What’s a Service Dog? And What’s the Difference Between an Emotional Support Animal and Therapy Animal?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Defines a Service Dog (SD) as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability."  The ADA only recognizes dogs and in certain situations miniature horses as Service Animals. 

 

Service Dog Cali

Service Dogs are allowed to accompany their handler anywhere that the general public is allowed to go including; restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, department stores, zoos, planes, buses, trains, cruises, taxi cabs, etc.  Service Dogs provide a huge assistance to their disabled handler and it’s important to follow etiquette when around a Service Dog Team. 

· NEVER pet, call, talk to, feed, whistle, bark, or otherwise distract a Service Dog or dog in training. It is against the law! To do so can potentially injure a disabled handler and earn the dog a correction.  

· If you feel you must pet a Service Dog or puppy in training, ASK first. And do not feel offended if the handler says no. Remember, a Service Dog is as vital to a disabled person as a wheelchair or cane.  

· Train children to NEVER pet a strange dog -- ANY dog -- without first asking permission.  

· Keep in mind that NOT ALL disabilities are visible. Just because someone looks healthy doesn't mean that they don't have a disability; and all of the challenges that come with it.  

· Service Dogs can be any breed or size. A Chihuahua can be a Medical Alert Dog and do their job just fine.  

· Remember, a Service Dog is not a pet, but it has a far better, more rewarding and more enjoyable life than any pet dog could ever wish for. It's with the person it loves all day long, it gets to go everywhere it's owner goes, and because it's a working dog it usually gets more exercise, better food, and medical care than most pet dogs do because a disabled person can't afford for their assistant to be in ill-health! Plus, Service Dogs LOVE what they do; it’s in their blood!  

Service Dog In-Training Kenzie

Service Dog In-Training Skye Alerting to a Low Blood Sugar 

http://www.petside.com/article/miniature-service-horses-small-statures-huge-hearts

What’s the difference between a Service Dog, Emotional Support Animal and Therapy Animal?

• An Emotional Support Animal is any animal which provides comfort to their disabled or elderly handler simply by their presence.  Emotional Support Animal Handlers do have some legal protections in housing and in air travel.

• Therapy Animals can generally be any species including; dogs, cats, birds, horses, and more.  Delta Society defines a Therapy Animal as being “trained along with their handler to provide specific human populations with appropriate contact with animals. They are usually the personal pets of the handlers and accompany their handlers to the sites they visit, but therapy animals may also reside at a facility. Animals must meet specific criteria for health, grooming and behavior. While managed by their handlers, their work is not handler-focused and instead provides benefits to others.”

         * http://www.petpartners.org/page.aspx?pid=267#ServiceTherapy 

Federal law, which protects the rights of qualified individuals with disabilities, has no provision for people to be accompanied by therapy animals or emotional support animals in places of public accommodation such as restaurants, grocery stores, or other places that have a "no pets" policies.

Therapy Animals:

https://www.ncmedical.com/animal-assisted-therapy

http://www.hscalumet.org/pet-therapy.asp

All of these animals have important jobs to do but it’s important to know the difference.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to check out my website or contact me: www.HighlandSpringsPetServices.c