The Ultimate Guide For Service Dogs
PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO SERVICE DOGS
Choosing Service Dog Breed
PART 2: SERVICE DOG TRAINING, REGISTRATION, AND PRESCRIPTION SERVICES
CERTIFICATE AND REGISTRATION SCAMS
PART 3: SERVICE DOG FEDERAL PROTECTIONS
PART 4: USEFUL LINKS, DOCUMENTS AND FAQ'S
ESA's vs Service Dogs
Simply put: An ESA does NOT meet the standards of the ADA law and does not have protections awarded by the ADA. A Service Dog DOES meet the standards of the ADA law and is awarded protections under the ADA.
Protection Differences
ESA Protections
- Flying under the Air Carrier Access Act
- Housing under FHA Guidelines
Service Dog Protections
- Same as ESA, PLUS
- Public Access Protections (restaurants, stores, etc)
- Public Transport Protections (taxis, buses, transits, etc)
- School Access (k-12, college, public and private)
- Work/Employment Protections (you may have your dog at work)
General Guideline Differences
ESA Guidelines
- Mental Disability often verified by an ESA Letter from a practicing doctor, psychiatrist or other similar professional.
- Some training is required; active since 2019, for dogs to have public access on airlines they must have public behavior training.
Service Dog Guidelines
- Any physical or mental disability requiring a service dog to perform a task.
- A service dog letter may be required for airlines or housing but is NOT required if your dog meets the standards of ADA law for public access. A letter from a health professional is recommended for almost any circumstance that may help to substantiate your claim to a service dog. Although legally, companies cannot ask for verification because no verification is provided under the law, they can certainly make it difficult. The more proof you have that your service dog is required and has been trained the easier it is to break down the barriers of fear when working with your canine in public. Remember, public entities have a need and right to protect ALL public personnel not just you and your service dog. It is in their best interest to use caution.
- A service dog must be trained to perform a specific task for your needs. This does include obedience and basic public access training. It may include things like; pressure relieving tasks, pulling a wheelchair, opening a door, picking up objects, etc.
Can My ESA Become ADA Compliant?
If You Are Eligible For A Service Dog Doctor/ESA Letter,
than often YES, you can train your dog to become ADA compliant and have the additional protections awarded to you under the ADA law. Keep in mind that you MUST train your dog in public access work and train your dog to perform a specific task for your needs.
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