Category: Dogs

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Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals: What You Need to Know

Although some are quick to assume that service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs) provide the same kinds of help for their handlers, their responsibilities, training, and access to public spaces differ greatly. There is often much confusion regarding what service dogs versus ESA’s do for their owners and the rights and laws that protect each animal type. Here are details of what these categories mean.

What Is a Service Dog?

A service dog is trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. In the service dog world, it is known as task-training. These tasks are important functions that handlers are unable to perform on their own because of their impairment. A Service dog’s responsibilities depend on the requirements of the handler. Some of the skills may involve retrieving dropped items, pushing drawers, pulling doors open, turning lights on, and cabinets closed, bracing to offer balance for an owner, interrupting panic attacks or informing an owner to about insulin levels. But the scope of service animal’s abilities go beyond the day to day support they provide their handlers. The harder work is in creating a dog that can flourish under all kinds of situations because a service dog must be quiet, attentive to the handler, accepting of a multitude of environments, and unfazed by all imaginable situations.

What Do Service Dogs Do?

As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are individually trained to perform exact tasks and to work with people with disabilities. According to the ADA, disabilities can be physical, sensory, mental disability, psychiatric, and other intellectuals. The work of the service dog must be directly related to the disability of its handler. Here are examples of tasks that a service dog might perform:

  • Guide dogs help blind people navigate in the globe.
  • Hearing Alert dogs alert hearing-deficient people to sounds, such as a knock on the door or a person entering the room.
  • Psychiatric services dogs (PSD) are trained to detect and lessen the impacts of a psychiatric episode.
  • Service animals can help those in wheelchairs or who are otherwise physically limited. They can open doors or cabinets, fetch things their handler cannot carry, and reach items for their handler.
  • Autism assistance dogs are trained to aid those on the autism spectrum to distinguish essential sensory signals like a smoke alarm, from other sensory input. They can also alert their handler to repetitive behaviors or overstimulation.
  • Service dogs have been trained to identify seizures and will stand guard over their handler or bring attention to the disabled handler during a seizure or when help is needed.

What Rights Do Service Dogs Have?

The ADA mandates that service animals have complete public access rights, which means they’re allowed to go anywhere a person is allowed to go — even when pets are not allowed. They may be brought into libraries, restaurants, stores, and other public spaces. Busses, taxis, trains, must allow a disabled person to be accompanied by his/her service animal. A disabled handler may also live in no-pet housing with their service dog and not be charged a fee. A service dog must be permitted to accompany its disabled handler in the cabin of an aircraft and not be charged a pet fee. Each airline has its own rules for service animals. Most airlines require the dog to either sit on the lap of the traveler or at their feet. Dogs can’t block the aisle or sit in the emergency exit row.

Training Service Dogs

There are organizations who help pair a service dog with a disabled handler, and the training process takes time, substantial financial investment, and patience. The training begins with basic manners and continues to involve thorough socialization, impulse control and the specialized skills required to support their handler. The formal training procedure typically culminates with passing the Public Access test and Canine Good Citizen Test, which assesses the capability of the dog to be a proper, unobtrusive helpmate in public. Then, the handler and dog are matched and train together to be a working team. The scope of work that goes into preparing a service dog for the responsibility of assisting their handler and acting properly in public goes well beyond what usually occurs in pet dog training. People with disabilities have the legal right to take their service animal to any area where the general public is allowed, from movie theaters to hospitals, even when pets aren’t allowed.

Some handlers train their own pets, but typically begin with public behaviors (good dog manners), obedience, and finally task-specific training. This is a cost-effective method of attaining a service dog.

How to React to Service Dogs in Public?

Although it is tempting to talk to or pet a service animal, you should resist the urge. Remember, service dogs in public are “on the job”. It is pleasing that various people are excited to see such dogs in public, and it is most appropriate to direct your interest to the human on the other end of the leash, rather than assuming it’s okay to pet or speak to the dog.

What Are Emotional Support Animals?

Emotional support animals also offer a valuable service to their disabled handlers, but not in the same way as a service animal. They provide comfort through their presence but aren’t required to perform a physical task. To qualify for emotional support animal status, handlers must have a letter from a licensed mental health professional that prescribes an emotional support animal. The animal must always be under the control of the handler and should never cause a disturbance. People confuse emotional support animals with psychiatric service dogs trained to aid a person with a mental illness. Service animals help people with a mental illness perform precise behaviors such as reminding a person to take medication, alerting a caregiver if assistance is required, interrupting a panic attack, or awakening someone having a nightmare. An emotional support animal is not task-trained to perform those kinds of important function behaviors.

What Do Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) Do?

Emotional support animals (ESA) are typically Dogs and cats; the most common species of ESA – and most people just make their pet an emotional support animal. Dogs can be behavior and obedience trained, but it isn’t necessary for an emotional support animal to be able to perform a task for its disabled handler. The very presence of the animal is what ameliorates the negative symptoms of the person’s disorder. This is the primary difference between a service animal and emotional support animal. This does not minimize the important role the ESA plays in the lives of people with a psychological disorder. They are considered companion animals and ease loneliness, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and phobias. To be considered an emotional support animal, a person must be determined to be emotionally or psychologically disabled by a licensed mental health professional (therapist) or a medical doctor.

What Rights Do Emotional Support Animals Have?

Unlike service dogs, emotional support animals have only limited legal rights and usually need a letter of prescription from a licensed therapist or medical doctor (ESA letter). While they do not have unlimited access to public spaces, the Fair Housing Act protects a person with an emotional support animal and allows them to live in homes, apartments, condos, etc. where pets are not allowed. A person cannot be legally charged a deposit or other fee for their ESA. Even if a property has a cats-only policy, the landlord must accept your emotional support animal if it is a dog.

If the property has a policy that only allows dogs that weigh no more than 30 pounds and the emotional support animal weighs 75 pounds, the property manager must accommodate you and your pet. If the property accepts all dogs except pit bulls and your ESA is a pit bull, the property manager must allow your pit bull to live with you.

The Air Carrier Access Act is a federal law that requires airline companies to allow emotionally impaired persons to be accompanied in the cabin of the aircraft with an emotional support animal and not be charged a fee.

It’s a breeze for you to fly the friendly skies with your Emotional Support Animal (ESA)! You’ll just need a few things to enjoy smooth sailing, based on the Air Carrier Access Act and recommendations of USA-based airline companies.

