Service Dog Truths

“I want to train my dog as a service dog.”
“I want to get a puppy to train as a service dog.”
“Can you certify my dog as a service dog?”
“I want my emotional support dog to be certified.”
“I wish my dog was a service dog.”
​
I probably hear some variation of the above several times a week.   Then I spend quite a bit of time explaining the law and practicalities of service dog training.    So here are a few truths.

“I want to train my dog as a service dog.” 
Odds are not good.  While any dog CAN be a service dog not every dog SHOULD be.  First, the adolescent or adult dog must be well socialized and trained already.  They need that solid foundation of socializing and experiencing a wide variety of people, places, things, noises, animals.  They must be able to tune out all of those things while performing specific tasks.  They must do this without barking, lunging, biting or soiling.  They also must be clean so must not mind being bathed on a regular basis. 

“I want to get a puppy to train as a service dog.” 
This can go well or it can go badly.  A dog’s brain develops until about age 2.  During that time their temperament can change quite a bit.  The happy, friendly puppy becomes a  reactive adolescent. Task training doesn’t typically begin until between 18 months and 2 years.  Even when you build the best foundation you may still have a dog that just cannot handle the stress of the job.  There goes years of planning and training out the window.  And remember, while the ADA  covers Service Dogs, Service Dogs in Training are covered by state laws.  These laws vary in how restrictive they are and in who can train and where the training can occur. 

“Can you certify my dog as a service dog?”
 From the 2010 Department of Justice Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA:
Q17. Does the ADA require that service animals be certified as service animals? A. No.  Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.
Those certificates you see online and from some trainers are bogus.  I can test your dog and provide you with proof of passing that test (whether on basics, public access or tasks) but I will not certify your dog is a service dog.

“I want my emotional support dog to be certified.”
An Emotional Support Animal is covered under HUD, not the ADA.  You have  rights to housing and travel, subject to many restrictions.  The animal itself is not certified but a patient’s need for a specific animal is what is certified.  The only one who can do that certification is a Mental Health Care provider.  I do recommend training, especially if you plan to travel, but there are no requirements for training to have an Emotional Support Animal except under certain conditions, such as an airline may require proof of training to fly.  Do not assume the animal is welcome everywhere, not every housing falls under this law and airlines have their own rules regarding training, size and types of animals.  Do your research first.

“I wish my dog was a service dog.”
 Be careful what you wish for.  Life with a Service Dog isn’t always easy.  Many businesses don’t know or respect the law and will argue about your rights.  You not only have to think about your own needs but you also have to think about giving the dog an opportunity to relieve themselves, eat and drink.  Keeping them dry when it is raining, warm when it’s freezing and not letting them burn their pads on hot pavement.  People will stop you while you are trying to pick out groceries or new underwear, while you are filling out paperwork, talking on the phone, ordering food.  They will want to know what your disability is, in every gory detail, what tasks the dog does, how much the dog cost, how much training costs and finish by saying “I wish my dog could go everywhere with me”.  They will want to pet your dog, talk to your dog, call your dog and find ways to interact with your dog that will distract him from his job.  Some will even cuss and yell at you when you say “Please don’t, my dog is working.”

 
There is a lot more to having a Service Dog than just “taking your dog everywhere”.  You immediately become the center of attention.  You have to know your rights and your dog’s rights.  You have to know the law and be able to communicate it.  People do not like to admit they are wrong and once they tell you “sorry, no dogs, no exceptions” they often will defend that statement angrily to the point of calling law enforcement to have you removed.  Police will not enforce your rights as it is considered a civil matter.  You options are to leave and: move on, file an ADA grievance or go to the news and social media.  Staying and arguing, tho, is never advised.  I do, however, leave a card with the law and DOJ contact information.  I will follow up with something in writing advising them of the same thing.  

---