In recognition of September’s National Service Dog Month, we put together a number of links and resources to not only recognize the hard work and life-changing impact of service dogs but also to help individuals, families and organizations gather reliable information.
Please know that while this article is a great resource, it is not an exhaustive list containing every detail about service dogs. Scroll to the bottom of the article for the full list of resources and articles that we link to throughout the article – and some fun things you can print!
What is a service dog?
The use of a service dog is a civil right afforded to people with disabilities defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it pertains to all areas where the public is normally allowed to go:
- A dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Disability is defined as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.”
You should know that there is no federally recognized certification or registration for Service Dogs or Service Dog programs in the U.S. but only two additional requirements set by the ADA: the handler must be in control of their dog, and the dog must be housebroken.
Is a service dog the same thing as a therapy or emotional support dog?
You may have heard of therapy dogs or emotional support dogs, and they are not the same thing as service dogs. The ADA specifically indicates that providing emotional support is not a task for a service dog.
This is an area of concern or confusion for many people, but the ADA rules are very clear and addressed in question three on their FAQ page here. In short, emotional support animals or therapy dogs are not given the same protections in public spaces as service dogs.
For more on the differences among service dogs, therapy dogs and emotional support animals, NCHPAD Operations Director Dr. Meghan Mills, a service dog user, researcher and published sociologist, put together this resource along with our friends at Hand-in-Paw. Hand-in-Paw is a great organization located in Birmingham, Ala. providing animal-assisted therapy throughout the community.
Is a service dog right for you?
Service dogs are incredible assets and companions. If you are trying to decide if a service dog is right for you, consider the following:
- Can you afford it?
- Service dogs are expensive. They need food, veterinary care, preventive meds, bathing and grooming, among other things.
- Do you have the time?
- Service dogs take a lot of time.They require a lot of work, time and dedication. In addition to training, mental stimulation and physical exercise, service dogs also need time to just “be a dog.” Know that the average service dog can work 8-10 years.
- Do you like dogs?
- Are you afraid of dogs or even allergic? Are any family members allergic?
- Does your family and medical team support this decision?
- Are you physically or medically able to support a service dog?
- Do you have a way to safely transport your service dog?
- Will your service dog fit in your car? Know that service dogs are legally allowed on public transportation like buses and airplanes, but make sure that you can facilitate handling a dog through security, customs and so on.
- Do you have appropriate space in your house for a service dog?
- Can you have a dog where you live? Like public transportation, service dogs are legally allowed in “no pet” housing, but you should make sure that you have appropriate space for your dog to live, sleep and relieve themselves.
- Can you handle the extra attention?
- Service dogs get a lot of additional (and potentially unwanted) attention in public.
- Do you know your rights?
- You need to be educated on your rights as you will experience public access issues or denials and will need to self-advocate.
Can all dogs be service dogs?
No. Only a very small number of dogs have what it takes to be the “Olympic athlete” of dogs. Even among dogs specifically bred in service dog programs to become service dogs, there is about a 50% success rate.
Service dog prospects often undergo evaluations and screenings to determine if they are a suitable candidate as a puppy. Service dogs must have the right temperament, have confidence in an array of “scary” public settings in crowds, be able to handle a lot of movement and sound, and have a drive to work and perform tasks needed by their handler.
Service dogs must be healthy enough to work long hours if needed, be able to “settle” and work quietly with complete focus on their handler.
When you consider getting a service dog, make sure they can fit your lifestyle. For example, if you like to hike, you would need a service dog that could hike along with you.
Where do you get a service dog? How do I know I’ve found the right dog?
Service Dogs can be program trained or owner-trained, with or without the assistance of a professional.
Assistance Dogs International is a great place to start. If you are trying to get a service dog, ADI offers a map and database of accredited organizations around the world that raise, train and place service dogs. ADI provides fairly rigorous certification and accreditation to the organizations listed on their website, but know that experiences can vary. Check with ADI accredited programs available in your area.
Some ADI accredited organizations, such as Canine Companions for Independence, provide service dogs at no cost, but they are generally limited to specific disability types.
Can I train my own service dog?
The short answer to owner training is yes, you can train your own service dog. But know that training a dog is very hard. If you have never trained a dog before, don’t set yourself up for failure! If you have never trained a dog, you should not expect to be able to effectively train a service dog.
An organization is offering me a certificate for my service dog. Is it real?
Unfortunately, there are many service dog scams.
A simple internet search will show you that there are many organizations or individuals who will charge anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars to provide you with a number and identification card for your service dog which is essentially meaningless.
Can I register my dog as a service dog?
You don’t have to register or certify your service dog. Some programs or trainers may provide their own certificate of graduation or certificate that the dog has passed a public access test. However, these are not required and should not be used to gain access to public locations.
Question 17 on the ADA service animal FAQ page clearly states that service dogs do not require any sort of certification.
Helpful links
Organizations:
Assistance Dogs International is generally the best place to start for service dog information, organizations and resources.
Canine Companions is the largest Service Dog organization in the United States. They have a lot of great information as well as some excellent stories
Know Your Rights:
The ADA is a great place to start for public access, but there are additional rights and laws to know about:
Workplace accommodations. The Job Accommodation Network has put together a helpful resource explaining your rights regarding work and service animals:
Housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Development has a list of questions and links explaining housing rights for service animals
Transportation. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a resource for several transportation needs, from general travel tips to airline requirements:
Additional attachments/links:
Downloadable coloring page featuring Arrow! Arrow is the service dog for NCHPAD Operations Director, Meghan L. Mills, PhD.
Know the difference between emotional support animals, therapy animals, facility animals and service animals with this helpful chart.