Definition of a Service Dog

I am not a Service Dog user but Service Dogs are a very important part of my life. As I raise puppies and help individuals in need of dogs I often get questioned by members of the public. "What makes a dog a service dog?" There are a lot of things that makes a service dog, legal and non-legal.

Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. (ADA)

It takes a special kind of dog to make a service dog. They have to have natural ability, proper health, the perfect temperament, and be highly trainable. I constantly have people tell me that their dog would be the perfect service dog and ask if they can donate them to our program. That's not the way it works, service dogs are typically breed for their temperament or rescued and go through intense temperament testing before beginning a training program.

Service Dogs are only for individuals with medical and psychiatric conditions. It would be cool if everyone could take their dogs places but the reality is that it can be distracting to teams who are working. Service dog users all have relatively the same goal, to make their life's easier or safer. They are trained to do specific task that qualify them to be service dogs. A guide dog can improve the mobility and lifestyle of a visually impaired person. A diabetic alert dog can help prevent a diabetic from having an extreme high or low by warning them ahead of time. A Psychiatric service dog can get a person out of a situation and bring them to safety. I only have a service dog with me half the time because I'm a trainer and by law in Arizona and New Mexico, allowed to work my dogs anywhere the public has access to. They have to learn to be in every situation a service dog will be in so I try to take them where ever I go. (When I have a dog in training)

Therapy Dogs are NOT Service Dogs. The job of a therapy dog is to make people in distress happy. They do not perform special task and therefore are not service dogs. Therapy dogs do a very important job but businesses are not required to allow them access.

Service Dogs legally do not have to be certified by any organization. There are many wonderful teams that have been owner self trained. I think this is a great thing! Businesses are not allowed to ask to see your dogs certification but if your dog is clearly not a service dog they are allowed to ask you what task your dog performs. PLEASE DO NOT take a dog that is not a service dog or service dog in training into any public business that does not openly welcome pets. Owner self trainer teams are created by a person who legitimately needs help. By trying to pass your dog off as a service dog you will make it difficult for owner self trainer teams to exists. Please help to preserve this privilege by not taking your pets into public places.

Service Dogs do NOT have to wear identification. Jackets, Vests, ID cards and leash covers are all forms of identification. If someone says their dog is a service dog or service dog in training they are required access. If the dog is misbehaving ie, urinating/defecating on the floor, barking, or showing aggression towards other customers you may ask them to leave but only for that reason. If you have a service dog it is highly recommended that your dog wears visible identification to avoid access denial and confusion.

Like my good friend Amelia says, "They're not pets in fancy jackets

They're working dogs for the good of mankind!" 

 That's all for now, 

Kyia + Boeing