What does the officialservicedogs.org verification process actually check?¿Qué verifica realmente el proceso de officialservicedogs.org?▼
Verification confirms the issuing Licensed Clinical Doctor's identity and active state license, the date the documentation was issued, the expiration date, the type of accommodation (service dog or support animal), and whether a Training Plus attestation is on file. Landlords, property managers, and airline staff can validate at verify.mypsd.org by entering the document's unique code. This is the strongest fraud-prevention layer for handlers.Verification confirms the issuing Licensed Clinical Doctor's identity and active state license, the date the documentation was issued, the expiration date, the type of accommodation (service dog or support animal), and whether a Training Plus attestation is on file. Landlords, property managers, and airline staff can validate at verify.mypsd.org by entering the document's unique code. This is the strongest fraud-prevention layer for handlers.
What is Training Plus and why is it required for Canadian air travel?¿Qué es Training Plus y por qué es requerido para el viaje aéreo canadiense?▼
Training Plus is an add-on service where a CSDT (Certified Service Dog Trainer) #6202 reviews video evidence of your dog performing tasks and issues an official training attestation. Canadian airlines under CTA accessibility rules require either training organization certification OR a regulated health professional attestation — Training Plus provides the former. Many U.S. airlines also accept it. It is verifiable at verify.officialservicedog.com.Training Plus is an add-on service where a CSDT (Certified Service Dog Trainer) #6202 reviews video evidence of your dog performing tasks and issues an official training attestation. Canadian airlines under CTA accessibility rules require either training organization certification OR a regulated health professional attestation — Training Plus provides the former. Many U.S. airlines also accept it. It is verifiable at verify.officialservicedog.com.
What disqualifies a dog from being a service dog under the ADA?¿Qué descalifica a un perro de ser perro de servicio bajo la ADA?▼
A dog is disqualified if it is not housebroken, or if it is out of control and the handler cannot effectively control it. Aggression toward people or other dogs, persistent barking, lunging, or running loose are reasons a business may legitimately ask the handler to remove the dog. Lack of formal certification is NOT a disqualifier — the ADA does not require certification. The behavioral standard is the legal standard.A dog is disqualified if it is not housebroken, or if it is out of control and the handler cannot effectively control it. Aggression toward people or other dogs, persistent barking, lunging, or running loose are reasons a business may legitimately ask the handler to remove the dog. Lack of formal certification is NOT a disqualifier — the ADA does not require certification. The behavioral standard is the legal standard.
Can I verify another person's service dog documentation?¿Puedo verificar la documentación del perro de servicio de otra persona?▼
Public verification at verify.mypsd.org confirms only that a documentation code is valid, current, and issued by a Licensed Clinical Doctor — it does not reveal personal medical information about the handler. This protects both handler privacy and the requesting party's need for legitimate confirmation. The system was built to satisfy ADA, FHA, and CTA requirements while maintaining HIPAA-aligned privacy standards.Public verification at verify.mypsd.org confirms only that a documentation code is valid, current, and issued by a Licensed Clinical Doctor — it does not reveal personal medical information about the handler. This protects both handler privacy and the requesting party's need for legitimate confirmation. The system was built to satisfy ADA, FHA, and CTA requirements while maintaining HIPAA-aligned privacy standards.
What tasks should my dog be trained to perform to qualify as a service dog?¿Qué tareas debe estar entrenado mi perro para calificar como perro de servicio?▼
The task must be directly related to your specific disability — examples include guiding (vision impairment), alerting (hearing impairment, diabetic alert, seizure response), mobility assistance (bracing, retrieving), and psychiatric tasks (panic interruption, room search for PTSD, deep pressure therapy). The task must be more than 'comfort presence' — that is what defines a service dog versus an emotional support animal.The task must be directly related to your specific disability — examples include guiding (vision impairment), alerting (hearing impairment, diabetic alert, seizure response), mobility assistance (bracing, retrieving), and psychiatric tasks (panic interruption, room search for PTSD, deep pressure therapy). The task must be more than 'comfort presence' — that is what defines a service dog versus an emotional support animal.
