Frequently Asked Questions

Service Dogs are individually trained to perform specific tasks that directly help a person with a disability. Examples include guiding someone who is blind, alerting someone who is deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting someone during a seizure, or performing tasks for people with psychiatric disabilities like interrupting self-harm or providing deep pressure therapy during panic attacks.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide comfort and support through companionship but are not trained to perform specific tasks. In Canada, ESAs have housing rights under provincial human rights codes but have more limited public access rights compared to service dogs.

Key difference: Service dogs perform trained tasks; ESAs provide therapeutic presence. Both require documentation from a licensed mental health professional.

A Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) is a type of service dog specifically trained to assist individuals with mental health disabilities such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

PSDs perform specific tasks like:

• Interrupting harmful behaviors or panic attacks
• Providing deep pressure therapy
• Alerting to oncoming anxiety or mood episodes
• Creating physical space in crowded areas
• Reminding handlers to take medication
• Performing room searches for those with PTSD

PSDs have the same legal rights as other service dogs, including public access rights.

No. There is no official government registry for service dogs or emotional support animals in Canada. Websites claiming to provide “official certification” or mandatory registration are misleading.

What matters legally is having a legitimate letter from a licensed healthcare professional documenting your need for a service animal or ESA.

TheraPetic offers optional registration services for convenience — providing ID cards and certificates that can help in day-to-day situations — but we’re clear that these are not legally required. The clinical letter from a licensed provider is what establishes your rights.

Service Animals: In Canada, service animals are typically dogs, though some provinces may recognize miniature horses for specific tasks. The animal must be trained to perform disability-related tasks.

Emotional Support Animals: ESAs can be any domesticated animal — dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, etc. — as long as a licensed mental health professional has determined the animal provides therapeutic benefit for your mental health condition.

Airlines and some housing providers may have specific restrictions, so it’s important to check policies in advance.

To qualify, you must have a mental health condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Common qualifying conditions include:

• Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder)
• Depression (major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Phobias and fears
• Attention disorders (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Other mental health conditions affecting daily functioning

A licensed mental health professional must evaluate you and determine that a service dog or ESA would provide therapeutic benefit as part of your treatment.

No. Our licensed mental health professionals conduct real clinical evaluations. They only approve letters when it’s clinically appropriate.

If you don’t qualify, you pay nothing. We believe this ethical approach protects the integrity of the service/support animal system and ensures our clients receive legitimate documentation that will be respected.

Beware of services that guarantee approval to everyone — that’s a red flag for a scam.

Our process is simple and takes place in three steps:

Step 1: Free 3-Minute Screening
Complete an anonymous questionnaire about your mental health needs. It’s free, confidential, and takes just 3 minutes.

Step 2: Instant Review
Your screening is reviewed immediately. If you appear to qualify, you’ll be connected with a licensed mental health professional for a clinical evaluation.

Step 3: Same-Day Documentation
Once approved by the licensed provider, you receive your letters, airline forms, and optional registration materials the same day.

No. You don’t need to have a pet yet. The screening evaluates your eligibility for a service dog or ESA based on your mental health needs.

You can complete the clinical evaluation and receive your letter before getting your animal. The letter can then be updated with your animal’s information once you have one.

Depending on your package, you’ll receive:

Essential Package ($140 CAD):

• Clinical evaluation with a licensed mental health professional
• PSD or ESA letter on official provider letterhead
• Canadian airline forms (Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, etc.)
• 1 year of portal access
• Email and phone support

Complete Package ($210 CAD): Everything above, plus:

• Service dog or ESA registration
• Digital ID card
• Certificate of registration
• Priority support

Premium Package ($280 CAD): Everything above, plus:

• Physical ID card shipped to you
• Service animal collar tag
• Service animal leash
• Printed documents packet

Same day. Once approved by a licensed provider, you can download your letters and forms immediately through our secure portal.

Physical items (ID cards, tags, leashes) in the Premium package ship within 3-5 business days.

Yes. Our letters are issued by licensed mental health professionals following real clinical evaluations. They’re printed on official letterhead with the provider’s license information and are legally valid documentation.

TheraPetic is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit mental healthcare provider with over 10 years of experience. Our documentation has helped over 50,000 Canadians successfully live and travel with their service dogs and ESAs.

