What Different Kinds of Service Animals Are There?
Key takeaways:
The only two legally recognized service animals in the U.S. are dogs and miniature horses.
Service animals can provide individuals living with a disability with a wide range of support for daily tasks. And service animals are legally allowed in nearly all public spaces.
Research shows that in addition to the helpful, daily tasks they perform, service animals have a positive effect on their handler’s mental and emotional well-being.
Anyone who’s ever come home to a loving pet after a long, hard day knows how healing animals can be. They listen without judging, make us laugh, and offer comfort when we’re feeling stressed or sad.
All domesticated animals have the capacity to offer support in some way. But service animals are more than just pets: They’re highly trained helpers that assist individuals living with disabilities. From providing physical support for mobility concerns to detecting allergens or signs of a seizure, these animals help with a variety of life tasks.
In addition, their companionship creates a strong bond and sense of connection that has a positive impact on their handler’s mental and emotional well-being.
What are the different types of service animals?
Dogs and miniature horses are the only two recognized service animals in the U.S. However, service dogs are far more common.
These hardworking, skilled dogs are trained to perform a specific set of tasks related to their handler’s disability. This could mean helping someone live more independently or keeping their owner safe.
Some of the different types of service dogs include:
Allergy detection dogs
Autism service dogs
Diabetic alert dogs
Guide dogs
Hearing dogs
Mobility assistance dogs
Psychiatric service dogs, like a PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) service dog
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What breed of dog makes the best service animal?
Any breed of dog can become a service animal if they meet the requirements. But some of the breeds best suited to this role include:
Great Danes
Border collies
Bernese mountain dogs
Labradors (American and English)
Golden retrievers
Pomeranians
German shepherds
Poodles
Boxers
Portuguese water dogs
What tasks can a service animal perform?
Service animals are professionally trained companions. They require specific training and licensure to perform special tasks that keep their owners safe and healthy. These tasks can include:
Helping a person who is blind navigate their environment
Alerting individuals who are hard of hearing to unexpected sounds
Assisting someone who is having a seizure
Pulling a handler’s wheelchair
Detecting allergens that could be dangerous to an individual
Retrieving important items like medication
Providing physical stability for people who struggle with balance
Supporting individuals living with a mental health condition by interrupting unsafe behaviors
Is a service animal different from an emotional support animal?
Both service and emotional support animals are working animals, but there’s one major difference: Service animals have received specialized training to learn how to perform specific tasks for someone with a disability. Licensed service animals provide support that is directly related to a diagnosed disability. They are legally permitted into workplaces, schools, public transportation, businesses, and housing.
This is not the case with emotional support animals. Although they’re often included in treatment plans, emotional support animals are not considered service animals. They don’t have the same legal rights and protections as service animals.
What are the benefits of having a service animal?
There are many practical benefits to having a service animal. From making sure you take your medication to helping you navigate a new environment, their support can be invaluable.
Like other animals, service animals have heightened senses that can detect things that human beings cannot. But, because of their training, they know how to respond when their handler might be in danger.
Research shows that service animals are also good for their handlers’ mental and emotional health. Their companionship can make their handler feel less alone and more engaged in the world around them.
Can service dogs and animals go anywhere?
Yes, licensed service dogs and animals are legally permitted to accompany their handler in all public spaces.
However, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), religious institutions and organizations are specifically exempt from this requirement. So if you’d like your service animal to accompany you to a church, mosque, synagogue, or other religious institution, it’s best to check with the organization first.
You’ve likely seen a dog out and about in your community wearing a vest or patch that identifies them as a service animal. This uniform helps other people understand that the dog isn’t a pet.
If you’re in a public place, like a restaurant or hospital, you may also be asked some questions about your service dog. It’s OK for someone working at an establishment to ask you:
Is your dog required to accompany you because of a disability?
What work or task has your dog been trained to perform?
Beyond these two questions, you are not legally required to provide any documentation or proof of your service dog’s status. You also don’t have to share any personal information, including what type of disability you have.
How do you get a service animal?
To apply for a permit for a service animal, you must have a documented disability. And your service animal must meet a number of requirements. These requirements are designed to make sure your service animal is best equipped to serve you and keep you safe in public spaces.
Your service animal will be required to pass a public access test and demonstrate a variety of skills, such as:
Stop sniffing when asked to do so
Not beg for food or attention
Have a calm demeanor and not show overly excited behavior
Handle new sights, sounds, and smells without getting distracted or startled
Not bark excessively or show aggressive behavior
Not relieve themselves unless permitted to do so
The ADA does not have a specific training protocol for service animals. But you can find a reputable provider who trains dogs specifically for service animal licensure. Alternatively, you can train the animal yourself at home, if you are able to do so.
Keep in mind getting a service dog can be expensive: It costs about $15,000 to $30,000 on average. Most insurance plans don’t cover these costs. Some organizations offer financial assistance for people who need service dogs, but they often have long waitlists.
For additional information and resources on getting a service dog, check out the following organizations:
The bottom line
If you or someone you care about is living with a disability, you might want to consider obtaining a service animal. Not to be confused with emotional support animals, these highly skilled companions are legally protected in public spaces and specifically trained to assist with a wide variety of daily life tasks.
While any breed of dog can be a service animal, some breeds are better suited to certain tasks than others. If you’re thinking about getting a service dog, some good first steps are researching breeds and talking to a service animal trainer.
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References
ADA.gov. (n.d.). Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ADA.gov. (2015). Frequently asked questions about service animals and the ADA.
ADA.gov. (2020). ADA requirements: Service animals.
ADA National Network. (n.d.). Service animal or emotional support animal: What’s the difference?
ADA National Network. (n.d.). Service animals, small business, and other public accommodations.
ADA National Network. (2017). Service animals.
Epilepsy Foundation. (2019). Seizure dogs.
Larkin, M. (2021). New law provides for service dogs for veterans with PTSD. American Veterinary Medical Association.
National Service Animal Registry. (n.d.). How much does a service dog cost: A buyer’s guide for your service dog.
Rodriguez, K. E., et al. (2020). The effects of service dogs on psychosocial health and wellbeing for individuals with physical disabilities or chronic conditions. Disability and Rehabilitation.
Service Dog Certifications. (n.d.). Service dog requirements.
United Disabilities Services Foundation. (2020). Types of service dogs and how they benefit people with disabilities.
