For those of us who require extra assistance
in our daily lives, a service dog is so much more than man’s best friend, they
are everything you could ever need them to be.
Service dogs embody the truest form of canine
companionship; assisting their owners in daily tasks, and happily filling the
role of non-judgmental friend, helper and guardian.
At PuppySpot, we understand the significance
of service dogs in people’s lives, and understand the essential role they fill
in our community. We also understand that the process of legally acquiring a
service dog is often complicated, exhausting, and fraught with red tape.
In an effort to improve the lives of our
customers and their human owners, we offer Service Dog 101, wherein you can
find anything you wish to know about service dogs, including what they are, how
to get one, and even how to train your dog to become one.
What is a Service Dog?
A service dog is any dog that is trained and
certified to assist humans with disabilities.
A service dog is not a pet, it is a working dog who is trained and
certified to assist people in tasks specifically related to that person’s
disability.
As defined by Title II and Title III of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), the term “service dog” refers to,“…a dog that is individually
trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a
disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other
mental disability.”
What’s the Difference Between
Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs?
Service dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, however
according to the ADA, “…dogs whose sole function it is to
provide comfort or emotional supportdo not qualify as service animals
under the ADA.”
That is a critical legal distinction. Service
dogs and emotional support dogs are not the same, and are not afforded the same
legal protections under the ADA.
Emotional support dogs are often employed in
hospitals, or in therapy where in the dogs presence provides comfort to a wide
range of patients. Typically no more than one dog can is tasked with providing
emotional support for entire hospital.
The role of a service dogs is distinctly
different than that of an emotional support dog, according to the ADA, “…
must be directly related to the individual’s disability.”
Service Dogs are not Working Dogs
As stated, a service dog is a dog that has
been specially trained to assist a person with disabilities in a role that is
directly related to that persons disability, such as a guide dog who enables
their blind owner to travel.
Working dogs are dogs who have been trained to
perform a role unrelated to a specific persons disabilities, such as K9 search
and rescue, or sniffing for narcotics at the airport. These dogs, though highly
trained and incredibly talented at what they do, are not considered service
dogs under the ADA definition.
Types of Service Dogs
There are currently 5 types of service dogs
defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act:
Guide
Dogs – Service dogs are specially trained to provide
travel assistance to persons with severe visual impairments or are blind.
Hearing
Dogs – Hearing dogs are specially trained to alert a
person who has a significant hearing loss or is deaf when a sound occurs.
Psychiatric
Service Dogs – Psychiatric service dogs are trained to
assist individuals who suffer from psychiatric disabilities, and detect the
onset of psychiatric episodes or lessen their effects.
According to the ADA, tasks performed by
psychiatric service dogs range from providing safety checks and reminding their
handler to take medication; to interrupting selfmutilation by persons with
dissociative identity disorders; and keeping disoriented individuals from
danger.
Autism
Support Dogs (SSigDOG) – Sensory signal dogs are a
type of service dog trained to assist person with autism by alerting handlers
to distracting repetitive movements common among those with autism.
Seizure
Alert & Response Dogs – A seizure alert dog is
trained to detect, and alert their handler to the onset of seizure; enabling
the person to sit down or move to a safe place in advance of the epileptic
episode. The dog will then stand guard over the person during the seizure, or
find help.
However, the legal definition of a service dog
specifies that the service animal in question need be “TRAINED…to do
work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.”
Therefore, under the ADA’s strict definition,
services dogs like diabetes alert dogs and allergy detection dogs are
considered service dogs because they are trained to detect when their owners
are low on insulin, or are about to be exposed to an allergen.
If you are uncertain if your assistance dog
qualifies as a service dog under the ADA, we encourage you to contact the ADA at 1-800-949-4232.
Common Service Dog Breeds
Dogs are incredibly attune to the emotions,
physical limitations and medical requirements of their owners/handlers. Some
breeds are more attune than others, and are therefore better qualified to
perform certains service dog roles.
The dog breeds that are most commonly utilized
as mobility, guide and hearing service dogs are:
Golden Retrievers
Labradors
Goldendoodles
The role of psychiatric service dog is more
broad and enables numerous breeds to wear the coveted service dog vest,
including the
Standard Poodle
Labrador Retriever
Havanese
Miniature Schnauzer
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Lhasa Apso
Boxer
Border Collie
Autism Support Dogs (SSig Dog) need to be
acutely aware of their handlers actions, as well as provide emotional support,
therefore breeds that are intelligent, affectionate and sensitive are highly
valued.
Labrador
Golden Retrievers
Poodle
Old English Sheepdog
Beagle
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer
Bull Terrier
Great Dane
Newfoundland
Seizure alert and response dogs must have the
ability to smell and detect the onset of a seizure in their handler, breeds
that have show to have this ability are:
Golden Retriever
Standard Poodle
German Shepherd
Akita
Cairn Terrier
Great Pyrenees
What Tasks do Service Dogs
Perform
A better question to ask is; what tasks don’t
service dogs perform. Service dogs are trained to perform an astounding number
of tasks ranging from the simple, to the extraordinary, including:
Opening doors and fetching items
Turning on lights
Sounding alarm
Guiding their handler during
travel
Interrupting a panic attack,
Detecting a seizure
Providing counterbalance or
support
Steadying a handler while
transferring from a wheelchair
Many, many more.