Here’s What You Need to Know

  • All airline companies will require you to produce a letter from a licensed therapist or medical physician that prescribes an ESA for an emotional disability. Most airlines will also require your therapist or physician to complete a short form that verifies your emotional disability.
  • Although it’s not required by law, airlines now ask that you have identifying patches, a vest on your animal (or its cage, if it’s kept in one), and a service-type leash.
  • The same applies to an attached photo ID card identifying your animal as an emotional support animal (from a credible agency like National Service Animal Registry).
  • Airlines strongly recommend that you have an ID card, a service vest and/or ESA patches. When you have an official and documented ESA, the airlines are NOT allowed to charge you additional fees when your animal accompanies you in the cabin of the aircraft.

If you have the above items and your answers ready, it will be smooth sailing!

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Tips for Registering Your Dog as a Service Dog

Service dogs keep those with physical handicaps safe and make it easier for individuals living with disabilities to have fulfilling, independent lives. To make sure your service dog isn’t turned away from a public place, it’s important to go through the service dog registration process. If you haven’t registered your four-legged companion yet, check out these tips for a smooth process.

Understand What Type of Support Your Dog Provides

While many people think of service dogs as providing assistance to people who have physical disabilities, they also offer support for people struggling with emotional challenges and personal traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder. When you register a service dog, you need to know the difference between a traditional service dog, an emotional support dog, and a therapy dog. Each of these classifications affords different privileges.

Service Dogs

These dogs are trained, certified, and recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Pups certified in the service dog registry under this classification have the most freedoms and can’t be turned away from public places. Your service pup gives you the following rights:

  • Fly with you at no extra charge
  • Enter restaurant establishments in the dining area
  • Landlords can’t charge additional rent or fees or turn you away from their building because you have a service pup

Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

These animals don’t undergo the same training as a service dog because their primary function is to provide comfort and support. It isn’t required to register an ESA. However, filling out paperwork with an organization like the National Service Animal Registry gives you documentation to support your claim that your dog is an emotional support animal. This documentation makes it easier to avoid the limitations placed on travel and living.

No professional training requirements are needed to register your emotional support dog. You will need a doctor’s note that proves the dog is beneficial for your treatment. Emotional support pups are great for people living with bipolar, anxiety, panic attacks, and other qualifying disorders.

Therapy Dogs

These dogs are used in classrooms, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers and have grown in popularity. They work with a handler and are used to help people overcome emotional and physical disabilities. Unlike ESA dogs and service dogs, these pups don’t have special legal permissions and can be denied entry into buildings and other public spaces.

Have Your Documents Ready

Once you’ve determined the category your support dog falls into, have your paperwork in order. When you have all your papers, you avoid delays and other obstacles.

Ask Questions

The best service dog registry groups welcome your questions. They offer many resources and additional training opportunities for their registrants. These groups want you and your support dog to feel welcome and comfortable anywhere you go.

To learn more about registering your dog, visit the National Service Animal Registry at Register Your Animal, and select from one of the 3 options: register your service dog, register your ESA, or register your therapy animal. Follow the step-by-step instructions to get your dog registered as quickly as possible.

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Emotional Support Animal Myths Debunked – Find the Truth

Emotional support animal myths

Service animals are becoming a more common sight in society. Many people benefit from service animals for both practical and therapeutic reasons. For those who suffer from a range of debilitating conditions, service animals can help restore quality of life and provide peace of mind to those who use them. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects the rights of those who use service animals, and as a result of federal regulations, service animals are more accepted now than ever before.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still myths, misconceptions, and inaccuracies present when it comes to service animals, the regulations that govern their usage, and the people who benefit from their service. Whether you have a service dog who performs specific tasks for you or an Emotional Support Dog (ESA dog) whose presence helps to mitigate the effects of psychological or emotional issues, you may encounter some of the following myths as you navigate the world with a service animal. Read on to learn more about some of the most common misconceptions pertaining to emotional support animal myths and discover the best ways to debunk them.

Myth 1: All Service Animals Are the Same

While it may be convenient to lump all service animals into one category, they actually fall into three distinct categories that are determined by the type of service they provide to their owners. Service dogs are canines that receive special training to perform tasks that their owners may not be able to complete themselves due to a specific disability.

Emotional support animals (ESA) aren’t trained to perform tasks but are instrumental in helping those who suffer from emotional and psychological conditions function in society. While not considered service dogs, ESAs can be legitimized with a letter from a licensed health care provider and ESA registration. Therapy dogs represent yet another class of service animal. They are similar to ESAs in the function they fulfill. However, instead of being assigned to a single owner, they are often used in group settings so that their benefits can be enjoyed by many people rather than a single owner.

Myth 2: Anyone Can Get an ESA

While it may be true that anyone can have a pet that brings emotional support and psychological benefits, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog or other animal qualifies as an ESA. For a pet to truly be formally considered as an ESA, a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or licensed mental health social worker must determine that an ESA will benefit you. Once the determination is made, the care provider issues a letter to legitimize your ESA. Those letters must be renewed each year to remain valid.

Myth 3: Only Service Dog Owners are Protected from Discrimination

Numerous pieces of legislation protect the rights of those who must use ESAs from being barred from public transportation, housing opportunities, and public facilities. For example, the Fair Housing Act protects the rights of tenants to keep their ESAs even when the landlord has an explicit ‘No Pets’ policy. Not only that, there is no charge for keeping the ESA. Landlords may however request to see documentation like an ESA letter for housing that proves the tenant’s need for an ESA. This protects the landlord from being duped and tenants from being discriminated against.

Housing is likewise protected for those with ESAs by the Fair Housing Act, as landlords can’t discriminate against those with emotional support dogs and can’t charge additional fees for the animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of disability and are required to make reasonable accommodations for the disabled. Those clauses extend to those who use ESAs, and employers can’t use emotional support animals as a reason to discriminate against job candidates or employees. However, hotels and restaurants aren’t required to grant access to those with emotional support dogs, though they are required to do so with service dogs.

Myth 4: ESA Dog Rules Vary by State

Service dog and ESA rules aren’t set at the state level but are instead governed by federal law. While there may be state regulations in place that augment or enhance access for those who use service animals and ESAs, the core rights of those who use both categories of animals are protected at the federal level by legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Air Carriers Access Act.

If you think you could benefit from the use of a service animal or ESA, consider these myths when making an informed decision. To learn more about misconceptions surrounding service animals, visit the National Service Animal Registry.

