My Thoughts on “Fake” Service Dogs
Recently, a friend (we’ll call her Lacey) was over at my house. Her brother (who we’ll call Chad) is a very devoted and passionate dog owner who likes to take his dog everywhere with him, whenever possible.
She told me her brother returned from a rock concert recently, where he met another person attending with his dog. Being a dog person, Chad was immediately drawn to this man and his lovely black lab. Chad was impressed and excited that this person was able to attend a rock concert with his dog, and more than a tad envious.
Apparently, our dog-owning concert-goer gave Chad a “great” tip on an organization where you can pay a $25 fee and they will issue you some sort of paperwork stating that your dog is a service dog. Chad thought this was a great idea – for a low one-time fee of $25, he could take his pibble mix anywhere he wanted – to the store, to the movies movies, to a bar or concert, everywhere! Thrilling!
Lacey, being a skilled reader of human body language, obviously saw my face fall as she said this. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
I didn’t even know where to begin.
Before I get into this any further, let me state that I totally empathize with Chad. I also like taking my dogs everywhere with me. Everywhere I go is generally more fun with them than without them, with limited exceptions.
However, “faking” service dog status is really not cool for a number of reasons. Let’s explore these.
- It’s against the law – while $25 may seem like a great deal, the fact is that if you are caught faking service dog status for your dog, you may face large fines and/or jail time. I know you like having your dog with you, but promise you he will not be allowed to accompany you in jail. If you decide to fake service dog status, make sure you have a home lined up for your dog while you are in the clink and a savings account to pay your legal fees and fines.
- Most dogs are not cut out for service work - even in programs where dogs are bred for generations specifically to have the appropriate temperament for a particular type of service, many of the dogs just do not have the temperament for the job they were bred for. A large number of these “washouts” may find careers in other service (a lab that was bred to be a SD for a blind person may be better suited for a career in Search and Rescue) and others may be adopted out as pets. Regardless, not every, or even very many, dogs have the right stuff to do full time service work. Service work is challenging and stressful. It requires years of training before a dog can be considered well enough trained where someone’s life can be placed squarely in the dog’s paws. While you may think your dog would have a lot of fun going to an amusement park, he may actually find it very stressful and would in fact prefer to be home, relaxing in his crate with a stuffed Kong.
- Poorly trained “fakes” make real SDs look bad – Disabled individuals already face too much discrimination in our society. Whether the disability is visible and obvious (as is the case with individuals with mobility assistance devices) or invisible (as is the case for individuals with certain seizure disorders, diabetes, or mental illnesses), discrimination abounds, especially for handlers of service dogs. Because many businesses in our society are already anti-dog, any misbehavior on the part of a “service dog,” real or fake, reflects poorly on the entire population of disabled individuals who are able to live more full lives as a result of their working dogs.
- It threatens the civil rights of individuals who are actually disabled – while handlers of service dogs do see their canine companions as friends and pets, the truth is that these dogs are actually medical equipment. In order to be a legitimate service dog, the dog has to be able to perform tasks which specifically mitigate a person’s disability. The more people try to fake service dog status with pet dogs, the more likely it is that disabled individuals and their assistance animals will feel the backlash in the forms of increased legislation and restriction of privacy and access.
- It is a violation of the principals of responsible dog ownership, and makes the world smaller for dogs and their people. Chad is not alone. The vast majority of dog owners I know wish that our country was more dog-friendly – that dogs were allowed in more shops, cafes, and public environments. The cultural sentiments behind such heavily restricted access for dogs and their owners are a reflection of the perception that dog owners are irresponsible and cannot be trusted to follow the rules. People who have fake service dogs reinforce this stereotype by proving it true – that we are a people not to be trusted – and directly contribute to restrictions on public access for all dog owners.
The key for pet owners being allowed more freedom to enjoy public areas and parks with our canine best friends is in being a responsible pet owner. It means following the law, even if you don’t like it. It means being a responsible citizen and using your actions and voting power to promote a user-friendly world for all dogs and their people. It means financially and otherwise supporting businesses and organizations which are dog-friendly.
It also means respecting the rights of disabled individuals and not buying into the scams of con artists who prey on well-intentioned, exceptionally devoted dog owners who just want to enjoy more experiences, in more places, with the dogs that make our lives so wonderful.
I had a client who thought about doing this and I tried to help them understand why it was so wrong. I’ll send them this link as well, thanks.
As a handler/trainer of a SDIT I thank you and am equally upset at Ceasr Milan for twlling people HOW to get there dogs Certified (there is no such thing) as Service Dogs.
I just got an add from Cesar Milan anouncing how he just got his WONDERFUL do certified as a service dog and how “YOU CAN TOO” I am not sure what Ceasar disability is that is none of my business but if he has one he should make it clear that a disability is needed and a DOG MUSY DO TASKS not just be WONDERFUL!
Junior gets his Service Dog certification!Junior recently received his Service Dog certification from The United States Service Dog Registry (USSDR), an independent registry service that offers self-identification for Service or Assistance Dogs.
“I’m so proud of Junior,” Cesar said. “He’s been an amazing helper to me and so many dogs, and now he can continue to share his balance with the rest of the world in his service.”
Do you think your dog has what it takes to be a Service Dog?
