“Service Dogs are not Pets.”
Service dogs can be easily recognized by the vests or harnesses they wear displaying the name of the training facility. You may also see patches that state “Please Do Not Pet Me, I’m Working.” Service dogs are trained for a variety of disabilities such as blindness, deafness, autism, seizures, and numerous other medical conditions. Service dogs are life-changing for those who are able to benefit from these extraordinary animals. Their services include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks. Hearing dogs alert individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds. Dogs trained for those with autism can calm, interrupt agitation, and locate the individual, etc. Dogs assisting individuals having seizure disorders will alert and protect from injury the individual having the seizure as well as alerting caregivers, if applicable. Dogs can assist with balance and stability. In addition, there are trained dogs who will alert to high and low blood sugars and allergens, pull wheelchairs, and retrieve items such as medicine or a phone, etc.
Specially trained service dogs have also been used for Search and Rescue missions. K-9 dog, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs under the ADA Law.
International Association of
Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP)
New ADA Service Animal Definition July 23, 2010
Plus Modification in Policies, Practices or Procedures pertaining to Service Animals & Guidance on ADA Revisions. Responses to Public Comments EXCITING NEWS
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has completed its update of the regulations that implement the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) after nearly a decade of review and two periods of soliciting public comments during the rule making process.
On July 23, 2010, the Attorney General of the United States released the Final Rule containing the new Service Animal Definition, other modifications on service animal policies and a section by section response by the DOJ to public comments, explaining its decisions, for both Title II and Title III of the ADA.
IAADP has published the new Service Animal Definition and other excerpts pertaining to service animals on this web page for quick reference and your reading convenience.