Myth 5: Only Dogs Can be ESAs

Various domesticated animals, in addition to dogs, can qualify as emotional support animals. For example, ESAs can be cats, rabbits, ferrets, pigs, birds, and even miniature horses. An ESA should be well-mannered and not cause a nuisance to others. If your emotional support animal is a dog, it can be of any breed and size. However, this isn’t applicable to service animals since the ADA recognizes only dogs as service animals. It is important to note that an ESA is not considered a pet since it is essentially doing a job of providing you relief from your emotional disability through companionship.

Myth 6: All Emotional Support Animals are Service Animals

This is one of the common Emotional Support Animal myths. Emotional Support Animals are not service dogs. A service dog is specifically trained to perform certain tasks related to the disability of its handler. For example, a service dog can fetch medication and water, respond to seizures, pull a wheelchair, create a barrier between its handler and other people, interrupt self-harm, get help, act as a guide dog for the visually impaired, alert its handler, switch on lights, etc. But an ESA does not receive any formal training of this sort. The job of an ESA is to provide comfort and companionship to a person who is suffering from an emotional or psychiatric disability.

Myth 7: Anyone Can Get an ESA or a Service Animal

Typically, anyone who owns a pet draws emotional support and companionship from them. However, this does not make the pet an emotional support animal or service dog. To get an ESA or a service dog, you need intervention from a licensed mental health practitioner (LMHP). An LMHP will first evaluate your mental health to determine whether you need one. Not everyone with a disability will need an ESA or a service dog. The responsibility of caring for an animal may become overbearing for some people. If your LMHP feels that your treatment can be augmented with an ESA and if you already own a pet, they will also verify whether the animal can provide emotional support and psychological benefits in times of need. If everything checks out, you will be issued a legitimate ESA letter.

Myth 8: Airline Carriers Have to Allow You to Fly with Your ESA in the Cabin

Previously, both ESAs and service dogs were covered under the Air Carrier Access Act which meant handlers could fly with them in the cabin without charge. Many people started taking advantage of the system and brought along poorly trained animals with them which caused a lot of inconvenience for fellow passengers. So in 2021, the rules were changed to exclude ESAs who now have to travel in a carrier with or without an ESA letter. Only service dogs who are trained to perform tasks related to physical, psychiatric, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities can travel in the cabin. Since this rule has come into effect recently, there has been a lot of speculation over it, which is why it has become a common emotional support animal myth.

Myth 9: You Can Take Your ESA or Service Animal Anywhere

Although you can stay with your ESA or service animal in an accommodation that does not allow pets, the same may not be applicable to all public places or business facilities. For example, non-pet-friendly grocery stores, restaurants, etc. may not allow your ESA. However, this is not always the case with service animals. A service animal can accompany you to movie theatres, restaurants, schools, museums, etc. Covered entities are required to modify their policies to accommodate a service animal. That being said, businesses hold the right to exclude the animals from their premises if their presence jeopardizes the safety of others. For example, if a service animal is not housebroken or is out of control, businesses may ask the handler to remove it from the facility. Hospitals may not allow such animals in the operating room, etc.

Myth 10: You Cannot Get a Legitimate ESA Letter Online

While being a common emotional support animal myth, it cannot be any further from the truth. The basis of this myth is the rising number of fraudulent companies that scam people with fake ESA letters. This is why it is important to be cautious. One of the ways to identify the legitimacy of an ESA letter is through the intervention of an LMHP.

National Service Animal Registry provides a platform to order legitimate ESA letters. Once the order is placed, you will need to answer a set of questions. Based on your answers and your zip code, an LMHP will be assigned to you who will diagnose your condition and determine whether an ESA is necessary. If approved, an ESA letter will be provided to you on the official letterhead of the LMHP. Get your ESA letter today.

If you think you could benefit from the use of a service animal or ESA, consider these myths when making an informed decision. To learn more about misconceptions surrounding service animals, visit the National Service Animal Registry.

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Why You Shouldn’t Fake Having a Service Dog

Everyone wants to have an animal companion. After all, there’s a certain romance in the idea of being accompanied by a dog anywhere you go. And it seems that many people today are lured by the ease of just calling Fido a service dog and letting the dream of that constant companion come true. Once a service dog, they can take their beloved pet to the movie theatres, to restaurants and to malls.

Very appealing, right?

Perhaps on the surface. But there’s a reason real service dogs exist and it’s not for the luxury of having pet companion everywhere. By faking a service dog, you create unfortunate—albeit unseen, in many cases—consequences for both those who actually have service dogs, due to a need, and for businesses who try to comply.

Think about it:

Would you pretend to be handicapped to get the best parking? Would you pretend to be a veteran to get discounts? Pretending to have a service dog is no less morally dubious, and yet it seems people are ready to excuse themselves in this particular instance—perhaps because it has become so commonplace that the ethics are easier to ignore. Or perhaps a sense of entitlement develops where pets are concerned.

Whatever the reason, it’s important to understand that faking a service dog has a negative impact on the community.

What is a service animal?

Service animals are dogs (and in some cases, miniature horses) trained to perform major life tasks to assist people with physical or severe psychiatric impairments or disabilities.

Note that they have special training—not just to help the person whom they work for in essential tasks, but to behave in a certain way in public in order to be unobtrusive. For example: no barking, no begging, and most definitely no growling or other form of aggression towards others. They also know to tuck themselves out of the way under a table or between their human’s legs to create little to know disturbance to others. These are working animals.

Where can service dogs go?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public must in general allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go.

This of course is the appeal of pretending to have service dog—they are allowed nearly everywhere, so long as they don’t create a potential hazard (such as in an operating room). However, you should remember that you’re not just pretending that your dog is a service dog. You’re pretending that you are a person in need of a service dog.

Who needs a service dog?

For a person to legally qualify to have a service dog, he/she must have a physical impairment (or severe psychiatric impairment) that substantially limits his/her ability to perform at least one major life activity without assistance. There are no limitations with respect to the kinds of impairments and disabilities this applies to.

So, in other words, if you pretend your dog is a service dog, you are also pretending that you have a physical or psychiatric impairment.

How faking a service dog undermines the people who really need them

Every time an untrained dog passing as a service makes a mistake in public—such as jumping up on people, growling, etc.—it creates a bad impression of service dogs. This might not seem terribly consequential if you’re only faking your service dog and don’t really have a need. But for those who really are dependent on their service dog, the bad rap they are getting from all the fake “service dogs” creates extra stress.

For example, if a restaurant had a bad experience with a phony service dog in the past, they may be less than welcoming to an individual with a well-trained, professional service dog. It can be incredibly frustrating for those with real service dogs to have to explain again and again that their service dog is actually trained to provide assistance in every day life and will not cause disruption.

