How to get a service dog

Several people have showed interest about service dogs when I have written about Zelda, my multipurpose service dog. As promised, I’ve decided to make a series of posts about service animals and some of the accompanying laws here in the U.S.

A few things to note before getting into things:

• I have been a service dog handler and professional trainer for over a decade (not currently taking clients), and also do behavior consulting for placement of puppies and adult dogs for potential service dog work. Much of that time has also been spent delving into every law about service animals and becoming familiar with them to further support advocacy and public education efforts. While I have been contracted by government and private entities to provide training for staff, policy changes, and speaking engagements, the following disclaimer is very important: 

I am NOT an attorney, OR a medical provider. Nothing in this post (or on this page) is to be used in place of legal or medical advice from a licensed professional. Please reach out to a medical provider if you need medical advice, or an attorney if you need legal advice. If you need resources to connect with medical or legal advice, please let me know, and I will do my best to provide you with resources. As always (with educational posts), citations for topics discussed will be provided. 

• Service animals are NOT for everyone. The reality is that service animals draw a lot of unsolicited attention from the public— so if you struggle with: being asked lots of questions (sometimes very personal), random comments (sometimes a bit disturbing), non-consensual petting/touching of your dog, confrontation during access disputes, etc., you may want to consider whether a service dog is right for you in terms of public access. If these are concerns, they are worth discussing with your healthcare provider/team before starting the process of obtaining a service animal. [break] Not every service animal accompanies their handler out into public places. It is perfectly valid to have a task trained service animal who performs work mostly or solely in the home. The goal is to help mitigate your own disability/disabilities, and many disabled service animal owners benefit greatly from having an in-home service animal.

• There are several websites that sell* service animal “certification,” “registration,” “I.D.,” “letters,” etc. These websites are sc@ms — please, do NOT pay money for any of the aforementioned “official documentation”, as none of their products are recognized under the ADA or by the Department of Justice as proof that the animal is a service animal. [break] The only way to have a “real” service dog is through task training the dog to mitigate the handler’s disability, and thorough training for obedience and public access (either via a service dog program or by owner training).

*Some states, counties, cities, schools, etc. have FREE, VOLUNTARY service animal registries which may be used to further benefit the handler. 

So, how do I get a service dog?

After determining that a service dog would be a helpful addition to you or your loved one’s care plan for disability mitigation, you may not know where to turn in order to start the process of getting a service dog. It can be very confusing and frustrating, especially since doctors and other medical providers who recommend service animals to patients typically do not give out resources on the process, and Google is riddled with misinformation about service animals from paid advertising by scammers. 

Below is a step by step guide of my personal recommendations on how to approach the process of obtaining a service dog, and some tips for avoiding common problems during that process.

🐕‍🦺 Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the laws. 

‼️ It is highly recommended that each person research and follow ALL applicable laws in their area (federal/national laws, state laws, county laws, city/town laws, neighborhood bylaws, etc.) BEFORE starting the process of obtaining an assistance animal (service animal or ESA). 

In this post, I will only be discussing laws in the United States, though I am happy to provide resources to folx outside of the U.S. if requested. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines: 

• what rights a disabled person has to be accompanied by a service animal (including schools and in the workplace), 
• what a service dog is, 
• where service dogs can accompany their handler in public places (and when they may be excluded),
• requirements and handler responsibilities,
• what rights that businesses/entities have to verify if an animal is a service animal, 
• and more

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) covers:

• when a disabled tenant with an assistance animal has the right to be accommodated by a housing provider, 
• what an “assistance animal” is
• how to submit an accommodation request and what the process is for the types of assistance animal,
• the rights and responsibilities of the assistance animal owner,
• the rights and responsibilities of housing providers,
• and more

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/assistance_animals

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) covers:

• a disabled persons rights to airplane travel with a service animal,
• what may be asked for by an airline in order to fly with a service animal,
• the responsibilities of the handler,
• the rights and responsibilities of the airline, 
• and more

https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals

🐕‍🦺 Step 2: Determine what work or tasks the dog could be trained to perform in order to mitigate your disability/disabilities. 

