What are service dogs?
According to the ADA, a service dog is defined as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.” The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Service dogs are working animals, not pets. They are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. Common types of service dogs include:
- Guide dogs – help people who are blind or have low vision navigate their environment.
- Hearing dogs – alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing to important sounds.
- Mobility assistance dogs – help people with mobility disabilities.
- Medical alert dogs – alert people to impending medical issues such as low blood sugar or seizures.
- Psychiatric service dogs – provide support for people with mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
- Autism support dogs – assist people with autism spectrum disorder.
Service dogs receive extensive specialized training to perform these tasks and behave appropriately in public.
Common service dog questions
Some common questions people have about service dogs include:
Is a service dog a pet? No, service dogs are not pets. They are working animals trained to perform tasks that mitigate their handler’s disability. Unlike pets, service dogs have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) [1].
Do service dogs need to wear a vest? There are no federal laws requiring service dogs to wear a vest or specific identification. However, many handlers choose to outfit their dogs with vests or tags marking them as service animals for ease of public identification [2].
Can service dogs go anywhere? Generally yes. The ADA guarantees people with disabilities the right to bring their service dogs into any place open to the public or considered a “place of public accommodation.” There are only two questions businesses can legally ask: 1) Is the dog a service animal required for a disability? and 2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? [3].
Service dogs have access rights for places like restaurants, hotels, theaters, hospitals, and public transportation. The only exceptions are areas where service dogs may pose a health risk or danger, like operating rooms or zoo animal enclosures [1].
[1] https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
[2] https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/
[3] https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/IB2016-004_att1.pdf
Asking about a service dog
When encountering a service dog in public, it’s important to be respectful of the handler’s privacy. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), staff and businesses are only allowed to ask two questions:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
You cannot ask about the person’s specific disability or medical condition, or ask for any certification or documentation for the dog. The questions should focus on the dog’s function, not the owner’s disability. It’s best to avoid personal questions and make no assumptions.
Before interacting with the service dog, always ask the handler for permission first. The dog is working and needs to focus on its job. Avoid startling or distracting service dogs to ensure they can properly assist their handlers.
According to the ADA, “evidence that an animal is not a service animal includes but is not limited to: the dog behaving inappropriately, posing a direct threat and not being housebroken” (https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/). Untrained dogs can be asked to leave.
Documentation for service dogs
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses and organizations that serve the public are not allowed to require documentation for service dogs. This means they cannot ask for ID cards, training certificates, or doctor’s letters as a condition for permitting a service dog to accompany their handler.
The ADA prohibits requiring documentation for service dogs to prevent barriers for people with disabilities who use them. Service dog handlers are also not legally required to show proof of certification or training. The ADA specifies that service dogs only need to be trained to perform tasks or work related to their handler’s disability.
While documentation cannot be mandated, some service dog handlers choose to have IDs or certificates for their dogs voluntarily. These documents are obtained through private organizations and not required by law. Some handlers find voluntary IDs helpful to reduce public challenges to their service dog’s legitimacy.
The ADA does allow staff to ask the handler two permitted questions: 1) Is the dog a service animal required for a disability? and 2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? The handler must answer these questions but is not obligated to show formal documentation.
Sources:
https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/service-dog-requirements/
Service Dog Access Rights
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs must be allowed access to accompany their handlers in any place that is open to the public. This federal law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities who use service animals. According to the ADA’s Frequently Asked Questions, service dogs are allowed into restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, taxis, theaters, health care facilities, airplanes, and anywhere that the general public is allowed.
The ADA also applies to housing. Landlords and homeowner’s associations must provide reasonable accommodations to allow service dogs in housing units and common areas, even if they have a “no pets” policy. However, service dog handlers can be liable for any damage the dog causes.
Air carriers must allow service dogs to accompany passengers in the cabin at no additional charge, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rules on service animals. The dog must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at airports and on planes unless those devices interfere with the dog’s tasks. Specific documentation can be required for foreign travel.
In summary, service dogs have federally-protected access rights to accompany their handlers in public spaces under the ADA. This allows people with disabilities to participate fully in everyday life.
Service dog etiquette
When encountering a service dog team in public, it’s important to follow proper etiquette and give them space. The key things to keep in mind are:
- Don’t distract the dog – Avoid interacting with, petting, feeding, or staring at a service dog. This can distract them from their work.
