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Disabilities that Qualify you for a Service Dog

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If you have a physical, emotional, or even mental disabilities, then you may likely qualify for a service dog. If you believe you qualify for a Service Dog and are ready to begin the progress of making your pet dog into your trusted partner, here is a helpful summary with next steps.

However, finding out what qualifies and what doesn’t qualify for a service dog can be a difficult task. If you’re looking for what qualifies for getting a service dog, three federal laws regulate and help define what qualifies for a service dog.

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1. ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. 

To break down this definition: 

  • The person must have a record and be regarded as having the impairment, which can including having difficulty hearing, seeing, walking, and learning, as well as a loss of physical or mental function
  • Major life activities including activities that are essential to a person’s life, such as performing manual tasks.

2. FHA – Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act doesn’t specify what illnesses qualify for a service dog, but much of how they define service dogs rely on the qualifications of the Americans with Disability Act. While the act itself applies specifically to service animals, the FHA takes some of those qualifications and uses it to a grouping term, “assistance animals.” This includes both service dogs and emotional support animals under the Fair Housing Act.

Disability, according to the FHA, is a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities. The FHA states that for those looking for accommodations for housing, the housing provider must consider if the person seeking to live with the animal have a disability and if the service animal can alleviate the symptoms of that person’s disability. Besides that, the FHA doesn’t expand on what illnesses qualify as a disability.

3. ACAA – Air Carrier Access Act

The Air Carrier Access Act, on the other hand, does give more specifics on what qualifies as a disability. For those looking to take their service dogs while traveling, all airlines will accept service dogs without question, and will only not permit service dogs into the cabin of the aircraft if the animal is too heavy, poses a threat to others, cause disruption to the cabin service, or is not allowed in a specific country. One specific qualification for people flying is that their disability is listed underneath the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

List of Mental Disabilities that Qualify for a Service Dog

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, these are the types of disorders that qualify as a mental disability: 

  • Depression and Depressive Disorders
  • Anxiety Disorders & Phobias
  • Bipolar Disorders
  • Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Addiction, Substance-Abuse, and Alcoholism
  • PTSD, Trauma & Stress-Related Disorders
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
  • Dissociative and Personality Disorders
  • Autism
  • Neurocognitive and Sleep-Wave Disorders 

However, the manual is more relevant for those who have a psychiatric service animal, emotional support animals or therapy animals. Those with service dogs will not be required to provide documentation or show proof of their disability. However, looking through the manual can help you determine whether a psychiatric service animal, an emotional support animal, or a therapy animal is the right choice for you. 

List of Physical Disabilities that Qualify for a Service Dog

Service dogs can benefit their owner by providing a physical service or task. Service dogs can assist with a variety of tasks that include opening doors, carrying items, navigating their owner, providing balance, alerting their owners, locating objects, and more.

Physical disabilities that may qualify a person for a service dog:

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Sensory Disabilities (Blind, Deaf, etc.)
  • ALS
  • Cancer
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic Pain
  • Stroke
  • Paralysis
  • Vertigo
  • And more…

Frequently Asked Questions about the ADA and Qualifying Service Dogs

Your disability is enough to qualify you for a certified service animal. You don’t need to have social security disability, nor do you need to qualify your service animal through a mental health professional because the ADA only allows those asking about you and your service animal two questions: 

  • Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
  • What task is the animal trained to perform?

Because of this, housing providers and staff of businesses cannot inquire about disability, require medical documentation, require a unique identifier for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its abilities.

Your service animal is a service, like a medical assistant, and is not considered to be a pet. Because they are service animals, it gives them the rights to be with you in public spaces. Service animals provide support for you as you live with your disability, so while no regulations are surrounding the training and registration of service animals, keep in mind that service animals are for those with disabilities, and are not just a free pass for you to take your pet anywhere you’d like. The ADA’s regulations are clear not but everyone will be aware of it. Local agencies such as NY’s MTA would recommend registering your Service Dog so you have a Service Dog ID handy in case you are asked.

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124 comments

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  1. Lee says: May 1, 2022

    I havw tourette syndrome and I was wondering if that qualify too? I was thinking of getting a service dog since I do suffer from multiple disorders on the list (ADHD,PTSD,OCD,Anxiety and depression disorder)

    Reply
  2. Hunter Stark says: May 1, 2022

    I am Disabled Vet who was diagnosed with MS in the military, my symptoms are minor with some eye problems and headaches and I was wondering if that was still a qualification for a service animal or to get my dog trained to become one?