Tip: Making a list of work or tasks that is tailored to your specific disability-related needs can be very helpful when researching and relaying info to reputable programs and/or professional trainers. 

Examples of such work or tasks include guiding Blind and visually impaired people, alerting a Deaf handler, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. The possibilities for tasks are nearly limitless; the most important part is that the task mitigates your specific disability/disabilities.

A note about seizure/migraine/POTS alert training (NOT including diabetic alert or allergen detection): 

There are some programs and trainers that claim to be able to train dogs for seizure, migraine, and/or POTS alerts. 

To the best of my knowledge as a seizure alert dog handler and service dog trainer, there are still currently zero peer-reviewed scientific studies that can replicate consistent scent training for seizures, migraines, or POTS. Some owner trainers have said they have successfully trained for these conditions, but presumably not done under the conditions of a study. 

Much of the scientific and professional service dog community are wary of such claims by programs, since it is believed that dogs either possess the natural ability to alert to these conditions (one or more), or not. Through training, these natural abilities can be shaped into a trained task. 

Whether you choose to pursue an alert dog or not is up to you, but seizure/migraine/POTS response tasks are still extremely helpful for many people who do not have alert dogs. I myself benefited from response tasks from my previous service dogs before I got Zelda. 

🐕‍🦺 Step 3: Decide which route to go for obtaining a service dog

So you’ve researched the laws, gotten a list of tasks together, and you’re ready to begin searching for how to get a service dog, or how to make a dog you currently own a service dog. What now?

Good news, you have a couple of options! 

1. Train a service dog yourself (highly recommended to hire a trainer to assist)

1. Obtain a service dog through a reputable service dog program or organization 

Both options pose certain pros and cons, so the route you take will depend on many factors. Additionally, properly training a service dog typically takes around two years (give or take), regardless of which option you choose. It is not a quick process, and it can be emotionally draining at times. Not every service dog works out long-term, even if obtained from a reputable program. 

While training a service dog yourself might seem like the clear winner for some, keep in mind that it is very challenging to fully and properly train a service dog without any experience or help, finding a trainer locally can be difficult, and owner training can still be expensive. 

Alternatively, programs may seem like a clear choice for those with no training experience, but one may not be prepared for the long waiting lists, travel requirements, fundraising, routine refresher training, or the limited amount of task training variety for people with multiple disabilities. 

Unfortunately, because the service dog and professional dog training industries are largely unregulated, there are lots of individuals who pose as professionals who are not. Sadly, there are an increasing number of trainers and “programs” that scam disabled people and their families out of large sums of money, often providing dogs with little to no training — and sometimes, no dog at all. 

Whichever option you choose, be prepared to do lots of thorough research, ask for references, look at reviews, and trust your gut. It is always recommended to work with a professional and reputable trainer, even if you are familiar with dog training. 

Here are some websites you can use to help find professionals and programs in your area. While these sites do offer a better selection of professionals than a broadly cast google search net, it is still wise to continue researching those you may be interested in. 

Not every accreditation entity thoroughly vets the professionals or programs on their list- a majority are on these lists via paid membership. This is why it is important to do research and have many conversations and video/in-person consultations with whomever you choose. 

Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant Directory: https://www.ccpdt.org/dog-owners/certified-dog-trainer-directory/

The Association of Professional Dog Trainers: https://apps.apdt.com/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=TrainerSearch

International Association of Canine Professionals: https://www.canineprofessionals.com/find-a-canine-professional

Assistance Dogs International: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/standards/what-is-accreditation/

🦮 Option 1: Training a service dog yourself: 

This will require that you, a professional dog trainer, or (recommended) an applied behaviorist, select a puppy or dog with the right temperament for service dog work. This is especially important if you plan on training for public access work, because your dog will need to be able to handle a variety of different environments, and proper socialization from a young age is crucial. 

If you are selecting a puppy or dog from a breeder, it is highly recommended to use a reputable, ethical breeder who has proven and stable dogs, and to have a professional trainer or applied behaviorist assess the litter to ensure the best fit. 

