Service Dog Registration
Open Range Academy Service Dog and ESA Registration
Open Range Academy offers comprehensive Service Dog and ESA registration services. ORA offers a unique registration platform that was developed from our extensive experience working in the real world with service dogs and ESA's.
Fake Registry Companies
Service Animal Registry SCAMS: Understand Your Rights And Comply With Legal Service Animal Requirements
Many Service Animal Registries provide a false notion that your dog is somehow "registered" with the government or other regulatory agency upon registration of your service animal through their company. This is false. No company "registers" your dog with the government. The government does not track nor do they require registration. Public companies (airlines, hotels, etc) do not track or provide access to "registered" animals through any online registry. Registries are private databases filled with your personal profile information which is used for public awareness only.
Ultimately registering your service animal only provides value if the registry itself provides value added services like Open Range Academy.
Open Range Academy is the only registry company that supports and informs registered service animal owners with the legal rights training, documentation and support to stay compliant with federal laws.
Now that you know the facts steer clear of registries selling you space on their private domain that ultimately offers you zero value and may actually be misleading the you, the consumer, with a false narrative.
Federal fines for falsifying a public Service Dog is $75k for your first conviction. Many states are beginning to ramp up their prosecution of fake service dogs and adding additional hefty fines.
28 C.F.R. Parts 36 and 85
On March 28, 2014, the Department of Justice issued a Final Rule that adjusts for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by the Civil Rights Division, including civil penalties available under title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). For the ADA, this adjustment increases the maximum civil penalty for a first violation under title III from $55,000 to $75,000; for a subsequent violation the new maximum is $150,000. The new maximums apply only to violations occurring on or after April 28, 2014.
Learn More About Federal Regulations:
Service Dog Registration Services
The Open Range Academy Registry Difference
Open Range Academy (ORA) Service Animal Registration is the first of its kind. The ORA Registry is the only public service animal registry that offers handler-team validation, supporting documentation and handler team support. Here is a quick comparison of the ORA Service Animal registry vs the "other" guys:
Open Range Academy Registry Features:
All features are available and made public only at the handlers discretion*
Registry Features:
- 24/7 Access
- Registration number attaches to all of your pertinent documentation for easy public access.
- Simple to use app (coming August 2020).
- Professional support from the ORA Service Dog and ESA network.
Handler Information:
- Basic handler information: name(s), location, etc.
- Doctor or practitioner prescription letter.
Canine Information:
- Basic canine information name(s), weight, breed, sex, etc.
- Quick access supporting documents: veterinary information, vaccination records, etc.
Emergency Contact Information:
- Emergency information made public only if desired.
- Condition support information; anxiety, epilepsy, PTSD, physical disability, etc.
- Condition support emergency procedure: call 911, condition support procedure (if applicable), other pertinent information.
- Additional emergency contacts: family, doctor(s), other handler support team members.
Training Records:
- Recorded training hours.
- Training task documentation.
- Canine-Handler evaluation videos.
- Contact for trainer support validation.
Training Certifications:
- Complete Open Range Academy Service Animal Certificates.
- Complete certificates from other 3rd parties (AKC, etc)
Open Range Academy Professional Support:
- Support in cases of confrontation, situational support, documentation support, or support from trainer or Paw Coach staff.
The "Other" Registry Companies:
Registry Features:
- 24/7 Access
- Registration number attaches to all of your pertinent documentation for easy public access.
- Simple to use app.
- Professional support from the ORA Service Dog and ESA network.
Handler Information:
- Basic handler information: name(s), location, etc.
- Doctor or practitioner prescription letter.
Canine Information:
- Basic canine information name(s), location, breed, sex, etc.
- Quick access supporting documents: veterinary information, vaccination records, etc.
Emergency Contact Information:
- Emergency information made public only if desired.
- Condition support information; anxiety, epilepsy, PTSD, physical disability, etc.
- Condition support emergency procedure: call 911, condition support procedure (if applicable), other pertinent information.
- Additional emergency contacts: family, doctor(s), other handler support team members.
Training Records:
- Recorded training hours.
- Training task documentation.
- Training certifications and certification numbers.
- Canine-Handler evaluation videos.
- Contact for trainer support validation.
Training Certifications:
- Complete Open Range Academy Service Animal Certificates.
- Complete certificates from other 3rd parties (AKC, etc)
Professional Support:
- Support in cases of confrontation, situational support, documentation support, or support from trainer or Paw Coach staff.
