What documentation do I need for a support animal?

A clinical letter from a Licensed Clinical Doctor confirming a disability-related need. At TheraPetic, every evaluation uses HIPAA-compliant clinical assessments.

Can my landlord deny my support animal?

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must accommodate documented support animals and cannot charge pet fees or deposits.

Is TheraPetic legitimate?

Yes. Verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 81-3003968), founded 2016 by Dr. Patrick Fisher, PhD, NCC. 50,000+ families served. Verify on IRS.gov or Candid.

What documentation do I need for a support animal?

You need a letter from a licensed healthcare professional — such as a licensed clinical doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed clinical social worker — stating that you have a disability-related need for a support animal. The letter should be on professional letterhead, include the provider's license information, and be dated within the past year.

Can my landlord deny my support animal request?

In most cases, no. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for support animals when you provide legitimate documentation. Exceptions are rare and include owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units and single-family homes rented without a broker. A landlord can deny a request only if the specific animal poses a direct threat to safety or would cause substantial property damage.

How long is a support animal letter valid?

Most housing providers accept letters dated within the past 12 months. TheraPetic documentation is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance. We send renewal reminders before your letter expires so you always have current documentation. Renewal evaluations are available at a reduced rate.

What is the difference between documentation and registration?

Documentation is a clinical letter from a licensed healthcare professional confirming your disability-related need — this is what landlords legally require under the Fair Housing Act. Registration is an optional convenience service that provides a searchable verification record for your animal. Registration is never legally required. The clinical letter is what carries legal weight.

Yes. TheraPetic is a verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, listed on Candid (formerly GuideStar), registered with the BBB, and founded by Dr. Patrick Fisher, PhD, LPC, NCC — a licensed clinical researcher. Every evaluation is conducted by a Licensed Clinical Doctor. We have served over 50,000 families since 2016. You can verify our nonprofit status, read independent reviews on Google and Facebook, and visit our physical office in Washington, DC.

501(c)(3) Nonprofit — Celebrating 10 YearsSin Fines de Lucro — Celebrando 10 Años

Your Support Animal Rights Start HereSus Derechos de Animal de Apoyo Comienzan Aquí

Q: What is the difference between a service dog and a support animal?

Service dogs perform trained tasks (ADA public access + FHA housing). Support animals provide therapeutic companionship (FHA housing only).

Free education on housing protections and service dog laws. HIPAA-compliant clinical assessments reviewed by Licensed Clinical Doctors. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving 50,000+ families since 2016.Educación gratuita sobre protecciones de vivienda y leyes de perros de servicio. Evaluaciones clínicas compatibles con HIPAA revisadas por Médicos Clínicos Licenciados.

Take Free ScreeningEvaluación Gratuita → Learn Your RightsConozca Sus Derechos

Our ImpactNuestro Impacto

Families HelpedFamilias Ayudadas0+

Years of ServiceAños0+

TrustpilotTrustpilot4.7 / 5 ★

Tax StatusEstado Fiscal501(c)(3)

Same Price SinceMismo Precio Desde2016

Free ResourcesRecursos Gratuitos

Know Your Rights — Always FreeConozca Sus Derechos — Siempre Gratis

Accurate, up-to-date guides written by our clinical team and reviewed by Licensed Clinical Doctors. No registration required. No strings attached.Guías precisas escritas por nuestro equipo clínico. Sin registro. Sin compromisos.

🏠

Fair Housing Act & Support AnimalsLey de Vivienda Justa

Your landlord cannot deny a documented support animal or charge pet fees. Learn what the law says, what landlords can ask, and how to request reasonable accommodation.Su arrendador no puede negar un animal de apoyo documentado ni cobrar tarifas de mascotas.

📖

ADA & Service Dog RightsADA y Perros de Servicio

Service dogs have public access rights under the ADA. Know the two questions businesses can legally ask and what they cannot require from you.Los perros de servicio tienen derechos de acceso público bajo la ADA.

