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Service Dog Certification Guide

Service Dog Certification Guide
In order to qualify your dog as a service dog, you will have to train your dog to provide a service or task for your disability. Certified service dogs are allowed access everywhere their handler is allowed access. Unfortunately, a landlord or an employee at a store may choose to ask if your Service Dog is certified. If they do, it is important that you understand Service Dog rights so you are not denied housing rights or public access. Although the ADA states that they are not allowed to ask for registration proof, what are your options if they do?
Step #1 – Do You Qualify For a Service Dog?

Service dogs can help people with many different types of disabilities.
Service Dogs are clearly defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. A Service Animal is a dog or a miniature horse that is specifically trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The disabilities may include physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
If your disabilities meet the ADA’s definition, you can qualify for a legitimate Service Dog. You are not required to show your landlord a doctor’s note. You are required to inform your landlord how your Service Dog aids with your disability.
Step #2 – Training your Service Dog to Aid in your Physical Disability

You can train your own dog to be a service dog.
Under the ADA there are several impairments that would qualify you for a Service Dog certification. Below are a few examples but they are not a catch-all. Each person’s disability is different so the assistance they need from their Service Dog will be unique as well.
The tasks performed by Service Dog may include:
- 1). Guide Dog – provides guiding service for the visually impaired
- 2). Hearing Dog – trained to alert the person to sounds or alarms
- 3). Seizure Response Dog – alerts to oncoming seizure or stands over the person during an episode
- 4). Sensory Signal Dog – alerts the autistic person to repetitive movements (such as hand flapping) providing a distraction
Although not specifically listed under the ADA, a Service Dog would be useful to those with limited mobility. The tasks could include retrieving dropped items or those that are located further away. The assistance animal may also provide stability to those with balance issues.
Service Dogs are now also being trained to alert people with diabetes to a drop in their insulin levels. This preventative measure is especially useful for children that may not be as in tune with their condition.
Step #3 – Training your Service Dog to Aid in your Emotional Disability

Starting training at a young age will help weed out bad habits.
People who suffer from certain types of mental disabilities can also qualify for a Service Dog under the ADA’s definition. These canines are listed as Psychiatric Service Dogs, which have been specially trained to detect and lessen the effects of psychiatric episodes.
The tasks performed by Psychiatric Service Dog may include:
● 1). Reminding the handler to take medicine and bringing the medicine box to their handler
● 2). Providing safety checks/room searches, turning on lights and creating a barrier for PTSD patients
● 3). Interrupting anxiety attacks by persons with anxiety caused in busy social setting such as a shopping mall
● 4). Keeping disoriented individuals from danger through tactic stimulation such as licking of the face or laying across their body
While there are other types of assistance animals such as those used in therapy work and those that provide comfort (Emotional Support Animals) they are not technically considered Service Animals under the ADA definition.
An Emotional Support Animal can certainly help those that suffer from depression, anxiety, and other emotional issues; however, they are not given the full access rights the Service Dog is allowed.
Step #4 – Good Citizen Training For Service Dogs

