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SERVICE DOGS 101

WHAT IS A SERVICE DOG?

Service animals are defined as dogs (or miniature horses) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service Dogs are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Security and the crime deterrent effects of an animals presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute recognized work or tasks of a service animal.

Service Dogs are generally categorized as follows: 

  • Guide Dogs

  • Hearing Dogs

  • Seizure Alert/Response Dogs

  • Diabetes Alert/Response Dogs

  • Mobility Assistance Service Dogs

  • Psychiatric Service Dogs

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          Available from Therapetics

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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

SERVICE DOGS vs. THERAPY DOGS vs. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS

SERVICE DOGS

Service dogs are individually trained to perform specific tasks for a handler with disabilities. The work of the service dog must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Public access is required for service dogs and their handlers in most public spaces.

THERAPY DOGS

Therapy dogs and their handlers are volunteers who provide comfort, affection, and smiles to those they visit. Many hospitals, schools, and libraries have therapy dogs that visit. They are not trained to complete any particular task and do not have public access rights.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS 

Emotional support animals (ESAs) aren’t trained for specific tasks or duties. They’re considered companion animals. In order to be considered an emotional support dog, a mental health professional must prescribe the ESA for a patient with a diagnosed medical condition. ESAs have limited public access rights.

PUBLIC ACCESS LAWS

Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. Public Access granted to individuals training a Service Dog varies from state to state.

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Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.

 

A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove the service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken.

 

For complete information on Service Dogs as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act as it pertains to Service Dogs contact Therapetics or call the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (Voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY) or visit www.ada.gov.

SERVICE DOG ETIQUETTE

Here are some tips to follow when meeting or approaching a working service dog and his or her partner (as well as a service dog in training):

  • Don't touch the dog without asking permission first! This is a distraction and may prevent the dog from tending to the human partner. Be sensitive to the fact the dog is working and may be in the middle of a command or direction from its human partner. Most dogs need to be told to be “released” from work mode to interact with someone. 

  • Never feed the dog. Food is the ultimate distraction to the working dog and can jeopardize the working assistance dog team. The dog may also be on a special diet.

  • Speak to the person, not the assistance dog. Most handlers do not mind talking about assistance dogs, and their dog specifically if they have the time. 

  • Do not whistle or make sounds to the dog, as this again may provide a dangerous distraction.

  • Never make assumptions about the individual's intelligence, feelings or capabilities. Offers of help are appreciated, but ask first. Usually, the human/dog team can get the task done by themselves. 

  • Don't be afraid of the dog. Our dogs are carefully tested and selected for appropriate temperament. They have been professionally trained to have excellent manners. Always approach an assistance dog calmly and speak to their human partner before touching or addressing the dog.

  • If you see a service dog unattended, follow it! Its handler is probably in need of assistance.

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