What is a service dog?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The tasks performed by the service dog must be directly related to the person’s disability [1].
Service dogs can assist people with various disabilities in many different ways. Some of the common tasks service dogs are trained to perform include [2]:
- Guiding people who are blind or have low vision
- Alerting people who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Pulling wheelchairs
- Providing stability and balance for people with mobility issues
- Detecting and alerting people to seizures or low blood sugar
- Retrieving items
- Providing tactile stimulation for anxiety disorders
Service dogs are distinct from emotional support animals, which are not required to have any specific training. Emotional support animals provide comfort and companionship, but are not trained to perform work or tasks [3].
Is that a service dog?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), staff are only allowed to ask two specific questions to determine if a dog is a service animal: 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? You cannot ask about the person’s disability or require medical documentation for the dog (1).
There are valid reasons for asking if a dog is a service animal, such as:
- To determine if the dog should be allowed in establishments with “no pets” policies.
- To ensure other customers’ safety, in case the dog poses a direct threat.
- To prevent issues caused by pets falsely presented as service animals.
However, it’s important to follow ADA guidelines and only ask the two permitted questions. Requirements for certification or documentation are illegal. Fines and penalties can be imposed for violations (2). Overall, staff should balance needs for information with respect for disabled individuals’ privacy and autonomy.
(1) https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
(2) https://pettable.com/blog/can-you-legally-ask-for-proof-of-service-dog
What tasks does your dog perform?
It is acceptable and legal under the ADA to ask a person what tasks their service dog performs to assist with their disability (1). This helps determine if the dog is a trained service dog and not just a pet. Appropriate tasks that service dogs can be trained to perform include:
- Guiding people who are blind or have low vision
- Alerting people who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds
- Pulling wheelchairs or providing balance support
- Alerting to oncoming seizures or panic attacks
- Retrieving items or providing physical support
However, it is inappropriate to ask about the person’s specific disability or medical condition. You also should not ask detailed questions about the dog’s training or certification, as there are no federal standards for service dog certification (2). The key is determining what service or task the dog provides, not demanding paperwork or invasive questions about the handler’s personal medical background.
Sources:
(1) https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/
(2) https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
Service dog etiquette
When interacting with a service dog team, there are important etiquette rules to follow. The dog is a highly trained medical device providing critical assistance, so it’s essential not to distract or interfere with its work.
Some key service dog etiquette tips include:
- Don’t touch, pet, feed, whistle or make kissy noises at a service dog without the owner’s permission, as this can distract them from their duties. Even speaking to the dog directly can be an interference.
- Don’t beckon or call a service dog over to you. The dog is supposed to ignore everyone except the handler.
- Avoid startling a service dog with sudden movements or noises. Remain calm and quiet around them.
- Don’t ask personal questions about the handler’s disability. If they want to discuss it, they will bring it up themselves.
- Speak to the handler, not the dog, unless the handler indicates otherwise. Keep your focus on the person, just like you would with anyone else.
- Never give the dog food or treats without the handler’s direct permission, as it may have dietary restrictions.
- Don’t block or obstruct a service dog team from moving through a space. Give them ample room to navigate.
- Understand that service dogs have access rights in public places. Don’t ask them to leave a business or public area.
It’s important to avoid common mistakes like petting, distracting or questioning service dogs so they can fully focus on assisting their handler. Following proper etiquette keeps the dog calm and attentive (Paws of War). Showing courtesy and respect to service dog teams allows them to move through public spaces safely and with dignity.
Service dog training
Service dogs go through extensive specialized training to learn the skills needed to assist their handlers. While service dogs can be owner-trained, most service dogs come from accredited organizations that breed, raise, and train the dogs from puppyhood.
Some of the most well-known service dog training organizations in the U.S. include Assistance Dogs International, Canine Companions for Independence, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Patriot Paws Service Dogs. These nonprofits have rigorous training programs that can take 1.5-2 years to complete.
Service dog training starts with basic obedience, socialization, and exposure to various environments and situations. More advanced training focuses on learning specialized tasks to assist handlers, including guide work for the blind, mobility assistance, retrieving objects, alerting to medical emergencies like seizures, and more. Service dogs perform these trained behaviors on command.
Throughout training, service dogs are evaluated on their temperament, focus, ability to generalize skills, and bonding with their handlers. Only dogs meeting strict standards go on to graduate and be placed with a person in need. Ongoing training and certification ensures service dogs provide excellent assistance.
