There is often confusion between Assistance Dogs vs. Therapy Dogs. I’m embarrassed to say that me…your resident expert has gotten them confused in the recent past. In addition you have many other designations including Service Dogs, Hearing Dogs, and Guide Dogs. It can all get a little confusing if you don’t have the exact definition handy. That’s why this article was spawned, to help clarify the differences between these dogs.
What Is An Assistance Dog?
As defined by Wikipedia – “An assistance dog is a dog trained to help a person with a disability in daily life. Many are trained by a specific organization, while others are trained by their handler (sometimes with the help of a professional trainer)”
These are the three types of assistance dogs:
- Guide Dog – A guide dogs is trained to assist the blind or visually impaired.
- Service Dog – ADI Website Definition – ” Service Dogs assist disabled people by retrieving objects that are out of their reach, by pulling wheelchairs, opening and closing doors, turning light switches off and on, barking for alert, finding another person, assisting ambulatory persons to walk by providing balance and counterbalance and many other individual tasks as needed by a disabled person.”
- Hearing Dog or Signal Dogs – Hearing or Signal Dogs are trained to assist the deaf or hard of hearing.
What Is A Therapy Dog
As defined by Wikipedia – “Therapy Dog refers to a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, mental institutions, schools, and stressful situations such as disaster areas.”
What Rights Do These Dogs Have?
Therapy Dogs are not Assistance Dogs. Assistance dogs are used to assist humans and are allowed in most public areas. Assistance Dogs are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. However, Therapy Dogs do not provide direct assistance to humans and are not mentioned in the Americans with Disabilities Act. An institution may invite or prohibit a therapy dog from entering their facilities and usually have rigorous requirements for therapy dogs who are allowed to enter.
Stetson The Guide Dog Puppy In Training
Stetson is my Guide Dogs of America puppy in training. My hope is that Stetson will pass all of his training and be partnered with a blind or vision impaired person as a full fledged guide dog. However, if he does not make it as a guide dog my plan is to certify him as a Therapy dog. I’ve already taken my first step in preparation by working on Stetson’s training and passing the Canine Good Citizen Test. Either way, whether Stetson becomes a Guide Dog, a Therapy Dog, or just a pet I’ll be proud of him.
So to sum up Guide, Service, and Hearing dogs are types of Assistance Dogs and are trained to help people with a disability in daily life. A Therapy dog provides affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, etc. Assistance Dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and can go most places the public can go. Therapy Dogs are not protected by any federal laws and must be invited in order to enter an institution.
Hopefully this article helps clarify the difference between Assistance Dogs and Therapy Dogs.
Do you currently own an Assistance or Therapy Dog? Please tell me about your experiences in the comments area.
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Thank you for clarifying this for people. There is a lot of confusion between therapy dogs and service or assistance dogs and the difference is very clear. I find it very disheartening when I see therapy dogs in restaurants or in places that only service dogs are allowed to enter. I liken it to parking in a handicap parking place when you are physically able and are not handicapped in any way. Stronger legislation needs to be passed to protect the rights of individuals with service or assistance dogs. The public also needs to be better educated on the difference.
@Debra, thanks for your comment. I agree with you I think the public needs to be better educated on the difference between a therapy dog and a service or assistance dog. Just the other day we saw a therapy dog sitting in the middle of Ruby’s restaurant. I don’t get too upset about these things if the dog is sitting calmly under the table, but the dog I witnessed was begging for food. It’s unfortunate that these people were:
1. Abusing their privilege as a therapy dog team and
2. Not training their dog to properly behave in a restaurant.
Anyhow, enough of my rant…I’m glad you liked the article and again thanks for your comment.
.-= Colby´s last blog ..Is My Dog Trying To Manipulate Me? =-.
I have PTSD and my doctor wrote me a letter for my dog to go with me every where I go. But now that I am going back to school I am having issues. The doctor says my dog is a service dog ( I am putting her through obedence training before school starts (sorry for my miss spelling), but the school is saying she is a therapy dog. In the definition of a therapy dog that you have a bove she does not fit.
