Georgia Psychiatric Service Dog Letter — Get an Appointment Today
On July 1, 2026, Georgia’s Mara Jade Act (HB 668) rewrote the state’s service dog law. It now covers physically or mentally impaired people, not just guide dog users. A PSD letter from a clinician licensed in Georgia documents your disability-related need for landlords, employers and schools, and you are only charged if you are approved.
- Georgia-licensed clinicians
- Not approved, not charged
- Live video visit from anywhere in Georgia
- License details listed on your letter
Open 7 days a week · Same-day appointments · No approval, no charge
The Mara Jade Act: What Changed for Georgia PSD Handlers
HB 668 passed both chambers without a single no vote, was signed on May 11, 2026 as Act 440 and took effect July 1, 2026.
| Topic | Before July 1, 2026 | Under the Mara Jade Act |
|---|---|---|
| People covered | Blind, deaf and physically disabled people | Physically or mentally impaired people |
| Dog covered | Guide dogs and assistance dogs | Service dogs, including dogs in training |
| Trainers and puppy raisers | Limited protection | Same rights as working teams, with conditions |
| Harming a service dog | Limited criminal coverage | New misdemeanor for causing death or physical harm |
| Faking a service dog | No state penalty | Misdemeanor for misrepresenting a need for a service dog |
Many guides online still describe Georgia’s pre-2026 law, which mentioned only blind, deaf and physically disabled people. Psychiatric service dog users were protected federally under the ADA all along. Now state law speaks to mental impairments too.
Georgia Psychiatric Service Dog Laws Explained
Georgia’s updated rules sit on top of the federal ADA, which still limits what businesses may ask.
Full and Equal Access
Physically or mentally impaired people have full and equal access to buses, trains, airplanes, boats, hotels, places of public accommodation, amusement or resort, and other places open to the public.
No Extra Fee
You may bring your service dog into any of those places without being charged extra for the dog. You remain liable for any damage it causes.
Schools Included
A physically or mentally impaired student at any public or private school in Georgia may be accompanied by a service dog.
Owner-Trainers and Puppy Raisers
People engaged in owner training, service dog school staff and puppy raisers have the same access rights, and dogs in training have the same protections as working dogs.
Harm and Interference
Causing the death of or physical harm to a service dog, interfering with one, or letting your dog harass one is now a misdemeanor, with limited exceptions.
Faking Is a Crime
Deliberately misrepresenting yourself as needing or qualified to use a service dog, or as a trainer or raiser, is now a misdemeanor punishable by fines and possible jail time.
Bringing a Dog in Training Into Georgia Businesses
The Mara Jade Act gives puppy raisers and owner-trainers access, but only if five conditions are met.
Tell an onsite manager
Let an onsite manager know you are bringing a service dog in training onto the premises.
Accept responsibility
You are liable for any damage your dog in training causes to people, the premises or facilities.
Keep control at all times
Use a harness, leash or tether unless it interferes with the dog’s work or your disability prevents it. Then use voice, signals or other effective control.
Meet the age and manners bar
The dog must be at least six months old and reliably housebroken, and wear a collar, leash or vest identifying it as a service dog in training.
If these conditions aren’t met, a business may ask that the dog in training be removed, but it must still offer you its goods or services without the dog.
Psychiatric Service Dog vs. Emotional Support Animal in Georgia
The Mara Jade Act covers trained service dogs only. Emotional support animals remain a housing issue.
| Feature | Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) | Emotional Support Animal (ESA) |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia law | O.C.G.A. § 30-4-2 (Mara Jade Act) | Fair housing reasonable accommodation |
| Training | Trained, or in training, for disability tasks | Not required |
| Restaurants, stores, MARTA | ✓ Yes Protected | ✕ No Not protected |
| Rental housing | ✓ Yes Reasonable accommodation | ✓ Yes Case by case |
| Public and private schools | ✓ Yes Named in state law | ✕ No Not covered |
| Flights | ✓ Yes In cabin with DOT form | ✕ No Generally treated as pets |
Who Qualifies for a Psychiatric Service Dog in Georgia
You may qualify if a mental health condition substantially limits a major life activity and your dog performs trained tasks that help.