If you are picking a puppy or dog from a shelter, it is highly recommended to have a professional (that is not contracted with the shelter) evaluate any potential candidates to ensure the best fit. Any background information the shelter can provide can also be very helpful, though be aware that not every shelter is completely honest. 

Complete health testing and routine check-ups are highly recommended for any option one chooses because of the physically demanding nature of service dog work. 

If you already have a dog and think they would be suitable for service dog work, it is wise to have a professional trainer or applied behaviorist provide an evaluation/assessment to test the temperament and working stability of your dog. 

If your dog is not suited for public access work — do not panic. As stated earlier in this post, many disabled people benefit from having a service dog that works mostly or solely in the home. You can still train your dog to do work or perform tasks to mitigate your disabilities at home or in pet-friendly places. 

While any breed is allowed to be a service dog, the reality is that not every dog is suitable for this job and the chaos of accompanying their handler everywhere all day. Even globally recognized service dog programs with their own selective breeding programs reportedly only have a 30-50% success rate. Ultimately, the safety of both the dog and the handler matter most, so ensuring that the dog is comfortable with the job is a top priority. 

Whatever dog breed or breed mix that you select, please make sure that you do thorough research to determine if your lifestyle and activity level matches their needs. Picking the right dog for the job is important, and utilizing a professional will help increase your chances of success; especially if you are selecting a dog outside of the more common breeds used for service dog work (Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, German Shepherds). 

One thing that makes owner training more flexible is that there are more options for trainers who can help you train your own dog, as most programs do not offer owner-training assistance. 

Further, the trainer you choose to help you train your service dog does not have to specifically train service dogs themselves. In fact, many service dog tasks can be trained by adapting the same training used for different dog sports, such as trick training, rally obedience, and scent work. 

That said, not every trainer is comfortable helping to train service dogs for disabled folx, mostly due to liability (since service dogs are legally considered durable medical equipment). In the event that you cannot find a professional trainer locally who specifically offers service dog training, it is a good idea to have a list of trainers to work through. 

The training process itself initially starts with ensuring reliable potty training, socialization, and obedience training, much like with most puppies and young dogs. After those are mastered, the process moves forward to task training to mitigate the handler’s disability/disabilities and advanced obedience. Public access (PA) training can be done pragmatically in pet-friendly places until your dog is completely comfortable and prepared to do non-pet-friendly PA training. 

If you plan on taking a service dog out into non-pet friendly places to do training or work, please make sure you know and follow all of your local laws. 

The ADA does NOT grant disabled people with service dogs in training (SDiT) the same public access rights as disabled people with fully trained service animals. 

Some states, counties, and cities have additional public access protections for owner-trainers accompanied by their SDiT, but some only provide public access protections to professional trainers accompanied by a SDiT. 

While there is no specific timeframe the law requires for service dog training, I can tell you from personal and professional experience that slow and steady is the best approach. Almost every major service dog program has a 2 year training program from puppyhood. This is why owner trainers are encouraged to follow similar timeframes that long-standing professionals do. 

Coincidentally, there are some flashy-looking companies and trainers that claim to be able to fully train a service dog in “6-12 weeks”, “12-14 weeks”, “3-4 months”, and so on. It is usually best to avoid these kinds of offers. More often than not, their promises are far fetched for what they can usually deliver in that time frame. 

Similarly, rushing young or unprepared dogs into settings like Walmart, Aldi, Costco, Starbucks, movie theaters, etc. as an owner trainer are almost guaranteed to set your dog back — and could potentially ruin their chances at continuing to work altogether.

In the event that a dog you are training for service dog work does not work -out or can no longer work- due to health reasons/injury, age, too much energy, prey drive, fear, trauma, etc., then you have more options via owner-training than you would with a program. Keeping the dog as an in-home service dog, an ESA, or a pet is a possibility for some. However, many owner-trainers re-home or place their dogs with another person/family to allow for more resources to go to another candidate. 