Even more horrifying are the cases in which fake service dogs have attacked and wounded—or in some cases even killed—real, highly trained service dogs, something that is horrible for many reasons, not least of which is that the impaired person is now without their necessary support. Faking a service dog puts both the reputation and the lives of real service dogs in jeopardy.

Faking a service dog can also stress out the greater community.

Why faking a service dog hurts the community

A person with a service dog is not required by law to carry documentation. Furthermore, business owners can only ask two questions of anyone who has a service dog: “Is it a service animal?” and “What is it trained to do?”

Any other question, such as inquiries into the particulars of an individual’s disability, for example, is strictly prohibited.

And herein lies the apparent ease of faking a service dog: Because you are not required to carry documentation and business owners don’t want to risk a lawsuit by asking too many questions, they often let the dog enter, even if the veracity of the dog’s status seems questionable.

The problem is that faking a service dog not only undermines people with real disabilities, it also creates a tough situation for businesses. For example, imagine a restaurant that has to deal with people faking service dogs that are untrained for this sort of social setting. These dogs might bark, whimper, whine, beg, or even relieve themselves in that space, annoying other customers and even driving them away, thus putting business owners in an unfair bind.

This is part of the reason that a widespread flagrance of the law has now led to the laws being more strictly enforced.

New enforcements on service dog laws

In the last 3 years, many states across the country have signed legislation to enforce punishment of people falsely claiming a service dog. Punishment in most cases includes a fine and a misdemeanor charge. The hope is that the new laws will discourage such rampant abuse of the service dog title. A real service dog has a serious job to do.

While these laws will hopefully help to mitigate the negative impression fake service dogs give to the world, those with real service dogs may want to consider getting their animals registered to avoid confrontation and hassle.

Why register your service dog?

Registration is not federally mandated or compulsory, but voluntary. While it may seem that registering is unfair, it can really make your daily life easier. Registering your service dog not only legitimizes your dog (making him/her look official) but eliminates nearly all the hassles and confrontation you’ll encounter without it

That’s the reason National Service Animal Registry exists: To make life easier and less problematic for the disabled! Several members of the NSAR staff group are disabled and attest to how much easier it has been to take their animals in public after they were registered and attired appropriately.

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Vegetables Your Service Dog Can and Can’t Eat?

When you have a best friend who is also a furry, four legged service dog with a happy grin and a wagging tail, it is only natural to want to share a plate. It’s fun to share food—it’s a major part of human culture and one of the ways in which we connect with one another. But…dogs are canines, not homo sapiens (hard to remember, I know) and thus, have not only different nutritional requirements, but also different digestive abilities.

To reassure you, before we go any further, it is absolutely Ok to share food with your service dog, just not everything, and certainly not in the same quantities.

While your service dog is an omnivore, meaning they can eat a range of meat and plant based foods, our sweet domestic version of the species is not always quite so strictly in touch with their instincts that they will know to avoid potentially toxic foods. In fact, dogs are notorious for eating just about anything put in front of them, including things like chocolate, which are quite toxic, as well as over eating until they make themselves sick. To be fair, it is a dog’s instinct to overeat, seeing as how in the wild their ancestors (and current relatives, such as the wolf) would gorge themselves on the kill, uncertain when the next meal would arrive.

Since your service dog will not necessarily be a good judge of what is appropriate and safe to eat, it is up to you, as a devoted companion to your furry friend, to take on the responsibility of being informed about the various foods we eat and whether they are safe for sharing with our pups.

This article will focus on vegetables in particular. Are vegetables good for your service dog? Are vegetables harmful to your service dog? When is it appropriate to feed your service dog veggies, and how should you prepare them? And how much? Keep reading, as we delve into these questions.

Doggie Digestive Systems: Carnivore or Omnivore?

Are dogs carnivores (strictly meat eaters) or omnivores (capable of eating meat and vegetables, like humans, and raccoons)? This is actually a bigger debate than you might guess. While dogs seem to be made physiologically to be carnivores, they are classified as omnivores because they can (and do) eat plant materials, including fruits and vegetables. In fact, eating strictly meat will make your service dog sick over the long run, as he will be missing essential nutrients.

Still, dog bodies are optimized for meat, with the pointy teeth of a true carnivore and a digestive system emphasizing strong stomach acid (to kill bacteria of decaying meat), a lack of amylase in the saliva (necessary for the breakdown of starch), an extra large stomach (in order to contain all the meat from those gorging fests) and an overall shorter digestive tract than herbivores or even full on omnivores (like humans) who need a longer tract to breakdown and absorb plant material.

On the other hand, your service dog is an incredibly adaptive animal and are capable of processing a wide range of foods for its nutritional content. Indeed, since hounds joined the human race as one of our specie’s favorite allies some 15,000 years ago, they have certainly proved themselves capable of surviving off a wide range of foods, indicating a more omnivorous habit. Unlike cats, for instance, who really cannot process most vegetables and will not survive without a high meat diet, dogs have proved that they can (and will) eat and digest vegetables. Dogs do not, however, need vegetables to survive. That is, they do not need vegetables in the way we do—but they do need plant material.

The diet of your service dog’s ancestors included eating the stomach contents of their prey: herbivores, who were chock full of plant material—mainly grasses. Canines are also scavengers, meaning they can both eat and receive good nutrients from eating rotting vegetables, carcasses and even (though a little disgustingly) poop.

A good idea, in light of this information, would be to focus the bulk of the diet on animal protein, but incorporate vegetables and other foods as more supplemental bits. The best vegetables will be leafy greens, since they are most similar to the grasses a dog would eat in the wild. However, other vegetables, offered in moderation, can be good too. We’ll discuss more specifics below.

What Nutritional Value Do Vegetables Have (For a Dog)?

Vegetables provide a wide range of minerals and vitamins. They also provide wonderful fiber, which can improve digestion (or, conversely, hamper digestion, causing diarrhea if overdone).

Every vegetable will of course have a different make up of vitamins and minerals. Some of the essential vitamins and minerals required by the canine and which can be found in varying degrees in a given vegetable include: B Vitamins, Calcium, Chlorine, Choline, Copper, Folic acid, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Phosphorus, Potassium, Riboflavin, Selenium, Sodium, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and Zinc.

How to Introduce and Prepare Vegetables for Your Service Dog

So, now that we know your service dog can eat vegetables, how do we actually feed these healthy veggies to our puppy dogs? Can you just put a pile of well-seasoned and prepared veg on a plate for your service dog’s dinner? Or toss him a raw salad?