✈

Air Travel with Service DogsViaje Aéreo

Current DOT regulations, airline-specific policies, and preparation guides for flying with your service dog. Updated for 2026.Regulaciones DOT actualizadas para 2026.

⚖

State-by-State LawsLeyes por Estado

Many states offer protections beyond federal law. Find specific regulations, fraud penalties, and additional rights in your state.Muchos estados ofrecen protecciones adicionales.

🔍

Scam Detection GuideGuía Anti-Estafas

How to identify illegitimate services selling worthless registrations. Learn what real clinical documentation looks like.Cómo identificar servicios ilegítimos.

💬

FAQ & Myth BustingPreguntas y Mitos

Clear answers and corrections to widespread misconceptions about support animals, registration, and your legal protections.Respuestas claras a conceptos erróneos.

View All ResourcesVer Todos los Recursos →

How It WorksCómo Funciona

Support Animal Documentation in 3 StepsDocumentación en 3 Pasos

Fast, private, and clinically sound. No office visits. No waiting rooms. Same-day documentation if approved.Rápido, privado y clínicamente sólido. Sin visitas al consultorio.

Free Anonymous ScreeningEvaluación Anónima

Quick, confidential questionnaire about your situation. No personal info collected. No account needed. About 3 minutes. Zero obligation.Cuestionario confidencial. Sin información personal. Sin cuenta. Unos 3 minutos.

Clinical Assessment ReviewRevisión Clínica

A Licensed Clinical Doctor reviews your HIPAA-compliant assessment. Real evaluation by a real licensed professional — not a chatbot or rubber stamp. Grounded in doctoral research.Un Médico Clínico Licenciado revisa su evaluación compatible con HIPAA.

Same-Day DocumentationDocumentación el Mismo Día

If approved, choose your package and receive personalized letters signed by a Licensed Clinical Doctor on professional letterhead. Delivered same day. Valid 365 days.Si es aprobado, reciba cartas personalizadas firmadas por un Médico Licenciado el mismo día.

Start Free ScreeningComenzar →

Families HelpedFamilias

10+

Years of ServiceAños

4.7★

Trustpilot RatingTrustpilot

501(c)(3)

Verified NonprofitSin Fines de Lucro

$99

Same Since 2016Desde 2016

PackagesPaquetes

Transparent Pricing — Same Since 2016Precios Transparentes Desde 2016

All packages include personalized support animal letters, service animal airline forms, and clinical review by a Licensed Clinical Doctor. Valid 365 days.Todos incluyen cartas personalizadas, formularios de aerolínea y revisión clínica. Válidos 365 días.

Basic

^$99

Personalized Support Animal LettersCartas Personalizadas
Service Animal Airline FormsFormularios de Aerolínea
Signed by Licensed Clinical DoctorFirmado por Médico Licenciado
Electronic DeliveryEntrega Electrónica

Get StartedComenzar

Most PopularMás Popular

Premium

^$149

Everything in BasicTodo en Básico
Lifetime RegistrationRegistro de por Vida
Searchable Verification RecordRegistro de Verificación
Priority SupportSoporte Prioritario

Get StartedComenzar

Ultimate

^$199

Everything in PremiumTodo en Premium
Unlimited PersonalizationPersonalización Ilimitada
Holographic ID CardTarjeta Holográfica
Medal Tag & Identifying LeashMedalla y Correa
Physical & Electronic DeliveryEntrega Física y Electrónica

Get StartedComenzar

Clinical TeamEquipo Clínico

Real People. Real Credentials. Verified.Personas Reales. Credenciales Verificadas.

Every article is clinically reviewed. Every evaluation is overseen by our credentialed leadership team. No stock photos. No invented biographies. Every credential is independently verifiable.Cada artículo es revisado clínicamente. Sin fotos de stock. Cada credencial es verificable.

Dr. Patrick Fisher, PhD, NCC

Founder & Clinical DirectorFundador y Director Clínico

The Service Animal Expert™

Licensed Professional Counselor (DC LPC PRC14016). NPI: 1841714581. Walden University PhD — doctoral research validated support animal therapeutic outcomes. NCC #248269. Author of The Invisible Series. 20+ years clinical practice.Consejero Profesional Licenciado. PhD de Walden University. Más de 20 años de práctica.