Although not required by law, your dog should be trained to follow both specific and basic obedience commands, as well as display non-aggressive and sociable behavior in order to be considered an effective Service Dog. It is recommended that any potential Service Dogs undergo at least 120 hours of professional training to obtain the necessary skills and demeanor. USSDR suggests that every candidate complete the Public Access Test created by Assistance Dogs International, Inc., to fully assess your dog’s ability to function as a Service Dog.
If you would like to learn more about how to register your Service Dog, check out the USSDR website here.
LOOKS yo me he is really ignorant as to the LAW and just in it for the money.
Thanks for a well-written article. This articulates so well what I have been trying to tell people for years. #3 is my biggie… I have actually been told that others have seen very poorly trained SD (when in fact they probably were not from the description people gave me). It makes it much more difficult for those of us with “the real deal” to go about our lives in as normal a way as we can. After all, that is why we have a SD… to live life normally. The “fake” teams only want to be with their dog 24/7. Thanks!
All stuff those of us involved with service dogs know, but I haven’t seen anybody explain it better than this. Great reference link to give to anyone you wanna educate on this subject.
Al, This is sooooooooooo true!! OMG I have seen people I know do this and it drives me nuts!! I have an PAWSOME CCI Service Dog that is trained to work for me and not just be pretty on the leash. Whenever I go out people are coming up and telling me how well behaved my SD is and I tell them well she is a CCI SD. It is a total shame that people have gone on line bought a vest slapped a patch on it and then take the poor dog in public. It is not fair to folks who have ligit SD nor is it fair to the poor “fake SD” as they have no clue what the heck is going on. People need to wake up! I wish we had a national standard for working dogs in the USA. I know this isnt a popular idea but it would at least put a stop to the idea that you can go on-line and get your pet a vest and they become a SD. Enough said….rollin’……………..
Thank you for writing this article!
I work at one of just a tiny number of service dog facilities in the country who train people to train their own service dogs. Let me tell you that these individuals work their tails off to get their dog ready for full public access. Nothing ticks me off more than seeing a person with a dog with zero training who does not/ will not ever mitigate any disablilty being falsley protrayed as a service dog.
Imagine being a person with epilepsy. There is a device in your head that has to be activated when you sieze. The only problem is, you don’t know when you are going to sieze and while you are siezing you have no way of activating the device. A dog, however can wear the activation mechanism of the device on his collar or vest. He can be trained to lay against your head for 3 seconds and leave when you start to sieze. Now imagine you spent two years of your life training this dog for public access and to do his job. OK, Now imagine that you are no longer allowed to take that dog with you to a certain public place because some yahoo with zero dog training experience decided to pass off his dog as a service dog and it causes the shop owner to dissallow all dogs. All of your hard work, all of your hopes of having a normal life have been for nothing. It doesn’t even matter that the shop owner can’t legally do this- it has made your already very complicated life even more complicated.
As a former guide dog puppy raiser this is a topic I’m very sensitive to. This post dose a great job of explaining why passing a pet dog off as a service dog is just plain wrong. Thanks for writing it! As an aside, I’m curious about what the Dogster policy might be on this subject. Two or three years ago I took my dogs off of the site after Dogster sent me an email recommending a company that would provide “certification” of service dogs. I’d be happy to join again if I can be sure the company is not still promoting this kind of thing.
I love your article, and I hope that it helps people realize that it is absolutely unnecessary and illegal to take their non-service dogs everywhere they go. The dogs don’t even enjoy it!
Good article, if you want even more details about fakers and how they affect school dogs, this is our article on the subject from a service dog school point of view.
http://www.servicedogsfl.org/docs/fakers.shtml
It’s actually a FELONY in many states.
We personally had people arrested for it.
Several resturants have demanded better standards for services dogs, because of fakers.
To a retail store or resturant, they don’t know the difference, to them a dog is a dog, the vest just gets them in the door. Penalty wise this is on the same level as you claiming yourself as a police officer, your breaking not only state laws but federal ones.
Did you know your also risking your Social Security, later in life, when you fake an SD?
As a disabled person training their second service dog, I really appreciate this. Many people have asked me how to sneak their dog into stores. I’m going to print this out and give it people who ask me that stupid question!
Thank you so much for writing this article! It is right on point and very timely.
Dogster’s views on service dogs is that they don’t seem to care. I have done a dogster search for “Service dogs” and have found more than a number of dogs that are described as emotional support dogs or therapy dogs, but that don’t fit the definition of service dog. I have written to dogster about my concern a couple times, no response that held any ground. All I asked for is that in the area where you check if your dog is a service dog to also give the option to check not just emotional support, but also therapy dog as well. Maybe even defining the difference of the three so one can accurately describe their dogs’ job. I am sure there will still be those confused individuals who still check the wrong area, but at least people would realize that there are actually 3 different jobs there.
On my dog’s blogspot I used to have ads until I found a chronic problem with service dog certification ad sites. I could X it out, but I was unsure what would pop up later if I or someone else clicked on the page so I canceled the ad section all together. I hated not having control over the ads that popped up. Probably Dogster has a similar system that chooses ads that vary depending on the subject on a certain site.
I would LOVE to take my dog with me everywhere, but the whole fake service dog thing just strikes me as utterly unethical – I would never even consider it, even though my doctor suggested I adopt a dog to help with my depression, it’s just not fair on those who have properly trained SDs and NEED to take them everywhere.
