Everything You Need To Know About Getting Your First Service Dog
Service dogs are the center of a lot of confusion in the real world. Many people are misinformed about questions, such as:
“Who qualifies for a service dog?”
“What is the difference between a service dog and an emotional support animal?”
“Do I need to get my service dog registered?”
Types of service dogs
Service dogs help people with all types of physical and psychiatric conditions. This is how they differ from other types of working animals, such as therapy or emotional support animals. They are individually trained to perform specific tasks that help differently-abled people.
Let’s give you an idea of common types of service dogs. If you see a service dog out and about, it might be…[1]
A guide dog who leads his visually impaired or blind human partner around obstacles to get them where they need to go.
A hearing dog who alerts her human pal to noises like microwave dings, fire alarms, or someone calling their name. She gives her human a poke and guides her to where the noise came from.
A psychiatric service dog who helps people with mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and (most often) PTSD. They perform tasks like alerting them when they sense that an impending panic attack or a flashback may occur. Guiding them to a safe and quiet space. Putting distance between them and other people when they need breathing room. Providing a sense of safety by checking for threats before the owner enters a room.
A mobility dog who opens doors, pulls wheelchairs, and fetches items for his master. People can experience mobility issues stemming from all sorts of causes, and not all of these causes or issues may be visible to passersby.
A diabetic alert dog whose incredible sense of smell can detect changes in her human’s glucose levels. She’ll alert her partner to test their blood to see if they need a dose of insulin or a snack to even out their blood sugar.
An allergy detection dog who uses his powerful nose to alert his human partner of allergens like peanuts and gluten.
An autism support dog who guides his buddy to quiet places during sensory overloads. He can interrupt harmful repetitive behaviors with his big furry body and is able to track down his buddy if he wanders away.
An FSAD service dog who provides similar assistance as an autism support dog, but for people diagnosed with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
A seizure alert dog who is able to sense when a seizure may be oncoming and alert her handler to get to a safe place.
A seizure response dog who jumps into action when a seizure is taking place by barking for help, getting their human to a safe place, and fetching medication.
What it takes to be a service dog
Breeds of all shapes and sizes can be trained as service dogs. However, some breeds are better than others at performing specific tasks.
Overall, since a service dog is a working dog and not just a pet, it’s good for them to excel in a few specific traits:[2]
Intelligence -- Service dogs need to get an A+ when they’re training to perform their tasks! Some breeds with super high intelligence are Papillons, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles.
Work Drive -- There are certain dog breeds that love to work. To them, it’s necessary enrichment for their brain. These are the types of dogs that might seem “too smart for their own good.” They’ll get into mischief if their owners don’t keep them busy with challenging play or training. But this same drive is what makes them great service dogs. Focusing on their handlers is an outlet for their strong desire to work. Some good working dogs include Border Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Boxers.
Obedience -- Service dogs are held to a higher standard than any old pup who went to Doggy Obedience School. They need to obey commands that help their handler. And they must be housebroken and well-mannered to be allowed inside public premises, according to the ADA.[3] Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers are all very obedient and trainable.
Bonding -- Service dogs are by their owners’ sides all day. And their attention needs to be laser-focused on their human. That’s why it helps if the dog isn’t a super independent breed. The bond between service dog and handler has got to be strong, and that makes for all the more loving a partnership. Pitbulls, German Shepherds, and Shetland Sheepdogs are all known for their loving loyalty.
Now, remember: The breeds mentioned above aren’t the only ones who can be service dogs. And most of them have multiple traits they excel at. The ADA does not restrict any breed from being a service dog. (The ADA even covers the rights of service miniature horses!)
When choosing a breed for a service dog, ask yourself what tasks they will be performing. A Papillon can do a great job alerting a deaf person to sounds or a diabetic person to high or low blood sugar. But not so good a job at pulling a wheelchair or stabilizing someone with mobility issues.[4]
How can you get a service dog?
So now you know how a service dog can grant you more independence, protection, and ability in your life.
But how do you get one? And what about training?
First, you are qualified to own a service dog if you have “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits your ability to perform at least one major life activity.”[5] This should be an activity that a service dog would be able to complete for you.
Do you have to carry around a doctor’s note to have a service dog, then?
No. You are not required to show proof of your disability, or ‘certification’ of your dog’s training as a service dog. There is no mandatory service dog registration under the ADA.
However, when you first apply to receive a service dog, the training organization will likely ask for a doctor’s note prescribing a service animal.
This brings us to training.
There are two ways to train a service dog, either through a professional service or by yourself -- the owner.
Professional services are highly recommended because they are just that -- professional. Their standards are lofty and they often have a high ‘drop-out’ rate for dogs who don’t make the cut.
However, professional services can be too expensive for many people. Luckily, there are some organizations that provide service dogs for free or offer assistance with the cost.[6] But waiting periods and remaining costs turn some people to the idea of self-training.
And remember, the ADA says it’s your right to train a service dog yourself.[2]
While there are many resources out there for training a service dog yourself, it helps to have direct assistance from someone with experience.
A good middle ground between expensive professional services and going at it alone would be something like Helper Dog Media. This is a service that provides evaluations and training sessions over video conferencing. They teach puppies skills in socialization and obedience. And for older dogs, they teach specific service tasks.
Plus, they offer everything for a more affordable per-session rate.
Remember, service dogs need excellent training in two areas: service tasks and manners.
Where can you find more information about service dogs?
The best place to get straight answers is direct from the source. Learn more about disability rights at ADA.gov. You can find frequently asked questions about service dogs in this PDF.
Some service dog trainers in the United States are listed here, and you can find many more through your own research.
We’re big fans of the good that service dogs do for differently-abled people. So if you’re looking to clear up any questions you have, email us! We’re here to help.
Sources
[1] https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/10-types-of-service-dogs-and-what-they-do
[2] https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-breeds-for-service-dogs/
[3] https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.pdf
[4] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/the-truth-about-service-dogs/
[5] https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/your-employment-rights-individual-disability