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How to Certify a Service Dog

how to certify service dog

Steps to properly certify your Service Dog

Service dogs are not just for those folks that suffer from blindness. These specifically trained canines are now finding their way into the “workforce” to help those with other physical or mental disabilities. Understanding how to officially certify your service dog is an important first step.

  1. Adopt a dog with a calm temperament and energy level

  2. Train your dog to perform a task to aid with your disability

  3. Certify your service dog with Service Dog Certifications

  4. Live your life to the fullest

To learn more about service dogs, continue reading. We will also cover a few basic questions regarding Service Dogs and clarify some common misconceptions.

Question #1  – What is a Service Dog?

Unlike an emotional support animal (ESA), the Service Dog is a highly trained canine that provides assistance to those people who suffer from any number of conditions. These conditions can include (but are not limited to) visual and hearing impairments, seizure disorder, diabetes, mobility impairment, and mental illnesses such as PTSD.

Question #2 – What Tasks Do Service Dogs Provide?

A Service Dog can be trained in several different disciplines. Here are 5 of the most commonly taught tasks that the Service Dog is capable of performing.

  1. Service Dog Tasks for PTSD – Reminding the handler to take medications, interrupting repetitive behaviors, room search, guiding the handler from a stressful situation.
  2. Service Dog Tasks for Vision Impairment – Guiding the handler, retrieving objects, obstacle avoidance, finding an exit from a room.
  3. Service Dog Tasks for Hearing Impairment –Alerting to alarms, doorbells and distant sounds, alerting to people approaching from behind and visitors at the door, alerting to the ring of the telephone.
  4. Service Dog Tasks for Hypoglycemia/Diabetes – alerting the person to a drop in blood sugar, seeking out another human in case of handler’s collapse, retrieving medications.
  5. Service Dog Tasks for Depression – retrieve medications, bring an emergency phone during a crisis, provide balance support (needed with some treatment medications) provide unconditional comfort/support.

Question #3 – How to Train A Service Dog

Some people try to pass off their family pet as a Service Dog. This can pose a problem for those who really need the animal. For this reason, there are steps to take to have a legitimate Service Dog. The most important step is proper training. Do not be fooled into thinking you have to train your dog with expensive trainers. You are legally allowed to train your service dog yourself.

service dog training

The following are the steps involved to train a service dog successfully:

  1. Step #1 – Adopt a Dog with a calm temperament and energy level

    If you have the means, you can adopt a Service Dog that has been specifically trained for your condition. These can be pricey, but you are guaranteed that the canine will be exactly what you need.

    If you do not have an extra $20,000, it does not mean you cannot have a service dog. If you decide to adopt a dog and train it yourself, then be sure to look for a dog over 4 months old and has a good temperament. This includes being eager to learn/please, having a calm nature, and exhibiting non-aggressive behaviors. This will make training your dog a much easier process.

  2. Step # 2 – Training your dog to perform a task to aid with your disability

    Training your dog to perform the tasks you need him to do will take practice and patience. Be sure to always use positive reinforcement when training your canine and seek out professional help periodically if needed. There are also many great service dog training tips online.

    A part of your dog’s training will be to practice his skills out in public. Start with those areas that allow dogs so you can focus on training your dog in public. Places like public parks or outdoor shopping centers are great places to allow your dog to be comfortable around people and new locations.

  3. Step # 3 – Register your certified service dog

    Once your assistance dog is fully trained, it’s time to register him. Although registering your service dog is not required by law, many service dog handlers find this convenient when traveling with their service dog. This is especially true if your disability is not visible.  You may order a proper vest, Service Dog ID, and certificate. Some handlers will also order an ID holder, so their service dog certification is visible at all times when traveling with their service dog.

  4. Step # 4 – Live Your Life

    Now that your Service Dog is there to help you with your disability, you can get back to living your life. There’s no shame in having an assistance animal, so go boldly into the world knowing your Service Dog has you covered.

Question #4 – Where Can my Certified Service Dog Go?

Service Dogs are allowed anywhere their handler is allowed; this includes restaurants, movie theaters, retail stores, and markets. However, there are some areas where your Service Dog may be denied access. These include:

  • Treatment area of an ambulance
  • Hospital ICU or other areas where special clothing is required
  • Worship services in a church
  • Military bases
  • Private clubs
service animal

Question #5 – What Do I Do If My Certified Service Dog is Denied Access?

Unfortunately, it does happen. You may be denied access to some areas by uninformed people. However, there are ways to handle the situation.

First, remain calm and explain that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you have a right to your service dog and bring it into public areas.

Second, if you have a certificate from your service dog registration organization, show the person to prove your dog is legitimate.

Third, ask to see a manager/owner of the establishment. For a larger business, you may want to do a quick search on your phone for a customer service department. Explain the situation to whomever you decide to discuss this matter with in a calm manner.

Fourth, if you are still denied access, you can file an official ADA complaint with the US Department of Justice.

Before you leave the establishment, it’s always a good idea to ask for any witnesses who may want to give a statement in regards to your denial.

Service Dogs Are There For You!

Understanding how to certify your service dog is the first step. Your Service Dog is on duty 24-7 making sure you can live a normal life. If you believe you or a loved one could benefit from the help of a Service Dog, learn more about service dog laws.

101 comments

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  1. Kaden says: May 14, 2022

    Do you have to show proof of your disability to certify your dog?

    Reply
    • SDC says: May 16, 2022

      You do not need to show any type of documentation, but third parties are allowed to ask: 1. Is the service dog required for a disability? and 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

      Reply
  2. Glenn Nakasone says: May 8, 2022

    I’m in the process of training a1 year Aussie to be my wife’s service dog. I’ll have some time to train him to pick up her phone when she drops it stop whenever there a step up or down in her way.
    Dallas needs to be not only a service but also a guide dog because my wife has AMD (Age Macular degeneration) In time she will lose central vision yes in both . We have a friend who is a service dog trainer who will be helping us 🥰

    Reply
  3. Giselle says: April 28, 2022

    I have a German Shepherd that we’re in the process of training him to become my service dog to help me with attacks of anxiety, in the near future we are gonna be staying at RV camps in California that doesn’t allow German Shepherd dogs if my dog is officially trained and certified as a service dog can they deny my stay at those campgrounds?

    Reply
    • SDC says: April 29, 2022

      Once the dog is fully trained to perform a task or job relating to a disability, the handler has rights under the ADA. You also do not need to certify service dogs – that is an optional step.

      Reply
  4. Stephanie Rhodes says: February 17, 2022

    How can I get my Chinese crested service dog registered

    Reply
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