Owner-training is a tedious and very difficult process at times, but it can also be extremely rewarding. I have owner-trained 3 of my own service dogs who’ve kept me alive over the last 16 years (each with different primary tasks), and I plan on working towards purchasing a puppy in the future to owner-train as a successor to Zelda.  

So long as you take things slow and steady, utilize a professional trainer when you need help, are consistent with your training, and listen to your dog, you will have very good chances at successfully owner-training a service dog. 

🦮 Option 2: Obtaining a service dog through a reputable service dog program or organization: 

This option will require that you thoroughly research service dog programs in your area (or be willing to travel) to find a program that offers the right kind of service dog training to mitigate your personal disability/disabilities.

There are different types of programs:

• reputable 501(c)3 non-profit programs 
• reputable for-profit programs 
• disreputable 501(c)3 non-profit programs 
• disreputable for-profit programs 

As stated earlier in this post, these disreputable “programs” pose as legitimate entities, only to sc@m disabled people and/or their families out of large sums of money. It is absolutely necessary to do as much research as possible to protect yourself. 

It is worth noting that reputable service dog organizations are few and far between, often have years-long waiting lists, most require fundraising of some kind, and a majority of programs typically have strict requirements that handlers must adhere to before and after being placed with a program dog. 

Programs that require fundraising typically offer fundraising assistance and support, and some non-profit programs may be able to help with grant applications. For-profit programs are not “worse” or “better” than non-profit programs, but it can be easier to find lager donors if their donation towards your service dog is tax-deductible and the program you’re going through is well-known. 

If you need extra time to prepare for a dog to come live with you, applying for a program can be a good option. This will also allow you the time to ensure that you can meet all the housing requirements that a program might have and set aside funds for extra expenses that the program will not cover. 

On the flip side, if you are wanting a service dog in about two years or less, it would likely be wiser to try the owner-training route; either in lieu of a program dog, or while on a waiting list (so long as their rules allow it). Waiting lists for reputable programs can exceed 10 years due to high demand and limited availability. 

Another aspect to programs that differs from owner-training is that many disabled people/handlers have to travel out of state to obtain their service dog. Typically, reputable service dog programs require that handlers do a multi-day/week trip to be paired with the right dog, do one-on-one training with the handler, and to familiarize the team with one another. 

Once a team is paired, the training isn’t necessarily over. Reputable programs offer (and sometimes require)  ‘refresher courses’ for the dog and handler, and ongoing training counseling/support for the handler. 

This can be a huge benefit to those who do not want to have to search for independent professional trainers and applied behaviorists for training upkeep and maintenance. 

Notably, one of the biggest differences between program dogs and owner-trained service dogs is the ownership of the dog itself. Because program dogs are typically always owned by the program (whereas the handler is a secondary owner), program dog applicants/handlers are subject to following the program’s rules and requirements. 

Many of these requirements are for safety and liability reasons, but they are oftentimes barriers that prevent many disabled people from getting a service dog through a program. 

Some programs will not place their dogs if you have other dogs in the home.

Some will not place dogs with individuals who have multiple disabilities (notably those who have a mental health diagnosis). 

Some programs specifically train dogs for one type of job (such as only guide work, only diabetic alert tasks, or only mobility work). 

Some programs are more open to training tasks outside of a ‘specialty,” but waiting lists can be quite long.

Some will not place dogs without the handler’s home having a fully fenced yard, and so on. 

I have spoken to many folx who have been denied a program dog after waiting for several years because they were not aware of certain requirements they had to meet, so I encourage anyone applying for a program dog to be vigilant when reading the application, requirements, and contracts. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to! 

These are a few reasons why it is important to do as much research and ask as many questions as possible before applying for a program dog. 

Getting a service dog through a program can be a fantastic option for many, and I know several people who’ve happily had program dogs for a majority of their lives. 

Whichever option you choose, obtaining a service dog isn’t a quick process, but it can be a positively life-changing one for many people. You will have the highest chances at success no matter which path you take if you are willing to learn the laws, work with professionals when you need to, and have an abundance of patience. And again, I cannot speak enough about how important the research side of this process is. Stay safe, read lots, and be flexible!