How to register your dog as a service dog

Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, people across the country living with a disability have been guaranteed the right to keep a service animal to protect and assist them. These canines are defined by the ADA as “a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.”

If you or a loved one lives with a disability such as blindness, full or partial paralysis, seizures, or even cancer, you may qualify for a service dog. The following step-by-step guide walks you through the full process of making your dog a service dog, from verifying whether your animal qualifies and the minimum requirements you must meet to qualify to own one, to what life activities a service animal can assist you with.

1. Be Clear On the Service Dog’s Purpose 

There are many types of service/support animals, from Emotional Support Animals, to Work Dogs and Therapy Dogs, to Service Dogs. A service dog is trained to perform work specifically related to their owner's disability.

For instance, service dogs with owners on the autism spectrum learn to interpret their owners' unique, sometimes nonverbal, communication styles and help them express their needs to the outside world. They can read signs from stoplights to smoke alarms, act as emotional anchors for autistic children, and can be trained to encourage the development of language.

Service dogs are granted “full public access rights” by the ADA, meaning they can accompany their owners to school, work, and on transportation, even planes (though regulations differ across airlines). While service dogs, like emotional support animals, can provide enormous emotional comfort and greatly improve mental quality of life, their primary purpose is to accomplish tasks that their owners are physically incapable of performing for themselves.

2. Check That You Qualify for a Service Dog

Any individual living with a “physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability” who has the means to acquire one, or who can provide for their pets’ specialized training, can qualify to keep a service dog. 

There is no official government list of qualifying disabilities, but mental disabilities such as depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and autism, and physical disabilities such as blindness, ALS, paralysis, stroke, and chronic pain commonly qualify. 

In each of those cases, the ability to complete tasks that are essential for survival are impeded in at least one crucial way, from acquiring food and reading safety signage to breathing and sleeping. 

3. Adequately Train Your Service Dog

While not all animals can be service animals (in contrast to the rules for emotional support animals, which are wide open to most pets), just about any dog can qualify as a service dog, but keep these considerations in mind.

Service dogs do not have to be enrolled in special training classes or be seen by a licensed handler, but for the good of the owner, it’s best to be certain of your dog's temperament and training before putting them to the test (and putting yourself on the spot) in the real world.

Your pet must be able to prove it can accomplish whatever task your disability prevents you from accomplishing. So, if you are physically incapacitated and need help opening doors, fetching objects off tables, and carrying certain items around, your Chihuahua might not be the best candidate for the job. 

Health and temperament are also key factors to be considered. Your dog must not be ailing or themselves disabled, as to interfere in any way with their duties. 

Some owners subject their pets to “public access tests” before pursuing training, which ensures the animal will not be aggressive, distracted, overly excited, or too fearful when comporting itself in public places. One of the ADA's few mandates when it comes to keeping a specially-trained animal is that it be strictly well-mannered and obey orders under any and all conditions.

4. Consider Service Dog Registration

If you’ve ever seen an animal escorting their owner around in public, you’ve probably glimpsed the dog wearing a vest, or the owner bearing an identification card that contains a registration number. 

The ADA does not require specific licensing or service dog registration, but many owners opt to acquire an ID that can be worn on a vest around the dog’s body, on a lanyard around the owner’s neck, or elsewhere. Why? Being able to flash a ID reduces the conversation of why you’re bringing a dog into this or that establishment which probably doesn’t permit dogs into a single gesture.

Not everyone is knowledgeable about the entitlements granted to the disabled person that are enshrined in the ADA, including the language around service dogs. Sadly, some people can even be brusque or impatient with owners who might struggle to explain their rights or the purpose of their service dog if they live with, for example, a speech disorder. 

Certifying your dog with an organization like Service Dog Registration of America and obtaining an ID card cuts back on potential stress, conflict, and instances of discrimination.

Conclusion

Life as you know it doesn’t have to grind to a halt when you become disabled. Everything can be reworked, and keeping a service animal is a great way to start. 

Service dogs can be trained to help their owners by filling in the gaps that physical, mental, and emotional disabilities leave behind. From closing doors behind their owners to alerting them to emergency circumstances, these animals not only improve lives but can also save them. 

Service Dog Registration of America can provide you with all the resources and materials needed to get your dog trained, seek out obtaining a pre-trained service dog if you don’t have one, outfit your dog with all the necessary gear, and more. To find out more, visit our FAQ page.

Service dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities such as motor impairment, visual or hearing impairments, mental illnesses, seizure disorders, or chronic illnesses. In the United States, there is no legal process for registering a service dog. Although you cannot register your service dog, you can receive documentation by training your dog to pass the ADI Public Access test or requesting a doctor's note. By pursuing these options instead of scam registration websites, you can provide proof of your service dog's abilities to airlines, your landlord, and other organizations who ask for it.[1] X Research source Go to source

1. 1

   Recognize the difference between unofficial registration and government requirements. The United States does not require official registration for service dogs. No proof, official training, or documentation is required for your dog to be a service dog. If a landlord, business, or other organization asks for official registration, let them know that service dogs are not legally registered.[2] X Research source Go to source

2. 2

   Avoid websites that register your service dog for a fee. Some unofficial registration sites use fear tactics to con people with service dogs out of money. They claim that unless their dog is "officially registered" with them, their service dog is not validated. Avoid any registration sites that cost money to sign your dog up for, as they are designed to scam uninformed dog owners. Some well-known scam sites include:[3] X Research source Go to source