PTSD
Including veterans and families connected to Fort Stewart, Robins Air Force Base and Kings Bay. Tasks include nightmare interruption and creating space in crowds.
Panic disorder
Alerts to rising panic and deep pressure therapy to slow breathing.
Generalized anxiety
Grounding behaviors on crowded trains or in busy stores.
Major depression
Wake-up routines, medication reminders and help keeping a schedule.
Bipolar disorder
Routine support and alerts to changes in sleep or behavior.
Autism spectrum
Sensory-overload interruption and safety tethering for children and adults.
How to Get a PSD Letter in Georgia
Four steps online, from the North Georgia mountains to the coast.
Start online
Complete a short, secure questionnaire about your mental health and your dog’s tasks.
Pick an appointment
Same-day visits are often available, 7 days a week.
Meet your clinician
A clinician licensed in Georgia evaluates you by private video and asks how your dog helps.
Get your decision
If a psychiatric service dog is clinically appropriate, your signed letter arrives by email. If not, you pay nothing.
Georgia PSD Letter Pricing
Simple, transparent pricing. You only pay after a licensed clinician approves your letter.
PSD Letter
For psychiatric service dogs · up to 2 dogs
- Covers up to 2 psychiatric service dogs
- Evaluation by a licensed clinician
- Signed letter with verifiable license details
- Valid for housing & reasonable accommodation requests
PSD Letter · Up to 3 Dogs
For psychiatric service dogs · up to 3 dogs
- Covers up to 3 psychiatric service dogs
- Evaluation by a licensed clinician
- Signed letter with verifiable license details
- Valid for housing & reasonable accommodation requests
Public access under the ADA and Georgia law depends on your dog's individual task training, not on the letter itself.
How Healify Evaluates Georgia PSD Requests
Responsible documentation protects you and every legitimate service dog handler.
A live clinician, every time
No instant or auto-approved letters. A licensed professional reviews your history and speaks with you before any decision is made.
Licensed for Georgia
Your letter is signed by a clinician licensed in Georgia, with license details a landlord or employer can verify.
Honest outcomes
If a psychiatric service dog isn't clinically appropriate, we tell you and you pay nothing.
Private by design
HIPAA-secure visits. Your diagnosis is never printed on the letter.
Meet Our Clinical Team
Every evaluation is completed by a real, licensed clinician — never an automated form. Our team brings years of psychotherapy and medical experience to animal-assisted mental health care.
Amelia Skaggs
Licensed Clinical Social WorkerLCSW licensed in 30+ states with extensive psychotherapy experience. Pet owner and advocate for animal-assisted mental health treatment.
Steven Salas
Licensed Independent Clinical Social WorkerLicensed therapist with 13 years of healthcare experience serving individuals, couples, and families with flexible, goal-focused care.
Andrew Patel, MD
Family Medicine PhysicianBoard-certified family medicine physician with experience providing evidence-based, patient-focused care across inpatient, urgent care, outpatient, and telemedicine settings.
Where Your PSD Can Go in Georgia
Georgia law names buses, trains, airplanes, boats, hotels and places of amusement or resort. That covers MARTA rail and buses, CobbLinc, Ride Gwinnett and Chatham Area Transit in Savannah, plus stadiums, theaters and River Street restaurants.
A business may ask the two ADA questions if your dog’s role isn’t obvious. It may exclude a dog that is out of control or not housebroken, but not because of allergies or fear of dogs.
Flying from ATL and SAV
Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the country. Airlines must carry trained service dogs in the cabin, and most require the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form before your flight.
MARTA & regional buses
Rail and bus service across metro Atlanta and Savannah.
ATL & SAV
In-cabin travel with the DOT form.
UGA, Georgia Tech & GSU
Campus housing through disability resource centers.
Rentals
No-pet housing must consider your service dog, with no pet fees.
