Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 20 years, you’ve probably seen or at least heard of service dogs. These incredible canines assist their handlers with day-to-day tasks made difficult by disabilities.
Despite the growing public awareness of service dogs, you likely still have a lot of questions about them. What do service dogs do? Which dogs can become service dogs? Are service dogs the same as emotional support animals? The list goes on. Let’s answer some of those burning questions and help you understand proper etiquette (how to behave) around service dogs.
What is a Service Dog?
By definition, a service dog is a canine trained to perform specific tasks to assist someone with a disability. While the list of tasks service dogs can perform is endless, most people think of service dogs as guiding the blind or helping with medical emergencies. They can also help veterans suffering from PTSD.
Service dogs are not pets, which is why many use “handler” instead of “owner”. The dog and the handler together are called a “service dog team.”
What’s the Difference Between a Service Dog and an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An emotional support animal (ESA) provides comfort to a person simply via their presence. A service dog can also be an ESA, but an ESA doesn’t have the same legal rights as a service dog. To learn more about ESAs, check out The Scoop on Emotional Support Animals.
Legal Rights of Service Dogs and Their Handlers
Service dog teams have specific legal rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A trained service dog is allowed to accompany their handler in public places, even where pets are not typically permitted. This includes places like restaurants, hotels, and stores. Service dogs are considered a vital part of their handler’s disability support.
While service dogs have strong legal protections, there are some places where they may not be allowed. Examples include places where health and safety regulations apply such as operating rooms, hospitals, and food preparation areas. Additionally, some private spaces, like religious buildings or private clubs, may not be required to allow service dogs.
Service Dogs and Housing
When it comes to housing, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) ensures that service dogs are allowed in homes or apartments even if they have no-pet rules. Landlords cannot charge extra fees or deny a tenant’s service dog if the person has a disability.
However, there are exceptions. If a service dog causes significant damage to the property or poses a health or safety concern, the landlord may have grounds to remove the dog from the premises. The most common reason for removal is if the dog shows aggression that puts other tenants at risk of being bitten or otherwise injured.
How Do You Get a Service Dog?
A service dog can be a life-changing tool for someone with a disability, offering them significant freedom and independence. But getting one requires time, effort, and sometimes a lot of money. Only people with certain types of disabilities qualify, and the training can take months to years.
Who Can Get a Service Dog?
To meet the criteria for a service dog, a person must have a disability as spelled out by the ADA. The ADA says a person qualifies for a service dog if they have “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.”
In simpler terms, this means that a disability can be physical, mental, or emotional, and it must significantly impact a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks. Some examples of disabilities that service dogs might help with include:
- Physical Disabilities: trouble walking, blindness, deafness, mobility issues such as paralysis, arthritis, or spinal cord injuries
- Mental Health Disabilities: PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, or other mood/thought disorders
- Other Conditions: seizure disorders, diabetes, chronic pain, cancer, or other long-term medical conditions
Training a Service Dog
Service dogs don’t necessarily have to go through formal training with a special organization, though many do. According to the ADA requirements for service dogs, handlers can train their own dogs if they can teach them the needed tasks. This option can be a good choice for handlers who cannot afford to purchase a trained dog.
Training a service dog through a professional program can cost thousands of dollars and usually takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. While training the dog yourself can save money, it may take even longer.
Some organizations, like America’s VetDogs and Canine Companions, provide service dogs to those in need at no cost to the recipient. These organizations rely on donations to fund their programs, so you may have to wait for a suitable match.
Other Important Things to Know About Service Dogs
Service dogs aren’t required to be any specific breed, age, or gender. You can adopt a rescue dog, get one from a breeder, or train your own dog to become a service dog.
The ADA does not require service dogs to be registered or certified. Beware of websites and organizations claiming to offer certification or registration of service dogs, as these are often scams.
Service Dog Etiquette
Respecting both the dog and the handler is all-important when encountering a service dog team. Whether you are the handler, a business owner, or a member of the public, understanding proper etiquette helps ensure that service dogs can do their important work without distractions. Below, we’ll outline the best practices for each group.
Service Dog Handlers
As a service dog handler, you’re responsible for maintaining control and ensuring your dog remains focused and well-behaved. If your dog becomes disruptive, doesn’t follow instructions, or shows aggression, you may be asked to remove them from a public space.
A well-trained service dog should not seek attention from others and must stay focused on their handlers, except in cases when a dog is trained to seek help during a medical emergency. You’re also responsible for ensuring your dog uses the restroom in designated areas and cleaning up after them.
Business Owners
As a business owner, it’s essential to know the rules surrounding service dogs in public spaces. Under the ADA, business owners must allow service dogs to accompany their handles, unless specific circumstances apply as discussed earlier.
You are allowed to ask two questions if you’re unsure about whether the dog is a service dog:
- Is the dog required because of a disability?
- What tasks has the dog been trained to perform?
You may not ask about the person’s disability or for any documentation for the service dog including a certification or training record. You cannot treat service dog teams differently than you would any other customer. That means you cannot charge extra fees, segregate the team from other patrons, or deny them access based solely on the presence of a service dog. You are not responsible for caring for the dog in any way or for cleaning up after it.
However, if the dog is disruptive, causes a safety concern (aggression), or isn’t housebroken, you may ask the team to leave. If you’re unsure, refer to ADA guidelines.
Service Dogs for Everyone Else
For everyone else who may encounter a service dog team, there are a few things to remember:
- Respect the handler. Don’t ask about their disability. While many handlers welcome questions about what their dog does, some don’t. Don’t be offended if they don’t want to talk to you.
- Don’t pet, talk to, or otherwise distract the dog. You may ask the handler to pet the dog but be prepared for them to say no. Working dogs need to pay attention to the handler at all times.
- Don’t hinder the dog’s work in any way. That includes getting between the dog and the handler or getting too close to the team. The dog needs space to work.
Respecting Service Dog Teams: Small Actions, Big Impact
Service dogs are not just pets—they’re important partners in helping people with disabilities lead fuller, more independent lives. Whether you’re a handler, business owner, or someone who may encounter a service dog team, understanding how to interact correctly ensures that service dogs can perform their tasks without unnecessary distractions.
By respecting the role of service dogs and following these guidelines, we can all help make public spaces more inclusive and accessible. So, the next time you see a service dog in action, remember: these dogs are working hard and the best way to show your appreciation is by giving them the space they need to do their jobs.