I was at the grocery store the other day and saw an older “service dog”. I immediately knew this wasn’t actually a SD because it was sniffing and pulling at his owners leash while she tried to shop. I get that she wanted to take her dog with her into the store and not leave him in the car or at home, but for anyone that had eyes it was obvious this dog was not trained as true service dogs are. It just irks me that people think it’s okay to do something like this because they’re giving a bad name to all the real service dogs out there!
What qualifies you as a dog expert, and, you better research the laws on service dogs before you say anything else. Service dogs are still dogs. Some days they don’t behave as well as others. And fed law does not require certification or patches of any type. Only requirement is that the dog performs a service. I disagree that service dogs are med equipment. Depressed people use service dogs as companions which giving them relief from some depression, and the confidence to go out in public. Look up the ADA laws for service dogs.
PS Why would anyone want to be “service dog patrol” Disabled people have enough problems with out know-it-alls giving us snarky remarks and hostile looks. MYOB
PSS Shop owners may not prohibit service dogs unless the dog is unruly or out of control. Please Look Up The Laws.. Certification of any sort is OPTIONAL ONLY!!! A disabled person my buy a dog and pay a private trainer, my sister and I have done both. Many of the service dog societies have huge back logs. Stop spreading falsehoods about laws for service dogs, because it discourages the disabled from acquireing them privately. And depression IS a disablity.
Service Dogs are considered medical equipment, and just in case you didn’t know, Depression is a medical issue. Psychiatric illnesses are physical illnesses. You cannot tell me it isn’t because I swallow pills that go into my stomach. From there it somehow gets to my brain chemistry or other chemicals that circulate around my whole body. The brain is incredibly interactive with the body so I don’t know how anyone could say psychiatric disabilities aren’t real. If you have a headache, does that mean it is not real because it is in your head so to speak? Just ponder for those who question.
A service dog should do more than provide emotional comfort. Emotional comfort would mean the dog is an Emotional Support Pet which can be prescribed by a doctor, but does not have public access like a service dog does. They are there to provide comfort and support at home.
I think everyone who has a service dog that they played an active part in training does care about how their dog performs. I know I can be a perfectionist, but once in a while I do have to tell myself that like the humans that train them, service dogs are imperfect. They get sick, they have off days for whatever reason… what gets me though is when someone has a program dog that doesn’t behave… on a regular basis. Supposedly program dogs are supposed to be “better” than owner trained dogs, but sometimes the handlers really don’t know how to correct behavior or how the law can affect them if their dog misbehaves… regularly. Honest. I know dogs like this.
There are reccent changes to the ADA that everyone should make themselves aware of who have a service dog.
By the way, my service dog is well trained but I still sometimes have to tell her “Nose out of the merchandise!”
RE: Sienna White
The IRS considered it medical equipment, you can write off all your purchases (food/toys/vet/etc) for your SD on your taxes. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html
**Guide Dog or Other Service Animal under Medical Expenses
You can include in medical expenses the costs of buying, training, and maintaining a guide dog or other service animal to assist a visually-impaired or hearing-impaired person, or a person with other physical disabilities.
The original author made no mention about certification!
The cesear issue is close as it was created and published by a misinformed intern.
There is a threat about fakers, though very small (<1%), who are usually discovered when their dog bites someone and the police are involved. The articles was intended to be a warning to NON-DISABLED pet owners who decide to slap a vest on their dog and go out.
Anyone that is disabled and has a service dog, already knows, and prob has already had an incident with pets.
Businesses have the right and duty to eject all uncontrolled animals, including service dogs. The handler must be allowed to return.
The US is one of the few countries that allows owner-training, the community should do everything in it power to prevent abuse by non-disabled, to avoid that current right from being lost to fraud.
We actually got a call from animal control, asking what to do when a service dog has nearly maulled a person, (which happend last thursday), our first question, ask if the person legal disabled? The court will find out later, till then all they can do is eject the dog and warn the handler to keep it under control.
The so-called service dog in question should not just be kept under control but be kept at home under lock and key for behavior like that. Who’s next? An unattended tot that comes up to pet the doggie?
Which new laws from ADA are you refering to? I just checked the web site and I don’t see anything about new laws. And, depression is a psychiatric illness. Check the PDR. Also, the service dog is not considered medical equipment, their expense is allowed as a tax write off.
PLEASE CHECK THE FACTS BEFORE YOU SPREAD ANYMORE MISINFORMATION.
Because of the privacy laws and HIPPA, there is no way a person can be forced to prove they are disabled during an incident, not until they are before a federal judge. At that point the judge can demand proof of disability and proof of training. This is part of the headache with fakers.
The hands are tied for the police if the person continues to claim they are disabled, since all disabled have the right to have a service dog (if needed), even if it’s behaviour questionable. Either they arrest the handler and dog or let them go with a court date. We would rather see the police and others give the bennefit of the doubt (which protects all SD users) and assume the person is really disabed and that the dog had a breakdown, most handlers will then contact their trainers, school or retrain themselves.
A vest, bought anywhere not “certified” sellers is only a suggestion to prevent problems. ID tag can be obtained (free) at many shelters. CA laws follow ADA laws.
The ADA does not state anything about “emotional support” dogs. You are representing personal opinion as fact. Shame on you.
