FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Guarantees Or Warranties Do You Provide?
If, for any reason, your landlord or airline does not accept your PDSC letter we will offer a FULL refund within the first 30 days from ordering. The refund would be issued for the portion/letter that did not work. For example if it was a housing denial then a refund of $49 would be applied. You must provide proof of the denial, but such occurrences are VERY rare. All of our clinicians are fully licensed, and all ESA letters are signed and official. The one exception is UNIVERSITY housing, as they are NOT required to follow the Fair Housing Act laws. Any orders for University housing will not be covered by our standard guarantee.
How Long Does It Take For My ESA Letter To Arrive?
Typical turn around time is under 24hrs. Most orders are processed the same day, and ESA letters are provided by PDF through e-mail, and physical copies are mailed as well through priority mail service (no extra cost). We have several licensed physicians on staff that rotate their hours to help meet daily demand. There is no 24hr guarantee, but over 90% of our orders are processed within 1 business day.
Can I Order Only One Type Of ESA Letter, EITHER Housing OR Airline?
You can order renewal letters for $49 each and only order them individually, but only once you are ALREADY A PATIENT. The initial fee of $98 covers both letters, shipping, tax, all extra review/services for additional housing/travel documents, and the doctors review fee. Since it takes the same amount of time to produce both letters, you must order the combo initially.
Will You Fill Out My Airline (Delta, AA, United, JetBlue, Alaskan, Etc.) Or Housing Forms?
Yes, this is fully included in the ESA letter price. We include the ACTUAL forms provided from the airlines for Delta, American, United, Alaskan, Spirit, Hawaiian, & Jetblue. Most companies charge over $100 a page, but we do so as part of the package. Please note that our airline ESA letters meet all Spirit, Southwest and others requirements, so additional forms are NOT needed for them.
In terms of housing or additional airlines, simply email us whatever housing or specialized form provided and your Dr. will review and help within their ability for 90 days from the date of your original order.
In terms of housing or additional airlines, simply email us whatever housing or specialized form provided and your Dr. will review and help within their ability for 90 days from the date of your original order.
How will the new DOT flight rules effect me?
12/22/2020: New DOT Flight rules do not go into effect until 30 days after adoption. There is no timeline for this, it may be months or years. Our guarantee holds true for all of our services (airline and housing). We will adapt paperwork once new regulations are adopted for full compliance. Thank you!
How Can You Provide ESA Letters If The Doctor Isn't Seeing Me As A Patient In Person?
Our doctors take you on as a patient for the sole purpose of ESA letter consideration. They review your file and responses to determine if an emotional support animal is necessary to improve your quality of life. In some cases patients have local psychotherapists or physicians, but they are unable to properly format and write an ESA letter for airlines or housing. We specialize in only ESA's, so we understand the laws and what it all entails. Finding a local doctor that understands these letter requirements can be challenging, and occasionally very expensive. We help bridge that gap between local doctors and ours. An ESA letter is provided as a recommendation to have an emotional support animal, it is not a true medical diagnosis. A medical diagnosis is not required to issue ESA paperwork.
Does My Letter Expire And How Do Expiration Dates Work?
We provide the current date on the letter when it is generated. We do not build an 'expiration date' into the letter like some other suppliers. However, airlines do require all ESA letters to be dated within 1 year of the flight. You will need to renew your letter annually to maintain your ESA letters validity for flying (not with most housing). We offer replacement letters at a 50% discount ($48). Simply contact us for a replacement letter.
How Am I Assessed, And When?
When checking out you list a qualifying condition, and when possible, include comments about your disorder. Over 99% of potential patients qualify, and if you do not qualify through the survey, one of our clinicians will call to speak with you. Your card is charged upon order submission and remains "PENDING" until the clinical psychologist approves you as a patient. A full refund is issued if not approved.
What Is An Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An emotional support animal (ESA) is a person’s pet that has been prescribed by a person’s licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist (any licensed mental health professional). The animal is part of the treatment program for this person and is designed to bring comfort and minimize the negative symptoms of the person’s emotional/psychological disability.