Does my service dog need to wear a vest or specific gear?¿Mi perro de servicio necesita usar chaleco o equipo específico?▼
No. The ADA does not require vests, harnesses, tags, or any specific identifying gear. Many handlers use them as practical communication tools — they often reduce unnecessary questions. But a service dog without a vest has the same legal protections as one wearing full gear. Required: task training and the right to be there. Optional: visual identifiers.No. The ADA does not require vests, harnesses, tags, or any specific identifying gear. Many handlers use them as practical communication tools — they often reduce unnecessary questions. But a service dog without a vest has the same legal protections as one wearing full gear. Required: task training and the right to be there. Optional: visual identifiers.
How do I prove my dog is a service dog at the airport?¿Cómo pruebo que mi perro es un perro de servicio en el aeropuerto?▼
U.S. airlines require the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted at least 48 hours before flight. Canadian airlines require either trainer certification or a health professional attestation under CTA rules. International flights vary by destination. TheraPetic® Premium and Ultimate packages include the DOT form pre-completed by a Licensed Clinical Doctor and delivered same-day. Add Training Plus for Canadian flights.U.S. airlines require the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form submitted at least 48 hours before flight. Canadian airlines require either trainer certification or a health professional attestation under CTA rules. International flights vary by destination. TheraPetic® Premium and Ultimate packages include the DOT form pre-completed by a Licensed Clinical Doctor and delivered same-day. Add Training Plus for Canadian flights.
What is the typical timeline from screening to having verifiable documentation?¿Cuál es el cronograma típico desde la evaluación hasta tener documentación verificable?▼
Same day for most clients. The 3-minute screening identifies if you may qualify; a 15 to 30 minute clinical evaluation with a Licensed Clinical Doctor confirms; if approved, documentation is generated and the verification code activates at verify.mypsd.org within minutes. Add Training Plus and the trainer review typically completes within 48 to 72 hours of video submission. Renewal is usually same-day.Same day for most clients. The 3-minute screening identifies if you may qualify; a 15 to 30 minute clinical evaluation with a Licensed Clinical Doctor confirms; if approved, documentation is generated and the verification code activates at verify.mypsd.org within minutes. Add Training Plus and the trainer review typically completes within 48 to 72 hours of video submission. Renewal is usually same-day.
What happens if my service dog documentation is questioned or denied?¿Qué pasa si mi documentación de perro de servicio es cuestionada o negada?▼
First, share the verify.mypsd.org verification URL with the requesting party — most disputes resolve immediately when they confirm legitimacy. If denial persists, document the incident (names, dates, witnesses) and contact TheraPetic®'s free advocacy support at help@mypsd.org. Persistent denials can escalate to DOJ complaints (public access), HUD complaints (housing), or DOT complaints (airlines) with attorney fee recovery.First, share the verify.mypsd.org verification URL with the requesting party — most disputes resolve immediately when they confirm legitimacy. If denial persists, document the incident (names, dates, witnesses) and contact TheraPetic®'s free advocacy support at help@mypsd.org. Persistent denials can escalate to DOJ complaints (public access), HUD complaints (housing), or DOT complaints (airlines) with attorney fee recovery.
Why does TheraPetic® provide service dog documentation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rather than for-profit?¿Por qué TheraPetic® proporciona documentación de perro de servicio como organización 501(c)(3) sin fines de lucro?▼
Operating as nonprofit healthcare provider groups means our mission is access to documentation, not profit maximization. Every dollar funds Licensed Clinical Doctor evaluations, advocacy support, verification infrastructure, and the network's long-term stability. The 501(c)(3) structure also qualifies our services for HSA and FSA reimbursement under Merchant Category Code 8099. Nonprofit structure is what allows our 10-year commitment to handlers.Operating as nonprofit healthcare provider groups means our mission is access to documentation, not profit maximization. Every dollar funds Licensed Clinical Doctor evaluations, advocacy support, verification infrastructure, and the network's long-term stability. The 501(c)(3) structure also qualifies our services for HSA and FSA reimbursement under Merchant Category Code 8099. Nonprofit structure is what allows our 10-year commitment to handlers.