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I really cannot believe how often I hear service dog handlers say that they do not need a letter from their medical provider. Most of the time this is based on the handler's frame of mind when saying so. So, I am going to try to put this subject in perspective as the answer can be seen from multiple perspectives.

Starting from the beginning of the process of getting a service dog. A prospective hander, in the United States, must fall within the guidelines of the American Disability Act. This should be a fact that everyone can agree with.

How to Qualify under the ADA

On the surface, it sounds easy enough. Pulled from the ADA Statute.

(1) The term "disability" means, with respect to an individual
(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual;​
(B) a record of such an impairment; or​
(C) being regarded as having such an impairment (as described in paragraph (3)).​
(3) Regarded as having such an impairment
For purposes of paragraph (1)(C):
(A) An individual meets the requirement of "being regarded as having such an impairment" if the individual establishes that he or she has been subjected to an action prohibited under this chapter because of an actual or perceived physical or mental impairment whether or not the impairment limits or is perceived to limit a major life activity.​
(B) Paragraph (1)(C) shall not apply to impairments that are transitory and minor. A transitory impairment is an impairment with an actual or expected duration of 6 months or less.​
Begin Edit [after talking with the ADA Network]->

1(a) is pretty self-explaining, though there are some caveats to what is considered "substantially limits one or more major life activities".

1(b) This section is for people that were disabled but no longer are. The record means the past records of their disability.

1(c) This section was the most confusing, but after talking to the ADA Network about it, makes more sense. This is for people that others have regarded as having a disability even though they may not have had one, to begin with. Used mainly for discrimination problems.

Each one of those prongs stands by itself, meaning if you fall under the first one you do not need any other. So, in short if you fall within "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual" as most, if not all, of us do then that is all you need.

However, the wonderful lady I spoke with also stated that the person should (notice the should, not must) have supporting documentation in the case that the person was called upon that they had to show the need for a service dog. examples she gave were things like work, renting, court summons, and having to testify in court for the team or the dog.

<- End Edit

In Conclusion

If you find yourself in a situation where you must show that you are covered by the ADA, which is the only way, in the United States, to have a service dog, you must have some sort of documentation that you are covered. Simply getting a doctor's letter is the easiest and least invasive way to go.

Agree/Disagree? Did I get it all wrong? Leave me a comment!