Which Animals Can Be Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
There are no legal restrictions for housing on which animal species is covered. However, unusual pets like peacocks or snakes may require county permits to own in urban areas, and thus may be restricted. Airlines restrict all reptiles, and mainly approve dogs, cats, mini horses, pigs, and other small mammals. We make no guarantees on which animals will be approved for your specific use outside of dogs and cats. Please call the airline to request if your species is restricted before flying or ordering.
What Animals Qualify To Be An ESA?
All domesticated animals may qualify as an ESA (cats, dog, and birds) and they can be any age (young puppies and kittens, too!). These animals do not need any specific task-training because their very presence mitigates the symptoms associated with a person’s psychological/emotional disability, unlike a working service dog. The only requirement is that the animal is manageable in public and does not create a nuisance in or around the home setting.
Does One ESA Letter Cover Multiple Animals Or Only One?
ESA letters are provided for patients from our physician. It is a prescription from the doctor to a patient, so while it allows for an animal or animals to be had, it does not specify the ESA (dog, cat, bird, etc.). You can use the letter for multiple animals, BUT some landlords require a special accommodation form for multiple pets. We assist with this paperwork free of charge.
What Are Your Legal Protections and Rights?
The Air Carrier Access Act 49 U.S.C. 41705, Dept. of Transportation 14 C.F.R. Part 382, Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 are the laws that protect an emotionally disabled person and his/her ESA.
The legal protections an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) has are to:
Click here to learn about the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988.
Click here to learn about the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986.
The legal protections an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) has are to:
- Fly with its emotionally or psychologically disabled handler in the cabin of an aircraft without being charged a pet fee.
- Qualify for no-pet housing (that also includes limited size, breed, or species housing) without being charged a pet fee.
Click here to learn about the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988.
Click here to learn about the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986.
How Will My Landlord Or Property Manager Be Able To Verify My Letter?
The letter you will receive includes our toll free # for verification. The landlord may leave a voicemail and someone will return their call to verify your ESA prescription. We do not release any personal information for HIPAA privacy reasons, and only confirm the validity of the letter and that you are indeed a patient for one of the doctors in our group.
How Do I Renew My Letters, OR Order an ID Card/Service Vest SEPARATELY?
If you are an EXISTING patient, go to the 'order esa letters' page, then click on RENEWALS and enter in your patient ID #. From there you can either renew your ESA letters, or alternatively order an ID card or service vest separately.
Do You Accept Medical Insurance?
Unfortunately due to the difficult nature of being reimbursed by insurance companies for emotional support animal exams, we regret that we are not able to accept medical insurance at this time. In light of this, we have tried our best to make the approval process as easy and as affordable as possible.
What Forms Of Payment Do You Accept?
We accept the following payment types: Discover, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. We also accept bitcoins, simply email us for the BTC address. We do not accept PayPal at this time.
Does My ESA Need An Emotional Support Animal Vest?
A person who is assisted by an emotional support animal must have a properly formatted letter from a licensed mental health professional.
That’s all. The ESA letter must state that the animal’s handler has an emotional or mental disability identified in the DSM V, and that the animal helps mitigate specific symptoms of the handler’s disability. The letter is all that is required. To reiterate however, an ESA vest made of a brightly-colored fabric, such as red or orange will help identify your pet as an emotional support animal. It is NOT required.
That’s all. The ESA letter must state that the animal’s handler has an emotional or mental disability identified in the DSM V, and that the animal helps mitigate specific symptoms of the handler’s disability. The letter is all that is required. To reiterate however, an ESA vest made of a brightly-colored fabric, such as red or orange will help identify your pet as an emotional support animal. It is NOT required.
What Is Service Animal Registration?
In short, it's a scam perpetrated on the internet. There is no legal 'registration database' or official registrar. It is simply someone on the internet printing out fake certificates and accessories. The ADA does not recognize ANY of the online service providers you see advertised. We only provide ESA letters as a part of our clinical practice. ESA letters are what provide real legal protection, allows for free air travel, and housing allowance through HUD laws.
Do You Have Any Testimonials?
Yes, below are YELP reviews from some recent customers. You can also see our Facebook reviews!
Read Danny W.'s review of PDS Center on Yelp
Read Faith Z.'s review of PDS Center on Yelp
Read Patrick T.'s review of PDS Center on Yelp