   • Service Animal Registry of America (SARA)
   • United Service Animal Registry (USAR plus)
   • Goldstar German Shepherds
   • Service Dogs America (SDA)
   • Registered Service Dog
   • Service Dog Certification of America (SDCA)
   • National Service Animal Registry (NSAR)
   • American Service Dogs
   • Service Dog ID
   • Certified Service Dog
   • National Association of Service Dogs
   • Service Dog Tags
   • Free My Paws
   • Canadian Registry of Therapy Animals and Service Animals (CRTASA)
   • United States Service Dog Registry (USSDR)
   • Official Service Dog Registry
   • Service Dog Kits

3. 3

   Remember the 2 questions businesses can legally ask service dog owners. Although business owners or other organizations cannot ask what disability a service dog owner suffers from, they can ask two things to assess the validity of a service dog in lieu of documentation. If a business or organization wants to see legal registration, let them know that the United States does not offer official registration and answer these 2 questions instead:[4] X Research source Go to source

   • Is this a service dog required because of a disability?
   • What is it trained to do to mitigate the disability?

4. 4

   Seek unofficial registration for your own personal interest. Although you cannot officially register your service dog, you may be interested in registering your dog unofficially for the novelty. If this is the case, look for a service that does not claim to offer legal registration and notes that their services are not official documentation.

   • Do not claim that your unofficial registration is legal documentation of your service dog, as this may be considered illegal.[5] X Research source Go to source

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1. 1

   Train your dog to meet the ADI standards as an alternative to registration. Although you cannot officially register service dogs in the United States, training them to pass the ADI Public Access Test can give proof of your service dog's skills. If you need to document your service dog's abilities, the ADI Public Access Test is considered the most credible service animal skills test.

2. 2

   Find an established service dog trainer. In the United States, there is no certification requirement for service dogs or service dog trainers. While not legally required, however, training your dog to pass a certification test can make them a more qualified service dog. To find a reputable service animal trainer, ask friends or family members for recommendations or contact a nearby veterinarian. Legitimate dog trainers might also be registered with a training organization like:[6] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source

3. 3

   Take the Public Access Test, the standard service dog certification. Although there is no internationally-recognized test for service dogs, the Public Access Test is considered an "unofficial standard" for service dogs. It is not legally required but can give you an idea of how efficient your service dog is. The Public Access Test requires your dog to meet several expectations, including:[7] X Research source Go to source

   • Safely crossing a street
   • No solicitations for food or affection
   • Avoiding distractions
   • Self-control of excitement
   • Only urinating or defecating on command
   • No biting, barking, growling, or other aggressive behavior
   • Other disability-related tasks

4. 4

   Record your dog performing the Public Access Test for documentation. Official certification of the Public Access Test usually isn't required or given. If you need verification of your dog passing the Public Access Test, record your dog completing the test. You can then use the video as proof, if required.[8] X Research source Go to source

   • Although the United States does not require dogs to take the Public Access Test, they do require your dog to be trained (either self-trained or via a trainer) before they can meet the definition of a service dog.[9] X Research source Go to source

5. 5

   Avoid fraudulent or unqualified dog trainers. Watch out for warning signs when choosing a dog trainer. If your potential trainer does not talk about their previous experience and qualifications, cannot provide previous clients as references, or will not directly answer your questions, choose a different trainer. Unqualified trainers will not be able to teach your dog the skills it needs for the Public Access Test.[10] X Research source Go to source

1. 1

   Request a doctor's letter if you have a psychiatric service dog. Unlike emotional support dogs, which primarily provide comfort, psychiatric service dogs are trained to assist their handlers with mental illness-related disabilities. Landlords, airlines, or other organizations can require a doctor's letter for psychiatric service dogs.

   • Like the ADI Public Access Test, a doctor's letter is not considered legal registration. It can, however, be a helpful document to give individuals or organizations that request proof of your service dog's credibility.
   • Many airlines require that psychiatric service dogs have a doctor's note before allowing them on the plane.

2. 2

   Ask your doctor or therapist for an official letter. For your letter to be legitimate, it must be written by a clinical or mental health professional. Let them know what you feel comfortable with them disclosing in your letter—you do not need to share your diagnosis or the nature of your disability.[11] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source

   • Tell your doctor or therapist what you need the letter for so they can base the information off of your needs.[12] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   Avoid online websites that provide fraudulent "doctor consultation letters." Some scam websites may offer "doctor consultations" by phone or email, then claim to send an official doctor's note. These websites are fraudulent and do not provide real doctor's letters. Schedule an appointment with a licensed physician or therapist to ask about a legitimate letter.

4. 4

   Request a letter for non-psychiatric service dogs to make accessibility easier. Apart from psychiatric service dogs, other service dogs do not need a letter of recommendation. If your service dog is not for a psychiatric disability, a doctor's letter can still make housing, traveling, or other activities simpler. It is not, however, required by law.[13] X Research source Go to source

• Can landlords refuse to rent you a house because you have a service dog?

  No, they legally cannot refuse you housing due to a service dog, since that would be discrimination against the disability of the owner.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 29,802 times.

Co-authors: 5

Updated: December 12, 2020

Views: 29,802

Article Rating: 89% - 41 votes

Categories: Assistance Dogs

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