I see questions about this a lot! How do I register my service dog? Makes sense, we must have a driver's license to drive cars and all types of other registrations to do things in just our normal lives, so why not a service dog?
Is there a registration for service dogs?
Yes, No, and Maybe: sorry this is kind of a convoluted answer.
Yes: because the word "registration" is such a broad term. There are things that could be considered registrations that could be needed. The most common are city/county licensing. This is required for all dogs not simply service animals. So, the rule of thumb is if a license includes all dogs then you have to have it.
No: as per ADA guidelines there is no registration for a service animal when it comes to public access. As far as the ADA is concerned it is pretty cut and dry. Please note that this is for the ADA there are other guidelines that may require documentation.
Maybe: If you are working from the FHA/EEoC rules and regulations you may be required to show a doctor's letter stating that you should have a service animal. This is normally for renting and working. With EEoC your employer might ask for much more information to help determine if they should suspend their no-animals-at-work policy for your service dog.
We have several good articles from JAN and others about FHA and EEoC requirements here on our site in the Articles Area.
Some states have voluntary registries for service dogs, these are always free and voluntary.
If there is no registration for a service animals why are there so many businesses offering them?
It is important to remember that there are only 2 questions a gatekeeper can ask:
Best Practices
For me, I take a different approach to what kind of documentation I keep. I find it much better to be prepared so that if something comes up I am as ready as possible. I keep and file everything I can think of that shows that me and my dog are a valid service dog team.
Things like:
I have been summoned to court on several occasions. Some as the defendant and a couple as an "expert witness" (not something I consider myself). Many of us don't realize that we are all a very quick step from being served a summons, especially when it comes to public access trouble. Gatekeeper wants your team out, law enforcement doesn't have time to mediate so they issue you a summons so both sides can argue and get it solved by a judge. This is becoming more and more prevalent as states start to enact laws against fake service dogs.
Once that happens your main concern is to be able to prove that your pooch isn't just a simple pet. In order to do that you have to be able to prove that your dog is a valid service dog because the other person is going to be saying that your dog is simply a pet. So what is the easiest way to do that?
The simple answer is paper! If you can show some of the above stuff on paper it tends to make for a quick court session. The same goes for being able to quote the law, and again even better if you can show it on paper.
Is there a registration for service dogs?
Yes, No, and Maybe: sorry this is kind of a convoluted answer.
Yes: because the word "registration" is such a broad term. There are things that could be considered registrations that could be needed. The most common are city/county licensing. This is required for all dogs not simply service animals. So, the rule of thumb is if a license includes all dogs then you have to have it.
No: as per ADA guidelines there is no registration for a service animal when it comes to public access. As far as the ADA is concerned it is pretty cut and dry. Please note that this is for the ADA there are other guidelines that may require documentation.
Maybe: If you are working from the FHA/EEoC rules and regulations you may be required to show a doctor's letter stating that you should have a service animal. This is normally for renting and working. With EEoC your employer might ask for much more information to help determine if they should suspend their no-animals-at-work policy for your service dog.
We have several good articles from JAN and others about FHA and EEoC requirements here on our site in the Articles Area.
Some states have voluntary registries for service dogs, these are always free and voluntary.
If there is no registration for a service animals why are there so many businesses offering them?
- There is nothing to regulate these groups and they are making money hand over fist with little to no effort.
- People simply don't know or understand the law.
- People are gullible. Registration makes sense.
- People believe that having this allows them to take their dog "anywhere".
It is important to remember that there are only 2 questions a gatekeeper can ask:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Best Practices
For me, I take a different approach to what kind of documentation I keep. I find it much better to be prepared so that if something comes up I am as ready as possible. I keep and file everything I can think of that shows that me and my dog are a valid service dog team.
Things like:
- Doctors letters
- Copy of medical records with the problems the dog is there for
- VA paperwork that shows disabilities and percentage
- Training records
- Veterinary records
- Letters/certificates from trainers
- Any Certifications (CGC and the like)
- Pictures and videos
- Even my website can be used
I have been summoned to court on several occasions. Some as the defendant and a couple as an "expert witness" (not something I consider myself). Many of us don't realize that we are all a very quick step from being served a summons, especially when it comes to public access trouble. Gatekeeper wants your team out, law enforcement doesn't have time to mediate so they issue you a summons so both sides can argue and get it solved by a judge. This is becoming more and more prevalent as states start to enact laws against fake service dogs.
Once that happens your main concern is to be able to prove that your pooch isn't just a simple pet. In order to do that you have to be able to prove that your dog is a valid service dog because the other person is going to be saying that your dog is simply a pet. So what is the easiest way to do that?
The simple answer is paper! If you can show some of the above stuff on paper it tends to make for a quick court session. The same goes for being able to quote the law, and again even better if you can show it on paper.