The updated 2010 ADA, first major changes since 1990
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/ADAregs2010.htm
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleII_2010/reg2_2010.html
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/titleIII_combined.html
In short they changed “Service Animal” to ONLY mean a dog, with a provision to allow miniture horses. They also EXPANDED the disability definition to include non-physical disabilities.
As you can see, it’s much better than the 1990 version. Now if they can get the Air Carrier Act to treat PSD’s (Psychiatric Service Dog) the same as SD’s.
Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.
Stop “shaming” everyone and read a little more. I did NOT say that the ADA defined Emotional Support Animals. I did not make that definition up. Stop responding and shaming before you have all the information.
I never said that depression WASN’T a psychiatric illness. However, body chemistry is body chemistry no matter where the symptoms are felt. Saying psych illnesses is a physical thing as well is not a bad thing. This is the way many people with psych disabilities get protection with their service dogs in their states. Just reread what I wrote.
You will not find much on depression in the PDR. You will simply see a large list of medication, some for depression, many for other things. You WILL find something on depression in the DSM-IV-TR. I believe that is the book you were trying to refer to.
Service animals ARE considered “medical equipment”. A special kind of medical equipment, but medical equipment nonetheless. Again, this is not a bad thing so I don’t know why you are arguing that one.
I am not some greeny you are talking to. I have had a service dog for 6 years. Prior to that I researched the possibility for several years. I was on the board responsible for updating my state’s laws regarding service animals a couple years ago.
And the ADA was reccently updated. I don’t have that link right now but I think it might be in title 2 and title 3. Key words “service animals”.
I don’t know where the “vest” thing came from, and the ID tags are a state-by-state thing. Many states don’t have that.
Nothing I am writing here is just personal opinion. It is objective, not subjective.
Maybe if you could stop being so argumentative you could read this stuff objectively and maybe learn some things, or maybe nicely share some things.
Got the link…
Revised ADA Regulations
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/ADAregs2010.htm
Implementing Title II and Title III
On Friday, July 23, 2010, Attorney General Eric Holder signed final regulations revising the Department’s ADA regulations, including its ADA Standards for Accessible Design. These regulations will be published in the Federal Register. The revised regulations will amend the Department’s Title II regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 35, and the Title III regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 36. Appendix A to each regulation includes a section by section analysis of the rule and responses to public comments on the proposed rule. Appendix B to the Title III regulation discusses major changes in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and responds to public comments received on the proposed rules. The Department’s Final Regulatory Impact Analysis will be posted on this page as soon as it is available.
In general, these final rules will take effect 6 months after the date on which they are published in the Federal Register. Compliance with the 2010 Standards for Accessible design is permitted after that date, but not required until 18 months after the date of publication. The Department has prepared fact sheets identifying the major changes in the rules.
Service Animals. The rule defines “service animal” as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are not service animals. The final rule also clarifies that individuals with mental disabilities who use service animals that are trained to perform a specific task are protected by the ADA. The rule permits the use of trained miniature horses as alternatives to dogs, subject to certain limitations. To allow flexibility in situations where using a horse would not be appropriate, the final rule does not include miniature horses in the definition of “service animal.”
None of these ADA changes directly effect service dogs, and they are not new. Again, you are not intrepreting the information as fact, you give your opinion. Laws are not objective, they are concrete. I will shame whom ever I please.
I posted 3 links, but the message is awaiting moderation, here is the updated def.
Heathers link is the main one, I also had the II and III.. the def updates ALL three titles.
In short they changed “Service Animal” to ONLY mean a dog, with a provision to allow miniture horses. They also EXPANDED the disability definition to include non-physical disabilities.
As you can see, it’s much better than the 1990 version. Now if they can get the Air Carrier Act to treat PSD’s (Psychiatric Service Dog) the same as SD’s.
Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.
Sienna,
Yes you can shame anyone you want. That finger points right back at you. I don’t know how what I copied and pasted right from the ADA website is my opinion,but whatever. I must have a lot of power to be able to do that.
According to the Webster’s New Worls Dictionary, Subjective means: “of or resulting from the feelings of the person thinking; Not objective; personal” (pg 595)
Same Dictionary defines Objective to mean: “Existing as an object or fact; Independant of the mind; real; concerned with the realities of the thing dealt with rather than the thoughts of the artist or writer, etc.; Without bias or prejudice…” (pg 414) Objective is as concrete as you can get.
I don’t want to go on and on for days just for you to be argumentative at everything I write. I am stating things as I have read them, not as I would like to see them. If you want to argue and not try to learn something then that is up to you. I am not going to be a pawn in this. If you actually look these things up you will see that I did not make them up. Good luck and happy learning.
I would like to point out this one part of the revision as it does kind of pertain to PSDs. Part of the definition of SD says: “…The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.” Basically those are some of the benefits of using a service dog but is not considered work or tasks.
Thank you Service Dogs of Florida. I hope we will see those links so I can see title III. I like to have that kind of stuff stored for future references.