The answer is no. It’s not quite that simple. Your service dog can eat vegetables, but there are ways to make it easier for him/her to digest and assimilate the nutrients.

Dogs take a while to adjust to any new food. In fact, when introducing a new food, it is not uncommon for a dog to get diarrhea, not necessarily because the food is inherently bad for him, but because his body does not recognize it. It takes time for the body to learn what a food is, and how to break it down and use it to build cells.

This is why it is a good idea to begin small: Try giving your service dog just a bite or two of that zucchini, and increase over time, watching to see his reaction. Give his body time to adjust to this foreign experience, because one thing for certain, if your service dog likes the zucchini, she will not be moderating herself.

Another reason starting slow is a good idea, is that it will allow you to watch your service dog for an actual allergy. Dogs, like humans, sometimes just have a bad reaction to a specific food. While a little diarrhea is normal when introducing a new food, if it sustained and/or in combination with other symptoms such as lethargy or puking, call your veterinarian (and it goes without saying, STOP giving the problem food to the poor pooch!).

Another way to both ease the transition for your service dog into eating vegetables, and to assure the highest rate of digestion and absorption of the veggie, is in a mindful preparation. While dogs can handle some raw vegetables, their digestive systems are not as efficient at processing raw foods as humans (due to the shorter, carnivorous digestive tract).

There are lots of ways you can prepare the food for optimal digestion insuring your service dog gets all the nutrients it can out of the veggies. You can boil, steam, bake, grill or roast the fine veggies for your grateful service dog. Or, you could even leave it raw, but puree it, so the smaller bits will be easier to assimilate into the canine body.

Yet another good reason to cut the veggies into small pieces or cook them ahead of time, is because your service dog’s jaws and teeth are not ideally suited for chewing: their jaw only moves up and down, unlike a human (or herbivore) jaw, which moves side to side while chewing. They also have less molars. This means that dogs tend to swallow quickly—which can potentially lead to choking, especially with hard vegetables.

As for seasoning, salt is unnecessary. In fact, it can even be dangerous, leading to sodium ion poisoning. This is also why it’s a good idea to avoid pickled veggies as well, since they tend to be very high in sodium. Your service dog gets all the salt he/she needs from natural sources and are sensitive to excessive intake of this mineral.

If you really want to exercise your culinary genius for your beloved service dog, it is ok (and even beneficial) to add some more neutral herbs, such as rosemary or parsley. Think culinary herbs here, and as always, be sure to check that they are safe before tossing them into the dish.

And if you find you really enjoy preparing your service dog’s veggie snacks, you can even take it a step further by making your own dog food with a combination of proteins, vegetables and grains!

Vegetables to AVOID!

The list of vegetables to avoid is actually not so extensive. The main thing with veggies is that dogs don’t need that many of them—and they will get sick if fed a particular veggie in too great of portions or too often. If you regulate how much veggies your hound is getting, she should be just fine. The truly toxic veggies are few, and even they would need to be eaten in a large quantity to really cause damage.

Onion

This root vegetable of the alium family is dangerous to dogs in large quantities because of a constituent found in it called thiosulphate. Terrifyingly, because dogs lack the enzyme necessary to digest this chemical, it becomes toxic in their bodies and can cause the rupture of red blood cells, known as hemolytic anemia.

Don’t panic if your service dog gets a hold of a slice of pizza with onions on it. While you definitely do not want to intentionally be feeding him onions, a few here and there will not cause great damage. However, a cumulative effect—that is, eating a little bit of onion on a regular basis over a long time—can have quite serious consequences.

Some breeds are more sensitive than others, but it’s a good idea to avoid onions altogether just to be safe. And that includes powdered onions! Many seasoning include powdered onion, so keep this in mind when feeding Fido table scraps.

Other members of the Alium family such as chives, leeks and garlic also contain this ingredient, so best to avoid them in big quantities as well.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb contains oxalates, which are salts which can bind with the bodies calcium, causing a calcium deficiency. The stem is actually Ok to eat, as it contains such a small amount of oxalates. The leaves, however, contain toxic levels of oxalates if enough is consumed. Symptoms can include drooling, diarrhea, tremors and lethargy.

Avocado

Technically a fruit, Avocados contain persin, which is actually considered only mildly toxic to dogs, if at all. It has gotten a bad rap due to the poisoning effects it has on other animals, such as birds and cattle (so if you have a canary or a cow, do not feed it avocado…but your service dog will probably be fine, if you follow the outline above and introduce it slowly, observing the response).

Vegetables for You and Your Service dog to EMBRACE!

Luckily, as evidenced by the very few harmful veggies for dogs, most vegetables are fair game for you hound, when given in moderation and prepared in the correct way. And that is great news, because vegetables are often a healthier alternative to commercial treats which contain additives and chemicals.

Here’s a list of some of the popular vegetables to feed dogs (though far from exhaustive), and why they are good, along with any stipulations in the preparation.

Broccoli

Broccoli is great, but only in small quantities—it contains isothiocyanates, which can cause stomach upset, so feed in moderation.

Carrots

Especially noted for their high beta carotene and Vitamin A content (essential for healthy bones and immune system, among other things), carrots are also excellent for cleaning tartar off dog teeth!

Celery

Celery is high in fiber, Vitamins A, B and C as well as plethora of minerals. It is great for your dogs heart and also contains Apigenin, which is a cancer fighting compound. While high in salt (meaning, like the rest of the veggies, only serve in moderation!), celery is known to freshens a dog’s breath.

Corn

Corn, in the form of corn starch, is actually one of the primary ingredients in mainstream dog food. Corn is a source of proteins, carbohydrates, antioxidants and linoleic acis. Corn is great, just be sure not to give it to your service dog on the cob! This is unfortunate, since it seems like corn on the cob would make such a great chew toy! However, the inedible cob can actually rip up your service dog’s digestive system, causing major damage. On the flipside, popcorn is ok! (so long as it’s plain without butter and salt).

Cucumber

Cucumbers are so full of water and minerals that they are quite hydrating, among other things. While the skin is the most healthy part, it is unfortunately also the most challenging to digest. Peel it before feeding your service dog to avoid stomach upset.

Greenbeans

A great, snappy treat, greenbeans contain vitamin C, K and manganese.

Potatoes

High in iron, potatoes are great for dogs, so long as they are cooked (either boiled or baked, without seasoning).

Sweet Potatoes

Full of beta carotene, potassium, vitamin B6 and C, sweet potatoes are also great for your service dog’s fur coat and skin.

