08/05/2023
Edit: This is getting spread around more than I ever thought so I should clarify, this is for the US only. Other countries have different laws.
Hey everyone. So there was a post about service dogs earlier today in another group I’m in. There was a ton of misinformation in the comments of that post so I decided to clarify some things. I figure this might help others too so I’m cross posting.
I am a service dog trainer and have been training dogs for almost 20 years (will be 20 in April). I want to clarify some things when it comes to service dogs. Below is a chart that helps clarify the differences between service dogs (or mini horses), emotional support animals and therapy dogs. Also here are some clarifications about the laws…
1. A service animal MUST perform a task that you yourself can’t do (or struggle to do) that mitigates your disability. Just being with you is not enough. It has to be an actual task like alerting to low/high blood sugar, seizures, anxiety or a number of other alerts. It can also be mobility work like bracing, fetching things on the ground because you’re in a wheelchair or can’t bend down, or helping to pull you up the stairs. There’s an infinite list of possible tasks but it has to be specific to your disability.
2. There are no official registries, certifications or tests required in the US for public access. Most programs have their own tests including the CGC but legally it is not required. The sites offering certifications and ID’s are scams. They are a major reason why so many have fake service dogs and are a HUGE problem for those of us with real service dogs. I beg you, please do not support those companies. Side note, airlines fall under the ACAA and not the ADA so they are allowed to ask for more proof like proof of CGC certificate and a doctors note. That’s the only time in the US that a SD would need to provide proof of CGC certificate.
3. There’s two different ways to obtain a legitimate service dog. First is through an organization. Most of these will either have a long wait list (the ones that are free or cheaper). These waitlists can be 2-5 years depending on the program. The organizations that don’t have long wait lists are usually $15k-$30k. Some will help with fundraising but it’s still expensive and raising funds like that can take awhile. Second, you can do what we call and “owner train” where you train the dog yourself with the help of a trainer. These programs usually take at least a year to two years to complete and cost $5k-$10k (other than some free veteran programs for PTSD). Owner training a service dog takes a lot of work/time so be prepared to put in the work if you choose to go this route. Also, be aware that not every dog can be a service dog. It takes a special temperament to be a successful service dog.
4. Faking service dogs is a federal crime and is a huge problem for those of us with legitimate service dogs. First off, when you show up with IDs and say your dog is a certified service dog, it makes businesses think those are real and they start to require them. Then when a real service dog comes in, the business illegally declines them because they think they should have the ID. Second, every year tons of service dogs are attacked while doing public access and end up having to be retired early. These SDs are not just because we want our dog with us. For many of us, they are life and death. So if we have to retire the dog early and aren’t already prepared with the next in line, we lose our lifeline and end up not being able to live our lives fully because of it. For instance, I have PTSD and asthma. My panic attacks cause me to hyperventilate which can/has triggered an asthma attack which can kill me. My SD alerts me to my anxiety before it becomes a panic attack and then provided deep tissue pressure, blocking and tactile support to get my to calm down and not have a full blown panic attack. Without her, I can’t even go to a grocery store or restaurant without risking my life. So when you fake service dogs, you are actually risking people’s livelihoods, not to mention the expense of training a new service dog.
5. Public establishments may only ask two questions. First, “Is the dog(or horse) a service dog (or horse)?” Second, “What task(s) does the animal perform?” They cannot ask about your disability or any personal information due to HIIPA laws. They also cannot ask for the dog to demonstrate the task(s). They can ask you leave an establishment if your dog is being poorly behaved like barking, growling, sniffing food in a grocery store, jumping on people, etc. They can also ask you to leave if your dog has an accident.
6. Service dogs in training rights will vary by state. Because they are not technically covered by the ADA, it’s up to each state. The majority of states give them the same rights as long as the dog is with a trainer (includes you if you’re self training) but not all of them do. Airlines typically do not allow SDiT’s.
If anyone has any questions at all, feel free to message me. I’m an open book and know the laws inside and out.
Chart and pic of my SD for tax below
