informational content on dogs in general, including training resources,
nutritional and exercise needs, grooming, and links to related
websites. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a Service Animal as any Guide Dog, Signal Dog, or other Service Dog individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability or disabling condition. If this definition is met, they are considered service dogs and do not require certification by Federal, State, or local governments.
I myself am partnered with a Signal Dog, Lexi. Lexi is owner trained, a rescue, and provides services related to the needs of a hearing impaired person. To qualify for use of a Signal Dog, an individual must have a hearing loss severe enough to qualify as a disability. The certificate of disability must come from a Doctor of Audiology, who can produce the documentation necessary while protecting your rights under the HIPAA Act of 1996.
This website is designed to educate persons with qualifying disabling conditions as to the virtues of these wonderful dogs, how to obtain one, and laws that govern service dogs, and to educate the general public as to the fact that these dogs are amongst us, are truly special, and how to react when a Service Dog is present.
My professional affiliations include a membership in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), partner/membership in the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP), and President/CEO of Service Dog Awareness.org
First and foremost, a Service Dog requires neither certification nor identifying gear, garb or ID cards under Federal Law. While this may give the impression anyone can simply indicate their dog to be a service dog to gain accommodation, be advised.... it is illegal to represent a pet as a service animal. You can do jail time for even a first offense, and, even if you don't go to jail, you'll pay a very hefty fine.
It is also a criminal offense to interfere with the training or use of a Service Dog in many states, or to threaten to harm or cause injury or death to a Service Dog. Title XXX. Social Welfare, Florida Statute 413.08 and 413.081, address requirements and rights afforded to individuals training (413.08 #4) as well as the rights of an individual to be accompanied by his or her Service Animal in all areas the public is permitted to occupy.
Assistance Animal/Dog Advocacy
If you encounter an issue relating to Service Dog access, call the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information Line.... (800) 514-0383 (TTY), or (800) 514-0301 (voice), or visit the ADA Business Connection at www.ada.gov. If your issue relates to housing, call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development (HUD).... (800) 927-9275 (TTY), or (800) 669-9777 (voice). Additional information is available at www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
Assistance Animal/Dog Categories
Many of us have observed Guide Dogs assisting their owner/handler to expertly maneuver through obstacles and across streets. There are also dogs amongst us that provide assistance to individuals who are deaf or severely hearing impaired, use mobility devices, or those with a variety of other disabling conditions. A Companion Animal, while not legally defined, is most commonly accepted as another term for a pet.
Laws Covering Assistance Dogs
Federal laws govern the right of an individual with a qualifying disability or disabling condition to be accompanied by a Service Dog. Please refer to the ADA Business BRIEF for information on the American's With Disabilities Act. For info related to State accommodation laws, refer to the Animal Legal & Historical Center, Michigan State University College of Law Table of State Laws. Important: The definition of a Service Animal was revised and published in the Federal Register September 15, 2010, and became law March 15, 2011.
When You Encounter a Service Dog........
Do not pet, make noises, or call to the Service Dog.
A dog wearing an optional harness, vest, or backpack indicates it is working and should not be patted, distracted by having its name called, be given excessive eye contact, or in any way made the center of attention. Any of these actions could result in the Service Dog losing focus and put the owner/handler's safety at risk.
Do not feed the dog.
A Service Dog is fed a balanced diet by it's owner/handler. Never feed or offer the Service Dog food or treats. The dog may develop a tendency to be on the watch for tidbits or treats, which will distract the dog and may jeopardize the owner/handler’s safety.
When wanting to pat a Service Dog that is not working, ask the owner/handler for permission. If the handler consents, talk and pat the dog in a gentle, calm manner.
Talk to the handler, not the dog!
The Service Dog's owner/handler has developed the most appropriate technique for working with or correcting the dog. Only provide assistance if requested to do so by the Service Dog's owner/handler.
If you have additional concerns as to how to behave when in the presence of a Service Dog, do not hesitate to address the issue in a calm and polite manner with the Service Dog's owner/handler.
What can a business owner ask a Service Dog's owner/handler?
When a Service Dog and owner/handler enter a business, a business owner or management can ask the following questions if he/she is unsure the dog is a Service Dog.
Is your dog a Service Dog?
What function or ADA task does your dog do for you?
Under no circumstances can you inquire into the nature of a person's disability/ disabling condition. Countless disabilities are not clearly visible. A person may not appear to have a disabling condition, or use a device, other than a Service Dog and is entitled be vague in their response.
Note: A Service Dog is not a Service Dog if not accompanied by the owner/handler.
For commonly asked questions relating to Service dogs, visit the U.S. Department of Justice ADA website.
How do you get a Service Dog?
First and foremost, you must be disabled or have a qualifying disability.
There are countless service providers that train Service Dogs, occasionally bred specifically by the provider, donated by breeders, or rescued from animal shelters/rescue programs.
Many service providers require you to complete an application, and place you on a wait list. Once selected for the program, you will be trained by a professional to train your own Dog.
The cost of a program provided Service Dog can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and most programs choose your dog for you.
There is an alternative to waiting for a Service Dog.
Train your own Service Dog......
For individuals interested in training their own Service Dog, I recommend the Teamwork books (Teamwork I, Revised and Expanded Edition, and Teamwork II: A Dog Training Manual for People with Disabilities), and Citizen Canine, an official training publication of the American Kennel Club. All are available for purchase on the Amazon.com website.
The advantages to training your own Service Dog are fairly obvious. No waiting... you can choose your own dog; and once you have your dog, you can train the dog at your own pace.
In most cases, it's far less expensive, and you and your dog have the same access rights to public accomodations as a dog from a training program.
Keep in mind.... your dog must be fully trained before you take him or her into a public setting. There is no magic involved, you must train your dog.
Dogs from rescue programs, generally two to four years old, or older, depending on the dog's temperament, tend to make very good service dogs as they flourish with newfound affection.
In any case, it is advisable to enlist the aid of a person with experience in training dogs. If you reside in the Bradenton/Sarasota area, I will assist you in selecting a Service Dog, and will teach you the techniques to successfully train your own Service Dog at no cost. Contact me at SignalDogsofWCFlorida@gmail.com
There are several organizations dedicated to individuals with Service Dogs that offer extremely valuable information.
The Delta Society has considerable information dedicated to improving human health through service and therapy animals.
Wilderwood Services Dogs offers valuable information on the subject of Autism and Service Dogs, and a variety of other Service Dogs to address the challenges of Spectrum Disorders and other neurological impairments.
The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners provides an informative quarterly newsletter with informative articles and information relating to laws that govern the rights of individuals with Service Dogs.
Assistance Dogs International is an organization for programs that provides Service Dogs. They have stringent membership qualifications, and a public access test. If you have a Service Dog, you and your dog should be able to pass this test. You do not have to go to a member organization to take this test.... take it informally, and if you and your dog do not pass the exam, you'll know exactly what you need to work on.
Nutrition & Exercise..........
Nutrition and exercise are vital to the health and well being of any dog. Foods lacking in quality can lead to a host of health issues. Feed your dog the highest quality dog food you can afford, and concentrate on quality, low calorie, holistic treats. For info on dog food recalls, visit the FDA website.
Not enough can be said to extol the benefits associated with exercise and quality play time activities with your dog.