There are literally dozens of other vegetables out there: root veggies such as beets, squashes, pumpkins, cauliflower, zucchini and various greens, such as kale. The main thing to keep in mind when considering a new vegetable for your service dog, is to introduce it slowly. And it is always a good idea to look up each new vegetable, just to be sure it’s safe and to check on the specifics.

Conclusion:

There are lots of good reasons to incorporate vegetables into your service dog’s diet. Feeding your service dog vegetables can be a great low carb alternative to doggie treats, offering her baby carrots or slices of cucumber. It can also be fun to share your food with your pup. If you’re cooking dinner, for instance, and chopping veggies—perhaps you want to share the experience with Rex by tossing him a bit of zucchini. Veggies can also offer dogs important vitamins and minerals. Just remember that your service dog’s diet should really be based around protein. Celebrate vegetables and experiment with the safe food options for your pet, just remember to keep your hound’s diet balanced.

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How Much Does a Service Dog Cost: A Buyer’s Guide for Your Service Dog

For many people with disabilities, service dogs are absolutely essential. These animals make everyday life more manageable and enjoyable. However, because of their high costs, getting a service dog can be a daunting and stressful task. With adoption costs, training, vet trips, and more, obtaining and caring for a service animal can cost thousands every year. Read this guide to learn about all the expenses associated with owning a service dog and how you can pay for yours.

Already-Trained Service Dog Costs

Though the specific amount will depend on the breed of dog and the type of training it gets, you can expect to buy a service dog for between $15,000 and $30,000 upfront. Some service dogs can cost as much as $50,000. Along with these initial costs, many pet owners spend between $500 and $10,000 every year caring for their dog. These yearly expenses cover things like food, veterinary checkups, vaccinations, toys, and additional training.

Why Are the Initial Costs so High?

Service dogs require much more training than other dogs do. This extensive training and additional care usually take place during the first few months of their lives. The amount you pay goes toward adoption costs, puppy vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and trainer’s fees. You can cut down on the initial costs significantly by training the dog on your own or with assistance from a certified dog trainer. Though it costs less in the short-term, this method usually takes longer and may actually end up costing more in the long-term.

Costs to Train Your Dog to Be a Service Animal

If you already have a dog that you want to train to become a service animal, you may be able to save some money on the initial costs. The amount this route will cost depends on your dog, how much it already knows, the specific tasks it must learn, the trainer’s fees, and how much time the trainer can dedicate to your dog. If your dog has already received some obedience training, it can take between four and six months to train them for a task service. The precise amount of time it will take depends on the task your pup must learn and the pup’s aptitude. Additionally, service dogs are expected to be able to perform these tasks in a number of different environments. A lot of dogs can take up to two years to become fully trained for public access. The hourly fees professional dog trainers charge varies greatly from region to region, though you can expect to pay around $150-250 per hour. These expenses can also add up very quickly.

How to Pay for a Service Animal

There are a few different ways you can raise the money to pay for your service animal. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

  • Use a nonprofit grant. There are many organizations like Service Dogs for America and Assistance Dogs International that are dedicated to helping people with disabilities find service dogs for little or no fee.
  • Build up your savings. Though this is easier said than done, it is much easier to buy a service dog if you have a little extra savings in the bank.
  • Take out a loan. If you are unable to get help from a nonprofit, you can try to take out a personal loan to cover the costs of the service animal.

Contact us at the National Service Animal Registry for more important information about service dogs.

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Chicago, IL: A Great Place to Visit with Your Service Dog

Chicago, sometimes known as the “Windy City” is a busy metropolis full of skyscrapers, great food, and even better music. It’s the third most populous city in the United States, and has a wide selection of dog friendly locations you can bring your pet or emotional support animal.

If you own a service dog, you already know your dog is welcome anywhere, but there are several places around Chicago your service dog will enjoy for a little off duty fun, or that provide important care your animal needs to keep working for you. Here are our favorite spots in Chicago for your dog.

Places to eat

Taking your service dog to a restaurant is part of the job, but if you have an emotional support animal its usually barred from restaurants. Fortunately, there are dozens of dog friendly restaurants in Chicago. These are our favorites.

Harry Caray’s Tavern

Enjoy a spectacular view of the waterfront while sitting down with your service dog for a great meal. Harry Carays at 600 E Grand Ave, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL, US, 60611 has a dog friendly patio you can enjoy the meal on, while also bringing along an emotional support animal or other pet for the meal.

They have great food as well as a spectacular meal, including vegan options such as the Beyond Burger if you have dietary restrictions.

Big Stars

If you’re craving tacos, you’ll love Big Stars at 1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL, US, 60622. Big Stars features incredible Mexican food, and are most famous for their taco slinging skills. The Wicker park location is especially interesting because of its unique building…it was converted into a restaurant from a 1940’s gas station.

Which ever location you choose, dogs are welcome on their patio, and are well liked at Big Stars.

Take your dog to a four paws up hotel

Whether your dog is a service dog or an emotional support animal, he will love the Hotel EMC2, Autograph. This trendy hotel has no green space on the premises, but there is a dog park available just 3 blocks away!

The hotel itself allows dogs to be left unattended and unkenneled in the hotel room with a signed waiver, and does not charge an additional fee for large dogs. Beds, bowls and treats are available at the front desk for the use of your dog during his stay. See it for yourself at 228 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611.

Stay at a pet friendly apartment

Service dogs and emotional support animals can’t be kept out of apartment buildings, but there are perks to staying in a dog friendly apartment, such as an abundance of green space and the ability to keep a non-working pet.

The Morgan at Loyola station allows up to two pets, and takes dogs up to 50 pounds. They are conveniently located close to the downtown area, and has an abundance of outdoor space including lake access, as well as plenty of amenities for you as well. Enjoy a fitness center, bike storage, club house, and 24 hour maintenance should something break in your home. Check it out at 1209 W Arthur Ave, Chicago, IL 60626.

Keep your service dog healthy with a vet trip

You depend on your service dog for your independence, so making sure he stays fit and healthy is critical to both your well being and his. West Wrigley Animal Hospital at 3416 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60657 is a reliable source for vet care. They offer veterinary treatments for all life stages, and have a state-of-the-art hospital with an in-house diagnostic lab for quick results.

If your service dog or emotional support animal should need veterinary care while in Chicago, this vet should be your first call.

Jackson Bark

Your service dog or emotional support animal is used to accompanying you, and chances are he’s seen a lot of dog parks. If you want to take him to one that’s unique for some off-duty fun, Jackson Bark is the place for you. This dog park features agility equipment to train on and get excess energy out on, and people who have visited report safety features and other amenities such as poop bags. Check it out at 5800 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL, US, 60637.

