08/05/2025
🐾 Service Dog vs. Emotional Support Animal 🐾
We all know dogs are good for the soul—and science agrees! Whether it’s a wagging tail or a comforting cuddle, animals play a powerful role in our emotional and physical wellbeing. But when it comes to Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), the roles—and the rules—are very different.
🔹 Service Dog
✔️ Specially trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability
✔️ Covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
✔️ Allowed in public places (restaurants, stores, etc.)
✔️ Provides independence, safety, and support
🔹 Emotional Support Animal
✔️ Provides comfort through presence
✔️ No specific task training required
✔️ Not covered under ADA public access laws
✔️ May be allowed in housing with proper documentation
🐶 Both have value—but they are not the same.
🚫 Misrepresenting a pet as a service dog is illegal.
It is a misdemeanor under California law (Penal Code 365.7), punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Beyond the legal consequences, fake service dogs can be dangerous—they may behave unpredictably and can distract or harm a working service dog, putting real teams at risk.
📢 See a dog acting aggressively, out of control, or clearly untrained in a public place claiming to be a service dog?
You can report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or animal control. In California, you can also file a complaint through the Department of Consumer Affairs or your local city code enforcement. To learn more about service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) click here --->https://www.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/
Let’s protect the integrity of true service dogs—and the people who depend on them. 💙
