Reviewed and fact-checked by Bruce Whittle, DVM
For those of us who require extra assistance in our daily lives, a service dog is much more than just man’s best friend—they are everything you could ever need them to be.
Service dogs embody the truest form of canine companionship, assisting their owners with daily tasks while also providing unconditional friendship, support, and protection.
We understand the significance of service dogs in people's lives and the essential role they play in our communities. We also recognize that the process of legally acquiring a service dog is often complicated, exhausting, and fraught with red tape.
To help make this process easier, we offer Service Dog 101, where you can find everything you need to know about service dogs—including what they are, how to get one, and even how to train your dog to become one.
What Is a Service Dog?
A service dog is any dog that is trained to assist a person with disabilities. A service dog is not a pet; it is specifically trained to perform tasks that directly relate to an individual's disability.
As defined by Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is:
"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."
What’s the Difference Between Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs?
Service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, according to the ADA:
"Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA."
This is a critical legal distinction. Service dogs and emotional support dogs are not the same and are not afforded the same legal protections under the ADA.
Emotional support dogs are often used in hospitals or therapy settings, where their presence provides comfort to multiple individuals. Typically, one dog may provide emotional support to an entire hospital or group of patients.
In contrast, a service dog has a distinct and individualized role. According to the ADA, its tasks "must be directly related to the individual's disability."
Service Dogs Are Not the Same as Working Dogs
As stated earlier, a service dog is specifically trained to assist a person with a disability, performing tasks directly related to that person's needs—for example, a guide dog helping a blind owner navigate safely.
On the other hand, working dogs are trained for roles that are not tied to a specific person’s disability. Examples include:
- K9 search and rescue dogs
- Narcotics detection dogs at airports
- Police or military dogs
While these dogs are highly trained and skilled, they do not qualify as service dogs under the ADA's definition.
Types of Service Dogs
There are many types of service dogs. Below are some of the most common, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
- Guide Dogs – Trained to assist individuals with severe visual impairments or blindness by providing navigation support.
- Hearing Dogs – Specially trained to alert individuals with significant hearing loss or deafness when important sounds occur.
- Psychiatric Service Dogs – Assist individuals with psychiatric disabilities by detecting the onset of psychiatric episodes and mitigating their effects. According to the ADA, tasks may include:
- Providing safety checks
- Reminding their handler to take medication
- Interrupting self-harm behaviors
- Preventing disoriented individuals from danger
- Autism Support Dogs (SSigDOGs) – Help individuals with autism by recognizing and responding to repetitive movements or behaviors, promoting safety and focus.
- Seizure Alert & Response Dogs – Trained to detect an oncoming seizure and alert their handler in advance, allowing the person to move to a safe place. These dogs may also:
- Stand guard during a seizure
- Seek help if needed
Additionally, service dogs such as diabetes alert dogs and allergy detection dogs are considered service animals under the ADA because they are trained to detect life-threatening conditions—such as low blood sugar or allergens—and alert their owners accordingly.
If you are uncertain if your assistance dog qualifies as a service dog under the ADA, we encourage you to contact the ADA at 1-800-949-4232.
Common Service Dog Breeds
Dogs are incredibly attuned to the emotions, physical limitations, and medical needs of their owners/handlers. Some breeds are naturally better suited for specific service roles, making them ideal for mobility assistance, guidance, or hearing support.
Most Common Mobility, Guide, and Hearing Service Dog Breeds:
These breeds are favored for their intelligence, trainability, temperament, and strong work ethic, making them excellent service companions.
Psychiatric Service Dog Breeds
Psychiatric service dogs assist individuals with mental health conditions by performing specific tasks. Because their role is broader, various breeds can qualify, including:
- Poodle
- Labrador Retriever
- Havanese
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Lhasa Apso
- Boxer
- Border Collie
Autism Support Dogs (SSig Dogs)
Autism service dogs must be acutely aware of their handler's actions while providing emotional support. Intelligent, affectionate, and sensitive breeds are highly valued, such as:
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Poodle
- Old English Sheepdog
- Beagle
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Boxer
- Bull Terrier
- Great Dane
- Newfoundland
Seizure Alert and Response Dog Breeds
Seizure alert and response dogs can detect the onset of a seizure through scent and behavioral cues. Breeds known for this ability include:
What Tasks Do Service Dogs Perform?