Take your service dog on his own canine cruise

One of the most popular venues for dog lovers in the Mercury Canine Cruises at Michigan Ave. & Wacker Dr. in Chicago, IL 60601. These cruises are designed especially for your furry friend, so you can rest assured your hard working service dog or beloved emotional support animal will have a good time on this trip.

You can listen to a history of the city as you admire its beauty from comfortable outdoor seating, and there are doggie amenities such as a paper-lined bathroom and dog bowls available for your dog. Your service dog will love this trip, and so will you!

Take your dog on a hike

There are lots of fun places to hike in and near Chicago, and your dog is welcome to join you on some of them. The Valley Line Trail is one such trail both you and your service dog will enjoy. It was made along the path of an old railway, and is currently maintained by the Rails to Trails Conservancy. Just 20 minutes from down town, you can access one of the trail heads at 4400 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL 60646.

Chicago is a large city filled with dog friendly places you can go with your dog. Where your four legged friend is a hard working animal, a retiree, or just a pet, there are plenty of things you can see and do around the Chicago area.

If you’ve been thinking about visiting, don’t be afraid to bring your dog along with you to the Windy City. You will love it, and he will too.

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Seattle, WA: A Great Place to Visit with Your Service Dog

Seattle is a thriving metropolis known for the Space Needle, fabulous whale watching opportunities, and how dog-friendly it is. If you are a dog lover yourself or need a service dog or emotional support dog to get around, you’ll love Seattle, Washington. Seattle was even named the most dog-friendly city in the world because of the many opportunities available in it.

Dog friendly lodging

If you’re planning on just a short visit, one of the best places to stay is the Belltown Inn. This dog-friendly inn is centrally located in the heart of Seattle, making it a convenient location for checking out all the sights and sounds.

It has received several awards for being environmentally friendly and for its excellent ratings with customers. Housekeeping will not visit if the dog is left unattended, so be prepared if you want housekeeping while you have your emotional support dog or service dog staying with you.

Staying a while?

If you’re planning to move to Seattle, Cyrene Apartments is a dog friendly apartment located within blocks of the waterfront. You’ll be able to visit the Seattle Aquarium and the Waterfront with just a quick stretch of the legs. Seattle Aquarium welcomes service dogs in all public areas and is wheelchair accessible. Some breed restrictions for Cyrene Apartments do apply for non-assistance animals, but there is no weight limit to the size of the dog. You can see it for yourself at 50 University St.

Take your ESA with you to dine out

If you want to grab your morning cup of coffee on the go, and take your emotional support dog with you, Bark! Espresso is one of the most dog-friendly cafes you can ask for. It has a completely separate area for dogs, and you can even treat your ESA to a doggie latte while you grab a real one for yourself. Bark! Espresso is located at 11335 Roosevelt Way NE.

If you’re hoping for a sit-down dinner you can bring your emotional support dog to, Norm’s Eatery and Ale House is the place to go. All dogs are welcome inside the building so long as they follow the rules. The dog must be on leash, cannot eat off the table or plates, and must not bark while inside. If he can follow these rules, he can come in while you dine! Enjoy a great meal at 460 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103.

There are many eateries that welcome pets in Seattle, so if you’re hoping to bring along your ESA, chances are there will be a place close to you that allows it.

Take your puppy to the beach

Not a lot of off-leash dog parks can boast beach access, but Warren G. Magnuson Park off-leash area can. In fact, it’s the only park in Seattle that does. This 8.6 acre park is part of a larger, 350 acre park in the Sand Point neighborhood of Seattle, and the off-leash park is alongside Lake Washington, giving your dog plenty of opportunities for fresh water fun.

There are also a multitude of trails to walk your service dog or ESA along, and many of these trails are wheelchair accessible. It’s a great opportunity for everyone, and easily the best dog park in Seattle. The park is located at 7400 Sand Point Way NE.

Visit an outdoor market

The Fremont Sunday Market is a beautiful outdoor market open year-round. The market is located at 3410 Evanston Ave North and is dog friendly. They ask that your dog be kept on a short leash for the safety of patrons as well as your service dog, ESA, or other pet. Click Here to check out National Service Animal Registry’s 4 foot leashes, perfect for this scenario.

You can find all sorts of things at the outdoor market, from handmade leather satchels to treats to give your service dog or emotional support dog as a reward for a job well done.

Bark at the Park

While your service dog is always welcome at baseball games, you may enjoy taking him to one specifically geared towards dogs. “Bark at the Park” is a baseball game where dog lovers can take their pets for a fun filled day of events, free goodie bags from vendors, and of course a baseball game.

Whether a licensed assistance animal or just a pet, he may have never been to a baseball game. This is your chance to let him experience the full fun of this event and watch a great game too.

Need a vet?

Whether your dog is a service dog, an emotional support dog, or your very best friend in life, good veterinary care is vital to their health. In the case of a service dog or an emotional support dog, your dog plays a vital role in your level of independence, and your emotional health as well, making it critical for both you and your pet that he remain healthy.

That means knowing the best local vets in case your dog gets sick or injured while you are in Seattle. If you’re looking for the very best care for your dog, consider Lien Animal Clinic. With over 300 5 star reviews, and prompt attention to those who do have a problem, you know you’ll be treated well when you take your furry companion to this clinic.

Rex Seattle

Service dogs work hard, and sometimes they deserve a little pampering too. Rex Seattle has everything you need to take care of your dog while you are in Seattle. Located at 1402 12th Avenue, you’ll find grooming, a self-dog wash, and select products as well as a caring staff.

Seattle is a great place for dog lovers. If you have a assistance dog and depend on your dog for your own wellbeing, you can rest assured that there are plenty of places you can keep your dog in tip top shape while you are enjoying this big city.

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Austin, TX: A Great Place to Visit with Your Service Dog

Texas is a huge state, and experiencing it is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Austin is the capital of Texas and has a surprising amount to offer dog lovers who visit there. If you depend on a service dog to help keep you mobile, or you have an emotional support animal you enjoy keeping with you to support your needs, Austin has many locations you can take your dog.

Here are just a few of our favorite locations for you and your dog.

Stay at a dog friendly hotel

There are a number of pet friendly hotels in Austin but finding one that has appropriate places to potty your dog can be tricky. Many locations are completely concreted in, which can result in an uncomfortable experience when it’s time to take your emotional support animal or loyal service dog to do his business.