I am hoping some people can help me. I have been meeting with psychs and so on for a long time now. We have come to the realization that when my dog is with me, I don’t have panic attacks, my major depression is better, and I am less anxious: gI wouldn’t leave the house before- only with my dog. Now I know it makes sense. I have been planning a trip for a long time now. I get really panicky on airplanes, and a panic attack is a definite. My doctor is writing a note for me to take my dog on the plane. But I am somewhat agoraphobic too, and when I think people are lookign at me I start wending into a panic attack. I am worried that people will look at me sideways having my dog with me. I keep telling myself that I don’t need a service dog because I feel so uncomfortable about being stared at. But I know it will be worse for all to have an episode on the plane or just going into the airport and possibly being asked to leave the plane or missing the flight. Can anybody help give me some advice? I don’t have a vest or tag for my dog, so I know people will be looking at us. I am worried. I can’t get one before we leave. I am in the Seattle area. If anyone knows of a place to get a patch so I can be less worried about people staring, that would be helpful. And any advice on walking past my worry about being stared at with my dog.
First, Please read the post of why you should not fake a service dog. Secondly, your dog must be trained to do work or perform tasks that help mitigate your disability. Third, you must have a disability. One can not merely get a patch or a vest and take a dog out into public and call it a service dog. You as the disabled person has the access, NOT your dog. The dog should be trained in public access so that no bad behavior will be reflected on service dog teams coming in after you. Warning: People WILL stare at you, be rude… you will no longer be invisible. Also, the service dog you would be wanting is a psychiatric service dog (this is NOT a therapy dog). In order to take your dog on an airplane, you must have a letter from your doctor stating that you have a disability that is defined in the DSM-IV TR… etc. This must be presented. Similarly this would apply if your dog were an emotional support dog as well.
Ask yourself: How does my dog help me with my symptoms? list out the symptoms and then write out what your dog does to help minimize the effects of these symptoms. Go to http://www.psychdog.org and read what information they have that applies to you and your situation as well as how your dog should behave while working. They also have an example of the letter your doctor needs to write up. Also know that if your dog does not behave appropriately that you can be asked to remove your dog and return without him/her. Again, YOU have the public access, NOT your dog.
There is no quick answer for your question. Many of us have been training our dogs their whole lives (from puppyhood) to be good service dogs and we want to encourage people to go about training in the correct way because it does effect all service dog teams to follow you. A mere vest or patch does not make your dog a service dog. Please read the things I reccommended carefully and think things through. This may not be the easy fix you were hoping for, but this is the correct path.
No, I’m not faking a service dog. Unless I am faking my charming mental illness…
It is my understanding that a Service Dog and an Emotional Support Dog are two totally different things. A service dog performs tasks for their person. I don’t know what emotional support dogs do for others, but when my dog is with me I can function and I don’t have panic attacks. I still have anxiety and depression and the other funs that go along with the mental illness I have, but I actually leave the house with my dog. Had I the foresight that I would have a mental illness that would cause me to stay in the house for months and my dog is the only reason I can go out, I probably would have tried to get a trained service dog. That she makes it possible for me is not something I would have considered before. I just don’t go to the grocery store, shopping, restaurants, movies or anywhere I have to go alone. I will, however, go for a walk with her, or go to the dog store with her.
I don’t understand: why should I write out what my dog helps mitigate about my mental illness? Is it necessary for the airline? The only way I get through that airport and on that plane is with my dog. Both of my mental health care people wrote letters for me. I’d sure like it if she were able to “tell” me when I start doing certain destructive behaviors. Is that possible? Does it work out to train what was a pet to be a service dog? It doesn’t sound ideal. Who do I talk to about getting a service dog for training? I have so many questions. Thanks!
RE: Emmy
I wrote a reply but it didn’t get through, anyways. (2nd try)
First it sounds like you need an Emotional Support Animal, an ESA. It’s a limited rights service dog, which means you may keep it in your “No-Pets” home and take it with you when you travel, i.e. vacations via taxi, bus, train and in the cabin of an aircraft. It does not have ADA Title III rights, so it is not allowed to go in to no pet areas, or businesses or restaurants. (Thats why full service dogs have so much training just for these places.)
Dogs are a magent for people, and you will need to be able to deal with strangers walking up and asking questions or petting the dog. I suggest you talk to your therapist on ways to build your self-esteam and confidence. One of the best side-effects of a dog is that it’s always there to be your friend, your not alone when your being watched and it is comforting knowing that your friend is alway at your side. The dog will also act like a barrier, keeping most people at least 3 feet away, which is good for many with space issues.
There is a very clear legal difference between an ADA Title III Service Dog (aka Service Dog) and an Emotional Support animal, do not confuse the two. One our site we have some ESA info under the Laws section. The ESA is allowed to go in public areas where PETS would be allowed to travel.
Depending on your needs it may be possible to train your dog to become a Phyicatric Service Dog (PSD) but that requires months to years of training, and for pet conversion we have a 20% success rate due to temperament and trainability. (80% wash out as unsuitable). If your interested in that route I suggest you contact your local service dog school and get their input, see if they offer training assistance or Owner-Trainer (OT) programs.
As long as your dog is well behaved, non-agressive and can stay quite in public and on aircraft, the ESA option is my recommendation. An AKC-CGC test is strongly recommended (for all pets and ESA’s).
Well said (again) SDs of Florida, Inc.
So yeah, Emmy, what they said!
What’s the deal with Cruise Ships and service dogs everyone is talking about? Are they thinking of changing to be similar to ACAA?
Emmy,
I got my dog from a breeder when she was 9 weeks old. I bought her with the intention of training her as a service dog (psych). She began alerting when she was 6 months old and with positive reinforcement she does it regularly and sooner than when she bagan. Starting with a pet is not ideal, but it can be done.