A better question might be: what tasks don't service dogs perform? These dogs are trained for a wide range of tasks, including:
- Opening doors and fetching items
- Turning on lights
- Sounding alarm
- Guiding their handler during travel
- Interrupting a panic attack
- Detecting a seizure
- Providing counterbalance or support
- Steadying a handler while transferring from a wheelchair
- And many more
Who Can Qualify for a Service Dog?
According to the National Service Dog Registry, a person qualifies for a service dog if they have a disability that substantially limits their ability to perform at least one major life task.
Common Disabilities That Qualify for a Service Dog:
- Debilitating Physical Condition
- Asthma or other debilitating breathing problems
- Blindness & partial blindness
- Deafness & partial deafness
- Diabetes & Cancer patients
- Dizziness/Balance problems
- Epilepsy
- General Hearing Difficulty
- Mobility Problems & Physical Weakness
- Neurological Problems
- Paralysis
- Speech Problems
- Seizures
- Age-Related Cognitive Decline
- Autism
- Depression
- Dyslexia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Emotionally Overwhelmed
- Panic Attacks
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Separation Anxiety
- Social Phobia
- Stress Problems
Can You Get a Service Dog for Anxiety, Depression?
Yes. If anxiety or depression is severe enough to be considered a disability, a person may qualify for a psychiatric service dog (PSD).
Tasks a Psychiatric Service Dog Might Perform:
- Detect signs of an impending anxiety attack
- Fetch medication during an anxiety episode
- Alert others if their handler is in distress
- Prevent strangers from approaching the handler
- Calm an anxiety attack through distraction (licking, snuggling, etc.)
- Provide deep pressure therapy (DPT)
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Service Dog?
Service dogs are specially bred, highly trained, and in high demand. Therefore they are often a costly investment. For the average service dog training organization, the cost of a service dog is between $15,000 and $50,000 for a specially trained service dog. In addition to the cost of purchasing a service dog, owners/handlers are also responsible for the associated cost of ownership, including vet bills.
Are Service Dogs Covered by Insurance?
Due to the relatively high cost of service dog ownership, health insurance often becomes a factor. Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover the cost of a service dog or any additional expenses.
What about Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance?
Unfortunately, the answer is the same; health insurance DOES NOT cover the cost of a service dog, or the cost of ownership.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Service Dog?
On average, it takes between two and three years for a dog to complete service dog training depending on the dog, and the specific nature of service dog training.
Do Service Dogs Need to be Professionally Trained?
No. The ADA does not require service dogs to be professionally trained. People with disabilities have the right to train their dog themselves, or use a professional service dog training program if they wish.
How Can I Get My Dog Registered as a Service Dog?
Your service dog does not require official certification. However, it must be trained to perform tasks related to your disability.
1. Understanding Your Dog and Disability.
According to the ADA, a service dog must be trained in a role specific to your disability. The law does not distinguish between breeds; all breeds are eligible to become service dogs, though some breeds are naturally restricted from performing some service dog roles. A Dachshund, for example, will find it very challenging to open doors, or guide a person up and down a flight of stairs. Likewise, it would be very difficult for a Corgi to detect a seizure as the Corgi does not have that ability, unlike the Akita.
Therefore, before you and your dog undertake service dog training you should first determine whether or not your dog has the physical ability to perform the roles necessitated by your disability.
2. Choose Who Will Train Your Service Dog.
A prospective service dog must demonstrate that it is a model canine citizen before it is even considered for service dog certification, which means it will need to be exceptionally well trained. Owners can undertake the training process themselves, or they can choose for their dog to attend service dog training with a certified service dog trainer, or training organization.
However, it's generally recommended that prospective service owners be at least present during the dog's training to establish a particular bond with the dog and most effectively mitigate disabling symptoms.
3. Service Dog Training
Service dog training is where your dog will learn the skills it needs to best assist you in its role as your service dog. There is no minimum service training requirement, though thirty hours of the training will likely be spent in public.
