I had some questions about the guidelines set forth for service dogs that I sent to the ADA Network. Personally, I figured that it would be weeks, if ever, before I heard something back. Well, I was majorly wrong! The phone rang at lunch from a number from Atlanta, it was the ADA Network. Well, I spent the entirety of my lunch on the phone. (404) 541-9001
One of the things we talked about was the legality of training a service dog in protection work and/or sports. Here is what she told me.
If the dog is solely trained as a protection dog (that would be the tasks for service work) then it is NOT a service dog. Completely not covered by the ADA.
However, if the dog is service-trained (non-protective) then there is nothing stopping the handler from training the dog in protection whether it is for sport or self-protection. The dog would still be considered a service dog.
There is nothing stopping organizations like the ADI and IAADP from blocking protection training from their programs.
What are your thoughts on this?
One of the things we talked about was the legality of training a service dog in protection work and/or sports. Here is what she told me.
If the dog is solely trained as a protection dog (that would be the tasks for service work) then it is NOT a service dog. Completely not covered by the ADA.
However, if the dog is service-trained (non-protective) then there is nothing stopping the handler from training the dog in protection whether it is for sport or self-protection. The dog would still be considered a service dog.
There is nothing stopping organizations like the ADI and IAADP from blocking protection training from their programs.
What are your thoughts on this?
