The Difference Between Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Emotional Support Dogs
Do you know the difference between service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs? Surprisingly, many people do not so we’re here to share the difference between theses three main categories of working dogs.
What Are Service Dogs?
Service dogs are specially trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities, both seen and unseen. These tasks can range from guiding visually impaired individuals to alerting deaf individuals to sounds, pulling wheelchairs, retrieving items, and detecting medical conditions like seizures or low blood sugar. Some service dogs are also trained with specific techniques to help people like Veterans and first responders living with PTSD.
The training for service dogs is extensive and rigorous, often taking up to two years to complete. They must perform their tasks reliably in various environments and remain focused on their handler's needs despite distractions. This is one of the main reasons why people should not pet someone's service dog. The dog is working and petting can be a distraction.
Legally, service dogs have the broadest protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They are allowed in all public places, including restaurants, stores, and public transportation, including airplanes. This ensures that individuals with disabilities can have their service dogs with them at all times, enabling them to lead more independent lives.
We recently made a short documentary film about how service dogs assist Veterans with PTSD that you can watch here:
What Are Therapy Dogs?
Therapy dogs are different than service dogs and are trained to provide comfort and affection to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and disaster areas. Unlike service dogs, they do not perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. Instead, their primary job is to bring joy and emotional support to many people. Therapy dogs can be found sitting with patients during difficult treatments, helping students de-stress during exam periods, or comforting individuals after traumatic events.
Training for therapy dogs focuses on good manners, socialization, and the ability to remain calm in various situations. Our dog Sammy was trained to be a therapy dog and we brought him to a school for disabled children. He was the perfect height for them to pet from their wheelchairs and brought much joy to their school day.
This is Sammy, getting ready to head in to "work" visit some friends at a school:
Therapy dogs do not have the same access rights to public places as service dogs. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs can accompany their handlers in public places, including restaurants, stores, and public transportation. However, they are usually only allowed in places where they have been specifically invited or approved, such as hospitals, schools, and therapy sessions. They must be well-behaved and under control at all times. Institutions that welcome therapy dogs typically have their own policies and procedures for allowing visits, often requiring certification from reputable therapy dog organizations.
What Are Emotional Support Dogs?
Emotional support dogs (ESDs) provide comfort and support to individuals with emotional or mental health conditions. Unlike service dogs, they do not require specialized training to perform specific tasks. Their mere presence is therapeutic, helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Emotional support dogs can be of any breed and do not need extensive training, but they should be well-behaved and under control.
Emotional support dogs have legal protections primarily under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which allows them to live with their handlers in housing that typically doesn't allow pets, without extra fees, provided there is documentation from a licensed mental health professional. However, recent changes to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) mean airlines are no longer required to accommodate ESDs in the cabin without fees. Unlike service dogs, ESDs do not have access rights to public places such as restaurants and stores under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their legal protections are thus more limited, focusing mainly on housing rights.
Choosing the Right Role for Your Dog
If you’re considering training your dog for a specific role, it’s important to understand the differences in requirements and responsibilities. Service dogs require the most intensive training and are dedicated to helping one person with specific needs. Therapy dogs, while also trained, have a broader role in providing comfort to many people in various settings. Emotional support dogs, meanwhile, offer invaluable companionship and support for mental health but do not need specialized training.
Each type of working dog plays a vital role in enhancing the lives of individuals and communities. By understanding the unique contributions of service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs, we can better appreciate the incredible ways in which dogs help us all navigate the world.
Whether saving lives, spreading joy, or offering comfort, these dogs exemplify the extraordinary bond between humans and animals. It's just another reason why dogs are simply the best!