Animals are more than just creatures we share the planet with. We are now in a new era where people are appreciating just how important animals and our relationship with them can be. Animals, particularly dogs, can have an incredibly positive effect on our mental, emotional, and physical health.
If you have a dog that’s particularly empathetic, you may be considering training them to become a therapy dog or a service dog. Or you may wonder if one of these dogs would be right for you or your family.
With so many different terms and categories, you may wonder if there’s any difference between a service dog and a therapy dog. In this guide we’ll walk you through these two types of working dogs, their differences in training, and their legal protections.
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs are trained to give comfort and companionship to a range of people. You’ve probably seen therapy dogs used in facilities like hospitals and nursing homes visiting patients to lift their spirits.
These dogs need to be trained to remain calm and spend time in unfamiliar places with strangers. There are national therapy dog organizations that a dog can be registered with, which ensure that properly trained dogs are being matched with groups who need them.
Service Dogs
A service dog is specially trained, usually from a few months old, to provide support to an individual with a disability. Service dogs are assigned to one person who needs day-to-day support and they perform tasks for them, such as seeing eye dogs that assist people with visual impairments.
Many organizations train service dogs in a rigorous course followed by a test. Organizations will often match the trained dogs with people in need after they have passed their certification.
Legal Protections For Service Dogs Vs Therapy Dogs
Service dogs are legally protected and are exempt from certain restrictions. For example, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) they are allowed in public spaces, like restaurants, that don’t allow pets. The Fair Housing Act protects service dog owners when it comes to housing as well, and the Air Carrier Access Act exempts service dogs from pet fees on airlines.
Therapy dogs do not have the same legal protections as service dogs. Legally, in most cases, they are treated the same as pets. It will be up to the discretion of a business or landlord to allow your therapy dog in public spaces or pet-free apartments.
We recommend getting your dog licensed and insured by a therapy dog organization, but that does not entitle your pet to any special treatment publicly.
How To Get A Service Dog Vs A Therapy Dog
If you are in need of a service dog, you will need to receive a recommendation from your healthcare provider outlining your disability. They can write you a document that serves as a prescription. Then, you should contact a service dog organization that specializes in the kind of training that supports your disability.
In most cases, you can apply online and get added to a waitlist. They will contact you when a dog becomes available.
If you have a dog that you think could be a service dog, you can contact a professional service dog trainer to have them evaluated. The process may vary by state.
Therapy dogs are typically pets or family dogs that have special personalities that make them suited to helping people. Getting your dog obedience training, such as the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program can be a first step. The next would be contacting a non-profit organization specializing in therapy dogs near you. If your dog meets their standards, they can be sent on volunteer assignments to give therapeutic affection to people.
Therapy Dog Vs Service Dog: What’s Right For You?
Understanding the key differences between therapy dogs and service dogs will help you decide what is right for you. If you have a disability that requires day-to-day support, you may be a good candidate for a trained service dog.
If you have a loving and calm dog that gives comfort and affection to you and others, your dog might be a good candidate to volunteer as a therapy dog. It can be a lot of responsibility, but letting your dog use their special skills to help others is very rewarding.
Therapy dogs and service dogs perform very different roles, but they are both examples of how deep the connection between humans and animals can be.
