Olympia ESA and Psychiatric Service Dog Letters
At the southern tip of Puget Sound, Olympia mixes state offices, Evergreen students and long-time neighborhoods. If your animal helps you cope with a mental health condition, a free screening shows whether a Washington-licensed clinician can document your need.
How the Olympia Process Works
Screening
Answer questions about your wellbeing, your animal and your home, at no charge.
Evaluation
A clinician licensed in Washington reviews it, with telehealth when clinically indicated.
Your letter
After approval and payment, the signed letter is emailed to you.
What We Offer Olympia Residents
ESA housing letter
For a rental with a pet ban, animal limit or pet charges.
Multi-pet letter
Lists up to three emotional support dogs or cats.
Psychiatric service dog letter
For a dog trained to perform tasks for a psychiatric condition.
Certificate and ID card
Record extras that come with the bundles.
Olympia Plans Compared Side by Side
Each column is one plan from our live checkout. Scroll sideways on a small screen.
| Plan | ESA Housing Letter For One Pet | ESA Housing Letter For Multiple Pets | PSA Letter | ESA Letter + Certificate Bundle | PSD Letter + Certificate + ID Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | ESA letter | Two or more animals | Psychiatric service dog | Letter with certificate | PSD letter bundle |
| Turnaround | 24-48 Hour | 24-48 Hour | 24-48 Hour | 24-48 Hour | 24-48 Hour |
| Price | $149 | $159 | $199 | $175 | $225 |
| Order | Proceed to Checkout | Proceed to Checkout | Proceed to Checkout | Proceed to Checkout | Proceed to Checkout |
Thurston County Pet License Fee Calculator
Joint Animal Services licenses pets for Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and the unincorporated county. Licenses last one year from purchase.
Your license
Choose your options- Buy online, by mail or at the shelter, 3120 Martin Way in Olympia.
A Capital Since Territorial Days
The Squaxin and other Coast Salish peoples lived around southern Puget Sound long before settlers came. Olympia was named capital of Washington Territory in 1853, incorporated as a town in 1859 and became a city in 1881. It later grew a reputation as a countercultural hub, and its 1990s music scene fed the riot grrrl and grunge movements.
Boardwalks, Old Parks and Artesian Water
Percival Landing
The boardwalk runs along Budd Inlet at the southern tip of Puget Sound and leads north toward the Olympia Farmers Market.
Sylvester Park
A historic, block-sized park downtown, across from the Old Capitol Building. Squaxin Park adds 314 acres of trails and beach.
Artesian wells
Early Olympia relied on artesian springs, and the well at Artesian Commons still flows.
Intercity Transit
Fare-free buses. Dogs ride leashed, other animals in a crate, all off the seats.
Olympia Areas We Serve
Why Olympia Renters Use a Washington Clinician
Easy to confirm
A landlord can check a Washington license on the state's public search before replying.
State law applies
Washington's anti-discrimination law covers emotional support animals in rentals.
No registry needed
No official registry exists, so a licensed evaluation is what counts.
Olympia Questions by Topic
Licensing
Do cats need a license in Olympia?
Yes. Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater require licenses for all dogs and cats within city limits, even pets that never go outside. In unincorporated Thurston County, dogs need a license and cat licensing is voluntary.
Do pot-bellied pigs need a license in Olympia?
Yes. Inside Olympia city limits, pot-bellied pigs must be licensed as well. Joint Animal Services can tell you the current fee.
Getting around
Can my dog ride Intercity Transit?
Intercity Transit buses are fare-free. Dogs must be leashed, other animals must be in a crate, and every animal stays off the seats and out of the aisle.
My pet has a microchip. Do I still need a license?
Yes. Joint Animal Services treats a chip as a backup to a visible tag, not a replacement, so the license is still required.
Housing
Can an Olympia landlord charge pet rent for my ESA?
No. Washington rules keep pet deposits, pet fees and pet rent off an approved assistance animal. A regular deposit that every tenant pays can still apply.
Does the clinician need to be in Thurston County?
No. What matters is a Washington license and a real evaluation. The review happens online, with telehealth when clinically indicated, from anywhere in the state.
South Sound and Southwest Pages
General information for Olympia residents, current as of September 2026, and not legal advice. License fees are set by Joint Animal Services and bus rules by Intercity Transit; both can change. The calculator uses the published fee table and is an estimate. Screening does not guarantee a letter. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Start Your Olympia Screening Now
A short online screening, a review by a Washington-licensed clinician, and a letter by email if you are approved.