OPEN RANGE ACADEMY REGISTRY FEATURES REVIEW:
OPEN RANGE ACADEMY SERVICE DOG REGISTRATION
EASY ACCESS TO DOCUMENTATION YOU ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS. AN ORA REGISTRATION NUMBER IS ALSO REQUIRED FOR TRACKING YOUR ORA SERVICE DOG TRAINING AND ACCOMPLISHMENT CERTIFICATIONS.
PERTINENT PUBLIC CANINE AND HANDLER AWARENESS INFORMATION
BASIC PERTINENT INFORMATION INCLUDING: NAME, PICTURE, AND TASK WORK PERFORMED, ETC.
EMERGENCY CONTACT AND PROCEDURE INFORMATION
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (i.e. Call 911). HANDLERS DOCTOR INFORMATION, CLOSE CONTACT OR OTHER RELEVANT CONTACTS. HOW TO HELP IN CASE OF EPISODES REQUIRING ASSISTANCE.
CANINE HEALTH RECORDS
COPIES OF VACCINATION AND YEARLY VET REPORT.
CANINE TRAINING RECORDS
TRAINING QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING HOURS, CERTIFICATES, CERTIFICATE VIDEOS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
VERIFIED TRAINING ASSESSMENT TESTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
EARN CERTIFICATES AFTER WORKING THROUGH ORA SERVICE DOG COURSES AND TAKING YOUR EVALUATION TEST WITH A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR.
PUBLIC AWARENESS SUPPORT
ALTHOUGH YOU MAY ONLY BE ASKED A FEW QUESTIONS UNDER FEDERAL GUIDELINES, BUSINESSES ULTIMATELY HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR BUSINESS IF THEY FEEL THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE A LEGITIMATE SERVICE DOG. THE OPEN RANGE ACADEMY REGISTRATION PROVIDES QUICK ACCESS TO YOUR CERTIFICATION AND EVALUATION VIDEOS THAT HELP PUBLIC ENTITIES KNOW THAT YOUR DOG HAS THE PROPER TRAINING.
OPEN RANGE ACADEMY SUPPORT
OPEN RANGE ONLY PROVIDES VERIFIED CERTIFICATES AND ID PLACARDS TO THOSE WHO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS. ONE PURPOSE OF OUR REGISTRATION SERVICE IS TO KEEP TRACK OF YOUR TRAINING HOURS AND CERTIFICATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP ENCOURAGE YOU, HELP YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND ASSIST YOU WITH STAYING COMPLIANT WITH FEDERAL LAWS. OUR COACHES AND TRAINERS ARE ACCUSTOM TO WORKING WITH SERVICE ANIMALS IN PUBLIC AND CAN HELP GUIDE YOU IN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS AND PROVIDE THE SUPPORT YOU NEED TO HAVE CONFIDENCE MOVING FORWARD.
Compare "Other" Registration Services
(USELESS) REGISTRATION NUMBER
OTHER COMPANIES PROVIDE YOU WITH A REGISTRATION NUMBER THAT SHOWS YOUR NAME, YOUR DOGS NAME, AND A PICTURE OF YOUR CANINE. THIS PROVIDES NO VALIDATION VALUE TO THE PUBLIC AND EXTENDS ZERO RIGHTS OR PERMISSIONS TO THE HANDLER.
Let's Take A Look At An Example Of Misleading Consumer Registries: Example #1 From UnitedServiceDog.com
Looking at highlighted information from UnitedServiceDog we can point out some blatant miss-characterization of facts if you understand the law and know what to look for. The registry clearly leads the consumer to believe that “registration” through their service grants these rights or protections.
- Public Access (ADA) – FALSE: The service claims your dog will have full access anywhere; this is blatantly untrue. If your dog has not been trained according to ADA, FHA, ACAA, or state regulations; than you are actually miss-representing your service dog in public and you are breaking the law. This registry CAN NOT and DOES NOT have the authority to grant you access or permission to have a service dog, period. These rights are afforded to you freely under federal laws when you comply with federal training or qualification guidelines.
- Housing (FHA) – FALSE: “Registering” your service animal with this for-profit company does not grant you the rights it claims (no deposits, rent fees, or breed restrictions). As a matter of fact your Service Dog and ESA are provided these rights freely by the FHA.
