SERVICE DOGS
Purpose
- Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that directly assist a person with a disability.
- Service dogs are working medical assistance animals, not pets.
Who they help
- One individual handler with a disability (physical, psychiatric, sensory, or medical)
Training
- Highly specialized task training
- Extensive public‑access training
- Trained to work reliably and ignore distractions
Legal status (U.S.)
- Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Allowed in almost all public places (stores, restaurants, workplaces, housing, transportation)
Examples of tasks
- Guiding a person who is blind
- Alerting to seizures or blood sugar changes
- Interrupting panic attacks or dissociation
- Picking up dropped items or opening doors
THERAPY DOGS
Purpose
- Therapy dogs provide emotional comfort and affection to many people, often in group or community settings.
- Therapy dogs are volunteer comfort animals, not disability aids.
Who they help
- The general public (patients, students, residents, veterans, etc.)
Training
- Focus on calm temperament, friendliness, and manners
- No disability‑specific task training
- Often evaluated by therapy dog organizations
Legal status (U.S.)
- Not covered by the ADA
- Allowed only in places that invite them (hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries)
Examples of work
- Visiting hospitals or hospice centers
- Reading programs with children
- Disaster or crisis response support
- Stress relief during exams or traumatic events
