How to get service dog certification?
 

I am interested in starting the process of having Charlie designated as a service dog (for myself) - I have some health issues and from what I can find on the internet Charlie would qualify as long as I can get him trained/certified/get a letter from my doctor - my concern is that since Charlie is 2 1/2 is he too old to be " trained" ? The Internet seems very vague - there doesn't seem to be a test or any designations that Charlie would be required to pass. He is very well behaved, follows my commands, etc.....and most importantly, loves and adores me!! :-) I had a brain tumor removed 3 years ago and now suffer from balance and vertigo issues.....the vertigo issues are relatively new and from what I can find on the Internet there are some dogs that can alert people when the vertigo is about to start - this is where I question if Charlie can be taught to sense this for me....? In any case, I know my doctor will provide me with a medical letter - can anyone advise me on this?
Thanks,
Janice

There is no real certification for any service dog but a doctors letter is helpful. I am guessing you will have to find a trainer that can train him.

If he can provide this service for you it will easier for you to take him places. Not everyone recognizes emotional support dogs and there are some instances where they can be refused.

No, I'm not asking for the emotional support recognition - I will qualify for the physical service dog designation.

Here is a nice overview, but it is for NH:
Service Animals | Disability Information | NH Governor's Commission on Disability

Maybe your state has a site with guidelines like this. ADI seems to be the go to for requirements. Looks like it takes a lot of time and money unless you train him yourself. But I think it is goingto vary slightly depending on your state.

A: The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. Guide dogs are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include:
_ Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds.

_ Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments.

_ Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance.

A service animal is not a pet.


There IS certification for service animals.....

[QUOTE=McheleM;4263932]A: The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. Guide dogs are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include:
_ Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds.

_ Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments.


_ Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance.

A service animal is not a pet.


There IS certification for service animals.....[/QUOTE

MicheleM

I have never found a LEGIT certification for service dogs. Perhaps I missed something??

My dog spent 18 months at service dog school. When I finally got her she had a letter that I carry and a card with her picture and my name on it.

As long as she is trained to provide a specific service for you that is a medical need she is considered a service dog. You need to talk with dog trainers in your area to work with you to get her trained. That being said let me warn you that I have heard of scams that charge large sums of money then do not actually train your dog. Also check with the Red Cross in your area. Having a doctors letter will help but you might be asked to tell want the dog actually does for you.

Additionally the training is very expensive but most legit training schools have scholarship programs.

Good luck!

Listen to Jay - she knows of what she speaks from personal experience. I have had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Jay and Cali. They are an incredible team!

I have been checking into this as well, for the same reasons. They have to have passed 3 levels of certified training, and pass the Good Canine Certification test, to make sure they won't relieve themselves in the building, or attack anybody or other service dogs. You will need a letter from your Dr., stating that you need the use of a service animal. Good luck with the process, and I hope everything works out.
Cheers Quad:animal36

No there is not I researched it when I was looking into psychological service dogs. There are many that claim to be but it is not necessary. You just have to follow the ADA and it helps to have a letter from a doctor.

And where did you get this information?

There is not certification, and I hear this all the time.

The key is the training that will attest to the dogs ability to perform whatever is needed per the ADA law. Letter from the trainer and a doctor are always helpful.

The airlines, who are becoming very $$$$ interested has asked more all the time - the last 3 times I have flown than ever before. I now carry papers with not just my doctors letter but also copies of the testing that has been done.

The issue is that there are folks with pets who are passing them off as service dogs. Businesses and airlines and such are starting to challenge that. The ADA is aware of this issue, as well.

No one may ask what your specific disability is but they may ask what tasks the service animal performs for you. The last time we traveled by air and I was challenged I finally asked the airline clerk who was questioning me to please throw the clipboard she had on the floor - she did and Cali did her thing - no further questions asked!

Then I told her the story of the time Cali alerted me to the massive amounts of water that was flooding the bathroom of the plane. We gotta free ticket for that because, as the captain of the plane told me, by the time they had found the leak it would have been so bad they would have had to divert the flight. Those little Yorkie ears listen for everything - just as she has been taught.

I also carry a card with the ADA laws printed on it for education purposes.

Hang in! Again the training is the key - the place that trained Cali has gone to bat for us sucessfully so many times.

I always show up early so I have time to deal with this. I do not have a disability that you can see when I walk in the door and people do not see 4 lb Yorkies as service dogs!

Just last month she smelled smoke and heard a fire crackling that no one else had heard and we had the floor of the assisted living facility evacuated before the fire people were there :D

Sorry, just can't help from telling the great stories about her:D

Various different trainers in my area, the VA, and several different websites, love on a leash gives a great over view of what is required, and it varies from state to state.
Cheers Quad:animal36

I can not find anything that says a dog has to pass any certain test or anything just that they have to be doing a service for the disabled person. I think that maybe false info.