Who Can Qualify for a Service
Dog?
According to the National
Service Dog Registry, “For a
person to legally qualify to have a service dog, he/she must have a disability
that substantially limits his/her ability to perform at least one major life
task without assistance.
Disabilities that commonly qualify for a
service dog include:
Debilitating Physical Condition
Asthma or other debilitating
breathing problems
Blindness & partial blindness
Deafness & partial deafness
Diabetes Cancer
Dizziness/Balance problems
Epilepsy
General Hearing Difficulty
Mobility Problems & Physical
Weakness
Neurological Problems
Paralysis
Speech Problems
Seizures
Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Autism
Depression
Dyslexia
Bipolar Disorder
Emotionally Overwhelmed
Panic Attacks
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)
Separation Anxiety
Social Phobia
Stress Problems
Can You Get a Service Dog for
Anxiety, Depression?
Yes. Should a person’s anxiety and/or
depression be debilitating enough to be considered a disability, that person
would qualify for a service dog. The most important thing to remember is that
the dog must be trained to assist you in a role that is specific to your
disability.
A dog trained to assist a person suffering
from severe anxiety and/or depression would be classified as a psychiatric
service dog, and would perform roles like:
detect signs of an impending
anxiety attack
fetch medication during an anxiety
attack
bring someone to help their
handler in distress
prevent strangers from approaching
their handler
calming a person suffering from an
anxiety attack through distraction; licking, snuggling, etc.
provide deep pressure therapy
How Much Does it Cost to Get a
Service Dog?
Service dogs are specially bred, highly
trained, and in high demand. Therefore they are often a costly investment. For
the average service dog training organization, the cost of a service dog is
between $15,000 and $50,000 for a specially trained service dog.
In addition to the cost of purchasing a
service dog, owners/handlers are also responsible for the associated cost of
ownership, including vet bills.
Are Service Dogs Covered by
Insurance?
Due to the relatively high cost of service dog
ownership, health insurance often becomes a factor. Unfortunately, health
insurance does not cover the cost of a service dog or any additional expenses.
What
about Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance?
Unfortunately, the answer is the same; health
insurance DOES NOT cover the cost of
a service dog, or the cost of ownership.
How Long Does it Take to Get a
Service Dog?
On average, it takes between two and three
years for a dog to complete service dog training depending on the dog, and the
specific nature of service dog training.
Do Service Dogs need to be
Professionally Trained?
No. The ADA does not require service dogs to
be professionally trained. People with disabilities have the right to train
their dog themselves, or use a professional service dog training program if
they wish.
How Can I Get My Dog Certified as
a Service Dog?
Your dog does not require certification to
become a service dog. However it does require training specific to your
disability. Before training your dog as a service dog you must first understand
that it takes a special calibur of dog to undertake such an important
responsibility.
Though dogs of any breed can be a service dog,
most dogs lack the temperment, intelligence and social skills to become a
service dog.However, if you feel that your dog has what it takes to complete
specialized training, earn its certification, and don the vest of the service
dog, then these are the steps you need to follow.
1.Understanding Your Dog and Disability.
According to the ADA, a service dog must be trained in a role
specific to your disability. The law does not distinguish between breeds; all
breeds are eligible to become services dogs, though some breeds are naturally
restricted from performing some service dog roles.
A Dachshund, for example, will find it very
challenging to open doors, or guide a person up and down a flight of stairs.
Likewise it would be very difficult for a Corgi to detect a seizure as the
Corgi does not have that ability, unlike the Akita.
Therefore, before you and your dog undertake
service dog training you should first determine whether or not your dog has the
physical ability to perform the roles necessitated by your disability.
2. Choose Who Will Train Your
Service Dog.
A prospective service dog must demonstrate
that it is a model canine citizen before it is even considered for service dog
certification, which means it will need to be exceptionally well trained.
Owners can undertake the training process
themselves, or they can choose for their dog to attend service dog training
with a certified service dog trainer, or training organization.
However, it’s generally recommended that
prospective service owners be at least present during the dogs training to
establish a particular bond with the dog and most effectively mitigate
disabling symptoms.
3. Service Dog Training
Service dog training is where your dog will
learn the skills it needs to best assist you in its role as your service dog.
There is no minimum service training requirement, though thirty hours of the
training will likely be spent in public.
Training hours spent in public are essential,
as your dog will need to perform its role regardless of any distractions that
may occur around it.
Your dog will also need to be trained in
“tasking”, to assist with your disability. Tasking is a broad skill that can
include tasks as simple as leading you from a room to detecting a medical alert
and performing CPR.
