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How Can I Get My Dog to Be a Registered Service Dog?
Registering your service dog and getting a linked service dog ID card can help you get around public places that don’t allow dogs, but keep in mind that these are not legal requirements.
Here are the four steps to register a service dog:
- Step 1 – Confirm you have a qualifying disability
To own a service dog, you must have a physical or mental health impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, like the ability to work, socialize, or go to school. A licensed healthcare professional can assess your condition and, for psychiatric issues, write a PSD letter.
- Step 2 – Train your service dog
A service dog must be individually trained to perform a task or job related to your disability. Here is a link to a training guide for service dogs.
- Step 3 – Take a public access test
A service dog must also be trained to perform its duties in public environments. Service dogs have public access rights, so they are expected to be well-behaved and under their handler’s control at all times. Service dog owners can test whether their dog is ready by taking a public access test.
- Step 4 – Register your service dog
After qualifying for a service dog, you can register your dog with Service Dog Certifications. You are not required to register your service dog, but most handlers like having identifiers like a service dog identification card linked to a registration, tags, or vests to clearly signal their dog is a service animal to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
Service Dog Overview: A service dog is a type of legally recognized assistance animal trained to perform specific tasks for people with physical or mental health impairments. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. These service dog tasks include opening doors, retrieving items, responding to an emergency situation, guiding the handler through busy crowds or traffic, and providing deep pressure therapy during mental health crises. Service dogs that help with mental, intellectual, sensory, or psychiatric health conditions are called psychiatric service dogs.
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Why You Should Register Your Service Dog
Registering your service dog enters your service dog into a searchable database, allowing a person to look up your service dog. You can register your service dog in our registry and get an ID card linked to your unique registration number.
Registrations, certifications, ID cards, tags, and vests all fall under the category of service dog paraphernalia. The main reason service dog handlers use registries, certifications, ID cards, tags, and vests is for ease of public access. Service dogs have the right to enter most public places normally closed to pets. In these places, it’s helpful for staff members and other patrons to have a quick and easy way to identify your dog as a service dog so there are no misunderstandings.
In addition, while third parties are not allowed to demand documents like ID cards and certificates, service dog handlers can attest that people frequently do so anyway. Whether at a store, an airport, a library, or a restaurant, service dog handlers are frequently harassed for service dog identification documents. Rather than engage in a lengthy legal conversation with every passerby, service dog handlers simply opt to have these accessories handy for convenience.
Obtaining a registration ID for your service dog is a painless way to peacefully go about your day in public while minimizing intrusive inquiries.
Why You Shouldn’t Register Your Service Dog
Here are some reasons NOT to register your service dog:
- Don’t register your service dog if you haven’t fully qualified for a service dog. For example, if you have not yet confirmed you have a qualifying disability or fully trained your service dog, you cannot register your service dog.
- Don’t register your service dog solely if you think it’s legally required. There are many good reasons to register your service dog, but it is not mandatory.
- Never register a service dog as a shortcut. A service dog handler is always responsible for verbally self-certifying that their dog is fully qualified as a service animal, and registration cannot get around that responsibility.
Final thoughts
If you are considering registering your service dog, go with Service Dog Certifications. We keep a database of service dogs for handlers who have chosen to register their dog.
We are a leading provider to responsible service dog handlers who need service dog accessories to avoid public confrontations and hassle. Service dog handlers nationwide trust us when purchasing service dog accessories because of our reliability and compliance with service dog standards.
About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.
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Hello, I am deployed in Afghanistan and I am returning home soon. How easy is it to register my dog to become a service dog? I’ve been through quite a bit combat experience out here, but I do not want anything on my record for mental disability. Is this possible to accomplish?
Thank you for your service. The VA has developed programs to provide qualified veterans with service dogs. This article on the Steps for Veterans to Get a Service Dog might be helpful to you https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/steps-for-veterans-service-dog/
Hey there,
I’ve flew with my GS to Florida mulitple times as an emotional support dog. I just needed a note from Doctor and I bought him a vest and leash that idenified him a ESD. Now they are not allowing EMS on most flights. How do I get my dof certified as a Service dog?
You must be diagnosed with a disabling condition, whether that be mental or physical. It is not easy to have a service dog, it takes two years if preliminary training and then you have to keep up with that training for the rest of your dogs working life.
No such thing as registration for service dogs
Are your service dog certifications recognized by international airlines and other agencies? It’s my understanding that there are two major global certification organizations which are universally recognized–are you affiliated with one of those?
Under ADA rules in the US, you do not need any type of certification for a service dog. There is no official certifying body for service dogs recognized by the ADA. Certifications in the US are completely optional.
Please see this link for more info about flying with service dogs: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-use-the-dots-service-animal-air-transportation-form-to-board-flights/
no, if it is performing a task for you other than just companionship, ie: alert you to panic attacks, prevent you from getting hurt during these circumstances etc. then they would be registered as a service dog (sometimes are referred to as psychiatric service dogs) also service dogs are allowed to go most places you are allowed to go while Emotional Support dogs can live with you despite pet policies and ride in the cabin with you on a plane (service dogs can as well, but these are pretty much the only rights emotional support dogs have.
TLDR:
Dog performs a task/tasks to help you – Service Dog
Dog provides companionship ONLY – Emotional Support Dog
– Hope this helps!
I have a pitbull that helps my son when he has an anxiety/panic attack as he can’t breathe when he has these attacks and his legs feel like they are going to give out. She will lay on him or sit at his side very closely until he feels better then she licks his face all over. How can I get her registered as a service dog? I don’t want to be scammed. Please help.
Registrations are not required by law, but some handlers find it reassuring to be able to provide a registration when facing the public. You may find this article on how to get a service dog registered interesting: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-register-service-dog/
I’d like to learn more about what it actually takes to have a registed service dog. It seems pretty simple actually. I havent seen anything about the 2 years of training prior to registration.
Registrations are for service dogs that have already completed their training. Since the tasks a service dog must master can be quite personal and specific to the handler’s needs, there is no official process to certify that the dog is fully trained. It is in the handler’s own best interest to make sure their service dog can perform the tasks at all times and anywhere without being distracted. Besides, some states have laws regarding the misrepresentation of service dogs. Once your service dog is fully trained, and you wish to have additional documentation to help communicate that your dog indeed is hard at work for you, then you may choose to get it registered and equip it with an ID and vest. You may find this article on how to make your dog become a service dog interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-make-my-dog-a-service-dog/
My dog likes to visit nursing homes and hospitals what do i need to get a certificate to do so thank you
Cathy Walker
You can train your dog to be a therapy dog. However, depending on how responsive your dog is to the training that process may take a lot of work. You may find this article on how to certify a therapy dog interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-certify-a-therapy-dog/
I have sévère anxiety, dépression, etc… and I got my pooch 10 yrs ago and ever since I got him, he knows when I’m in a decent mood so he doesn’t do much, but when he knows im in a downed mood, he’ll lay on top of me, cuddle me and won’t give up until im feeling at least a little better. Hes an amerocan stafford, which where I live “pitbulls” are frowned upon and its extreemely hard to find a place to live because of it. Hes extreemely friendly and docile, and I think that if I could have him as a registered therapy dog I wouldn’t have such a hard time to find a decent place to live without having to abandon him, which I refuse to abandon him for a place to live. And that’s why ive been living in my car with him for the last 2 months.
Any help or more info would be greatly appreciated. Thanx
Your pooch sounds like a real trooper! You may want to look if you qualify for an emotional support animal. If approved, you can live with your dog in any housing. You may find this article on how to get an ESA letter interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-get-an-emotional-support-dog-letter/