I take Tuck everywhere with me. He fits in my large purse and goes to Restaurants, Grocery , Wal Mart....etc. he has never been left alone. He is very quiet and good though. Good Luck!

ADA gives people with disability dogs access to public places. Emotional supports dogs utiilized by many with and without disabilities are not considered speially trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a psychiatric disability. Emotional support and CGC or therapy dogs are not deemed service dogs.

The distinction between a support dog and a psychiatric dog seems confusion to some, but the law ssays the distinction is that a psychiatric dog performs a psychiatric service related specifically to the psychiatric disorder/diagnosis. The dog must be trained to recognize and address specific needs of the handler.

In contrast an emtoional support dog is a pet who provides simply a sense of well-being, safety or calm from the dog's companionship or physical presence.

The psychiatric dog tasks are very specific - esample:
* providing safety checks or room searches for PTSD
*blocking persons in dissociative episodes from wondering into danger
*preventing or interrupting impulsive imipuslsive or destructive behaviors such as self mutilation.

These are just few examples.

The ACAA act allows emotional support dogs on commerical airlines and housing, however, unlike service dogs, those emotional support dogs must have a special letter from a license mental health professional documenting the individual's need for an emtional support dog. They are not allowed in restaurants or theaters.

If you need to know more just PM me. This may be more than anyone wanted to know. Finding a good trainer can be a challenge depending upon where you live and is quite expensive without a grant.

Hopesmom,
A service dog handler cannot be asked their disability, as you said. A Support dog can be asked and you must have a statement from a llicensed professional regarding the specific task the dog performs for you.

Granted, some places may not ask, but they are allowed and see documents.

It is just a little tricky if you get in the thick of it. I had to drive to Chicago one time to pick up someone who had a support dog that was half way through her airline trip from California, who got checked for her support dog and did not have the appropriate paperwork and she could not continue her trip. We got it taken care of but with a 12 hour delay and a couple of missed flights. A statement from a psychiatrist and a trainer are the best things and then the dog must behave well, too, of course.

Hi!
Go to: United States Dog Registry. They will certify your dog as an Emotional Support Dog! :)
Pam S.

Are you the owner of this site as well as the other one? If so, please disclose this when you're promoting it.

The products on this site are asking you to pay up to $167 for UNNECESSARY certification documents - documents that anyone at all could replicate or create. These documents are NOT NEEDED by law, anywhere in the US.

Beware of sites/companies like this who are promoting a "registry" that doesn't actually exist in US law.

Thanks, Ann. You are always looking out for us. :)

Don't be fooled. There is no certification that is recognized.
The ADA sets the standard - no one else does.

Hi, I am just a new member who joined a few days ago! I am not the owner of any websites or organizations. I just coincidentally had been looking at info on the web about training and certification for therapy dogs because I am getting another yorkie and am very interested in having her certified. I apologize if I mislead anyone! I also answered a question about grooming/topknot pillows, and they didn't post it until I took the link off. I guess I have a lot to learn about trying to be helpful on this site! :(

Since many places that would welcome a therapy dog seem to want or require assurance in the form of some kind of certification, don't you think it's a good idea to have the dog certified somewhere, regardless of where? You can't just say that your dog is a therapy dog! Even a CGC certificate doesn't make a dog a therapy dog, although some places may accept that as enough of a reassurance that the dog will at least behave. So, I guess what I'm saying is that by not having the dog certified somewhere, you're setting yourself up for rejection of services at some places you might otherwise be welcomed at. I just can't imagine any hospital, for example, taking a chance on an uncertified dog. Whether required by law or not, certification from any organization is better than none. And, I've never heard of any organization that would do so for at least a nominal fee. I'm not advocating any particular place or certificate.

Oh so sorry - misspoke - thought we were talking about something else.
Avsolutelyntherapyndogs have to take a course and then a test to be certified. Some agencies even form teams to take the dogs to various places. Most places will not let you bring in a dog that is not certified. And....importantly you want the insurance that comes with the certification in case something happens.

What I was saying was that there is no national certification for service dogs or emotional support dogs. There are some agencies that would like for you to think there is so they can charge you some $$$.

Most service dogs that come out of a organized program come with paper work document mending their training and their health. They are required to be identified with a cape or vest if they are a service animal.

Boomerkiller - you might want to get your dog registered as a service dog instead of an emotional support dog. Since you have PTSD you have a condition that a doctor can "prescribe" a service dog for - and with a service dog you legally cannot be barred from taking your dog ANYWHERE you go. There are many limitations to travel with emotional support dogs and there's a definite difference between the two.

Here's a great chart that explains the differences: Please Don't Pet Me

There is no service dog registry - only the ADA law.
To qualify for a service dog there has to be specific things the dog performs for the handler other than being a support.

Thanks Pam, for replying. No apologies necessary :). I'm glad to learn you weren't the owner for these sites as it would be a bit misleading if you were. Thanks for the clarification, and a belated welcome to YT :)!

The only piece of paper required for an emotional support dog is a doctor's letter. No money needs to be spent on certification.

I'd be very surprised if a hospital let in any emotional support animal. It applies more for airline travel and housing.

Just so those reading don't get confused by postings like these - there is NO OFFICIAL REGISTRY for these dogs - no registration whatsoever is needed by LAW.

These websites that are posted are there to make money off of people who have ESDs or service dogs.

By law, there are NO documents required to have an ESD or a service animal. The only caveat to that is if you have an ESD and want to fly with that animal - you do need a letter from a psychiatrist (MD), and you may need a letter for living situations where animals are not allowed.

Service Dog or Emotional Support Dog
 

Dogs and PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

They are correct there is NO registration. Just a way for some folks to get your money the above very clearly distinguishes between service and emotional support animals.

There is a great deal of controversy currently about the "fake" service dog issue.
It is becoming more of a problem for folks with legitimate service dogs. I recently got asked at the airport if I could prove my dog was a service dog.... That was interesting because they cannot ask what you disability is, but can ask specifically what your service dog does for you. We did a little demonstration that seemed to interest the dozen people who were in the line - Cali even got applause. The airline agent was ver apologetic saying people try to get their dogs on the plane all the time saying the are service dogs.

You can have a service dog if you have PTSD, however, it can not be just a pet that soothes or relaxes you. Your dog must be trained to perform a specific task that helps you deal with your disability. You can train the dog your self.

I suffer from severe depression and anxiety. My PSD is being trained to alert me by continually pawing at me when I begin to get depressed or anxious and not stop pawing until I remove myself from the area which for me usually means going outside. I have a dog trainer helping me to do this.