Not All Service Animals are the Same

Service animals, therapy animals, emotional support animals- they are all the same, right? Wrong! These are not just different names for the same type of animal, but each perform very different tasks. Each category can be performed by diverse types of animals but for ease of discussion I will just address dogs.
Service dogs are individually and specifically trained to perform tasks and do work to help their handlers with disabilities. They help their disabled person attain and keep independence by performing a wide variety of jobs. These jobs may include being a seeing eye guide dog, helping open doors, retrieve objects, turn on and off lights, or detecting a seizure or low blood sugar for their owner before it becomes an emergency. These dogs must be temperament tested and be able to stay calm and focused in a wide variety of circumstances. Petting these dogs while they are on duty or working can negatively affect them and their handler. These dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which allows them to accompany their disabled person in public places that would otherwise not allow dogs including grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants. Additionally, they are protected by laws like the Fair Housing Act which allows them to be housed with their human even under circumstances where housing may have a “no pets” policy, and the Air Carrier Access Act which allows them to accompany their human on airlines.
Therapy dogs are specifically trained to give psychological or physical support to individuals other than their handlers. They are also temperament tested and able to stay calm under a variety of circumstances. Socialization and interaction with people while on duty is encouraged, which is much different than a service dog. They may visit institutions such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities to help bring people relief from anxiety or depression, help lower blood pressure, or help build confidence. While they are highly-trained dogs, they do not have the same legal designation nor are they protected by laws the way service dogs are.
Emotional support dogs do not have to have any training or temperament testing to perform their job. Their primary function is to give emotional comfort to their owner. Just the companionship alone that they provide for their owner can be helpful in dealing with depression or anxiety. These dogs are not protected by the ADA to accompany their owner in to establishments that do not allow for pets. However, these dogs do have protections under the Fair Housing Act to reside with their owners even in housing with a “no pets” policy, and if the owner has proof of disability are able to fly with their owners under the Air Carrier Access Act.
Cinema Veterinary Centre is located at 23460 Cinema Drive, Suite L in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-253-9300.