4. Public Access Test
Once you dog has completed the necessary
training to become a service dog, it is time for the Public Access Test. This
is where your dog and handler will be tested on all that they have learned in
service dog training, such as:
Controlled un/loading into and out
of a vehicle
Controlled approach to a building
Controlled entry and exit through
a doorway
Six-foot recall on lead
“Sit” and “Down” on command in
various situations
Control in a restaurant
Control when the leash is dropped
Absolutely zero aggressive
behavior
No sniffing behaviors unless
released to do so
No solicitations for food or
affection
No over-excitement and
hyperactivity in public
Do Service Dogs Need to Be
Certified?
No. According to the ADA, “Covered entities may not require
documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or
licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry…. Mandatory registration of service animals is
not permissible under the ADA.
However, as dogs, service dogs are subject to
the same local licensing and vaccination rules that are applied to all dogs.
Is it Illegal to Ask for Service
Dog Papers?
According to the ADA, “In situations where it is not
obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific
questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”
In all other instances staff are not allowed
to ask for ANY documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its
task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.
Don’t Fake Service Dog
Credentials
Though service dog credentials are not
required by law, there are many organizations that offer service dog
certification documents online for a fee. According to the Department of
Justice, these documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and are not
recognized as proof that the dog is a service animal.
It is also a federal crime to obtain fake
service dog credentials for the purpose of gaining public access into
restaurants, stores, and the cabin area of airplanes. The exploitation of
service dog laws is a federal crime, and detrimental to the well-being of
working service dogs.
FAQ
Can a
Service Dog Live With Another Dog? Yes. However, it
would need to be determined whether the presence of the other dog negatively
affects the service dogs ability to assist its handler.
Can you
Pet a Service Dog? No. A service dog is not a pet, it
is a working dog that has a very important job to do.
Do
Service Dogs Have to be on a Leash? The ADA requires
that service dogs be under the control of the handler at all times.
This means that the service dog must be, “…harnessed,
leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with
the service dog’s work or the person’s disability prevents use of these
devices.”
Does a
Service Dog Need to Wear a Vest? No.The Americans with
Disabilities Act does not require service dogs to wear a vest.
Did You Know
If you see a service dog without its handler, that is a good indication that the handler may need assistance. Under those circumstances you should follow the dog back to its handler to investigate and determine if you should call emergency services.
Every individual, dog and disability is entirely unique, therefore so is every service dog team.
Service dogs need time off too. Service dogs are of course, dogs, which means they need all the socialization, exercise and nutrition as other dogs. Just be sure not to socialize with them when they are working.
It’s considered rude to approach greet a service dog before greeting the handler. Proper etiquette is to ignore the service dog all together.
Service dog handlers may not be visibly disabled. This does not give anyone the right to approach, distract or pet the service dog.
Guide dogs are trained to go to the bathroom on-demand to make it easier for the visually impaired to pick it up.
The first guide dog in the United States was a German Shepherd female, named Buddy. She faithfully guided Morris Frank who established the first guide dog school in the U.S.
The “Dog of the Millennium” was a service dog named Endal, who is famous for his amazing ability to assist his disabled owner with virtually every aspect of his life.
During the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers a Golden Retriever service dog named Roselle safely led her blind owner Michael Hingson from the 78th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
During the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers a Labrador Retriever service dog led his blind owner Omar Rivera from 71st floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center
We at PuppySpot believe that good health is a crucial part of responsible breeding, and a puppy’s good health begins with healthy parents. That is why we partner with the American Kennel Club to host health clinics to examine adult breeding dogs. The clinics are set up all round the U.S. and encourage breeders to … Continue reading PuppySpot & AKC Host Health Clinics for Adult Breeding Dogs→
We all want the best for our pets, and one way to ensure that your pets are healthy, happy, and safe is to keep an eye on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recall list.
Whether flying in-cabin as carry-on or flying in cargo, we’ve outlined the key steps you can take for safely and responsibly flying your dog. Follow these tips and feel good about bringing your pup on that next vacation.
It is always a pleasure working with the various chapters of Make-A-Wish®. Their wish managers and volunteers work hard to ensure the wishes of thousands of children are granted each year. Recently, Make-A-Wish has experienced quite an uptick in puppy wishes; that is where PuppySpot comes in! Thanks to a bit of coordination between Make-A-Wish … Continue reading Puppy Brings Joy to Mid-Atlantic Wish Child→
PuppySpot continues to work with the various chapters of Make-A-Wish to help grant puppy wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our first puppy wish of the year was granted with Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida. When they reached out to us, the chapter was working on a puppy wish for four-year-old Daniel, a resilient little … Continue reading A Special Surprise for Jacksonville Wish Child→
This year has brought on numerous challenges to many families. It will be a year many of us won’t soon forget. Now, it is time to put this year to rest. With 2021 comes a sense of hope, and that is what two Make-A-Wish families received just in time to bring in the new year. … Continue reading Double Wish Granting Brings Hope into 2021→
This past year has been challenging for many families. It has been particularly hard for one Make-A-Wish Southern Florida family. The Diaz family is not only dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are also in an ongoing battle with leukemia. Jaxon Diaz is a 6-year-old boy whose wish is to have a normal life. … Continue reading A New Best Friend for South Florida Wish Child→