A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, mental disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks and anxiety disorder), seizures, mobility impairments, and diabetes.

Desirable character traits in service animals typically include a balanced and calm temperament, trainability, and a friendly disposition. Certain physical features, such as good bone structure, are also needed for specific tasks.

Service dogs can be provided by service dog training organizations or obtained from breeders and trained by private trainers or their owners.

While there are no breed limitations on what types or breeds of dogs can be trained as assistance/service animals, not all dogs possess the appropriate temperament and mental predisposition for the job. Dogs that successfully complete specialized training, which includes basic obedience, specific service tasks, and proper public manners, are typically referred to as "service animals" or "assistance animals," depending on the region or area.

If you have a mental or physical disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities then you are entitled to a service dog or an assistance dog that performs tasks for you. Business owners and employees are not allowed to ask about your disability or require medical documentation.

The need for service dogs has increased tremendously over the last few years. Service dogs help people with physical and/or mental disabilities improve the quality of their lives by performing specific tasks on a daily basis.

Identifying your service dog will help you have a stress-free experience in public. Service dog handlers are protected by Federal Law and cannot be charged any fees, such as hotel or rental fees due to the presence of a service dog.

Our goal is to provide you with all the necessary tools to properly identify your dog as a service animal regardless of the situation or surroundings.

How do airlines determine whether a dog is a service animal or a pet?

Airlines can determine whether a dog is a service animal or a pet by:
• Receiving credible verbal assurance from the individual who is accompanied by the animal;
• Looking for physical indicators such as a harness, vest, or ID tag;
• Observing the behavior of the animal;
• Requiring documentation as proof of the individual's need for a service dog.

The Equality Act 2010 mandates that businesses and organizations must permit individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals in all areas of their premises that are open to use by the public. This legal requirement applies to all public-facing establishments.

According to The Equality Act 2010, a service animal is defined as a dog that is individually trained to perform specific tasks or do specific work for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other types of impairments.

Animals meeting this criteria are recognized as service animals under The Equality Act 2010, irrespective of whether they are licensed or certified by local or state authorities.

For inquiries pertaining to Service or Assistance Animals, please refer to the following website: www.equalityadvisoryservice.com.

Adopting and training a service dog can be a very challenging endeavor, which requires hard work, patience, and dedication. The bond that a handler and their service dog develop with each other is among the most meaningful and significant relationships that one can experience.

Service dog handlers often encounter significant challenges when traveling with their service animals, or visiting public spaces with them, particularly locations that run a “no pets” policy.

Establishments such as restaurants, hotels, and airports generally possess a better understanding of service dog laws. On the other hand, venues like beaches, movie theaters, and schools tend to have less awareness of the rights of service dog handlers. This situation can raise some questions that may be difficult to answer. For instance:

• • Is it mandatory for my service dog to wear a vest?
• • How should I proceed if my service dog is denied access to a public setting?

The most important step is to have a good understanding of service dog laws in your area.

We have provided several tips on how to deal with employees who are not familiar with service dog laws and/or behave disrespectfully toward you and your service animal.

The initial step is to evaluate whether the individual is familiar with service dog laws and regulations or not.

A) In case, they are already aware of the rights of service dogs, kindly notify them of your travel with a service animal and specify the tasks your service dog is trained to perform. Express your gratitude for them being respectful and polite.

B) If, on the other hand, they lack awareness, present your service dog's certification or license. Educate them about your dog's status as a trained service dog, who has the legal right to access public spaces. Assure them that your dog is properly trained, and well-mannered and will not disrupt normal business operations. Moreover, you can affirm that your service animal will remain by your side as permitted by Federal Law.

C) Should they persist in being unwelcoming toward your service dog and refuse them access to their premises, direct them to Service Dog Certifications for comprehensive information regarding service dog laws. Inform them that their actions violate your rights. Obstructing your and your service animal’s access to public facilities constitutes open discrimination against your disability.