What to Do If You Are Denied Access in Georgia
Write down the date, place, staff names and what was said, then choose your route.
ADA complaint
Georgia has no state agency for public accommodation complaints, so file with the U.S. Department of Justice at ADA.gov or talk to a disability rights attorney.
Housing: GCEO or HUD
The Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity’s Fair Housing Division and HUD accept housing complaints, generally within one year.
Harm or interference
Under the Mara Jade Act, harming or interfering with a service dog is a crime. Call local police and keep veterinary records.
PSD Letters Across Georgia
Telehealth visits for residents of all 159 Georgia counties.
- Atlanta
- Augusta
- Columbus
- Macon
- Savannah
- Athens
- Sandy Springs
- South Fulton
- Roswell
- Johns Creek
- Warner Robins
- Albany
- Alpharetta
- Marietta
- Valdosta
- Smyrna
- Brookhaven
- Dunwoody
- Peachtree Corners
- Gainesville
- Rome
- Kennesaw
- Statesboro
- Brunswick
Georgia PSD Letter FAQs
Does Georgia law now cover psychiatric service dogs?
Yes. The Mara Jade Act (HB 668), effective July 1, 2026, changed O.C.G.A. § 30-4-2 to cover physically or mentally impaired people with service dogs. Psychiatric service dogs were already protected under the federal ADA.
What is the Mara Jade Act?
It is Georgia’s 2026 service dog law, HB 668, signed May 11, 2026 as Act 440. It updates terminology, protects dogs in training and puppy raisers, and creates misdemeanor penalties for harming service dogs and for misrepresentation.
Is faking a service dog illegal in Georgia?
Yes, since July 1, 2026. Deliberately misrepresenting yourself as needing or qualified to use a service dog, or as a trainer or raiser, is a misdemeanor.
Can I bring my dog in training into a Georgia store?
Yes, if you notify an onsite manager, keep the dog under control, accept liability for damage, and the dog is at least six months old, housebroken and wearing gear identifying it as a service dog in training.
Can my child bring a psychiatric service dog to school in Georgia?
Georgia law allows a physically or mentally impaired student at any public or private school to be accompanied by a service dog. Work with the school’s 504 or IEP team to plan handling.
Can I take my PSD on MARTA and to Hartsfield-Jackson?
Yes. Public transit and airports must accommodate trained service dogs. Most airlines require the DOT form before departure.
Can a Georgia landlord charge a pet deposit for my service dog?
No. A service dog is a disability accommodation, not a pet, so pet deposits and pet rent don’t apply. You are still responsible for any damage.
Is an online PSD letter valid in Georgia?
Yes, when a clinician licensed in Georgia writes it after a genuine evaluation. With misrepresentation now a crime in Georgia, avoid instant letters and online registries.
Sources for Georgia PSD Laws
Every legal statement on this page is checked against the primary sources below.
- O.C.G.A. § 30-4-2 — Service dogs; access, training and puppy raisers (effective July 1, 2026)Official Code of Georgia via Justia
- HB 668 (Act 440), the Mara Jade Act — Bill history and statusGeorgia General Assembly via Legilist
- HB 668 — Official bill page and textGeorgia General Assembly via Plural
- Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity — Fair Housing DivisionState of Georgia
- ADA.gov — Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADAU.S. Department of Justice
- U.S. DOT — Service Animals on flightsU.S. Department of Transportation
- HUD withdraws 2020 assistance-animal guidance (April 2026)Orrick, summarizing the Federal Register notice
Medically reviewed by Steven Salas, LICSW · Last updated November 6, 2026 · Next scheduled review: May 2027
Get Your Georgia Psychiatric Service Dog Letter Online
Meet a Georgia-licensed clinician online today. Private, secure, and you pay only if approved.
This page is for educational purposes and is not legal advice. Laws change; consult an attorney about your situation. A PSD letter does not make an untrained dog a service dog. Letters are issued only at the discretion of licensed clinicians after a clinical evaluation.