    Thank you

    -Hunter Stark US Army(RET)

    Reply
    • SDC says: May 2, 2022

      In order to have a service dog, you must have a disability that requires a dog to perform a trained task or job. If you have no need for such a task, then you likely do not qualify for a service dog.

      Reply
  3. Barbara McLaren says: March 7, 2022

    I have chronic pain that is alleviated by movement…my walking dog, and the dog being on my lap eases my discomfort since I cannot takr actual pain pills prescribed to me by doctors.

    I am emotionally distraught to go away for a weekend or vacation without my dog. I end up choosing to stay home rather than go have a nice stay at a resort or yhe beach, eyv. I miss out on LIFE as I knew it before everyone says no dogs in hotel not no dogs allowed in hrocery stores and pay high pet fees to take her on the plane with me. ($100 per flight).

    I had bone on bone hip deteriation
    One hip had Total Replacement. I need another one done but am 78 and afraid of going through it all over again at my age.

    Can my dog be made a service animal.

    MY rheumatologist sent letter that I am immunocompromized when going for my COVIDVshots. Does that mean I am able to have a service dog to help with balance, etc.? I have balance issues and have Fallen several tests. I am 78 & had a stay in hospital a couple months ago for Vertigo.

    Reply
    • SDC says: March 12, 2022

      A dog cannot be considered a service dog unless it is trained to assist with a disability. In order to qualify, your condition must been the definition of disability, and your dog must perform a job or task relating to that disability.

      Reply
  4. Tracy L McCart says: January 28, 2022

    How do you go about beginning the process to get a service dog? I have muscular dystrophy but I also have tracheobronchomalacia. I also have quite a few other diseases. My husband died and I live by myself. I can fence in the rest of my yard for the dog. I’m very lonely. I have a cousin who helps me with things around the house but most of the time I’m by myself. I’m very sad that my husband died and my cat just died. I am a dog person but didn’t know how to go about getting a service dog. If you have any information it would be greatly appreciated

    Reply
    • SDC says: January 31, 2022

      A service dog must be trained to perform a task or job that assists with your disability. We recommend speaking to your doctor and perhaps a professional service dog trainer to see if a service dog could be helpful for you.

      Reply
  5. Amanda McCarthy says: January 25, 2022

    Hi there, I wanted to inquire about a service dog for my 7 year old daughter. She has severe Down Syndrome and severe Autism. I don’t know the necessary steps to take in regards to this request, or whether or not she qualifies. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
    Thank you so much,

    Reply
    • SDC says: January 26, 2022

      Unfortunately, we only provide products for existing service dog owners. We wish you the best of luck however in getting help for your daughter. You may also find this article on PSDs helpful: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/psychiatric-service-dog/

      Reply
      • Lynnea Kopach says: February 2, 2022

        Is heart disease a qualification?

        Reply
        • SDC says: February 2, 2022

          The condition has to be considered a disability, i.e. an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

          Reply
      • Wilf McDonald says: February 19, 2022

        I was wondering if my husband Wilf is able to receive a service dog. Wilf has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and of late is loosing his central vision. He is Veteran and is under VIP Services. We have had several dogs over the last thirty years. Our last dog was Meiko who had passed away after seventeen years. We both dearly miss their undivided love and compassion that they gave us. I noticed of late Wilf is keeping to himself more and more due to not having a dog beside him. Meiko and Wilf along with Coco and Mandy were with each other every time of the day and night. Is it possible if Wilf is able to receive a dog to help him through during this time in his life to be able to have the love and compassion he had with other pets we had over the passed years.
        I want to thank you for all the help you have given to other Veteran who had require your assistance and much appreciated
        Thank you for your time, and hope to hear from you soon.
        Ann McDonald

        Reply
        • SDC says: February 20, 2022

          We thank your husband for his service and we’re sorry to hear about his condition. If your husband’s condition requires the assistance of a task trained dog, then he may be a good candidate for a service animal. We do not provide recommendations for service dog providers, but we suggest checking with your husband’s VA services. They may be able to help with procuring a service dog in some circumstances.

          Reply
    • Walker Barrett says: February 1, 2022

      I am a 25 year old college student/ single mom that has adhd, anxiety, ptsd,depression as well as pre diabetic, and I zone out a lot and have really bad back spasms. How do I go about getting a service animal, can I please get info on finding one

      Reply
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