You don’t have to make out a list… I just find it helpful to put down what symptoms my dog helps me with. I thought it might help you see what the dog does on its own and then if you chose the SD route and your dog could do the work, you already know how your dog helps you out. I have even carried the list I have with me so when someone asks what my dog does for me I don’t freeze up and suddenly forget. The psychdog.org site has a section that has MI symptoms and how a dog can help mitigate them for you to take a look at for some examples. I will be willing to answer any questions you may have, and SDs of Florida, Inc can add to it or make it sound better and more organized.
Oh, thank-you very much for all the helpful responses. Yes, I get the feeling that to have a reliable “alarm” when I am going into self-destructive behaviors, my dog would not be the best. I do like the idea of having a list ready- I freeze-up too. Also, having people keep their distance is better than not being stared at. I don’t “move on” like I used to when people bump into me or get into my space. It just escalates. Usually, going home helps, but in an airport that happens frequently. I weighed-it out a bit, (thank-you for the list idea!) and I’d rather have people look longer at me than run the risk of being immobilized. Thank-you all for your help!
RE: Heather & Rosie
Crise ships are part of the ADA Title II, just like a bus, taxi or train.
It’s a little grey in the legal terms because it’s both a transportation device and a Hotel, all must accomodate full ADA Service Dogs, so many follow the ACAA guidelines for ESA’s as well.
Most require a Dr. Note (so it’s similar to the ACAA in that regard.) All require that the dog be well behaved and they will watch how it acts while in the terminal, since an agressive dog on a ship is a danger to many. Some ships have little “rest areas” in a hidden part of the deck, another had a 3′ x 3′ patch a sod on the top deck, and one just told handlers to have it go in the Shower and the maid will clean it up.
Another Tid bit for ESA’s.
Most forign countries have service dogs regulated. I.e. it must be a ADI school certified dog. If you ever plan to travel internationally with an ESA, fly out using a US owned Airline, so that they follow US laws and allow the ESA onboard.
Most non-US carriers follow the laws of their country when landing, which many times exclude ESAs since they revert to PET status on landing.
Good luck all.
I had gotten a card for Whispering Dawn. (She has gone to heaven). And a Service dog in training for Chauncy Gardener. I have never used Whisper’s. But I did take Chauncy on the bus to the vet once for shots. When I went to get his card updated to Service dog, that is when I found out that you could not get the cards unless you have a already trained service dog. I had been taken in by a man I met on the bus.
He had taken me over to the disabilities place to get the cards. The man who gave me the cards in the first place had a stroke and was no longer working at the place when I went back. None of this cost me more than $10. a card, so $20 all together. The cards are packed away as I no longer have Whisper. She was really trained. She would sit on my lap all day and be as quiet as a mouse. She would keep me calm. She would tell me when anxiety was about to hit me. Then she would snuggle against me to help me to prevent the attack. She did much more. That was my main reason for having her. This she learned on her own. I had her for 15 years. He mama was a full dachshund, he daddy was some kind of a chihuahua. I miss her more than any other dog I have ever had. I keep her card only because of her picture.
I would suggest to anyone getting a card. Make sure it is legal. I never would have made it in prison without my Whispering Dawn.
I don’t understand what the cards were that you are talking about. All I know is that only a person with a disability that fits the definition given by ADA are allowed to have Service dogs. If a person does not have a disability then they do not have a service dog. It is the disabled person’s right to public access, not the dog’s for having a service dog title. I know some places have special dog tags for service dogs, but this state does not do that. Maybe you can say a little more of what you are saying so that I might understand where you are coming from with your post.
REF: http://www.servicedogsfl.org/docs/certification-id-not-required.shtml
There is no federal government card issued to service dogs. Some schools and trainers issue cards to the dogs, which state the dogs name and certify what standards the dog was trained to — These however are not required and can not be demanded under the law.
We offer a certification option for Owner-Trainers, they are all informed that it is not required and is just a service to verify that it has been trained by an independant party. Part of the service is having a non-profit agency to write letters and offer support when ever you have access or legal issues while using your service dog.
There is no universal access card. I would only trust/pay for a card if it comes from a 501c3 school or a member school from the ADI.
Some wrong information was posted about the laws by Service Dogs of Florida:
“First it sounds like you need an Emotional Support Animal, an ESA. It’s a limited rights service dog, which means you may keep it in your “No-Pets” home and take it with you when you travel, i.e. vacations via taxi, bus, train and in the cabin of an aircraft.”
An ESA is not a type of service dog. Only service dogs are service dogs. ESAs are pets that can live in no-pets housing and go in airplane cabins, both with a doctor’s letter (the airplane letter must follow specific requirements).
ESAs cannot go in taxis, buses, or trains unless the particular one(s) you’re going on allow pet dogs of the same size your ESA is (sometimes taxis and buses will allow small dogs in crates, sometimes they will allow muzzled dogs on leashes – in that case, the ESA must also be muzzled). AMTRAK does not allow pets or ESAs onboard. Taxis, buses, and trains are under the ADA, as are other public places, which ESAs are not allowed in (unless pets are also allowed, such as pet stores). Planes are under the ACAA. ESAs are not in the ADA, but are in the ACAA and FHA (Fair Housing Act).
