Dogs have played many roles in humans’ lives over the past century. From fearless protector to professional snuggler and everything in between, dogs fill our hearts and homes with a special kind of companionship only they can provide. In recent decades, dogs have also taken on a few new roles in our communities — as supportive working dogs.
While the terms "Service Dog," "Emotional Support Dog," and "Therapy Dog" are often used interchangeably, they each offer a unique skill set and level of training to perform their specific jobs.
A "service dog," under California law, is a dog trained to help a specific individual with a disability with services such as fetching dropped items, minimal protection work, rescue work, or pulling a wheelchair.
A service dog is a highly-trained working animal purposefully selected and trained to perform specific tasks to mitigate their handlers’ disabilities. Only dogs can be service animals, and in some special cases, miniature horses. From physically opening doors, to retrieving medication, to alerting when a medical emergency is imminent, service dogs are literal lifesavers when it comes to the skills they’ve been trained to do. Working as part of a team with their disabled partners, service dogs help them attain the safety and independence from which their handlers’ disabilities would otherwise limit them. While on duty, they do not engage with other dogs or people so they can be completely focused on the needs of their handler. Some service dogs may wear a special collar or vest to indicate that they are on duty. Service dogs are welcome in any public place (even where dogs aren’t normally allowed).
The ADA does not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal. The dog must still maintain a current rabies vaccination and license, but the owner is usually exempt from paying for the license. San Diego Humane Society offers licensing for residents in Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.
Schooling: A service dog should be given a minimum of 120 hours of schooling over a period of 6 months or more. At least 30 hours should be devoted to outings that will prepare the dog to work obediently and unobtrusively in public places.
Obedience Training: A service dog must master the basic obedience skills (sit, stay, come, down, heel) and a dropped leash recall in a store in response to verbal commands and/or hand signals.
Manners: A service dog must acquire proper social behavior skills.
Disability-Related Tasks: The service dog must be individually trained to perform identifiable tasks on command or cue for the benefit of the disabled human partner. This includes alerting to sounds, medical problems, certain scents like peanuts or situations if training is involved.
Prohibited Training: Any training that arouses a service dog’s prey drive or fear to elicit a display of aggression for guard or defense purposes is strictly prohibited. Non-aggressive barking as a trained behavior is permitted in appropriate situations.
Trainers: Trainers function as ambassadors for the service dog movement. This includes a disabled owner trainer, a provider’s staff or a volunteer with a puppy or adult dog “in training.” It also includes a service dog partner or able-bodied facilitator helping a disabled loved one to keep up a service dog’s training.
First, it is important to note, California Health and Safety Code (121690) requires all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies and to obtain a license. Once a license is obtained, this information will assist in registering a service dog with San Diego Humane Society.