Also on the comments above, not all disabilities can be seen on the out side.
I know this msg is a little old compared to my reply but they do have Mental Health Service Dog definition now which you can fall under.
My Dr. doesn’t like to use that term because she doesn’t see me as mentally ill and that is what most think when they hear that. Schools can not argue with a Dr. note and the Dr. note doesn’t have to say what the disability is.
Maya,
Go to this website: http://usservicedogregistryaboutus.blogspot.com/. I find them helpful. I too have very bad ptsd as well as 2 years ago today had a work accident, and am permanently injured. I am debating about getting my dog registered here. I agree that not all injuries can be viewed from the public eye. As they state on their website…”they can be a psychiatric disability too”…GOOD LUCK!”
@Holly, I definitely wouldn’t consider myself an expert in this area, but two places you might try checking out are first Canine Companions for Independence (http://www.cci.org). They train service dogs, but I’m sure if you contact them they can give you more information on how to qualify your dog as a service dog. A second website that might have some useful information is the Assistance Dog International, Inc website (http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/).
I have a therapy dog
and an assistance dog
I have an amazing THERAPY DOG! =)
As far as the issues of the confusion between therapy dogs and assistance dogs, and therapy dogs not being allowed in public places is something I disagree with. Right now my dog comes with me to work (I work in a therapy office for people) and places like nursing homes and hospitals, and since she goes to these places with me, shes with me most of the time. I need to get things done in the process of my travels, such as grab something to eat, or run into a store. She is even small enough to be in a dog carrier, & I still can not bring her into certain places. I feel therapy dogs are a different type of dog, one that has great attitude, and has all the traits that someone trusts to have around their children and other family members. I am not trying to put service dogs down at all, they have all of the traits therapy dogs have plus a million more. All I am saying is that I think therapy dogs and their owners should have more credit for what they do by making life a little easier in more public places.
@Jo, you make a great point about therapy dogs and public places. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
I am legally disabled, receiving social security disability for chronic depression for 15 years now. It got to the point where I spent almost 2 whole years virtually in bed or without leaving the house. I wouldn’t even go out to get the mail for up to 3 weeks at a time. I gained 50 pounds and my health went downhill, as so did my ability to do any physical activity without excess pain.
Then my cat of 13 years died… and I looked into the laws of legally maintaining an “assistance dog” in my “no dogs allowed” residence in California. I decided that a dog would (a) require more care than a cat, giving me more responsibility (b) need to be walked at least 3x a day, getting me out of the house and some exercise (c) would provide me interaction and stimuli, to ease my anxiety and depression…and (d) provide me with an enthusiastic display of non-conditional love and affection (rarely displayed by cats) and which lifts the spirit and spoils the black thoughts.
I researched and organized a list of all the state disability and housing laws regarding “assistance, service, companion” animals. I then put it all together in a letter to my landlords in request of permission to have dog on premises…which according to law…they approved.
By law, landlords would be in judgement of breaking the law if they disagreed to my request, since all I needed to provide for approval to both the state housing (Section
and my landlords, was a statement from my therapist regarding my disability and how an “assistance dog” was necessary to improve my quality of life, of which I provided.
After getting my dog at the local shelter…and with absolutely no training, except to “sit”…and needing only the letter from my therapist stating my disability required an assistance animal…I was able to get my poodle “Certified” at the local Animal Control Office as a card carrying “Certified Assistance Animal”.
Animal Control pays for his “annual” license fees and tag (since I am disabled), provided a “Certified” tag that he must wear, and took individual pictures of me and the dog and put them on a card that I carry. The card states that my dog can go anywhere I do and warns that denying access to me and my dog is penalty of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine not exceeding $2500.
I have legally taken him on the bus, into stores, into my doctor’s office, into restaurants, into the library…etc…Of course, I realize his limited amount of training and do not take him somewhere that might prove inappropriate or too much for him or other people. (crowded places, small produce stores with limited room and food displayed, places where children may want to play with him…etc)
The only thing I cannot get…is a $50.00 Welfare Monthly Supplement for “Service Animal” food, upkeep, and care. Out of the four areas required in approval for the monthly funding…the part that I fail in is the “proof of training as a Service Animal”.