Training hours spent in public are essential, as your dog will need to perform its role regardless of any distractions that may occur around it.
Your dog will also need to be trained in "tasking", to assist with your disability. Tasking is a broad skill that can include tasks as simple as leading you from a room to detecting a medical alert and performing CPR.
4. Public Access Test
Once your dog has completed the necessary training to become a service dog, it is time for the Public Access Test. This is where your dog and handler will be tested on all that they have learned in service dog training, such as:
- Controlled un/loading into and out of a vehicle
- Controlled approach to a building
- Controlled entry and exit through a doorway
- Six-foot recall on lead
- "Sit" and "Down" on command in various situations
- Control in a restaurant
- Control when the leash is dropped
- Absolutely zero aggressive behavior
- No sniffing behaviors unless released to do so
- No solicitations for food or affection
- No over-excitement and hyperactivity in public
Do Service Dogs Need to Be Certified?
No. According to the ADA, "Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry. Mandatory registration of service animals is not permissible under the ADA."
However, as dogs, service dogs are subject to the same local licensing and vaccination rules that are applied to all dogs.
Is it Illegal to Ask for Service Dog Papers?
According to the ADA, "In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?"
In all other instances, staff are not allowed to ask for ANY documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person's disability.
Don't Fake Service Dog Credentials
Though service dog credentials are not required by law, there are many organizations that offer service dog certification documents online for a fee. According to the Department of Justice, these documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and are not recognized as proof that the dog is a service animal.
It is also a federal crime to obtain fake service dog credentials for the purpose of gaining public access to restaurants, stores, and the cabin area of airplanes. The exploitation of service dog laws is a federal crime, and detrimental to the well-being of working service dogs.
FAQ
Can a Service Dog Live With Another Dog? Yes. However, it would need to be determined whether the presence of the other dog negatively affects the service dog's ability to assist its handler.
Can you Pet a Service Dog? No. A service dog is not a pet, it is a working dog that has a very important job to do. Unless clear consent is given by the handler that it is okay to pet the dog, then you should not touch them or make eye contact.
Do Service Dogs Have to Be on a Leash? The ADA requires that service dogs be under the control of the handler at all times. This means that the service dog must be, "...harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service dog's work or the person's disability prevents use of these devices."
Does a Service Dog Need to Wear a Vest? No. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not require service dogs to wear a vest. However, it is highly recommended that they wear a vest to alert people in your surroundings that your dog is working and should not be distracted from their task at hand.
Did You Know?
- If you see a service dog without its handler, that is a good indication that the handler may need assistance. Under those circumstances, you should follow the dog back to its handler to investigate and determine if you should call emergency services.
- Every individual, dog, and disability is unique, therefore so is every service dog team.
- Service dogs need time off too. Service dogs are ofcourse, dogs, which means they need all the socialization, exercise, and nutrition as other dogs. Just be sure not to socialize with them when they are working.
- It's considered rude to greet a service dog before greeting the handler. Proper etiquette is to ignore the service dog altogether.
- Service dog handlers may not be visibly disabled. This does not give anyone the right to approach, distract, or pet the service dog.
- Guide dogs are trained to go to the bathroom on-demand, to make it easier for the visually impaired to pick it up.
- The first guide dog in the United States was a German Shepherd female, named Buddy. She faithfully guided Morris Frank who established the first guide dog school in the U.S.
- The "Dog of the Millennium" was a service dog named Endal, who is famous for his amazing ability to assist his disabled owner with virtually every aspect of his life.
- During the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers, a Golden Retriever service dog named Roselle safely led her blind owner Michael Hingson from the 78th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
- During the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers, a Labrador Retriever service dog led his blind owner Omar Rivera from71st floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center
Theresa is a tenured PuppySpot employee and breed expert. She is currently the manager of our Profile Approval department and interacts with our breeders on a daily basis. Theresa has been involved in the pet industry for over 19 years and has hands on experience with many dog breeds. Theresa is also the proud owner of Marta, a German Shepherd Dog who is a trained service dog, and a 12-year-old Maltese named Colonel!
