It is commonplace when you hear someone talking about a service dog they may or may not be talking about a service dog. You will especially hear this when someone is talking about going on a flight and another passenger brought some weird animal on the plane as service animal.
I thought I would attempt to put my thoughts and known facts onto paper to try to explain the differences of the different support animals. I should also note this is based on the definitions of support animals here in the United States, other countries have their own names for support animals.
For us here in the United States, our governing source what the different types of support animals is the American Disability Act, or you will see it called simply the ADA. This then filters down to the states who then mold it into their own laws to better fit their states. Every state has similar but different laws as far as support animals go, so it is very important that you look up your state’s laws are to make sure you have a good knowledge base.
Therapy Dogs
Have you ever seen a dog and handler walking down a hospital corridor going from room to room? That is a therapy dog or team.
Therapy dogs are very well-behaved dogs that’s life is to make those around him or her better. It has become common practice to have therapy dogs in hospitals and places for healing. Studies have shown that the simple act of being able to share some time with a dog helps with the mental health of the patient and can increase healing time. We are also starting to see many therapy dogs in school settings where they can ease the stress for school kids and their teachers.
Most places and states do require a certification for Therapy dog teams, this is generally easy to get through places like the AKC. The AKC has a great list of recognized therapy dog organizations on their website HERE.
Important note: Therapy dogs ARE considered pets.
Emotional Support Dogs
In my opinion all our pets generated emotional support simply because they are always there for us when we need them. However, these are simply everyday pets. To have an actual emotional support dog (animal) that pet must be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental health illness.
The main difference between the service dog and the emotional support animal is whether the animal has been trained for a specific task or job directly related to the handlers disability.
Most of the strange airline stories involving animals have ben about ESA’s. Recently, the airlines have started cracking done on having ESA’s onboard their aircraft. We have an article about this over in our forums HERE, if you are interested.
While ESA’s are considered pets they also fall under the Fair Housing Act. Which, in a nutshell, means that the handler is not restricted to pet bans, deposits and so forth for that animal where they live. Important to note the handler is responsible for any damage that is caused by the ESA.
If you see an add on your social media saying how you can take you dog wherever you go if you sign up for their program. This is a company signing your dog up as a ESA (read the fine print). Now-a-days most of these companies even have a mental health professional on staff that does nothing but sign these prescriptions. For anyone planning on going this way, please don’t. Just meet with your own mental health person.
Service Dogs
Service animals come in two forms Dogs and Miniature Horses. That’s it, nothing else, according to the ADA.
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
This definition does not affect or limit the broader definition of “assistance animal” under the Fair Housing Act or the broader definition of “service animal” under the Air Carrier Access Act.
Some State and local laws also define service animal more broadly than the ADA does. Information about such laws can be obtained from the relevant State attorney general’s office.
Service Dogs are not considered pets, and due to what they do can pretty much go anywhere their handler is allowed. There are some areas that a service dog is not allowed, but it is much common since, like within an operating room.
Except for a few States within the United States there is no state or federal certification to be able to prove that a dog is a service dog. Between the lack of any form of certification and HIPPA regulations make it very easy for people to attempt to pass off their pet as a service dog.
I thought I would attempt to put my thoughts and known facts onto paper to try to explain the differences of the different support animals. I should also note this is based on the definitions of support animals here in the United States, other countries have their own names for support animals.
For us here in the United States, our governing source what the different types of support animals is the American Disability Act, or you will see it called simply the ADA. This then filters down to the states who then mold it into their own laws to better fit their states. Every state has similar but different laws as far as support animals go, so it is very important that you look up your state’s laws are to make sure you have a good knowledge base.
Therapy Dogs
Have you ever seen a dog and handler walking down a hospital corridor going from room to room? That is a therapy dog or team.
Therapy dogs are very well-behaved dogs that’s life is to make those around him or her better. It has become common practice to have therapy dogs in hospitals and places for healing. Studies have shown that the simple act of being able to share some time with a dog helps with the mental health of the patient and can increase healing time. We are also starting to see many therapy dogs in school settings where they can ease the stress for school kids and their teachers.
Most places and states do require a certification for Therapy dog teams, this is generally easy to get through places like the AKC. The AKC has a great list of recognized therapy dog organizations on their website HERE.
Important note: Therapy dogs ARE considered pets.
Emotional Support Dogs
In my opinion all our pets generated emotional support simply because they are always there for us when we need them. However, these are simply everyday pets. To have an actual emotional support dog (animal) that pet must be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental health illness.
The main difference between the service dog and the emotional support animal is whether the animal has been trained for a specific task or job directly related to the handlers disability.
Most of the strange airline stories involving animals have ben about ESA’s. Recently, the airlines have started cracking done on having ESA’s onboard their aircraft. We have an article about this over in our forums HERE, if you are interested.
While ESA’s are considered pets they also fall under the Fair Housing Act. Which, in a nutshell, means that the handler is not restricted to pet bans, deposits and so forth for that animal where they live. Important to note the handler is responsible for any damage that is caused by the ESA.
If you see an add on your social media saying how you can take you dog wherever you go if you sign up for their program. This is a company signing your dog up as a ESA (read the fine print). Now-a-days most of these companies even have a mental health professional on staff that does nothing but sign these prescriptions. For anyone planning on going this way, please don’t. Just meet with your own mental health person.
Service Dogs
Service animals come in two forms Dogs and Miniature Horses. That’s it, nothing else, according to the ADA.
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
This definition does not affect or limit the broader definition of “assistance animal” under the Fair Housing Act or the broader definition of “service animal” under the Air Carrier Access Act.
Some State and local laws also define service animal more broadly than the ADA does. Information about such laws can be obtained from the relevant State attorney general’s office.
Service Dogs are not considered pets, and due to what they do can pretty much go anywhere their handler is allowed. There are some areas that a service dog is not allowed, but it is much common since, like within an operating room.
Except for a few States within the United States there is no state or federal certification to be able to prove that a dog is a service dog. Between the lack of any form of certification and HIPPA regulations make it very easy for people to attempt to pass off their pet as a service dog.