Soooo…I am still in confusion as to the laws regarding “service animals” who are trained and provide a service and can go anywhere …versus… “therapy animals” who are not trained, do not provide a service and cannot go anywhere…. Since my dog, by law, seems to be both. And I disagree that he does NOT provide a service…he may not be trained to “walk, grab, open or close” something for me…but he DOES KEEP ME …OUT OF BED….WALKING…AND KEEPS ME FROM COMMITTING SUICIDE…which I think is the greatest service of all !!!
Yes…I agree with “therapy dogs” and public places…I suffer almost to the point of agoraphobia at times…I have symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, and social stress…along with the chronic depression and need for “living” …not “laying”;
It is very important to me that I am able to take my dog on the bus…since I do not own a car…and the bus has all types of characters, strangers, seated almost on your lap…causing an uncomfortable atmosphere at times…and not only for me.
With my dog..I am also able to “wait” for the bus without the typical anxiety I would endure of waiting for up to an hour sometimes…alone at a bus stop. I “wait” at the doctor’s office and he diverts my attention from claustrophobic crowds. I always have someone to talk to and who enthusiastically accepts any feeling I may be having as me “giving him” attention.
He is a ‘people person’…loves people over dogs…likes to play and lick…so I warn people that may try to pet him…and he pays attention to me in public places…quietly lying down for over an hour at the doctor’s office…sitting between my legs on the bus, following the cart in the store….but he perks up at any attention given to him and just wags his little tail…
YES…PERSONALITY…THAT IS HIM…THAT IS “BIJOU”…
THAT IS THE SERVICE HE PROVIDES!!!!
To Susan C: We are all nervous about waiting at bus stops, but that does not fall within the definition of agoraphobia or any other “disorder.” What I do is carry a small 5-cartridge revolver in my coat or jacket pocket. With my handgun, I am able to wait for the bus without the typical anxiety I would endure without it. Luckily for me, I live in Florida, but if I every find myself waiting for a bus in some place like Massachusetts or Chicago and get caught carrying a concealed weapon, I will just explain it is my “therapy gun.”
I don’t know how to take your reply…because I did not say…getting nervous while sitting at a bus stop was “any” type of medical condition. I just explained my conditions…and I am clinically diagnosed in a few psychiatric categories…which is why my dog is necessary…
How you relate a “therapy gun” to a “therapy dog” …is just plain sarcastic…as your gun could kill or hurt other people…and my dog comforts me when sitting at a bus stop next to a gun toting “paranoid” type person and kills no one…
Why did you even waste your time commenting…if it was only to be facetious?
I think that certain people here need to get their facts straight. Mental disabilities are just as bad as physical disabilities. Many times mental illness is over looked as something a person can change and perhaps they should just deal with it. Would you tell someone that is blind to just get over it or deal with it. I think not. I have several illnesses including Bi Polar disorder depression anxiety PTSD. All of these are controlled with a ton of medication and therapy. It doesnt go away. There is no cure! So if a therapy dog is needed to keep someone from having a severe panic attack or other problem (like the inability to get out of bed because depression is so bad) then I think the state needs to implement a training program for these dogs! I also think that people that don’t understand what a mental disability does to someone should learn the facts before they judge
We adopted a Staffordshire/Pitbull mix two years ago. She is such a wonderful dog wth people of all ages that we got her certified as a therapy dog. Granted, it does annoy us that people will bring animals into public places with no training but we do have papers and went “by the book”, checking with the local mall management before taking her for walks there with the restriction that any store must approve before we take her in. Jersey has become quite a celebrity and gives a lot of smiles to shoppers and workers – children especially love to be given kisses! It’s been great for me and my husband as well. The dog loves the glass elevator, is fine on the escalator, and hangs out with us at Starbucks (of course, we got their permission first) and we get lots of favorable comments about how well mannered she is. It’s quite amusing how when we are by ourselves we always get asked “How’s the dog?” or “Where’s the dog?”.
