Honoring the Work of Service Dogs

By Dorothy Wills-Raftery

“The love of a service dog transcends beyond just companionship; they provide us with strength in times of need.”

- Unknown

Dogs are amazing animals. They are wonderful and devoted companions joining their humans in activities such as hiking, skijoring, mushing, swimming, or simply lounging together on the sofa. They can also be amazing working dogs; professionally trained Service Dogs helping adults and children with medical conditions be more independent and supported in their everyday lives. During September, National Service Dog Month, these skilled dogs are honored and celebrated for the important work they do helping humans each and every day all year long.

There are several types of Service Dogs that perform many types of tasks. Before a person can get a Service Dog, however, they a) must be sure they have documentation from their physician  and/or healthcare provider, and b) be sure they can properly take care of a dog or live with someone who can help with the dog’s daily care.

What is a Service Dog?

A Service Dog/Animal, defined by Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), states that a "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. Tasks performed can include, among other things, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to a sound, reminding a person to take medication, or pressing an elevator button. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA." 

According to the national non-profit organization Canine Companions that was founded in 1975, they “provide service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings.” Their   “dogs and all follow-up services are provided at no cost to our clients.” To date, they have placed over “6,000 assistance dogs with recipients free of charge.” 

How long does a Canine Companion Service Dog Work?

“The first two years of a dog’s life are spent being trained and socialized before graduating as a Service Dog,” they state. “The average Service Dog then works for eight years. After that time, the dog retires from service and will spend its golden years as a pet."

Who needs a Service Dog?

While there are many reasons why someone needs a Service Dog to help them in their day-to-day lives, but, according to U.S. Service Animals, “There are a wide range of conditions that may be benefitted by having a service dog. The only one who can ultimately make that determination is your doctor. The one key thing to keep in mind, however, is that service animals are not pets. While they may be comforting companions, they are working dogs who have been specifically trained to provide assistance that relates directly to their owner’s disability.” 

What types of Service Dogs are there?

According to the United Disability Service (UDS) Foundation, there are many different types of Service Dogs performing important jobs to assist and help their humans: 

• Allergy Detection Dog

• Autism Service Dog

• Diabetic Alert Dog

• Guide Dog

• Hearing Dogs

• Mobility Assistance Dog

• Psychiatric Service Dog

• Seizure Alert Dog

These Service Dogs can perform so many different jobs. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), “Guide Dogs help blind people navigate in the world. Hearing (or Signal) Dogs alert deaf people to sounds. Psychiatric Dogs are trained to detect and lessen the effects of a psychiatric episode. Service Dogs help those in wheelchairs or who are otherwise physically limited. They may open doors or cabinets, fetch things their handler can’t reach, and carry items for their handler. Autism Assistance Dogs are trained to help those on the autism spectrum to distinguish important sensory signals, such as a smoke alarm, from other sensory input. They may also alert their handler to repetitive behaviors or overstimulation. Service Dogs that are trained to recognize seizures and will stand guard over their handler during a seizure or go for help.”

Who can qualify for a Service Dog? 

Canine Companions explain, “People with physical or developmental disabilities, adults who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as professionals working in healthcare, visitation, educational, or criminal justice settings who can demonstrate that a Service Dog will enhance their independence or their quality of life are qualified to apply.”

In order to qualify for a Service Dog, it starts with one’s doctor. According to Mental Health America (MHS), “To qualify for a service animal, all you need to do is get written documentation from your healthcare provider that you have and are being treated for an emotional or psychiatric disorder or disability and require the assistance of an animal because of it. The work a dog has been trained to do must specifically relate to your condition.”

There are programs now specifically designed to help our United States military veterans. According to American Humane, “For some veterans, coming home as a civilian is only the beginning of another daunting battle. Research shows that specially trained PTS Service Dogs can reduce stress and anxiety levels, mitigate depression, ease social reintegration, provide comfort and restore confidence in affected veterans.” Their Pups4Patriots™ is one such program where they “find dogs in search of forever homes and train them to be lifesaving Service Dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress or Traumatic Brain Injury. Waiting lists are long and the process is expensive, with intensive training costing upwards of $30,000 per service dog. But American Humane is here to help, training lifesaving service dogs, free of cost for veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury.”

Canine Companions has also provided hundreds of service dogs to U.S. war veterans across the country. They state, “Dogs are trained to identify each veteran’s unique stressors and perform tasks that directly disrupt escalation of symptoms, thus enhancing their quality of life.” They proudly note that their program also “is the first Service Dog organization to be accredited by Assistance Dogs International and has provided service dogs to over 7,400 people with disabilities.”

For more info on the Canine Companion veteran Service Dog programs, visit HERE.

Although Emotional Support Dogs and Therapy Dogs are not recognized by the ADA as Service Dogs, some places may allow these types of dogs. The best thing to do is check with your own state and local government offices to see what their specific laws are for taking your Emotional Support or Therapy Dog out in public.

The ADA also cautions that, “There are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal.”

If you would like more information about Service Dogs, including Handler’s rights and responsibilities, visit the ADA National Network website.

Ways to Celebrate a Service Dog

• Sponsor a Service Dog Puppy – The Canine Companions sponsor kit includes a certificate, fact sheet, and even a plush puppy! 

• Download the Canine Companions FREE coloring pages HERE to introduce your children to Service Dogs.

• Volunteer for a variety of positions, including a puppy raiser, local volunteer, an aviation partner, or even a junior ambassador committee member! 

• View the many other ways one can help, from donating to organizing a fundraiser. Check out all the ideas on the Canine Companions website HERE.

• Share posts from Canine Companions about their puppies and Service Dogs on social media!

• Have a friend or family member with a Service Dog? Do something special for them!

Did You Know?

4Knines gives back? They donate a portion from every purchase to help animals in need.

Their charities have included Phoenix Assistance Dogs, Summit Assistance Dogs, Pilots N Paws, Paws and Stripes, and Greater Good Charities.

To check out their catalog of high-quality items ranging from vehicle seat covers to harnesses, dishes, dog beds, and more—all purchases from which they have made donations from over the past 10 years—visit their website HERE.