More Than a Pet

More Than a Pet

Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs

By Grace Fales

Copyright Š 2019 Grace Braun-Fales All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronical or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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Alex and his dog Casey take a break from fetch on Apr. 18, 2019.

Introduction

Dogs have been known for decades as ‘man’s best friend.’ They’ve done an excellent job as protectors, playmates, and cuddle buddies.

Lately, people have been getting and training dogs for medical purposes.

Dogs have proven themselves of many capabilities because of their ability to detect chemical changes in a human’s body, making them great service animals and emotional therapy animals (ETA).

service dogs and emotional therapy dogs are two different classifications for assistant animals. Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish the two, along with other specific assisting dogs. The purpose of this book is to outline the two classifications, and establish some differences and similarities between them.

Overall, dogs are amazing and each one has a special purpose for their companionship with their owner(s). They will always be an amazing pet, even if it’s just for leisure and not a trained service.

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Service Dogs

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) classifies a service dog as, “...a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability” (U.S. Department of Justice 1). Therefore, to have a Service Dog someone has to have a disability that their dog is specifically trained for. Examples of this are, diabetes, blindness, migraines, someone confined to a wheelchair, and epilepsy. There are many other reasons someone can have service dog, but these are the most common.

Tippi, a service dog for her owner who gets migraines.

Tippi lays on her owner’s lap when Tippi senses a migraine coming.

Apr. 7, 2019.

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Sassie, a service dog who places her paw on her owner when his sugar levels are getting too low.

He has diabetes.

Apr. 20, 2019.

Hunter and his dog Sassie on Apr. 20, 2019.

The ADA does not require a service dog to be professionally trained. You can train your own service dog. The service dog must already be trained before it’s allowed to be in public places as a service dog. The ADA does not require a service dog to wear a vest, I.D. tag, or harness that says ‘service dog.’ This can be used at the owner’s discretion, usually to alert the public not to pet the service dog while they’re working.

Service dogs do not need specific documentation sold online to have them labeled as a service dog. “There are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal” (U.S. Department of Justice 1). Service dogs do have to abide by the same licensing and vaccinations as any other dog would.

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Hunter chooses to use a service dog vest in public so people don’t try and pet Sassie. She is at work while she is wearing the vest.

Apr. 20, 2019.

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Tippi’s owner, Sabina, trains Tippi to perform the tasks she is supposed to as a service dog for someone who gets migraines. Apr. 7, 2019.

Izzi, Tippi’s ‘sister’. Izzi is not a service dog.

Apr. 7, 2019.

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There are only two questions staff can ask someone if they question the purpose of a service dog in a public place: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?

(2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Staff cannot request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate what it was trained to do, or ask about the nature of the person’s disability. They have to allow the service dog in the facility unless the ADA states they have the right to deny the service dog. The service dog has to remain on the ground while in a public place. Staff can ask for the service dog to leave if it’s creating a disruption. Service dogs are allowed in any public place that the general public is allowed to go.

Sassie the service dog is always keeping an eye on her owner, Hunter, sensing his blood sugar levels. Apr. 20, 2019.

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Pablo is an emotional support dog for his owner, Casey. Apr. 7, 2019.

Emotional Support Dogs

Emotional support pets come in a variety of animals such as birds, bunnies, horses, and dogs. Emotional support dogs do not need to be especially trained in any way, except to provide love and comfort to someone who has a psychological disorder and needs the dog to comfort them. Examples of psychological disorders for an emotional support dog are depression, anxiety, and stress. There are a variety of reasons someone can have an emotional support dog, but these are the most common.

Emotional support dogs are not required to have documentation, however they can enter houses and planes with signed documentation from a health professional stating that the dog is an emotional support animal. Also, emotional support dogs are allowed to live in their owner’s house, regardless of rules made by a landlord.

Casey needed a letter from her doctor allowing Pablo to live with her. Apr. 7, 2019.

Pablo does not like being in front of the camera. Apr. 7, 2019.

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Alex and his dog, Casey, who helps him when he’s anxious. Apr. 18, 2019.

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Emotional support dogs do not have the same rights as a service dog. They are technically not protected by the ADA when it comes to being in public places since they are not trained to perform a specific task for their owner. Some states do allow emotional support dogs to be in public places, so it’s important to check with your local laws regarding the rights of your dog.

Vest on and off, Casey is always heavily focused on Alex. Many service dogs and emotional support dogs tend to only focus on their owner and have trouble concentrating on others.

Apr. 18, 2019.

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Izzi’s ears. Apr. 7, 2018.

A therapy dog and emotional support dog are also not the same thing. Therapy dogs are accompanied by their owner to bring stress relief for those who need it. Many therapy dogs are brought in hospital, schools, and nursing homes but require permission from that establishment before they can enter. Also, therapy dogs are usually not allowed in planes and “No pets allowed� houses. Therapy dogs are also beneficial, but in a different way compared to service dogs and emotional support dogs.

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Emotional support dogs and service dogs both assist their owners, it’s just done in different ways.

They can be any breed of dog.

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Alex is hiding the ball so Casey can jump into the tree and grab it. Apr. 18, 2019.

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Conclusion

Service dogs and emotional support dogs are very important to their owners.

Every service dog is protected by the rights of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It’s important to check with your local laws regarding the rights your dog has as an assisting pet since each state has specific guidelines.As always, please ask before you pet someone else’s dog!

Memphis (left), Maggie (below), Henri (right), are family dogs.

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References (March 15, 2017). The Difference Between Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals and Therapy Dogs. Service Dog Certifi cations. Retrieved on April 21 from https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/difference-service-dog-emotional-support-animal/ (February 24, 2017). Commonly Asked Questions about Service Dogs in Places of Business. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved on April 21 from https://www.ada.gov/archive/qasrvc.htm (2019). Diabetes Assist Dogs. Can do Canines. Retrieved on April 21 https://can-do-canines.org/our-dogs/ourdogs/diabetes-assist-dogs/

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