What is a service dog?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as a 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. Every service dog is individually trained to mitigate their partner's struggles.
Dogs (i.e., therapy dogs) whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Service dogs are working animals, not pets. Working with their partner, service dogs help these individuals attain greater safety, and independence from a challenging world. Only service dogs and their human companions are allowed access to public buildings, transportation systems, and other public areas.
What dog breeds are used for service dogs?
All potential service dogs will be selected from purebred Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers. This is consistent with other service dog programs, where typically 90% of service dogs (hearing-disabled, seeing-disabled, mobility, PTSD veterans and children with developmental difficulties) are from these two breeds. Their combination of excellent temperament, size, intelligence, trainability, friendliness to strangers, and desire to please are obvious and well-tested over time.
Depending on circumstances, Standard Poodles and German Shepherds will be considered.
Where are service dogs allowed?
In clearest terms, service dogs and their partners are allowed entry to any place the general public is permitted. Federal law requires that entities serving the public (businesses, state facilities, non-profit organizations, schools, restaurants, etc.) must allow service dogs access.
Exceptions to this law are hospital operating rooms and ICUs (but service dogs permitted in the waiting areas), microchip clean rooms, and food preparation areas (but dogs always allowed into dining rooms). Entry to churches, prisons, and federal courts is variable -permitted or denied on the discretion of those in charge.
Disabled people using service dogs may not be treated less fairly than non-disabledindividuals - nor can they be physically separated from other people.
A public entity shall not ask about the nature or extent of a person's disability, but may make only two inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as aservice animal.
A public entity may ask if the dog is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.
A public entity shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal.
What tasks are performed by service dogs?
Mobility Service Dogs are trained to assist people with serious balance issues, inability to walk or use their legs. Tasks may include:
- Safe Play / Activities
- Increased Interest in School and Socialization
- Emotional Support - a constant companion
- Opening and closing - doors, windows, cabinets
- Depositing - trash into wastebasket, mail on counter
- Locating and retrieving - telephone, medicine, keys, etc.
- Turning on/off - light switches and other electrical devices
- Tugging - help remove shoes, drag laundry basket with strap
- Unloading & Removing - clothes in dryer; DVD from player
- Bracing without harness - transfer from wheelchair to bed and bath
- Emergency medical - pressing 9-1-1 speed dial button in an emergency
- Carrying and transporting - lug items up stairs, move objects in the home
- Harness based tasks - tow, haul, pull wheelchair or heavy items - larger dogs