Website LinkedIn NPI Scholar

Ryan Gaughan, BA, CSDT #6202

Executive DirectorDirector Ejecutivo

Kent State University, BA in Psychology & Animal Behavior. Certified Service Dog Trainer #6202 via IACP. Leads network operations and Training Plus program through OfficialServiceDog.com.Kent State University, BA en Psicología y Comportamiento Animal. Entrenador Certificado #6202.

Website LinkedIn

FAQ

Frequently Asked QuestionsPreguntas Frecuentes

Clear, honest answers from our clinical team.Respuestas claras y honestas de nuestro equipo.

You need a clinical letter from a Licensed Clinical Doctor confirming a disability-related need. It must be on professional letterhead with the provider’s license info and dated within the past year. At TheraPetic®, every evaluation uses HIPAA-compliant clinical assessments — not chatbots, not questionnaires alone. The clinical letter is what carries legal weight under the Fair Housing Act.Necesita una carta de un Médico Clínico Licenciado en papel membretado profesional.

Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must accommodate documented support animals. They cannot charge pet deposits or pet rent. Exceptions are very limited. If your landlord refuses, call us at (800) 851-4390 — our advocacy team helps you understand your options.Bajo la Ley de Vivienda Justa, los arrendadores deben acomodar animales de apoyo documentados. Llámenos al (800) 851-4390.

Service dogs perform trained tasks for a disability (ADA public access + FHA housing). Support animals provide therapeutic companionship (FHA housing only, not ADA public access). Since 2021, airlines only accommodate trained service dogs in cabin. We provide documentation for both.Perros de servicio: tareas entrenadas (ADA + FHA). Animales de apoyo: compañía terapéutica (FHA para vivienda).

No. There is no legally required registry. What you need is a clinical letter from a Licensed Clinical Doctor. Registration is an optional convenience — the clinical letter is what carries legal weight. Be wary of any site claiming registration is required or implying it’s a government process.No. No existe un registro legalmente requerido. La carta clínica es lo que tiene peso legal.

Absolutely. Verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 81-3003968) since 2016. Founded by Dr. Patrick Fisher, PhD, NCC. 50,000+ families. Verify on IRS.gov, Candid, or read our 4.7-star Trustpilot reviews. Visit our office: 1030 15th St NW Suite 170, Washington DC.Absolutamente. 501(c)(3) verificada (EIN: 81-3003968). Verifique en IRS.gov, Candid, o Trustpilot (4.7 estrellas).

Red flags: guaranteed instant approval without clinical evaluation, stock photos for “team,” selling only ID cards/vests without clinical letters, claiming to be a government registry, no transparency (no EIN, no address, no real people). Legitimate services involve real clinical assessments by verifiable Licensed Clinical Doctors.Señales: aprobación garantizada, fotos de stock, solo venden tarjetas, dicen ser registro del gobierno, sin transparencia.

Your Support Animal Rights Start HereSus Derechos de Animal de Apoyo Comienzan Aquí

Know Your Rights — Always FreeConozca Sus Derechos — Siempre Gratis

Fair Housing Act & Support AnimalsLey de Vivienda Justa

ADA & Service Dog RightsADA y Perros de Servicio

Air Travel with Service DogsViaje Aéreo

State-by-State LawsLeyes por Estado

Scam Detection GuideGuía Anti-Estafas

FAQ & Myth BustingPreguntas y Mitos

Support Animal Documentation in 3 StepsDocumentación en 3 Pasos

Free Anonymous ScreeningEvaluación Anónima

Clinical Assessment ReviewRevisión Clínica

Same-Day DocumentationDocumentación el Mismo Día

Transparent Pricing — Same Since 2016Precios Transparentes Desde 2016

Real People. Real Credentials. Verified.Personas Reales. Credenciales Verificadas.

Frequently Asked QuestionsPreguntas Frecuentes

Ready to Get Started?¿Listo?