Differences Between Assistance Dogs
It is essential to know the difference between a service dog and an assistance dog. Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, the legal definitions are distinct and separate. Assistance animal is sometimes used as an umbrella term encompassing service animals, emotional support animals (ESAs), and therapy animals.
Service Dogs
A service dog refers to a dog that is specially trained to assist with a specific disability and is permitted to accompany his or her handler anywhere that is accessible to the general public. Service dogs are the only assistance dogs that are protected through the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). In general, it takes approximately two years to train a service dog. A dog will need to take a public access test and pass before being allowed in places where pet dogs are not welcome. Training prior to the public access test is conducted in pet-friendly stores.
A service dog is any dog 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 disability. To be legally considered a service dog, an animal must be trained to assist a person in ways that are specific to the person’s disability. Only service dogs are specifically trained to help disabled handlers function more efficiently and effectively. Service dogs learn standardized sets of tasks to help with specific disabilities.
For a service dog to accompany the handler in public, the dog must:
be housebroken and at no risk of eliminating in public buildings.
be vaccinated in accordance with state and local laws.
pose no threat or disturbance to the public.
remain on-leash unless a task requires her to be off-leash.
when off-leash, remain under her handler’s control.
While service dog handlers are not required to provide certification or written proof of their dog’s training when entering a public space, they may be legally required to provide answers to the following questions:
1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
They are selected for their stable, attentive temperament and their ability to bond closely with their handlers and respond to the most subtle of changes. They must resist distraction and not become stressed or anxious in public settings.
Service dogs are allowed in the cabin of an airplane. Airlines can require supporting documentation. www.transportation.gov .
Emotional Support Dogs
Emotional support dogs are not service dogs. Emotional support dogs provide comfort and companionship to their owner. They are not required to have advanced training or to perform tasks, but they can help with a wide variety of emotional, psychological or physical conditions
Although emotional support dogs are permitted to live in no-pet housing under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), they are not allowed the same access and privileges as a trained service dog. They are not allowed in public places that are not dog-friendly.
To qualify for an emotional support dog, a person must have a mental health disability that has been diagnosed and documented by a government-qualified mental health professional. A letter from a general medical doctor or from a practitioner with any form of online certification is not adequate verification of the need for an emotional support dog. In addition to a mental health disability diagnosis, a qualifying person must have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) treatment plan in place within the preceding year.
Landlords/housing officials can request documentation of the need for an ESA.
ESAs are not allowed in the cabin of an airplane, Air Carrier Access Act change, 2021. www.transportation.gov
Therapy dogs
Therapy dogs are also not service dogs. Therapy dogs are well-trained pets that pass a temperament test through a therapy organization. These animals are trained to provide comfort, reduce stress and decrease anxiety for patients in institutional or therapeutic settings. Therapy dogs are invited into places such as hospitals, nursing homes, veterans’ facilities, libraries, schools and therapists’ offices. Professional therapy dogs are dogs who accompany their owners to work in therapeutic environments.