Distinguishing Service Dogs from Emotional Support Dogs- Understanding the Key Differences
What’s the difference between service dog and emotional support dog?
In today’s society, the presence of service dogs and emotional support dogs has become increasingly common. Both types of dogs provide valuable assistance to individuals with disabilities, but they serve different purposes and have distinct legal statuses. Understanding the differences between these two types of dogs is crucial for anyone seeking to acquire one or for those who interact with individuals who have them.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are highly trained animals that assist individuals with disabilities in performing tasks that they would otherwise be unable to do. These tasks can range from guiding visually impaired individuals through obstacles to alerting deaf individuals to important sounds. Service dogs are considered working animals and are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Emotional Support Dogs
Emotional support dogs, on the other hand, provide comfort and emotional stability to individuals with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. While they may provide some practical assistance, their primary role is to offer companionship and support. Emotional support dogs are not protected under the ADA, but they may be allowed in certain housing and travel situations due to the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act.
Training and Certification
Service dogs undergo extensive training to perform specific tasks that cater to their handler’s needs. This training typically takes several months and involves obedience, task-specific training, and public access training. Service dogs must be certified by a professional organization that specializes in service dog training.
Emotional support dogs, however, do not require formal training or certification. While they may have some basic obedience training, their primary purpose is to provide emotional support. Some individuals may choose to train their own emotional support dogs, while others may adopt a dog that already has some level of training.
Legal Protections
Service dogs have strong legal protections under the ADA. They are allowed in most public places, including restaurants, stores, and offices, as long as they are trained to perform tasks related to their handler’s disability. Service dogs are also allowed in housing and on public transportation without any restrictions.
Emotional support dogs, while not protected under the ADA, may have some legal protections under the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. This means that individuals with emotional support dogs may be allowed to live in housing that has a no-pets policy and to travel with their dogs on airplanes without additional fees.
In Conclusion
In summary, the main difference between service dogs and emotional support dogs lies in their purpose and legal protections. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that assist individuals with disabilities, while emotional support dogs provide comfort and emotional stability to individuals with mental health conditions. Understanding these differences is essential for individuals seeking to acquire a dog for assistance or for those who interact with individuals who have service or emotional support dogs.