- Give them space – Give a service dog team extra space to move around you. Don’t block their path.
- Don’t separate handler and dog – Never intentionally separate or call a service dog away from their handler.
As the Assistance Dog Etiquette guidelines state, you should not walk on the dog’s left side as it may become confused or distracted. Always check with the handler where is best to walk or stand near them.
Service dogs should be ignored and regarded as medical equipment according to Best Practices When Around a Service Dog. Never interfere with a service dog team going about their business.
Fake or untrained service dogs
Unfortunately, some people try to pass off their pets as service animals by putting vests or tags on them, even though they lack training. This can put legitimate service dogs and their owners at risk. According to The Guardian, fake service dogs misbehaving on planes is an increasing problem.
There are a few signs that can help determine if a service dog is fake:
- The dog is out of control, barking, jumping on people, or not housebroken
- The dog is not on a leash and under control of their handler
- The dog’s vest or ID looks unofficial or homemade
- The handler gets angry or defensive when asked about the dog’s training
Fake service dogs can make public access more difficult for real service dogs. According to Canine Companions, some businesses have denied access to legitimate service dog teams after bad experiences with untrained dogs. It’s important to report fake service dogs so that access rights can be protected.
You can report suspected fake service dogs to the business’s management, local disability rights organizations, or the Better Business Bureau. Provide details like location, date, time, and a description of the dog’s misbehavior. Most states have laws against misrepresenting a pet as a service animal.
Service Dog Training
Proper service dog training is essential for creating a well-behaved and skilled assistance dog. According to the ADA, service dogs must be trained to perform tasks directly related to their handler’s disability. While basic obedience is important, a service dog also receives specialized training tailored to their handler’s unique needs.
Service dog training generally involves three main components:
Socialization
Socialization teaches the service dog how to behave properly in public settings. Puppies should be exposed to various environments, people, and situations during their formative months according to AKC. Adult dogs also undergo socialization to ensure they remain focused on their handler in distracting public environments.
Obedience
Obedience training establishes basic commands and proper manners. Service dogs should obey commands like sit, stay, heel, and come. Strong obedience helps reinforce the dog’s role and responsibilities according to Service Dog Certifications. Their training ensures they don’t misbehave in public.
Disability-Specific Tasks
Task training teaches the service dog to perform physical tasks to aid their handler. For example, guide dogs for the blind learn to safely lead their handler around obstacles. Service dogs are often customized trained depending on their handler’s impairment. According to Michigan Dog Training, common tasks include retrieving objects, opening doors, turning on lights, and alerting to medical episodes.
Service Dog Costs
Purchasing and training a service dog can be quite expensive. According to sources, a trained service dog can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 or more upfront, in addition to ongoing costs like food and veterinary care.
The initial costs include purchasing the dog itself, which can range from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on factors like breed, age, and training level. Service dog organizations often charge more for dogs bred and trained specifically for service work. There are also private service dog trainers who may charge between $150-$250 per hour for specialized training according to sources.
Ongoing costs for a service dog include food, gear, supplements, grooming and veterinary care. High quality food, vitamins and gear like vests, leashes and bowls can cost $500-$1,500 per year. Routine and emergency vet bills including checkups, vaccines and medical issues can also add up to $500 or more annually.
Overall, sources indicate owning a trained service dog has an upfront cost between $15,000-$30,000, followed by annual costs around $1,500 for food, routine vet care and gear. Proper financial planning is essential when deciding to pursue getting a service dog.
Service Dog Resources
There are many nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs or help connect people with disabilities to service dogs. Some top service dog organizations include:
Canine Companions – One of the largest nonprofits providing highly-trained assistance dogs for people with disabilities. They breed and train their own dogs and have six training centers across the United States.
Assistance Dogs International – An umbrella organization that provides accreditation and sets standards for assistance dog organizations worldwide. Their website has a directory to help find local service dog organizations.
Little Angels Service Dogs – A nonprofit that trains and places service dogs with recipients. They focus on providing dogs for children with disabilities and veterans.
There are also many advocacy groups that promote the rights of service dog teams and provide educational resources, such as the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners. Partnering with reputable training organizations and nonprofits can help ensure people with disabilities receive well-trained and properly matched service dogs.