Is That Someone's Service Dog or Just a Pet?

By Blake Webber on January 28, 2024

Is That Someone's Service Dog or Just a Pet?

Introduction

In recent years, the visibility of service dogs has increased significantly. These highly trained animals perform vital tasks for their handlers, who may have a variety of disabilities. However, distinguishing between a service dog and a regular pet can sometimes be challenging. This article explores the differences between service dogs and pets, their roles, and how to identify a legitimate service dog.

What is a Service Dog?

A service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks to assist a person with a disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are granted public access rights, meaning they can accompany their handlers in places where pets are typically not allowed, such as restaurants, stores, and public transportation. The tasks performed by service dogs are directly related to their handler's disability and can range from guiding individuals who are blind to alerting those who are deaf, and even assisting with medical conditions like epilepsy or diabetes.

Tasks Performed by Service Dogs

Service dogs are trained to perform a wide variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

  • Guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision
  • Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
  • Pulling a wheelchair
  • Assisting during a seizure
  • Alerting to the presence of allergens
  • Retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone
  • Providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities
  • Helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors

How to Identify a Service Dog

Identifying a service dog can sometimes be difficult, especially since service dogs are not required to wear special vests or tags. However, there are a few indicators that can help you determine whether a dog is a service animal:

  • Behavior: Service dogs are typically well-behaved, focused on their handlers, and not easily distracted by their surroundings. They are trained to remain calm and composed in various environments.
  • Tasks: Service dogs perform specific tasks that assist their handlers with disabilities. If you observe a dog helping its handler in a way that mitigates their disability, it is likely a service dog.
  • Handler Interaction: Service dogs are often attentive to their handlers and may perform actions such as guiding, retrieving items, or providing physical support.

Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

It is important to distinguish between service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs). While both provide valuable assistance, they have different roles and legal protections:

  • Service Dogs: Trained to perform specific tasks related to a handler's disability, service dogs are granted public access rights under the ADA.
  • Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): Provide comfort and support to individuals with emotional or psychological conditions but do not require specific training. ESAs are not granted public access rights under the ADA but are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

Legal Rights and Responsibilities

Under the ADA, businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow service dogs to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where the public is allowed to go. However, there are a few exceptions:

  • Control and Behavior: A service dog must be under the control of its handler. If a service dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, the business can request the removal of the service dog.
  • Housebroken: Service dogs must be housebroken. If a service dog is not housebroken, the business can request its removal.

Businesses can ask two questions to determine if a dog is a service animal:

  1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
  2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

However, businesses cannot require documentation for the dog, ask the dog to demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.

Conclusion

Service dogs play a crucial role in the lives of individuals with disabilities, providing essential support and enabling greater independence. While it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between a service dog and a pet, understanding the key differences and legal protections can help clarify their unique roles. Whether it's guiding a person with visual impairments or alerting someone to an impending seizure, service dogs are dedicated to improving the quality of life for their handlers.