Not Sure What Your Animal
Actually Needs?
ESA, PSA, In-Training Certificate, Service Dog.
We will walk you through every option, bust the myths, and explain what everything really means, so you can find exactly the right certification for you and your animal.
Let's burst the certification myth.
Does your assistance animal need certification? No.
None of the international rules say your animal needs certification. But it is always a hassle to be accepted anywhere without it.
What the certification does is facilitate acceptance and avoid the drama, interrogation and harassment.
It Feels Confusing.
And That Is Completely Normal.
Most dog owners do not know there are different types of documentation, or which one applies to their situation. The names sound similar and the differences are not obvious. That is exactly why people give up before ordering anything.
There is also a very common fear: what happens when an airline or housing office asks for my paperwork? The answer is simple. When you have the correct documentation, it is a non-event. You present it, they see it, everyone moves on. No drama, no interrogation, no embarrassment.
Every document we offer is registered in a recognised international database and can be verified by a third party. Your personal data, such as your address, phone number, date of birth, and any other personally identifiable information, is never displayed in search results. Documents themselves are not displayed, but they can be validated via the document number.
Over 60% of dog owners purchase the wrong type of letter for their needs, leading to denied access and wasted money.
"I thought an ESA letter would let my dog fly with me. I was turned away at the gate. Getting the correct PSA certification through Global Animal Certification saved our next trip."
— Sarah and MaxWhich Certification Does What?
Plain-English breakdown so you can see the difference at a glance.
| Features and Access | ESA Certification | PSA Certification | Service Animal Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Emotional Support Animal | Psychiatric Support Animal | Medical Service Animal |
| Diagnosis required? | No | Condition / meds | Disability |
| Fly in cabin? | With In-Training PSA add-on | Yes | Yes |
| Housing protection? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Public space access? | No | Same as service dog | Full |
| Any dog breed? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Housing and rentals | Full support access | Everywhere access |
The Three Certifications, Explained
Most people need just one. Read the one that sounds like your situation.
All of our letters are registered in a recognized international database. Verifiable by third parties via document number. Your personal data is never displayed.
What Do You Get With Your Certification?
Every certification starts with a clinician letter. Here is exactly what that means and what you can add to strengthen it.
- ✓A licensed clinician letter specific to your certification type (ESA, PSA, or Service Animal)
- ✓Your animal's details and your personal information linked to your certification
- ✓Registration in our international database, verifiable by document number
- ✓Access to your documentation through our mobile app
The Process: You answer a 5 minute questionaire (screening). A licensed clinician reviews your answers and prescribes your animal to you in writing. For Service Animal Letters, you must provide us with a disabilty document.
What is in the Letter: A licensed clinician reviews your screening and prescribes your animal to you in writing. The letter explains your condition, your animal's role, and where the certification applies. It includes your information and your animal's information for easy identification and acceptance by landlords, airlines, and any third party that asks for paperwork.
Boost Your Documentation With Add-Ons
Add-ons can be combined with any certification to strengthen your documentation and increase acceptance everywhere.
The ID card is also an important part of your recognition gear and is the most visible form of identification for your animal.
The PSA Myth. It Is Not What You Think.
When people hear the word psychiatric, they immediately think of serious mental illness. That is not what it means here.
If you have anxiety, stress, or depression and you take medication for it, you are a person with a psychiatric condition and it does not label you with serious mental illness. Millions of people are. Your doctor, your therapist, and the law all recognise it the same way.
A Psychiatric Support Animal Certification simply means your animal helps you manage a recognised condition. It says nothing else about you. It does not go on any public record. It does not label you. Nobody sees it except the landlord or airline staff who check your paperwork, and all they see is that your animal is certified.
Getting a PSA Certification is not an admission of anything. It is simply the smartest, most protected way to keep your animal by your side.
The Add-Ons, Explained
These can be combined with any of the three certifications above to strengthen your documentation and ease of acceptance everywhere.
The document airlines recognise. Certifies your dog is in PSA training. Most owners qualify immediately, no full training needed first.
- ✓Accepted by major airlines for in-cabin travel
- ✓Your dog sits with you, not in cargo
- ✓Can only be combined with an ESA Letter, for ESA owners who need to fly, or for PSA animals that are still in training
- ✓Verifiable by document number
Proves your animal is trained to behave appropriately in public spaces, on aircraft, and around other people and animals. A landlord, airline, or business that sees this certificate knows your animal will not be a problem before they even have to ask.
- ✓Certifies appropriate behaviour in restaurants, aircraft, and public spaces
- ✓Reduces friction and questioning when entering any space
- ✓Combinable with any letter to increase your animal's acceptance
- ✓Verifiable by document number
Registers your animal in our international database, creating a verifiable record that third parties can look up. When a landlord, airline, or hotel can confirm your animal's status instantly, the conversation is over before it starts.
- ✓Entered into a global registry recognised internationally
- ✓Greatly facilitates pre-clearance and acceptance by third parties
- ✓Combinable with any letter to increase your animal's acceptance
- ✓Verifiable by document number
An international support document that prescribes your animal and explains it must be with you at all times. It includes your information and your animal's information for easy identification and acceptance. Works alongside your core letter to give airlines and housing providers everything they need.
- ✓Provides strong additional support alongside your main letter
- ✓Facilitates hassle-free acceptance by airlines and landlords
- ✓Combinable with any certification
- ✓Verifiable by document number
Physical and digital identification for your animal. The ID card is also an important part of your recognition gear and is the most visible form of identification for your animal in public and on aircraft.
- ✓Printed and digital ID card with your animal's picture for instant identification
- ✓Digital card accessible through our mobile app at all times
- ✓Necessary for hassle-free air travel and public access
- ✓The animal's microchip number is printed on the card for instant verification
- ✓Combinable with any certification
- ✓Verifiable by document number
The more visible your animal's certification is, the smoother every interaction will be. Recognition gear makes your animal immediately identifiable as a certified support or service animal before anyone even asks for paperwork.
- ✓Service animal harnesses, vests, and bandanas
- ✓Certification tags and ID card holders
- ✓Collars with certification details
- ✓Strongly recommended for air travel compliance and easy public access
- ✓Combinable with any certification
All of our certificates and ID cards are registered in a recognized international database. Verifiable by third parties via document number. Your personal data is never displayed.
Answer 3 Questions. Find Your Certification.
Work through these. By the end it will be clear which one fits.
What do you need your dog recognised for?
Does your dog perform a specific trained task?
Do you need to fly with your dog?
Things People Ask Before They Order
Real questions from dog owners who were exactly where you are now.
See more product and delivery questions on our FAQ page.
Ready? Let's Get The Paperwork!
Take your free screening. It only takes 5 minutes. And a licensed clinician will review your results.
Already know what you need? Visit our FAQ page for product and delivery questions.