Service Dog Certification? Debunking Common Misconceptions

How Do I Certify or Register My Service Dog?

Many myths exist about service animals, from certification requirements to training standards. These misconceptions can create unnecessary confusion for handlers and the public. In this post, we will look at common miconceptions about service animals. We will use the ADA’s official guidelines to explain the truth.

What is a Service Animal? ADA Definition

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as a dog that has specialized training to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. This includes tasks that assist with both physical and psychiatric disabilities, like guiding people who are blind, alerting individuals who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack.

According to the ADA, a service dog is not simply a pet; it’s a working animal with a specific function that directly supports a person’s disability. The work or tasks a service dog performs must be directly related to the person’s disability.

The ADA guidelines explicitly exclude animals used solely for comfort or emotional support from the definition of service animals. However, psychiatric service dogs—trained to perform tasks to mitigate a psychiatric disability—are fully recognized and protected as service animals under ADA law.

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and Service Dogs in Air Travel

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is a Federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities in air travel, ensuring they have equal access to airline services. For service dog handlers, the ACAA provides specific protections and guidelines to facilitate air travel.

Under the ACAA:

• Service dogs are allowed to accompany their handlers in the cabin of an aircraft, provided they fit within the space provided or the handler's foot space.
• Airlines may ask for documentation verifying the dog’s status, especially for long flights, but they cannot require certification beyond what’s needed to confirm the dog is trained for specific tasks that aid with the handler’s disability.
• Psychiatric service dogs are fully recognized under the ACAA and must be allowed to travel with their handlers. However, emotional support animals (ESAs) and therapy dogs are no longer considered service animals under the ACAA, and airlines may charge additional fees or restrict them from the cabin.
  

The ACAA reinforces the rights of people with disabilities to travel with their service dogs and requires airlines to provide reasonable accommodations.

Myth #1: Service Dogs Must Be Certified or Registered

Fact: The ADA does not require service dogs to have any kind of certification or registration. According to the ADA, “Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.”

Some organizations sell "service animal certifications" or "registrations" online, but these documents do not provide any legal rights under the ADA. The Department of Justice does not recognize these certifications as proof that a dog is a legitimate service animal. Handlers should be aware that certification documents are not necessary and often lead to misunderstanding about what is required.

Myth #2: Service Animals Must Be Professionally Trained

Fact: People with disabilities have the right to train their service dog themselves. The ADA states that “People with disabilities have the right to train the dog themselves and are not required to use a professional service dog training program.”

This means that while many handlers may choose to work with a professional trainer, especially for complex tasks, it is not legally required. Owners can train their dogs to meet their specific needs, as long as the dog performs tasks that directly mitigate the handler’s disability.

Myth #3: My Service Dog Needs to Pass a Public Access Test (PAT)

Fact: The ADA does not require service dogs to pass a Public Access Test (PAT). While a PAT is a common training benchmark for many service dog programs, it is not a legal requirement.

However, it is required that service dogs are well-trained and behaved for public settings to ensure they can handle different environments calmly and effectively. A PAT can be a useful tool for handlers to assess their dog’s readiness, but passing such a test is not mandated by law.

Myth #4: Only Certain Breeds Can Be Service Dogs

Fact: The ADA does not limit service dogs by breed. According to the ADA, “The ADA does not restrict the type of dog breeds that can be service animals. A service animal may not be excluded based on assumptions or stereotypes about the animal’s breed or how the animal might behave.”

Some breeds are more common as service dogs because of their temperament or size. However, any breed can be a service dog if it can perform the required tasks reliably. However, if a service dog displays behavior that poses a direct threat to others or is out of control, it will must leave the premises. 

Myth #5: Service Dogs Must Always Wear a Vest or Harness

Fact: The ADA does not require service dogs to wear a service dog vest, ID tag, or specific harness. Many handlers choose to use a vest or ID tag for easier identification in public, but this is entirely optional.

Some handlers may choose not to use a vest because of personal preference or the nature of their dog’s tasks. A vest can be a helpful signal to others that the dog is working, but under ADA guidelines, service dogs are not required to wear one.

Clearing Up Confusion: Key Takeaways on Service Dog Requirements

To summarize:

• Certification is not required: There is no legal service dog registration or certification in the U.S.
• Professional training is optional: Handlers are allowed to train their own service dogs.
• Public Access Testing is not required: A PAT is recommended for good behavior, but it is not mandated.
• Any breed can be a service dog: No breed restrictions exist, though dogs must be well-behaved.
• No vest, harness or ID tag is necessary: Vests and harnesses are optional and not legally required.
  

Service animals are essential support tools for many individuals with disabilities, helping them navigate daily life. Understanding these facts can help reduce confusion, increase respect for service dog handlers, and promote an informed public.

Learn More

For further details on service animal requirements visit the ADA.gov site.