- Flying (ACAA) – FALSE: “Registering” your service animal with this for-profit company does not grant you the rights to fly. Under the ACAA, the airlines have complete authority over their decisions and standards for accepting ESA’s and Service Dog’s. The airlines provide this documentation freely, links available here on ORA, and you must comply with their training and verification requirements.
The statements provided by this company are misleading and ultimately FALSE. No registry has the authority or is recognized to grant any rights or permissions to your Service Animal team.
Misleading Service Animal Registry: Example #2 From USAServiceDogs.org
Looking at some highlighted information from USAServiceDogs.Org we can point out some blatant mischaracterization of facts. Although the companies claims are only applicable to their “registration” service, it clearly leads the consumer to believe that direct “registration” through their service provides these protections to you and your service animal, this is FALSE.
- Covered Conditions – FALSE: No federal law has limitations on service animals based on any health “conditions”. This would be the definition of discrimination. Instead, federal laws point to clear mental and physical disabilities that are standard. However, there are no limitations on conditions but rather limitations on training compliance. To comply with most federal regulation standards your service animal must be trained.
- Additionally, with this specific service, do not be mislead to think that if you have one of the conditions listed that you would be somehow covered or protected by federal law. Your protection and rights through federal laws are afforded when you comply with the law, not purchase a “registration number”. In fact you are breaking the law if you represent your animal as a service animal and it has no training. A registration ID badge does not make your animal a service animal.
Misleading Service Animal Registry: Example #3 From USDogRegistry.org
Looking at some highlighted information from USDogRegistry.org we can point out some blatant micharacterization of facts. Although these companies claims are only applicable to their “registration” service, it clearly leads the consumer to believe that direct “registration” through their service provides these protections, this is FALSE. Looking at the information directly below the companies registration packages, the company lays out some bullet points leading the consumer to believe these rights are extended to them upon registration, this is FALSE. Companies claimed coverage:
- Take Your Service Animal To Work – FALSE: Your Service Dog is provided access to the workplace through the ADA. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for the regular administration of ADA Title I. This companies “registration” provides you no rights, protections, or authority to have a service animal at work.
- No More Airline or Housing Fees – FALSE: Your fees are waived under federal protections by the ACAA and the FHA. This companies “registration” provides you no financial leniency.
- The Right To Have Your Service Animal On An Airline or At Home – FALSE: This companies “registration” provides you no rights to have your service animal on a flight or in your home
List Of Misleading Service Animal Registries: FYI, We Have Never Found One That Is Not Misleading
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: #1 Open Range Academy has its own for-profit registry service; however, we are industry professionals that provide professional support services and training, as outlined below, which provides useful handler training and public awareness support. We highlight these facts to properly inform consumers and the public of the blatant consumer fraud being committed by these companies. #2 These companies may not be directly misleading the consumer but, in our opinion, these companies are misleading through omission of fact and critical information pertaining to federal laws. Additionally, in our opinion, these companies make clear implications that rights are awarded through “registration” on their site.
- assistancedogregistry.com
- federalservicedogregistration.org
- nsarco.com
- servicedogregistration.org
- unitedservicedog.com
- unitedsupportanimals.org
- usaservicedogs.org
- usaservicedogregistration.com
- usdogregistry.org
- usservicedogregistry.org
This is not an extensive list, it is literally just the first page of search results that come up on search engines. Please leave a comment about other companies if we should add to the list.
Supporting Service Animals
Help The Open Range Academy Keep Consumers Informed
Open Range Academy is a full service training and professional Service Dog and Emotional Service Dog support platform. We are here to assist you with your Service Dog experience. We provide administrative coaching, professional dog training courses live and at home, and training evaluation certifications (similar to the AKC but for Service Dogs).
Continue working through our website and this page to learn more. If you decide not to register your Service Dog with the Open Range Academy, you can stay informed by creating your free account. Your free account provides access to training videos, useful documents, the ORA forum, and support/coaching groups.
You can also support the Open Range Academy by sharing this page, or other articles on our site, through your social media.
service animal awareness
Is Service Dog Registration For Public Awareness Useful or Necessary?
Service Animal registration services often mischaracterize the meaning or value of a registry service. A registry service can provide value in many ways to the handler/client and the public; however, service animal registration is not required and registries are not recognized by government, private or public institutions. Here are the two most valuable tools that a registry service can provide:
- Provide confidence and value to the handler. Many times when a handler encounters an uncomfortable situation or public harassment for having a service animal, a registry ID card can provide a quick way to diffuse the situation. ORA Registry services go above and beyond in providing documentation and professional support to the handler in addition to a comprehensive registration profile including emergency information, canine documentation, training credentials, etc.
