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What Is The Definition Of A Service Dog?

The official definition of a service dog is that it’s an animal trained to do particular tasks for a person with a physical or mental disability. These tasks must be connected to how the person is able to function. The service dog works to compound, support and assist these activities or mitigate the person’s impairment. The ADA only allows dogs and miniature horses to become service animals.

Why train a service dog?

Training of a service dog might be facilitated by an expert through a program for service dogs. However, enlisting in professional programs is not a requirement. The individual with the disability can actually train his dog himself or herself.

Apart from making a disabled person’s life easier, it’s important for service dogs to get the proper training so that the animals can have access in public properties. Under the stipulations of the ADA, trained service dogs can be with their owners inside restaurants, hospitals, airplanes, hotels and other establishments. Service animals must be allowed access to wherever their handlers are allowed access.

Service dogs are not exempt from following human rules when visiting establishments with their handler. If a service dog causes a disturbance or creates any damages, a business or airline or any other establishment is allowed to ask the handler to remove their service dog from the establishment.

What are Service Dogs?

Service dogs may also be referred to as:

  • Therapy or psychiatric dogs that help those suffering from psychological impairment or other emotional difficulties. These dogs can be found at hospitals or retirement homes
  • Guide dogs or signal dogs that help people with physical and mental disability. A blind person, for instance, will need a service dog for his mobility. A person suffering from neurological disability, such as someone with PTSD, might need a signal dog to warn him or the people around him of triggers before these happen.

Service dogs are considered more than pets because of these specific and important tasks they perform for their handlers on a daily basis. Any breed of dog can become a service dog, but the distinction is not acknowledged for other animals, whether they are domestic or wild. This means cats, birds, monkeys, or any other animals are not allowed to be designated as a service animal.

Below is the official definition of service dogs from the Americans With Disabilites Act: “A service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.  The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.”

Registering Service Dogs

Registration of a service dog is not necessary or required by law. Although it is not required, it may be beneficial for a service dog handler to register their dog in order to maintain their privacy. By showing their identification card when questioned about their service dog, the handler can avoid divulging private medical information to complete strangers. Since many people do not understand the rights of service dogs, having an identification card is a personal preference for handlers.

Yorkie Service Dog Registration

| Service Dog

About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.

10 comments

  1. Pete H. Dillon says: August 23, 2019

    How can you allow a small dog ie chihuahua or similar dog to be considered a service dog, when its only function is to provide companionship to its owner? That negates the value a real service dog provides. I see on a regular basis small dogs being carried in ladies purses. The ONLY service they provide is companionship for their doltish owners.

    Reply
    • Mary says: June 7, 2021

      Wrong! Small dogs can be trained to notice when their owners are about to have a seizure and alert them. They also can sense when their owner is about to suffer a panic attack or become dissociated because their PTSD has been triggered by something in the environment. Small dogs can be and are trained as service animals. And it is easier to travel with them.

    • mnms4u says: December 26, 2022

      Some service dogs have duties which are not visible, just as there are disabilities that are no easily observed.

    • SDC says: December 26, 2022

      That is very true. Psychiatric service dogs help with “invisible” disabilities: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/psychiatric-service-dog/

  2. susan smith says: February 18, 2020

    I would like to see the law change to; A service dog must be registered. Too many people claim that there dog is a service dog and take their dogs to places they should not be.

    Reply
    • Tammy Waters says: March 5, 2021

      My disability is not visible, foot was crushed in a car accident causing permanent injury. My dog offers stability due to my fall risk. He pulls suit cases that I am unable to. Several people like you have approached me although my dog is well behaved, to intrude into my personal business. I would like to see the law change to prevent people like you from restricting my rights.

    • Nancy Black says: March 31, 2021

      Susan I agree. Too many people claim they have a service do and the dog does not fit the criteria. They bark, their uncontrollable, and are not totally obedient. I trained my dog to be a service to me, but he decided that he wants to be psychiatric service dog. He was abused by an autistic child who the mom in her own right thought the dog would be a good fit the dog was perfect, but the child did not like him. She gave him to me and I gladly accepted him… Now he loves to be around children and people, and he loves hugs from people… I have trained to heal, sit, stay, heal and sit and watch when other dogs are around and then I say let’s go, he is awesome. I want to take this a step further and do what he loves to do…He is quite special and very smart. I want to certify him but I trying to look for more info for training him…I cannot seem to find additional info. I have had dogs in my life and trained them, over 40 years experience… Dogs are special and they have human emotions which makes them like our better-half.

    • ML says: July 27, 2024

      I believe the reluctance to license service animals is the additional cost to the ADA families who already struggle until how/whom will own that cost (federal v state) in additional expense to the taxpayers is deduced and pushed through government into law.

  3. Albany dog Training says: August 14, 2020

    For the best dog training facility in Albany Call All Dawgs Training. All Dawgs offers obiedence, agility training, and Dog Boarding.

    Reply
  4. J Hunter says: May 17, 2021

    Can you actually have service dog chained up outside all day at an apartment complex? You never see anyone with this dog?

    Reply

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