Service dogs

Woman in wheelchair pets chocolate Labrador Retriever. Image for service dog tag page.
While you don’t legally need to certify your dog, it’s easier to show documentation rather than get into a legal argument about service dogs.

Service dogs are a great way to get the help you need while having a furry friend to rely on. But did you know that there are a few different types of service dogs? Do you know the difference between service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs?

Service dog training: There are a series of tests that your service dog should pass. Your service dog should have basic obedience mastered before moving on to service dog-specific training. There isn’t a set requirement for hours in the U.S., but over a period of 6 months, most dogs complete 120 hours.

Where can you take your service dog? Places you can take a registered service dog include work, hotels, restaurants, planes, stores, rental properties, and the beach.

Take your service dog to work: The ADA requires businesses to include reasonable accommodations for people working with disabilities. One of those accommodations includes using service animals in the workplace.