From time to time you may see a dog wearing a Service animal vest and wonder what it is all about? When most are asked who needs a service dog the most common answers would be the blind or people in wheelchairs. You often see large breed dogs like the golden retrievers or labradors handling these roles. Reality is the majority of service dogs are actually small breed dogs. There are many reasons why someone may require or want a service dog that extend far beyond these 2 disabilities. Service dogs help people with many other disorders as well.
There is a good size list of physical, emotional and mental problems which will all qualify someone for a service pet. To the public most of the issues would go completely unnoticed. Conditions such as asthma, diabetes, seizures, depression, dyslexia panic attacks and quite a few more would all be qualifications to receive a service pet.
The ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with all kinds of disabilities all the way from physical to mental by requiring any establishment which services the public to allow service pets to go anywhere their owner goes. Airplanes, restaurants, car service, hotels, retail stores; if you can think of it, service animals are allowed in. Another rule a service dog gets to bypass is housing which does not allow pets. You can not be denied housing because of your certified service dog even if the premise does not allow pets your dog is good to go!
If you are in need of a service dog or think a service dog could benefit you there are a few ways you can go about getting one. There are local agencies in most areas which fully train and supply service dogs. If you already have a furry friend you trust and love you can take the necessary steps to certify them as a registered service dog.
In order to register your own pet you need to follow a few steps which first off means confirming you have some type of disability either mental physical or emotional. Next you must show your dog is trained to perform essential life functions for you that you can not do for yourself. Your dog can be professionally trained or trained by you but must be a good listener, well behaved and show no signs of aggression. Growling, bearing of teeth or any other behavior which suggests aggression would automatically disqualify them from being a service pet.
To be considered for service pet certification your dog should know to sit, lay down and obey all commands. In almost every situation your service dog will need to be sitting or standing at attention awaiting your command for them to either move or stay. They can in no way look for attention or direction from anyone other than their owner.
A good candidate for a service dog should not be overprotective, be people oriented, confident and calm. An overprotective dog could show signs of aggression which would be a disqualifier.
Having a service pet can give many people a confidence they didn’t have before to go out and do things independently. There are many websites which you can certify your pet as a service dog on through a seemingly easy process.Does your pet have what it takes?
The benefits of having a trained dog are endless. A few months ago I started to train mine with some videos I found online. They teach you step by step! Aggression, anxiety, biting, barking and disasters in the house have disappeared. My dog behaves excellent. And I have taught many tricks! Here is the address: theonlinedogtrainers.com