Originally Posted by mscat  No, A service dog legally does not have to be certified or specially trained , the owner can legally train their own dog as a sevice dog, and willies mom is correct, you can find service dog vests and patches, plus service dog business cards that states the ADA laws. When I researched having my 2 smal dgs trained by a professional the costs are into the thousands of dollars. My son and I are both severely disabled, and I have a psycharist with several other professional diplomas. We moved a few months ago and were actually charged a "pet deposit" although their are no pets here, I had to mail and fax specific information regarding ADA laws, and then I proved to the leasing department what specific tasks the dogs are trained to do, I wrote two different letters, one for my son and the other for, it took a few months after the move that they paid me back the deposit. But they did and it is illegal for them to charge a pet deposit on a service dog, it would fall under the catorgory as discrimination against the disabled, I do understand that certain people who are not disabled may try to say their dog is a service animal, which is illegal.
Having a servce dog vest and tags, with the buisness cards explaining the ADA law, helps when you take your service dog into estabilshments. It just helps with anyone wanting to question the validity of you service dog. I think the general public has the idea in their heads that a service dog is used mainly for specific breeds, such as the golden retrievers and labs, or german shepards, that is the belief, however, their is no specific breed type, however certain dogs are better equipped as a service animal, do to their temperment, and training.
My Shih Tzu is calm, laid back, hardly barks and is unphased by people, noises and children, making her a perfect example of a dog that is suitable for training. I know yorkies can make great servie dogs too, if they have the right temperment. Our Yorkie does have a few quirks, making it more a challenge , however my soon to be 19 year old son has actually been able to train her to lsten to his commands, a very smart little yorkie, it worked out beautifully. Suzi is just more dominate and hyperactive, so she needs more exercise, and is extremely protective , always has been, she is a little jittery, too, but does very well with people , loves children, and perfect for my adult autistic son . It is absolutely amazing . I've placed Suzi into the arms of other severely disabled kids and she just melts into their arms. It is like she senses something, and reacts in a very calm manner and allows the kids to hold her, pet her, and behaves herself perfectly. |