Politely ask to talk to the manager, if you need to, and remember to remain calm, polite, and firm. By doing so, you are not only helping them understand the rights of service dog teams, but you are also helping prevent negative confrontations for other service dog handlers from occurring in the future.

A) A convenient way to avoid this issue is to put a vest on your service dog. It will help notify the public about the status of the dog as a trained service animal and differentiate them from a pet. This is especially helpful for individuals dealing with conditions like PTSD, social anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other non-physically noticeable disabilities.

B) You have the legal right to choose not to put a vest on your service dog. Some individuals opt against using vests because they find them uncomfortable for their dogs. Moreover, in some cases, they can distract the service dog from performing their essential tasks. Others choose not to have their service animal wear a vest because they prefer to maintain privacy regarding their disability. It is important to note that not all impairments are easily noticeable.

It is essential to remember that everyone deserves respect and understanding in their efforts to enhance their quality of life. If someone insists that your dog should wear a service dog vest, kindly inform them of your choice, while assuring them that you possess valid service dog certification or identification if necessary.

C) In case, the individual continues insisting that your service dog should wear a vest, it is worth noting that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not mandate the use of vests for service dogs, explicitly prohibiting companies from imposing such a requirement. Politely request to talk to the manager or refer to the rights and regulations in regard to service dogs on Service Dog Certifications for further clarification.

It is essential to note that your service dog must remain under your control at all times when in public. They should not bark or otherwise cause disruption in public places.

However, the ADA specifically states that a service dog may bark in response to provocations. In this case, barking is not considered a disturbance, as it was provoked.

If you find yourself in such a situation, you should inform an employee that your service dog is being harassed and request their assistance. Examples of provoking include:

• 1. Intensely / Aggressively staring at your service dog;
• 2. Touching your service dog without your permission;
• 3. Whistling or addressing your dog in an intimidating manner.

No one is ever allowed to inquire directly about your disability. Employees are allowed to ask you two questions to verify the legitimacy of your dog as a service animal:

-Is that a service dog due to a disability (in case your service dog does not wear any training or identification gear);

-What tasks is your dog trained to perform?

* They may not require your service dog to demonstrate the specific work they have been trained to do.

Service dog handlers are not legally required to have their service animals licensed, registered, or certified. However, many handlers choose to carry documentation as proof of their dogs' legitimacy as service animals, ensuring a stress-free experience in public.

Unfortunately, public awareness of service dog regulations is still insufficient, which leads to challenges to service dog teams. Some individuals assume that a dog is not a real service dog unless they wear identification gear.

You are free to decide whether to carry a service dog ID card or other type of identification gear or not. Feel free to purchase an ID card and register your service animal on our website to avoid public confrontations!

If you have a psychological or an emotional condition, you can benefit from the comfort and support that an Emotional Support Animal provides. You are likely to qualify for such an animal. However, make sure to consult with a licensed mental healthcare provider in regard to this matter.

You need to consult with a licensed mental health professional and obtain a medical letter as proof of your need for an Emotional Support Animal. A dog of any breed can become an ESA. However, some countries like the UK have banned certain dog breeds, which is why you should check the procedure on how to raise and a train a dog of such a breed. More information about the banned dog breeds in the UK and how to put them on the so-called Index of Exempt Dogs can be found here.

You can obtain an ESA letter after you have consulted a licensed mental health professional. At supportdogcertification.org, we DON’T provide ESA letters. Our goal is to help you register and certify your Emotional Support Animal. There are several websites that offer ESA letters for purchase and most of them are scams. Please, be very careful when visiting such websites and providing personal information!

Emotional Support Animals are protected by the Fair Housing Act in the US, which does not differentiate between service dogs and companion dogs in terms of housing. Both Emotional Support Animals and Service Dogs are allowed to live with their owners even if the building runs a “no pets” policy.

There are no restrictions on what breeds or types of dogs can become Emotional Support Animals, nor can they be subject to any rental or pet fees. However, ESA owners are still responsible for their dogs’ behavior.

Having your ESA certified and registered does not allow you to neglect your responsibility as a handler or refuse to cover any damages that the animal may cause.