ESAs are also not allowed in no-pets hotels and you need to pay the pet fee (if the hotel has one) for an ESA. (Note that some hotels give discounts to pets/ESAs who have passed the CGC [Canine Good Citizen] test, so bring proof of that when you travel.) Hotels are under the ADA.
As for someone’s prior statement that dogs are not medical equipment, that is not true. Dogs are legally durable medical equipment/medical devices, just like wheelchairs and canes and oxygen tanks. The law specifically states they are not pets.
And the person this person was arguing with made correct statements about the law. No misinformation about the new version of the ADA (which does have some new rules, whereas some newly-written items are simply clarifications of what already existed) was given, nor did I see any personal opinions given.
As for cruise ships (and other passenger ships like ferries), a new law from the DOT went into effect on November 2 and service dogs are part of the new law. The DOT had a question period asking the public if they should also include ESAs in the law for access on cruise ships. The ADA also covers these ships, but these new laws have good specific regulations just for cruise ships. This law was much-needed, though moreso for problems people have had booking accessible cabins due to non-disabled people booking them to have a larger cabin.
Thanks for the correction SDs Are Great
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleII_2010/reg2_2010.html
“For example, emotional support animals that do not qualify as service animals under the [ADA] Department´s title II regulation may nevertheless qualify as permitted reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities under the FHAct and the ACAA.”
I was under the mis-impression that ADA Title II applied for ESA’s that day. (other than that everything else should be accurate, when in doubt, ada.gov)
Casey,
Thank you so much for writing this GREAT blog post!
I’m a clicker “evangelist” and have enjoyed your posts on Dogster.
I have trained two previous SDs and currently have an 11-month-old whom I’ve been raising/training since 8.5 weeks who I HOPE will be my third SD. I have only just started to call him a SDIT, because he is super distractable, so it remains to be seen if, after adolescence, more synapses start firing and he has “the right stuff.” Lord, I hope so! It’s a very, very long road to train a SD.
My second SD did so many things for me, I can’t list them all. He helped me with issues of speech disability, cognitive disability, exhaustion/fatigue, pain, immobility, and on and on.
He was everything to me, and it has been devastating to deal with his loss. Spending the time and energy to train a pup is a huge job, especially without the help of a fully trained SD. (I was lucky that I was able to adopt my second SDIT as a 1-year-old rescue and have my existing SD help me train him.)
On the few occasions people have told me that they want to (or, god help me, already have started to) take their pet/companion dog with them into public to say that they are SDs, when they are NOT SDs, I am too shocked to know what to say. I am appalled and angry and hurt.
There is quite a little “wink, wink, nudge nudge” attitude about this, as if I think that is just the cleverest little ruse. Really, I want to shake them.
I think only someone who has partnered with a SD and had their life transformed, having gained increased independence, mobility, freedom, reduction of pain or exhaustion, or other significant functional changes, can truly understand what a SD partnership means, and how shocking and hurtful it is for someone to demean our experience by “faking it.”
Faking a SD is a lot like using an HP parking placard illegally. A lot of people do this, too, and think it’s no problem at all. One day I found out one of my personal care assistants was occasionally using MY PLACARD when she did my errands! She thought it was a neat little joke. She was so pleased with herself. I was speechless.
When I regained the power of speech, I told her she was NEVER, EVER to do that again because:
1. If she is caught, it is a CRIME, and I will lose my placard, forever! I will suffer, as it is my responsibility to make sure the placard is only used for its proper purpose.
2. Similarly, I will be the one prosecuted, with fines or jail, not her.
3. Those HP spaces are there for a reason — for people who have medical need of them. Often I have needed an HP space, and there hasn’t been one because they are full. Sometimes they are full with others who have placards, but sometimes it is someone idling their engine with no placard, or a delivery truck, or a police car. I can’t get out and tell them to leave! I’m stuck. People think that if the space isn’t full, it must not be needed. Well, how do they know someone won’t come along (like me), when they are using it illegally and need it?
4. If people who don’t need placards use the spots, and it becomes a known “neat trick,” then it reflects badly on those who do. Many people with hidden disabilities, such as fatiguing or pain illnesses, heart or lung disease, etc., need placards, and ignorant people harass them. If nondisabled people use the spots and don’t need them, they are making life harder on those who do.
It’s the same thing as with service dogs it is illegal to abuse the law, it is a disrespect to those of us who rely on this assistance, and it is the people with disabilities who suffer. A big difference is that at least you don’t have to worry that someone parked illegally will have their car bite someone or urinate in a store or sniff someone’s crotch or steal food under a restaurant table. When SD fakers take their untrained dogs into public, and the dog behaves badly, then all SD partners will be painted with that same brush.
I ONCE had an incident where my SD, whom I toileted right before going into a medical appointment, got some poop stuck on his butt. I didn’t realize it until we were inside. I smelled poop, and I tried to clean him up, but I couldn’t figure out where the problem was coming from. (It was caked in his fur lower down.) I was aware of the smell and mortified. Someone asked us to leave, and I complied immediately, apologizing profusely. Fortunately I had a friend with me who could take my SD out. Later, I discovered the poop. I sent a letter of apology to the clinic, explaining what happened. I didn’t want them to think that I, or any other legitimate SD team, does that. As a SD partner, I am always aware that we are ambassadors for our community, whether we like it or not. 99 percent of us take that responsibility seriously. This is why it hurts so much when people fake a SD and/or a disability.
