Service Dog Awareness Education
FAQs
If you have questions regarding service dogs, therapy dogs, Paws Then Play LLC, or you would like to schedule or have questions about our Service Dog Awareness Education seminars, you are in the right place.
Below you will find some frequently asked questions about the prospect of living with a service dog. I hope these questions and answers will be helpful to you. If you would like additional help or information that is not found here, I can be of assistance. You can schedule a consultation with me or read on for more information, questions, and answers about service dogs.
Service Dog Awareness
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a service dog?
A service dog by legal definition is a dog trained specifically to help a disabled person. They are considered medical equipment, not a pet; much like a wheelchair or oxygen tank is, in the eyes of the law. Thus, a service dog is allowed to accompany its disabled handler anywhere the general public is permitted, with rare exceptions.
How is a service dog different from a therapy dog?
A service dog is very different than a therapy dog, which has a stable temperament and some training, but does NOT have the right to go into public spaces where no pets are allowed. Therapy dogs help many people in their community, service dogs are specifically trained to help one disabled person.
What is an emotional support animal?
Emotional support animals are pets for people who are disabled who must be allowed into housing when applied for properly, and to travel, with appropriate notice to the airlines. They do not have public access rights with their handler, and no training is required for the legal definition.
Can any dog be a service dog?
Not many dogs have the combination temperament, training, and excellent health needed to be a successful working partner full time for a person with a disability. It is critical that the animal be mentally balanced and consistent enough to handle public spaces with lots of distractions, not only for the handler’s safety, but also for the health and well-being of the general public.
How do service dogs help people?
Service dogs play a significant role in the lives of disabled individuals by mitigating elements of that particular person’s disability. There are a plethora of illnesses, injuries, ailments, disorders or other health factors that can cause a human to be disabled. Dogs can be trained to help in specific ways that can enable a person to function more independently. For example, if a person cannot bend over the dog can be trained to pick up items on command, or help with daily routines like taking off socks or shoes. Dogs can also monitor things like blood sugar, to help diabetic persons stay healthy.
Questions for Consultation:
- How do I know if I qualify for a Service Dog?
- What do I need to consider before I acquire a Service Dog?
- What tasks do I need my dog to do?
- Where do I get a Service Dog?
- Why can’t I just train my own Service Dog?
- What if my doctor doesn’t recommend a Service Dog or if I have a new doctor who is afraid of dogs?
- What do I do if my Service Dog in Training (SDiT) is not working out?
- What do I do if I have an access dispute?
- What do I need to be prepared to do to care for my Service Dog?
- What are the legal requirements for Service Dog Obedience?
- What about state registration? Do I need it?
Over the past few years I’ve focused my time and energy on educating businesses and individuals here in the Charlotte, North Carolina area on all things pertaining to service dogs. I also consult with individuals interested in how a service dog can assist them as well as evaluating and training rescue dogs with the Greater Charlotte SPCA.
If there’s any way I can be of assistance to you in answering any of the above questions or regarding service dog awareness education in general, please reach out to me! I would love to hear from you and help you to understand more about service dogs!
Support Service Dog Awareness
If you would like to find out more about Service Dog Awareness Education, information about seminars, or to ask a question about Service Dogs, please use the PawsThenPlay.com contact form.