You know, I’m a landlord that manages a senior / disabled building and believe me when I say most of my residents have legitimate service dogs. However we do have a non service dog policy that states the animal must be 12+ months of age, fixed and utd on shots. We have a resident who has involved HUD because she has a bischon that did not meet the pet requirements, so all of a sudden she was “disabled” and the dog was a service dog. Please understand that I’m a pet lover and a disability advocate so it really burns me when someone is abusing the system. But not only that I have many many units that see the abuse and think we are a bum landlord because they see that the person is not disabled nor is the 6 month puppy a “service” dog. For our state law, the dog must be capable of performing the 3 tasks, not certified through the state, but not behave in a pet manner. This dog barks incessantly at all hours, does not perform any tasks and asks for petting at all opportunities. So please keep in mind that like with anyone else that there are frauds out there that are ruining the opportunities that so many of you desire just because they want to bring their pets into a places that are normally not allowed. That, is what is causing a wall of resentment, not your disability. No different than someone who lives on welfare because they are too lazy to get up and go get a job. And yes, that does happen. I manage a section 8 multifamily housing building as well. Peace out.
I find that the comments regarding therapy dogs are very ignorant. My spouse is a Vietnam Veteran who has PTSD. Among other ailments. This dog, is very well behaved trained, quiet and meets the NEEDS of my spouse. If any of you know what ptsd as well as parkinsons, I would excpect more understanding for his PAIN for figiting for your country. He is unable to go out, without anxiety attacks, and more. This dog has been a saving grace, and for all of you to state that this dog does not belong in restaurants, or anywhere else is very insensiteve. The only way HE can leave the home is WITH the dog. I think that the laws need to be changed. There is NO abuse in how he and his dog interact. Nor does this dog “annoy cause disruptuion”. This dog should be able to GO anywhere with this Vietnam Veteran. And I DO take him everywhere. I am not abusing anything. The depression suffered from PTSD and Parkinsons is so severe, how can any of you say this is abuse? If others do not train their dogs properly that is one thing, but I TOTALLY DISAGREE. If it were not for this dog, my spouse was on the verge of suicide. Due to the parkinsons, there is a balance issue. This dog who is only 5lbs, when he was 6 months old, after my spouse fell into the pool, came and found me and brought me to him. Again, the law should be changed. I am sorry for the blind, the hearing impaired. But, this dog has saved my husbands life litterly in more ways than 1 and more times than I can count BEFORE training. He was/is a natural.
I was the last post. I came to check for updates. Looks like I stopped the topic. I wish more would chime in….
I’m OFFENDED, that people find it OFFENSIVE, to see a therapy dog out and about in public areas.
Yes, I am a therapy dog owner, and my dog does go everywhere with me. He is calm and well behaved, as any true therapy dog should be (what therapy dog begs at a table?). I expose him to as many environments as I can, taking him around the States, Canada and now China. I am not physically disabled, nor do I personally have close friends whom are disabled. While I am healthy and able bodied, I feel a strong need to contribute to society on my free time. I do know many persons, young and old, with problems interacting socially, a need to feel loved or a need love, to feel that despite their medical ailments they can still be responsible for causing joy in another – even if it’s just throwing a ball or a scratch behind a dog’s ear. A person may be bed bound and feel useless but they can be responsible for putting that smile on a dog’s face.
We have worked hard (and spent lots of money too) certifying and preparing to bring joy and comfort to others. Our services are NEVER compensated for financially but rather with twinkle in the eyes of those we meet. My dog is an ambassador for all canines. In public, I can’t tell you how many times people, who tell me they are afraid of dogs, bend down to gingerly pet my dog, smile growing. His quite disposition puts people at ease, whether a toddler in a stroller or senior in a wheelchair. He has helped people free themselves from animal anxiety EVEN when we’re not “on the clock.”
If my therapy dog stayed home alone watching birds, he may get startled or bark in a different environment. Always being around people leaves him at ease to accept anything that comes his way, with a wag of his tail.
He’s also a dog rescued directly of the street, with a budding modeling career. Something that would not have happened if he weren’t out and about in public places.