It’s no secret that dogs have become more and more included in today’s society. But even though more and more shops and venues are allowing access to our canine companions, they still can’t join us on public transportation, or in places of business unless they are registered as a service dog.
Nowadays, registering your dog as a service dog is much easier than you think.
Service dogs
Registering your dog as a service dog requires it to be trained and certified in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide aid to people living with disabilities.
According to ADA standards(1), this type of service dog has to be “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”
Advantages of Having a Service Dog
– Full access to all public areas
– Free of charge flight access
– Dining area access in all restaurants
Service dogs are exempt from paying rent and must be allowed to live with their owners. Landlords must allow this the service animal to live with their owners, regardless of their renting policy.
Emotional Support Dogs
Emotional Support dogs differ from service dogs due to their way of supporting their owners by providing comfort and affection.
A specific advantage of an emotional support dog is that landlords must allow this the service animal to live with their owners, regardless of their renting policy.
Therapy Dogs
Many institutions like schools allow the use of therapy dogs to provide aid to people affected by mental and physical issues.
Registering your dog
The only requirement for registering your dog is a letter from your doctor, recommending you get an emotional support dog. Conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, and PTSD can qualify for an emotional support dog.
To register your dog as a Service Animal, you will have to apply for approval from the United States Service Dog Registry(3). The process includes 120 hours of training over six months, with at least a quarter of the training done in public. Given your dog meets the prescribed standards here are no additional costs to registering your dog with the United States Service Dog Registry.
Complete the simple steps and register your dog
If you complete the necessary steps, your dog can quickly register for any type of service dog listed in this article. The best way to start is by getting all the right information online and evaluating your best option. After choosing the best choice for your dog, you can begin the simple registration process and quickly get your pet certified.
[1]DA, Frequently Asked Questions About Service Animals and the ADA
[2]United States Service Dog Registry, Minimum Training Standards for Service and Assistance Dogs