A Guide to Service Dogs in Your Life
Discover the transformative power of service dogs and learn how to navigate the process of adopting one. From understanding the legal requirements to finding reputable organizations, this guide provides valuable insights. Explore the various types of service dogs and their roles in assisting individuals with disabilities.
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Laura Walker
Former Licensed Agent
Laura Walker graduated college with a BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science. She married her husband and began working in the family insurance business in 2005. She became a licensed agent and wrote P&C business focusing on personal lines insurance for 10 years. Laura serviced existing business and wrote new business. She now uses her insurance background to help educate...
Former Licensed Agent
UPDATED: May 28, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: May 28, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Welcome to “A Guide to Service Dogs in Your Life,” where we explore the world of service dogs and their profound impact on individuals with disabilities. In this comprehensive article, we delve into crucial topics such as the types of service dogs available, the qualifications for owning one, and the benefits they bring to enhance mobility, independence, and emotional well-being.
Discover the process of obtaining a service dog and the reputable organizations that can assist you. Whether you’re seeking a guide dog for the visually impaired or a psychiatric service dog, we provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions. To ensure you have the right coverage for your service dog, enter your zip code now and compare rates from the best insurance providers.
Types of Service Dogs
A service dog needs to have a good temperament, be easy to train, and be in good health. This excludes some breeds that are known for health problems or that are considered to be more difficult to teach. The most preferred breeds are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.
Resources:
- Washington State Human Rights Commission: Frequently asked questions about service animals and the ADA
- Washington State University: Dog breeding and training for helping disabled
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Qualifying for a Service Dog
To qualify for a service dog legally, a person must have a disability that substantially limits their ability to do one or more major life tasks without assistance. The dog must be trained to perform that life task (or tasks) in order to qualify as a service dog.
Resources:
- Massachusetts Attorney General: Information about service animals
- United States Veterans Administration: Service and guide dogs
Obtaining a Service Dog
For the visually impaired, there are several organizations, such as The Seeing Eye and Southeastern Guide Dogs, that have been around for decades and help to provide trained guide dogs to those who need them. The recipient of the guide dog will also require some training by one of the organizations so that they can learn how to work with and command their new service dog.
Resources:
Veterans with physical or mental disabilities can also get the help of organizations, such as America’s Vet Dogs and Warrior Canine Connection. The dogs are trained to meet the needs of each individual veteran that they will be serving.
Resources:
If you are seeking a service dog for another type of situation or impairment, consider reaching out to an organization such as Canine Companions for Independence. They specialize in matching trained canine companions with adults, children, and veterans with physical as well as mental disabilities.
Resources:
- Canine Companions for Independence: Main page
- Little Angels Service Dogs: Main page
- Freedom Service Dogs: Main page
To get or qualify for a psychiatric service dog, a licensed mental health professional will need to write a prescription stating that the dog is needed to perform certain tasks that the person will be unable to do during certain times.
Resources:
- Medical Home Portal: Dogs for psychiatric abilities
- US Department of Transportation: Service animals (including emotional support animals)
Traveling with a Service Dog
The Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration offers standard guidelines for travel with a service dog, so make sure to check their current rules before booking your next flight.
Here are a few things to consider as well:
- Make sure that your dog is comfortable flying. Not all animals are.
- Check that their vaccines and worming are up to date.
- If you are traveling internationally, learn about the rules for bringing animals into each country you will be visiting.
- Bring proof, such as a doctor’s note and marked harness, that your dog is a service animal.
- Check in at the airport and let them know that you will be traveling with a service animal.
- Arrive early to give yourself, and your service animal, time to get through security.
Resources:
- Transportation Security Administration: Disabilities and medical conditions
- Federal Aviation Administration: Cabin safety: Pets in cabin frequently asked questions
- US Department of State: Pets and international travel
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Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Dogs
Service dogs require specialized training to be able to do unique tasks that assist their disabled owners. They are allowed, by law, to go everywhere that their owner goes. Service animals, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, are limited to dogs. However, there are cases in which exceptions are made for properly trained small horses.
Emotional support animals are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Emotional support animals do not require special training. Their role is to provide comfort and companionship to their owner. The idea is that the person will be able to function better because of that emotional support. These animals are allowed access to housing that does not allow pets and may enter the cabin of an airplane if they are accompanied by an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.
Resources:
- University of California Davis: Service dogs are increasingly being used in mental health
- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources: Service animals and emotional support animals: Where are they allowed and under what conditions?
- Texas Health and Human Services: Information about service animals and their access to public places
Additional Resources
Are you still interested in learning more about service dogs? Here are some great places to start:
Assistance Dogs International is a worldwide coalition of non-profit organizations that both train and place assistance dogs with people who need them. If you are looking for an assistance dog, they are a good place to begin your search. They are also a great resource for information.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offers a clear and thorough guide that walks through what businesses and service dog owners need to know about their rights and responsibilities regarding the law. They common some frequently asked questions on the topic.
The Centers for Disease Control discuss the need to keep a healthy home, both for your health as well as your service animal’s. They also discuss some of the health benefits and risks of having an animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a service dog?
A service dog is a specially trained animal that assists people with disabilities. They are trained to perform tasks that help their owner with their daily activities, and they are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
What tasks can a service dog perform?
Service dogs can perform a wide range of tasks, depending on their owner’s needs. Some common tasks include guiding a blind person, alerting a deaf person to sounds, providing balance and stability to a person with mobility issues, and retrieving items for their owner.
What are the legal requirements for owning a service dog?
In the United States, service dogs are protected under the ADA. This means that businesses and public places must allow service dogs to accompany their owners, even if pets are not typically allowed on the premises. To qualify as a service dog, the animal must be trained to perform specific tasks that help their owner with their disability. Emotional support animals and therapy animals do not qualify as service dogs under the ADA.
How do I get a service dog?
To get a service dog, you will need to work with a reputable organization that trains and places service dogs. The organization will work with you to determine your specific needs and match you with a dog that is trained to perform the necessary tasks. The process can take several months or even years, and it typically involves an application, an interview, and extensive training for both the dog and the owner.
How much does a service dog cost?
The cost of a service dog can vary widely depending on the organization, the breed of the dog, and the specific training required. In general, you can expect to pay several thousand dollars for a fully trained service dog. Some organizations may offer financial assistance or help with fundraising to cover the cost.
Can I train my own service dog?
It is possible to train your own service dog, but it is a complex and challenging process that requires a significant amount of time, effort, and resources. It is recommended that you work with a professional organization that specializes in training service dogs, as they have the expertise and resources to ensure that the dog is properly trained and certified.
Can I bring my service dog with me everywhere?
Yes, under the ADA, service dogs are allowed to accompany their owners in all public places, including restaurants, stores, and public transportation. However, the dog must be well-behaved and under the control of its owner at all times. If the dog is disruptive or aggressive, the owner may be asked to remove the dog from the premises.
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Laura Walker
Former Licensed Agent
Laura Walker graduated college with a BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science. She married her husband and began working in the family insurance business in 2005. She became a licensed agent and wrote P&C business focusing on personal lines insurance for 10 years. Laura serviced existing business and wrote new business. She now uses her insurance background to help educate...
Former Licensed Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.