Luckily, the Staybridge Suites Austin Arboretum at 10201 Stonelake Blvd, Austin, TX 78759-5734 not only has a designated potty spot for your dog, but also has treats for your pet, and a low dog fee. Your dog will feel right at home in this comfortable hotel, and so will you. It’s located just two blocks from fine dining and shopping areas, so you can walk to see more of Austin.

Staying a while?

If you’re planning to move to Austin, Texas, you may be wondering about the available of dog friendly apartments. There are quite a few apartments that accept dogs, including large dogs and multiple pets. If you have a service dog or an emotional support animal, you know that while you can stay anywhere with your dog, an apartment that expects pets has a lot of benefits—including more green space for your dog.

The Villas at Stone Oak Ranch is a pet friendly apartment that allows up to 2 dogs with a nominal dog rent. Some breed restrictions do apply.

This apartment not only has plenty of green space to walk your service dog on, but you can also cross the street to Yett Creek Neighborhood Park and explore the hiking trails there. See it for yourself at 13021 Legendary Drive Austin, TX 78727.

Need a vet?

When you own a service dog or an emotional support animal that takes care of you daily, it’s important to ensure they get the health care that they need. They can handle everything from basic wellness visits to intensive care and have their own in-house lab to help speed the process of getting lab results back.

See them for themselves yet at 5720 Menchaca Road, Austin TX 78745.

Take your dog for a splash at an off-leash dog park

Imagine how much fun your dog will have on surrounded by water on three sides as he splashes and plays in the water. Red Bud Aisle is a magical place for dogs and people alike, and is entirely off leash. Your service dog will love the water, and the broad paths are well kept for easy access.

Parking is at a premium, so you may want to come at off peak hours or use a smaller vehicle to help make it easier to enjoy this park.

Visit a farmer’s market

Outdoor markets are a great way to enjoy fresh produce and homemade goods from local farmers and craftsman. Unfortunately, unless you have a service dog, most farmers markets frown on dogs visiting these markets even when they are held outside. If your dog is technically not a service dog, but you still need him to be comfortable in specific situations, finding a dog friendly farmer’s market is a fabulous experience.

The Barton Creek Farmer’s market is a perfect location to bring your emotional support animal, and is open every Saturday from 9AM to 1PM. You can find them at 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, Texas 78746.

Places to eat in Austin

Taking your service dog into a restaurant is a normal part of living, but if you have an emotional support animal, finding a place to eat that will allow your pet can get tricky. Luckily, Austin restaurants love dogs, and there are a number of places you can bring your furry friend, service dog or not.

Yard Bar

If you want to relax with your dog in an adult setting, Yard Bar is a great place to take your pet. This restaurant actually combines an off leash dog park and a bar, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. The Yard Bar does have some restrictions—no intact animals, even puppies, and no one under the age of 21 may visit.

As long as you meet this criteria, you’ll love the Yard bar, so check it out at 6700 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX, US, 78757.

Austin Terrier

If you have children in tow, the Austin Terrier can feed your whole family without restrictions. Service dogs are always welcome, and emotional support animals are welcome on the patio. They do a great job of taking care of your dog, including offering it water, during your stay.

Austin Terrier is located at 3435 Greystone Dr, Austin, TX, US, 78731 and offers salads, sandwiches, and specialty pizzas.

Go hiking with your dog

Austin Texas is a beautiful place to visit with your dog and has many dog friendly hiking trails your furry friend will love. If hiking is a passion for you and your service dog, give McKinney Falls State Park at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, TX, US, 78744 a try.

This hiking trail is a perfect place to take your leashed emotional support animal or service dog as you walk along Onion Creek and listen to the roar of the water. Geocaching and picnic areas are available, making it entertaining as well as good exercise.

If you have a service dog, Austin Texas is a great place to visit. There’s plenty you can see and do with your loyal companion, and many people who will welcome your dog regardless of whether he is wearing identification or not. You’ll love the visit, and you can rest assured your dog will love it too.

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What You Should Know about Leash Laws and Service Dogs

There are many laws and regulations (both state and federal) that apply to pets and their owners. These laws are designed to keep both animals and people safe and to ensure the general well-being of the public. But many of the laws that apply to a pet are waived or altered in some way to accommodate service animals. If you’ve been wondering how leash laws and other pet-related laws apply to your emotional support animal, here’s what you should know.

Defining a Service Dog

We know that your ESA dog is an important part of your treatment, and essential to coping with your condition. However, in most circumstances, an ESA does not qualify as a service animal. This means that any pet-related laws in your area do apply to your ESA, and there are very few situations under which your dog will be treated as a service animal.

A service dog is defined as a dog that is trained to perform a specific task in order to assist someone with a disability. Because most ESAs are not given task-specific training, and their handlers simply need their presence for comfort, they are not considered service animals. So, please be aware that the majority of public places (restaurants, stores, etc.) that do not allow pets have the discretion to allow an ESA. However, there are exceptions, so if you want to bring your ESA somewhere public with you, do some research, or call the location and ask if they’ll allow a support animal on the premises.

Leash Laws

It’s important to note that, while other regulations may be waived for service animals, leash laws are not altered for dogs that provide a service or support to their handler. Whatever a dog’s job may be, they are subject to the local dog licensing and registration requirements and must be on a leash unless they are in an area where leashes are not required.

In fact, laws strictly state that service animals must be under control at all times. This means they should be leashed, tethered, or otherwise harnessed in public areas. The only exception to this is if the leash directly interferes with a dog’s duties. When this occurs, the dog may be taken off the leash to perform the necessary task but must be kept under control by voice commands.

What Laws Protect Your ESA?

Though the majority of laws that protect service animals do not apply to emotional support animals, there are a few exceptions. If you have an ESA, then you’re provided with two primary benefits:

  • You can acquire housing with your ESA, regardless of the landlord’s or complex’s policies about pets. You also cannot be charged a pet fee for having an ESA in your home.
  • You can travel with your ESA on airlines, trains, buses, and so on. You are permitted to have your ESA in the cabin of an airplane with you and cannot be charged a pet fee for this.

While laws do not require ESAs, or even service dogs, to be marked as such, most owners of these types of animals find it extremely beneficial to have their dog wear a service dog vest when out in public. This notifies others that your dog is more than just a pet and makes it less likely that you’ll meet with resistance or objection when bringing your ESA on an airplane or other places where regular pets are not generally permitted.

If you’re looking for the best service dog leash, be sure to check our online store. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure you have your rights as an ESA owner recognized by those around you.