- Registration can provide value to the public, only for the purpose of public awareness. Although, legally, you may only be asked a few questions if you encounter an awkward situation in public, it is always in the best interest of the handler to have as much supporting documentation as possible. Providing identification and documentation to public and private entities helps inform, diffuse tense situations, and provide confidence to the public that your animal has a right to be there and has the training necessary to act as a responsible public citizen. Obviously, in many situations, the public is unaware of rights awarded by federal protections to Service Dogs and a useful registry database can quickly inform them without the handler requiring any additional verbal confrontation.
Are Service Animal Registries Useful?
YES, IF:
THE REGISTRAR PROVIDES VERIFIABLE PUBLIC INFORMATION THAT SUBSTANTIATES YOUR CLAIM TO A SERVICE DOG. YOUR SERVICE DOG MUST BE TRAINED TO BE GRANTED MOST FEDERAL PROTECTIONS (FHA IS THE ONLY LIMITING EXEMPTION). IF YOUR REGISTRAR IS NOT TRACKING USEFUL PUBLIC AWARENESS INFORMATION THAN THE REGISTRY IS LITERALLY USELESS.
YES, IF:
THE REGISTRAR PROVIDES USEFUL TOOLS FOR HANDLER AND PUBLIC PROTECTION. IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH A SERVICE DOG THAN MOST LIKELY THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PROTECTION, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, OR IMMEDIATE HEALTH RELATED ASSISTANCE. OPEN RANGE ACADEMY IS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT PROVIDES HANDLER CRITERIA FOR INSTANCES IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. OPEN RANGE ACADEMY IS ALSO THE ONLY COMPANY THAT HAS PROFESSIONAL AND KNOWLEDGEABLE HANDLERS ON STAFF TO SUPPORT YOU AT ANY TIME IN ANY SCENARIO.
ULTIMATELY, YES, REGISTRATION CAN BE A USEFUL TOOL FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS, BUT IT IS NOT REQUIRED.
NO, IF:
THE REGISTRAR PROVIDES A "REGISTRATION" NUMBER WITH A PICTURE AND NAME CLAIMING YOU HAVE A "SERVICE DOG". IN THESE INSTANCES, IF YOUR DOG IS NOT TRAINED, YOU ARE BEING MISLEAD AND YOU ARE ACTUALLY BREAKING THE LAW. PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS ULTIMATELY HAVE THE RIGHT TO BAN YOU FROM THE PREMISE AND EVEN SUE YOU IF YOUR DOG HAS NOT BEEN TRAINED TO FEDERAL STANDARDS AND MISBEHAVES IN PUBLIC.
WARNING
Private companies and public institutions have the obligation to protect everyone. If your dog is misbehaving they have the right to remove the animal. Your protections are only awarded if your dog has been trained for service “tasks”, in public spaces and is not a danger to others (in addition to other criteria, law dependent). If your dog is not trained you are probably breaking the law.
service animal registry scams
Do "Other" Service Animal Registries Provide Any Value?
In short, no. FACT: There is not one registry service available, besides Open Range Academy, that actually backs up their clients claims to a Service Animal with verifiable and useful information. Do not be mislead, other registries are nothing short of consumer fraud.
WARNING
Other registration and certification companies provide a false notion that by becoming “registered” you now have a legally registered service animal. THIS IS FALSE.
Ultimately Service Animal “registration” is NOT required under any federal law; additionally, federal laws do not grant rights or permissions to registry companies or canines participating in those public registries. The value to the client, you, is only relevant to the services offered by the registry. In order to comply with federal laws your dog must be trained.
Also, Service Animal “certification” is NOT required under any federal law. Certification only provides value if it is backed up through training and provides additional public awareness.
NO OTHER COMPANY OFFERS TRAINING, TRAINING EVALUATION CERTIFICATES, PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT, OR LONG TERM ASSISTANCE
OPEN RANGE IS THE ONLY COMPANY
Service Dog Registration Services
Open Range Academy Registry Options
Purchase your registration on the Open Range Academy public database, or purchase your registration with our training and coaching bundles.
SAVE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS WHEN YOU PURCHASE REGISTRATION IN PAW PASS BUNDLE
