Just complete the training! Upon completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and I.D. card for your Psychiatric Service Dog.

Yes! A dog’s ability to qualify as a PSD is contingent on their individual ability to provide support based on their owner’s disability. While some breeds are better suited to this than others, there is no specific breed requirement. 

We've structured this training in a way that is suitable to all dogs. We break down tasks into small steps, and gradually increase the difficulty. Repeat trainings regularly to reinforce the behaviors and ensure that your dog understands expectations.

You already have a strong connection and bond to your dog. Relying on someone else to train your dog does not ensure that they will react or retain the information taught in service dog training school. Self-training your dog will build upon your existing relationship and ensure a strong connection to your furry companion. 

When entering Airports, Pet Restricted Rentals, Restaurants and other places, you can now present the Certificate and I.D. Card along with your Psychiatric Service Dog. 

Traditional Service Dog Schools can have a wait list of 2-3 years for their service dog to graduate and can cost up to $30,000. 

A Psychiatric Service Dog can be any breed or sized dog specifically trained to assist a person with a mental health disability at home and in public spaces.

Individuals suffering from mental illnesses, including PTSD, Panic Disorder, Anxiety, ADHD, and Depression, can train their own dog to become a Psychiatric Service Dog. The owner must have a registered physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities, and their condition is documented by an accredited healthcare professional. Dogs not specifically obtained to be PSD or are already ESAs are still eligible for the certification.

A diabetic person may have a PSD trained to alert them when their blood sugar reaches high or low levels. A person with depression may have a dog trained to give medication reminders, and a person with epilepsy may have a PSD trained to detect the onset of a seizure and help them remain safe or alert others.

These terms describe animals that offer comfort with their presence but are not trained for specific medical tasks. They do not qualify as service animals under the ADA, but some state or local governments may allow these animals to have the same public access granted to PSDs.

Individuals can complete their own certification training through ICTI, which costs significantly less than working with a trainer. The ADA does not require a professional service dog training program and grants people with disabilities the right to self-train their dogs. You can work with a trainer for additional support, but it is not required.

Traditional service dog training takes 6-12 months, but ICTI can help you get there in less time. The course is self-paced, and owners typically finish training within 6-12 weeks.

PSDs are legally allowed in most public spaces, including transportation, shopping malls, movie theaters, and grocery stores. PSDs may be prohibited from some spaces if it interferes with the health of others, due to allergies, hygiene, or general safety. Under the ADA, state and local governments, businesses, and other organizations must make “reasonable modifications” in their policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to accommodate people with disabilities. Entities with “no pets” policies must modify the policy for service animals.

As of 2021, airlines can ask PSD owners to submit a signed DOT form before departure. The form requires the owner to certify that their psychiatric service dog has been trained to assist with a disability and can behave on a flight. This form is provided to you inside this course, along with a certificate of completion and other important documentation to ensure a safe flight.

The ADA makes a distinction between Psychiatric Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. If the dog has been trained to sense an oncoming anxiety attack and takes a specific action to help avoid the attack or lessen its impact, that would qualify as a service animal under the ADA. However, if just the dog’s presence provides comfort, that would not qualify.

No. Under the ADA, the dog must be trained before being taken into public places. However, some State or local laws cover animals that are still in training.

In cases where it is not obvious that a dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? And (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request documentation, require the dog to demonstrate its task, or inquire about the person’s disability.

The ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness.

Some people with disabilities may use more than one service animal to perform different tasks, such as PSDs for visual impairments and seizure disorders. Others may need two dogs for one task, including mobility impairment. Staff may ask the two permissible questions listed above. Both dogs should be accommodated if possible, but the staff may request that one dog be kept outside if that is not the case.

PSDs may not be excluded based on assumptions about breed-specific behavior. However, if a particular animal behaves in a way that poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, has a history of such behavior, or is not under the handler’s control, the PSD can be denied entry. In this case, staff must still offer their goods or services to the person without the PSD present.

Service animals are not exempt from local animal control or public health requirements. Service animals are also subject to local dog licensing and registration requirements.

PSDs must be allowed to accompany handlers through self-service food lines, like salad bars. They may not be prohibited from communal food preparation areas, like shelters or dormitories.

The ADA does not override public health rules prohibiting dogs in swimming pools. However, PSDs must be allowed on the pool deck and in other areas where the public is allowed access.