A service dog is any guide dog or signal dog trained to perform tasks that assist persons with disabilities. These tasks include: Guiding the blind; Alerting the hearing impaired; Protecting person
s with seizure disorders; Reminding those with mental illness to take medications; Calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Assisting individuals in maintain balance up and down stairs or around obstacles; Opening or closing doors, drawers, and refrigerators; Picking up items; Turning on lights; or, Assisting individuals with autism.
Any breed or size of dog can be trained as a service dog, but the most common breeds are Labs, Golden Retrievers, or German Shepherds. This is due in large part to their intelligence, breeding and temperament. Service dogs usually wear a “vest” or harness indicating they are service animals.
Some individuals use dogs as comfort animals and they do receive specific training. However, comfort animals are not necessarily service dogs. Dogs that solely provide comfort or emotional support to their owners are not service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Pursuant to the ADA, any business, government or other public establishment into which members of the public are allowed must allow service animals to accompany owners. Service dogs are usually harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless the devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability.
Anyone coming in contact with a service dog must remembers: Service dogs are work animals, not pets. They should never be petted, touched or fed unless authorized by the owner.
