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Does Your Dog Have Service Dog Potential?

Published July 29, 2024
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Almost any dog can become a service dog. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not restrict the type of breed that can qualify to be a service dog, but the dog does need to be trained to perform work or assist an individual with a disability with specific tasks. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.

According to United Disabilities Services Foundation, the best breeds to be a service dog are:

  • Labradors
  • Golden Retrievers
  • German Shepherd Dogs
  • Poodles
  • Boxers
  • Great Danes
  • Border Collies
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs
  • Pomeranians
  • Portuguese Water Dogs

There are two types of Assistance Dogs: Service and Emotional Support Dogs.

Service Dogs

Service Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a physical or psychiatric disability:

  • Allergy Detection Dogs
  • Autism Service Dog
  • Diabetic Alert Dogs
  • Guide Dogs
  • Hearing Dogs
  • Mobility Assistance Dogs
  • Psychiatric Service Dogs
  • Seizure Alert Dogs

If this interests you and you think your dog, and society, would benefit, Assistance Dogs International can help connect you with reputable organizations that can help train your dog for service.

Emotional Support Dogs

Emotional Support Dogs do not require any specialized training, but in order to be legally considered one, must be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional. They provide support through comfort and companionship to someone with a mental or emotional health condition.  They can help ease anxiety, depression, and certain phobias.

ESAs are also distinct from Therapy Dogs, which are the dogs you’ll see as friendly greeters at places like schools, hospitals and airports.

Conclusion

So, back to the title of this blog: Does your dog have Service Dog potential? It seems any dog that is trainable and relaxed around humans and dogs in a public setting would have potential. My Frenchie LOVES all humans and loves to lick the exposed calves of everyone he meets, so he could qualify.  Even though he was not on the above list of breeds, he would be the exception. Regardless of whether your dog does well in a public environment, your dog will always be your own personal service dog. Who’s the one who sits with you when you are sick, injured or feeling the blues? Who greets you like a rock star every time you come home? Who makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world? Your dog, because to them you are their everything. And you don’t need a certification for that.

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