Connecticut service dog laws
Connecticut's public accommodations law, Conn. Gen. Stat. 46a-64, bars businesses from denying full and equal access to people who are blind, deaf or mobility impaired and accompanied by a guide or assistance dog. The ADA reaches further, covering psychiatric service dogs that do trained tasks, so many handlers in the state lean on federal law first and state law second.
- Trainers employed and authorized by a qualifying guide or assistance dog organization, and carrying photo identification, get the same access with a dog in training.
- No extra charge is allowed for the dog under 46a-64, and the handler or trainer is responsible for any damage it causes.
- Violating the public accommodations section is a class D misdemeanor.
- For dog licensing, Conn. Gen. Stat. 22-345 adopts the federal ADA definition of a service animal, which includes animals in training.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 46a-64
How a PSD letter differs from an ESA letter
Psychiatric service dog
Trained to perform specific tasks. Can go into stores, restaurants and the airplane cabin with you.
Emotional support animal
Helps through companionship, with no task training. Covered for housing only. See the Connecticut ESA letter.
How to get a PSD letter in Connecticut
Book a time
Choose a phone or video slot and tell us about your dog and the tasks it performs.
Talk with a clinician
A licensed clinician reviews your symptoms and how the dog's training helps you.
Your signed letter arrives
If approved, your signed letter is emailed as a PDF. If not, you are not charged.
Connecticut PSD letter cost
| Letter | Covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PSD letter | One or two dogs | $149 |
| PSD letter | 3 dogs | $229 |
Booking is free and you're charged only if your letter is approved.
Service dog housing rights in Connecticut
If a landlord refuses a service dog, ask for the decision in writing, then contact the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) or file a complaint with HUD.