10 Things Service-Dog Handlers Want You to Know

No dog is infallible. It must be housebroken and under control, and handlers need backup assistance when it cannot work.

Kea Grace
Published November 30, 2022

Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support Animals and Facility Dogs

These terms describe different roles. A dog's friendly behavior, vest or registration does not establish a legal category.

Kea Grace
Published February 10, 2022

Service-Dog Behavior in Public: Practical Expectations and ADA Rules

Public work requires a dog that can remain under effective control and perform its trained assistance.

Kea Grace
Published December 20, 2021

What Is a Service Animal Under the ADA?

For ADA public access, a service animal is a dog individually trained to do disability-related work or tasks.

USSDR
Published May 17, 2021

Checking Service-Animal Access Without Judging the Handler

A person's appearance, diagnosis or choice of dog is not a reliable test of service-animal status. Staff should use the rules for the actual setting.

USSDR
Published May 17, 2021

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

Begin with the assistance you need in daily life. Under ADA public-access rules, a qualifying service dog is individually trained in work or tasks directly related…

Anything Pawsable Staff
Published February 1, 2021

Choosing a Service-Dog Candidate

Start with the assistance you need, the environments the dog will encounter and the care you can arrange. Selection reduces uncertainty but cannot eliminate it.

Olivia Williams
Published May 31, 2019

Five Questions to Consider Before Partnering With a Service Dog

These questions can help you compare a service dog with other assistance options.

Kea Grace
Published May 15, 2019

Trained Service-Dog Tasks and Natural Behavior

The ADA requires individually trained work or tasks related to a person's disability. Comfort from a dog's presence alone does not meet that definition.

Terry McCormack, CDT
Published May 10, 2019

Five Benefits That Are Different from Trained Service-Dog Tasks

Living with a dog can offer companionship, a comforting routine and enjoyable time together. Those benefits alone do not establish service-dog status under the ADA.

Kea Grace
Published April 22, 2019