A feature on the Navy Times differentiated therapy dogs from trained service dogs, for the benefit of disabled veterans and service members who may unknowingly think that both types serve the same purpose and provide the same benefits for their respective owners.
Cristina Roof, legislative director for AmVets, explained: “A dog with little or no training might be a great companion, but that’s all.” These are dogs that may have been rescued from pounds and matched with disabled veterans, by charitable organizations that unquestionably mean well. Roof says, “It is incredibly important to remember a service dog may not be a good fit for everyone. It is also crucial to remember that a service dog is in no way a replacement for your rehabilitation, either.”
Trained service dogs meet minimum training standards that are set by the Assistance Dogs of America (ADA). Ninety percent of the time, a service dog will respond the first time it is asked to do a basic obedience and skill task. It can sit, stay, lie down, come, and heel, through voice command or a hand signal. They should also be able to perform at least three tasks to mitigate a disability, such as picking up dropped items or pulling a wheelchair.
A service dog who is working is always calm and quiet, and is never distracted. It lies quietly, without blocking aisles or doorways, and is always within two feet of its handler at all times, unless commanded to do otherwise.
Veterans who have service dogs can be given financial help by VA in terms of costs for food and health care, a benefit that is not extended to emotional support and therapy dogs. Service dogs are also usually given access to public places and can enter military and veterans hospitals and clinics.
January 5th, 2011 - 10:36 pm
There seems to be a lot of confusion on the definition of a service dog under the Department of Justice Amended Americans with Disabilities Act:
http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/title3_factsheet.html
January 5th, 2011 - 10:52 pm
Oops. I hit send before completing the post. What the article calls ADA is really ADI, Assistance Dogs International, which is a membership organization, is *not* a not for profit, has no legal authority to set standards and is basically the equivalent of the Chamber of Commerce. Only not for profits are eligible for ADI membership.There is no requirement that a member organization has a history of successful training and placement for the specific disability a dog is being trained for. There is no requirement by the Civil Rights Division that a dog be trained to do a minimum of 3 tasks. This, like many other ADI standards, are their standards and have absolutely no legal standing.
A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to do pet visitation in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. and/or animal assisted physical therapy. They do not function for the benefit of their handlers. An emotional support dog (ESA) seems to be defined as a companion animal that is not task trained but provides support to people with “emotional problems”.