Many people with PTSD use Service Dogs to help them cope. The dogs help their handlers to do things like avoid triggers, find safe places, and alert them of impending medical emergencies.
These animals are highly trained to perform tasks related to their handlers’ disabilities. However, not all service dogs are created equal.
Identification
While not required by law, trained service dog tags with identifying information can provide extra credibility. It also allows your dog to be easily recognized as a legitimate assistance animal if it gets lost or runs away. These tags typically include important information such as the dog’s name, your contact information, and that it is a service or emotional support animal. They may even contain the dog’s training program, ADA compliance information, and a jingling bell that serves as an auditory cue for those around your dog to notify them of its presence.
The importance of identifying trained service dogs cannot be overstated. More than half of the states have laws that protect people with disabilities and their assistance animals from being discriminated against because of their dog. The penalties for violating these laws range from a simple misdemeanor in New Hampshire to a year of imprisonment and a $100,000 fine in California.
The ADA states that you are only required to answer two questions when someone asks you about your service animal, and those are: “Is the dog trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability?” and “What work or task has it been trained to perform?” Your dog must not be registered to meet the ADA’s requirements. Still, it can add an extra layer of legitimacy to prevent people from fraudulently labeling their pet as a service animal.
Accessibility
Trained service dogs help their owners perform tasks like retrieving items, opening doors, or assisting with transfers from wheelchairs. They can also lessen a person’s symptoms of psychiatric conditions by sensing a pending episode or helping them stay steady when they have fallen. Some people use specialized vests, harnesses, or tags to identify their dog as a trained service animal, but the ADA does not require them to do so.
However, many long-time service dog handlers know that specialized identification can reduce questions and hassle from airports, hotels, restaurants, and public transportation staff members. This can save them valuable time and energy and make the experience more enjoyable for them and their dog.
Many people who use service dogs have a variety of disabilities, from physical to mental health-related. Regardless of their condition, a qualified service dog can be a lifesaver. The most important thing to remember when encountering a service dog in public is that they are “at work.” They are not there to socialize or be petted; they support their handler and keep them safe. They must be free from distractions and unnecessarily intrusive questions to do so. If you are concerned that someone is misrepresenting their dog as a service animal, contact your local government and ask them to adopt an accessibility policy.
Confidence
Service dogs provide their handlers with self-reliance and empowerment, alleviating social anxiety in public spaces. The presence of a service dog in a person’s daily routine can also promote stronger family connections, reducing tension and creating a more harmonious home environment.
When someone is out and about with their service dog, they must prove that the animal is legitimately trained. If a person is approached by a skeptical individual or entity, presenting a PAT certificate or another proof of status can make all the difference in convincing others that the dog is working for the handler.
If you ever see a service dog out and about, don’t hesitate to ask the handler if it is okay to say hello or pet the animal. However, if the handler says no and indicates that the dog is currently “at work,” please respect their privacy and don’t interfere with their ability to use their service animal.
Some people may try to sell fake service dog tags and certificates on the internet. If you have any suspicions, it is always best to contact a registered service animal registry and avoid companies offering these services. These scams can be very dangerous and are illegal in many jurisdictions.
Legality
Trained service dogs are a crucial part of the lives of people with physical disabilities and those who struggle with emotional disabilities. Businesses, government agencies, and others must respect these animals’ role in their handlers’ lives by following the rules and avoiding harassing behavior. While there are no legal requirements for owners to register their dogs, it may be beneficial to do so to ensure that they and the public are aware of the legal protections offered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A trained service dog can provide life-saving benefits, companionship, and security for those who need them. They help individuals with PTSD, a mental health condition that develops in response to traumatic events and is often experienced by members of the military, first responders, and those affected by natural disasters.
Although many legitimate training programs offer ID tags and certificates, these items have no legal significance under the ADA. Instead, the training distinguishes a service animal from others and confers rights in public places. That said, some states have laws that make misrepresenting a pet as a service dog illegal. In these cases, fraudulent representations can result in fines and jail time. In addition, some states require that service animals wear a vest and orange leash in public to prevent the misrepresentation of pets as working assistance animals.