A good dog citizen knows to stay calm in public and will listen to their handlers.
As mentioned above, the Service Dog can be trained to perform a host of tasks. The canine can be taught by the individual with the disability or by a professional. In addition to specific task-oriented training, a service dog should also be well behaved at all times. You can either train your service yourself or seek support from a local trainer.
Certification of the Service Dog
It is not necessary by law to register your Service Dog. However, many people choose to register their Service Dog and get their certification papers.
A certified Service Dog will be entered into a global database. They should be provided with a Service Dog vest to wear and custom Service Dog ID license. Depending on what area of the world you live in, you may also be required to purchase a dog license, just as any other pet owner would have to do.
Having the proper identification of your person and your Service Dog will cut down on the hassle you may run into with businesses, housing, and public transportation.
Love of a Service Dog Works
Don’t live another day struggling with a disability when there’s a Service Dog waiting to help you. These specially trained canines are giving back freedom and independence to disabled individuals all over the globe. Ask your medical health professional if a Service Dog could work for you, too.
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Where can I have my dog trained to smell cancer? I have read this training is possible. Would this training also qualify for the service dog Certification?
I have PTSD as well as anxiety and depression and have been considering training my golden to help me when needed. Where would I be able to get her trained. I live just north of Pittsburgh PA
I am disabled and just got a pitbull puppy and am wanting to get him trained to be my service dog but I don’t know where to start.Can you please help me to get started?
I would like more information on how to get my dog certified
I have a niece that’s a diabetic and wears an insulin pump. We have been trying to find someone help us train her dog. Please if you know of anyone that can help us at a reasonable price let me know.
Any directions in who to talk to to get my dog certified as a service dog and maybe a company that would allow my dog to be a service dog rep for the for example maybe the dogs that lift spirits for the sick children in the hospitals or maybe wounded warriors.
Committed Canine in Brownstown, IL
Trainers Robert and Tammie Rogers
I took my service dog to darian lake I had her tag on me and everything the security guard kicked me out with my dog he said it didn’t matter dogs aren’t allowed in the park he was very rude to me and escorted me out I was devastated and humiliated with people all around so I took her back home then went back to darian lake and before I left I talked to a luetenet and he informed me all service dogs are welcome there
Call or write the ADA and they will be fined up to $10,000
Do we have to register and how do we? When should we register like if already in classes or not yet or what? I suffer with extreme social anxiety and deppression so it makes it hard for me to live my daily life and Im getting tired of it so I want to try out a service dog since nothing seems to work
A dog becomes a service dog once their training is complete and they are able to fully focus on you and the tasks needed. A dog in training is technically not a service dog yet. Registrations are not required, however, some service dog owners find it easier to communicate the purpose of their service dog having a registration and ID. You may find this article on registration requirements of service dogs interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/registration-requirements-service-dog-certification/
I would very much love to register my dog as a service dog. She has been to obedience classes and is a registered Therapy Dog. However I have sleep apnea and she played a large part in me recognizing this. She would often tug the blankets on my bed and wake me up. Alarmed by my breathing. After my diagnosis and I began using the resmedair, she no longer tugged at blankets. She also helps me with anxiety issues and helps me when she is close with stress. My anxiety builds when I am forced to leave her. She is a gentle dog who does not have a mean bone in her body. Any help and instructions you can give me would be so appreciated. I am sure that my doctors would provide a signed order confirming the facts I have stated.
If my service dog is in training is she still allowed into the same public places as a service animal that is already trained?
In some states no. You may have to look up The states that do allow the same rights to both.
I have a disability called Autism. Which causes me to suffer from anxiety and forget to pay attention or beware and can make going in public uncomfortable. I am planning once I find the right rescue dog that fits the right qualifications to train it myself to know the signs when I am get anxious or when I am about do what dad calls charging, I sometimes do it almost in to traffic. Do you know any good training books I can use and good training methods? I am getting the dog next year and I am rescuing a young one. So if you have any advice I would love it.
Depending on what state you live in
I have a boxer-Husky mix. I had sence he was a puppy, I was a Truck driver so we was very close so he pick up on my Diabetes AND he knows when I need to go to the hospital I would like to get him certified thank you
I have a lab husky mix and I’m needing to get a sample service dog letter so I can get the doctor to write the letter so I don’t have to loose my dog
Dogs are great. I have one he’s the love of my life
Kane is his name. What a joy he is the love is out of this world.
My dog alerts me that I am going to have a seizure. How do I get him certified?
I am curious about the same thing. I have VNS and have had great success. However the last 2 days I’ve noticed my dog, a 2yr old Boston terrier, NEVER being more than 2 feet away from me. Seriously wouldn’t even go down the steps to pee… well last night I had 2 seizures. Maverick yelped (Apparently before I fell) to get my husbands attention, my husband said when he got in the kitchen Maverick was right next to me looking like he was “guarding” me. He whined/whimpered the whole time u til the 2nd one. He was laying next to me and was still there when I opened my eyes this morning. I’ve always known he sensed these damn things, and I knew something was wrong with him…. he was telling me to be careful. As pet owners we know our pets better than anyone else, they know us best too. Good luck with your endeavors with your pup, and best wishes with your seizures.
I have a vns also i have a. 2 month old bully pit
He knows whn having anxiety attacks. Panic he can tell everything and they gave me a letter for a emotional support animal I don’t know where to get him registered or get a card at and another doctor gave me a service animal letter I don’t know where to go get him done at on for that either. Andrea Morris
My husband have Parkinson’s diseases and I have my dog, she support him as much she can. I wanted her to be certification how can I go for that?
Please assist thank you
In order to have a legitimate service dog, your dog would need to be specifically trained to support your husband by performing a task. She would need to be at your husband’s side and perform tasks that help him in times of need. You may find this article on Service Dog requirements interesting https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/registration-requirements-service-dog-certification/
I had a toy poodle my epilepsy is from a TBI he knew they were coming on before I did. Got it under control for 12 years then one day he wouldn’t leave me alone keep barking at me getting on and off my lap next thing I know I’m getting loaded into a ambulance, 4 days later I had to put him down. He waited until I was out of the hospital give me loving started to have a seizure and never recovered. Now three years later I am having to fight to adopt a animal that I can train and bond with for my service animal because my seizures are not under control any more. And I do not get it I want this dog can give it everything it needs but because I live in a small one bedroom apartment witch is changing they will not let me have her.
I am a diabetic and have Afib. I also have a stint and Cardo Vagil Vagil at which I can pass out any time. I need to what type dog I would need.
My dog tells me when my blood sugars are liw
My dog wakes me and alerts me when my heart rate drops below 50…I could never figure out why she woke me some nights until I got the Apple Watch! Now I know…every night she wakes me, my heart rate has dropped! It’s truly amazing how much they can protect us!