Service Dog Laws
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides federal protections for people with disabilities who use service dogs. Under the ADA, service dogs are allowed public access rights and their handlers cannot be discriminated against due to the presence of their service dog.
The ADA defines a service animal as “any 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.” ADA Service Dog Laws
Some key points on service dog laws per the ADA:
- Service dogs are allowed in all public places, including restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, malls, theaters, hospitals, and public transportation.
- Businesses cannot ask about a person’s disability or require documentation for the service dog.
- Service dogs must be under control and housebroken.
- If a service dog is out of control or not housebroken, a business may exclude the team.
- Service dogs in training have the same public access rights as fully trained service dogs.
- Fees cannot be imposed on service dogs or their handlers.
- Criminal penalties can be imposed for denying access to service dogs.
These federal ADA laws provide important protections for people with disabilities partnered with service dogs. Understanding service dog laws helps ensure handlers and their dogs can access public places without discrimination.
Different types of service dogs
There are several types of service dogs that are trained to assist people with various disabilities, the most common being:
Guide dogs
Guide dogs https://udservices.org/blog/types-of-service-dogs/ are trained to aid the blind and visually impaired by avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps, and negotiating traffic. The dog’s harness handle enables their partner to follow them safely.
Hearing dogs
Hearing dogs https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/types-of-service-dogs are trained to alert their partner to important sounds like alarms, doorbells, phones, or their name being called. They warn their partner of sounds that may be dangerous like cars, sirens, or smoke alarms.
Medical alert dogs
Medical alert dogs are trained to detect subtle changes in a person’s body chemistry or vital signs associated with the onset of a medical emergency or episode. For example, diabetic alert dogs can alert their partner to dangerous changes in blood sugar levels, while seizure alert dogs may be able to warn of an impending seizure.
Psychiatric service dogs
Psychiatric service dogs are trained to perform tasks that help mitigate their partner’s psychiatric disabilities. For example, they can remind someone to take medication, wake them from nightmares, guide them away from confrontational situations, or interrupt repetitive behaviors like scratching.
Service dog certification
There are no federal laws in the United States requiring service dogs to be formally certified. The ADA does not require service animals to be professionally trained or certified. However, some organizations offer voluntary certifications, which can demonstrate that a dog has met certain training and behavioral standards. Certification can also help deter issues around fraudulent service dogs, and some businesses may ask for proof of certification before granting access. Still, lack of certification cannot be used to deny access to public accommodations under the ADA.
Given the lack of legal certification requirements, there are unfortunately many online scams offering fake service dog certificates and registrations. These documents carry no legal weight but are sold to unsuspecting people online. The ADA warns that such documents are not required for service dogs. Be wary of any organization offering quick and easy certification or registration for a fee. Legitimate training programs invest substantial time in preparing dogs for rigorous service roles.
Frequently asked questions
Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. However, there are some common questions and misconceptions about service dogs that often come up.
Is that a real service dog?
You may not always be able to tell just by looking whether a dog is a real service dog. Some key things to look for include the dog behaving calmly and remaining focused on their handler. The dog should not be interacting with or soliciting attention from others. You can ask the handler if their dog is a service animal, but cannot require special ID cards or documentation (USA Service Dogs).
What kinds of tasks do service dogs perform?
Service dogs are trained to perform many different types of tasks depending on their handler’s needs. Some common ones include guiding people who are blind or have low vision, alerting people who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing stability and balance support, reminding people to take medication, and alerting to oncoming seizures or panic attacks (Psychiatric Dog Partners).
Do I need a doctor’s note to have a service dog?
In the United States, you do not need any special ID cards, registration, certification or doctor’s note to have a service dog. The handler is responsible for training and handling the dog to behave properly in public (Canine Companions).
Can I pet or interact with a service dog?
You should never pet, feed or interrupt a service dog without the handler’s permission, as it can distract them from doing important work. The best practice is to completely ignore service dogs and allow them to focus on their job.
Additional Resources
There are many great resources online to learn more about service dogs, including laws, training, and advocacy groups. Here are some top resources:
The Service Dog Resources page from Working Like Dogs provides an extensive list of resources for service dog training, supplies, and more.
ServicePaws.org offers resources on service dog laws, crisis support lines, and major service dog organizations like Assistance Dogs International.
The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) provides lots of helpful service dog articles and links on their website, including FAQs, training tips, and info on certification.
By checking out these resources, you can learn all about service dog laws, training, gear, and the invaluable roles these dogs play. They are great starting points for anyone interested in service dogs.