Service animals are pets (usually dogs) that help people living with disabilities or specific needs do simple tasks.
These tasks may include things like guiding visually-impaired people, alerting people who are hard of hearing, pulling a wheelchair, saving a person who is having a seizure, reminding people with different illnesses to take medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when they’re having an anxiety attack, and providing non-violent protection.
If you want to own a service animal, here are something you’ll have to keep in mind:
There are legal aspects to consider
Laws regarding service animals can be different depending on where you live, so check your state’s specific laws first. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are typically allowed to go to all public places where normal animals are not allowed to go, such as patient rooms in hospitals, clinics, cafeterias, grocery stores, or libraries. According to laws, service animals must also be harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
You will need a medical certificate
Sometimes it can be hard to go out in public with your service animal considering that other people may be uncomfortable or unaware of your specific condition. For this reason, not only do service pets need to be certified to make clear that your animal provides support to you, but you also need to get a certificate from a medical profession that legitimizes your need to keep such an animal. This will eliminate the need for you to answer questions about your disability to strangers.
If you already have a dog, below are the requirements you should be aware of:
- Eligible disability: You must have a medical condition to have a service dog. Physical disabilities include visual impairment, limited mobility, and hearing loss. Your impairment must limit a major life activity like moving, sleeping, socializing, or the ability to work.
- Training the dog: A dog should be able to do all the work related to your disability to be considered a service animal. Ensure the dog knows the skill will be performing to assist you with your disability.
- Passing the Public Access Test: Service dogs must pass a Public Access Test to prove they can behave appropriately. The criteria for passing the test are as follows:
- Service dogs should not show aggressive behavior toward people and other animals
- Service dogs should refrain from sniffing unless they are required to do so
- Service dogs should not solicit food while on duty
- Service dogs should not show over-excitement in public
- Service dogs should be able to tolerate different sounds in various public settings
- Service dogs should not bark in public without a reason
- Service dogs should not relieve themselves in public without being given a specific command
- Certification and registration: Though service dog certifications and identifications are not legally required in the United States, staff at many public venues will still insist on showing IDs or other proof that your pet is a service animal. Keep any form of ID documentation handy that can prove your pet is trained.
Keep a service pet can be expensive
It is important to remember that service dogs can cost a lot of money. They are not cheap. It takes a lot of time and effort to train these dogs. The expenses will continue even after the training is over. Your dog will still need to be taken care of just like any other pet. The dog will also require high-quality food, veterinary care, grooming, and other supplies.
If people decide to owner-train a dog, they find it through a well-known breeder specializing in breeding service dogs. Depending on the breed, they can cost from $800 to $3,000. This doesn’t include the training expenses you will have to pay for.
You’ll need to commit time to your pet
If you own a service pet, remember it will require much time and commitment. You will own your service dog for nearly 8-15 years, so you must be fully committed to your dog. A service dog is like a toddler. They need to be with you all the time. Expect your service dog to be nearby all the time.
When you are at home watching TV, reading a book, or drinking coffee, your service dog will be sleeping by your feet. If you are outside doing work, your service dog will be with you. If you can’t handle the responsibility of having a service animal with you all the time, keeping one may not be a wise choice to make.
Patience is key
Service animals are not robots. It doesn’t matter how much you train them; sometimes, they won’t act according to the training they’ve received.
Your dog will experience days when it won’t remember many commands or listen to you. When in public, your dog may sometimes become irritated. In such situations, you mustn’t lose your cool; instead, stay patient with it. If there is any emergency, your dog can still help.
If the behavioral issues are ongoing, contact a professional trainer for help. If you can stay patient and keep working with your dog, your bond with your dog can grow stronger despite their slight behavioral issues.
Conclusion
Service dogs are an essential aid that a person with disability needs. They are a great companion and helper in many situations. But before getting one, you need to understand all the requirements and responsibilities that come with a service dog. After all, keeping a service animal is just like keeping any other pet, except this one can help you do things you can’t do alone.