We also provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your documentation, we’ll make it right.

ESA letters are typically valid for one year from the date of issuance. After that, you’ll need a renewal evaluation to get an updated letter.

Some landlords and airlines may ask for a letter dated within the past 12 months, so keeping your documentation current is important.

Service dog letters may have different validity periods depending on your situation and the provider’s assessment.

In most cases, no. Under Canadian provincial human rights codes, landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for tenants with disabilities who require service dogs or emotional support animals.

This means landlords generally cannot:

• Refuse to rent to you because of your service dog or ESA
• Charge extra pet deposits or fees for assistance animals
• Enforce “no pets” policies against legitimate service dogs or ESAs

However, landlords can request documentation from a licensed healthcare professional confirming your need for the animal.

Generally, no. Service dogs and ESAs are not considered “pets” under human rights legislation. Landlords typically cannot charge pet deposits, pet rent, or pet fees for assistance animals.

However, you may still be held responsible for any damage your animal causes to the property, just as you would be for any other damage.

“No pets” policies do not apply to service dogs or ESAs with proper documentation. Your landlord is required to make a reasonable accommodation for your disability-related need.

When requesting accommodation:

• Provide your ESA or service dog letter from a licensed provider
• Make the request in writing
• Be prepared to engage in an interactive process with your landlord

If your landlord refuses, you may file a complaint with your provincial human rights commission.

Yes! Canadian airlines accommodate service dogs in the cabin under the Canadian Transportation Agency’s accessibility regulations.

You’ll need to:

• Submit documentation at least 48 hours before your flight
• Complete airline-specific forms (we provide these)
• Ensure your dog can fit at your feet or under the seat
• Your dog must be well-behaved and under control

We help you prepare the correct forms for Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Flair, Air Transat, and other Canadian carriers.

It depends on the airline. ESA policies vary significantly between Canadian carriers:

• Some airlines (like Porter) may still accommodate ESAs with proper documentation
• Other airlines now treat ESAs as pets, requiring them to travel in a carrier or cargo

This is why many people with mental health conditions opt for Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) documentation instead — PSDs have full service animal protections on all airlines.

We always recommend checking the specific airline’s current policy before booking and can help you understand your options.

Most Canadian airlines require:

• A letter from a licensed mental health professional
• The airline’s specific service animal form
• Advance notice (typically 48 hours minimum)

For U.S. travel, you may also need DOT (Department of Transportation) forms.

All TheraPetic packages include the necessary airline forms for major Canadian carriers. We keep these updated as airline policies change.

Yes, but requirements vary by destination. Beyond airline documentation, international travel may require:

• Veterinary health certificates
• Proof of vaccinations (especially rabies)
• Microchip documentation
• Country-specific import permits

Start planning well in advance for international trips. Some countries have quarantine requirements or specific entry rules for animals.

Our documentation is designed to meet international standards, but always verify destination country requirements before traveling.

Yes, 100% free. The initial screening costs nothing and requires no payment information. You only pay if you qualify and choose to proceed with documentation from a licensed provider.

If you don’t qualify, you pay nothing — ever.

All prices are in Canadian dollars:

• Essential: $140 CAD — Letters + Airline Forms (Electronic)
• Complete: $210 CAD — Letters + Registration + ID Card (Electronic)
• Premium: $280 CAD — Everything + Physical ID, Tag, Leash (Shipped)

All packages include the clinical evaluation with a licensed mental health professional.

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

• If you don’t qualify during evaluation, you pay nothing
• If you’re not satisfied with your documentation, contact us and we’ll make it right
• Physical items can be returned within 30 days for a full refund

We’re a nonprofit organization focused on helping people — not maximizing profits. Your satisfaction matters to us.

TheraPetic stands apart from questionable online services:

• Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit — we’re a legitimate healthcare provider, not a profit-driven company
• 10+ years of experience — serving Canadians since 2016
• Licensed professionals — real clinical evaluations by licensed mental health providers
• Verified reviews — check our ratings on Google, Facebook, and Yelp
• Transparent pricing — no hidden fees, no surprise charges
• HIPAA compliant — your data is secure and confidential

We’re honest about what we provide: legitimate clinical documentation. We don’t claim to offer “official certification” that doesn’t exist.