Your post is the best letter or article I’ve seen written by someone who is not, themselves, a SD partner, and I commend you for it.
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I’m thinking about doing this. My town doesn’t allow dogs on the beach because a bunch of old condo-owners have nothing better to do than harrass people trying to enjoy the beach and give their dogs some excercise. If my dog is under control, not bothering anyone, and I am picking up after her then I don’t see what the big deal is.
To SatelliteBeach…
Do me and thousands of other disabled individuals who depend on service dogs everyday and DON’T fake your dog as a service dog! We have enough problems as it is with public access issues. We don’t need the help of people like you who think it’s all about taking a pet dog into public. There are so many times where it would be so much easier not to have to have a service dog with me all the time.
I also might mention that my service dog MUST BE ON LEASH AND ON DUTY when we are on public beaches (and other outdoor places) that do not allow dogs. And sometimes there is a maximum leash length allowed. (4 ft. or 6 ft.) Therefore it would not be so easy to take your pet or service dog on a no dogs beach.
My advise is to find a place… maybe a beach that does allow dogs to run free, keep cleaning up after your dog, and make sure your dog always comes when called.
Around Maine, often beaches are closed off to animals (and even people at times) when they are trying to preserve sand dunes, or to cater to the nesting and breeding of certain birds (usually endangered). Sometimes it is all about the grumpy dog haters out there. Whatever the reason for the no dogs rule, be careful. In many places you can be fined for breaking these seemingly minute issues. My aunt lives in a place where she was fined $1,000 (third offense) for having her Gordon Setter playing off-leash.
When I want a place for my dog to run and play off leash I ask other dog people in the area and find out where these places are. Dog friendly is not “must have dog leashed at all times.” I agree. No fun for you or the dog. It is hard to have fun and interact with your dog if it has to be leashed everywhere… Like my dog can play frisbee on a 6 ft. leash??
Good luck to you and your dog in finding a dog-friendly play spot!
Satellite Beach…
How about that if you do it, you are breaking the law. The consequences can include jail time, hefty fines and loss of your social security benefits when you would otherwise be eligible.
Then there’s the consequences to US, the disabled with service dogs. Because of fakers, the disabled community has lost their right to service animals that are not dogs or miniature horses. Because of fakers, we get challenged or our rights out right denied.
Instead, work to change the law! Don’t break it because you don’t like it.
[...] and chronically ill person, to train my own SDs. Then, I got inspired by Casey Lomonaco’s great Dogster post about fake “service dogs“ to address how much damage fake “SDs” do — when people pretend [...]
Just yesterday I took my service dog into a restaurant and there was a table of about 15 people, one loudly, very rudely stated, well I would like to take my dog in here! Another piped up as my service dog quietly went under the table saying you can tell hers is a real service dog look how well behaved and how it does what it needs to by itself… then the whole table spent about the next 15 minutes loudly arguing on how his dog was not well behaved. It was embarrassing but I said nothing. Soon after I sat table sat right next to us, our chairs literally touched as it was not a booth, her head was actually behind the dad. When I got up to leave they were so surprised to find out there was a dog there that the questions were politely asked. Wow that is wonderful they said, we never knew… But my landlord on the other hand uses her little dog as a service dog for her husband when they fly (reason emotional assistance), I now hear that the ada has taken away the emotional assistance as a service dog. ( the dog is really her pet) not sure if true, but I am not going to tell her..don’t need an eviction. has anyone heard of this new law?
Some views on Service Dog fakers: http://committedcanine.blogspot.com/2011/07/service-dog-certification-fakers.html
Thank-you, ESPECIALLY SOUTH DOGS of FLORIDA.
I wanted to get on here and thank all of you for your support. I flew last year in October with my dog along with my doctor’s letter and at long last, I was OK on an airplane. I couldn’t believe it. I was OK in the airport, and people did not get too close to me. I didn’t have major panic attacks, and was just so amazed that I actually got on the plane. And I was able to stay grounded because my dog was there, I didn’t panic because I was in the air. Or because there were so many people and weird noises.
Thank-you all for your kind support.
Emmy
How do you report a company who wants people to think they are getting a real service dog when infact the man is a fraud????
The comments seem to have more information than you opinion article.
Next time you could open your piece with “This one time at band camp, a friend (we’ll call her Lacey). . . “
Mark A.
…and the point of your post is what? Your post is the least informative and totally unnecessary. The information provided by Casey in her article covered a lot of ground. The point of the article is to learn and discuss the topic, which we did and more information was revealed. Did you even read anything? And you still couldn’t come up with a productive comment to contribute to the conversation? Take your unwanted opinions and troll some other discussion page. You aren’t teaching anyone anything.
People who try to fake service dogs are incredibly disgusting. Isn’t being disabled bad enough? Do the disabled really need the added trouble of having to encounter access challenges everywhere because some self jerk tried passing their pet off as a service dog?
As the owner of a service dog myself, I’m appalled at anyone who would attempt to fake a service dog, it makes my life that much more difficult and I definably don’t need it to be any more difficult. Neither does anyone else with a disability.
And from what I read about Cesar Millan encouraging people to A. Fake service dogs and to B. Get service dogs certified (this makes life more difficult for people with disabilities and expensive if it becomes a requirement), it just gives me more reasons to dislike this horrible little man.