)?
• Can you train my dog for the specific tasks I need, such as alerting to anxiety or providing deep pressure therapy?
• What is your process and how long does the training usually take?
• Can I be involved in the training process?
• What will the cost be? (Some trainers offer different packages based on the type of training needed.)

It’s always a good idea to read online reviews or ask for references from previous clients. Look for feedback on:

• Training effectiveness: How well did the dogs perform after training?
• Trainer professionalism: Was the trainer reliable, easy to communicate with, and transparent about the process?
• Long-term success: Did the dog continue to perform their service tasks successfully over time?

If you can’t find a qualified trainer locally, there are online service dog training programs available. These programs provide video tutorials and step-by-step guidance for self-training.

Some well-known online service dog training resources include:

• Udemy: Offers various dog training courses, including some on service dog training.
• K9 Training Institute: Provides an online program specifically designed for training service dogs.

Note: Unfortunately, there are scams out there, especially online. Watch out for trainers or websites that promise quick certification or guarantee your dog will become a Psychiatric Service Dog without proper training. Remember, certification is not legally required in the U.S., and any legitimate service dog training takes time and patience.

While not legally required, having a vest or ID card identifying your dog as a service animal can be helpful in public places. Ensure any identification is accurate and not misleading.