training
The Ever-Changing World of Service Dog Training Veronica Sanchez explains why recent changes in the law regarding service dogs and emotional support animals is creating a growing need for trainers to support people with disabilities who are training their own dogs
T
he service dog industry is ever growing and changing. With the ex panding use of service dogs there has, unfortunately, also been abuse of laws pertaining to service animals and emotional support animals (ESA) in particular. Lawmakers have taken notice of this and, consequently, passed changes in legislation, which have impacted guardians of ESAs as well as service dogs. This has led to an even greater need for qualified serv ice dog trainers. To best understand the changes in the law and their impact on service dog and ESA handlers, we need to begin by examining the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA defines service animals as “dogs that are in dividually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” (U.S. Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division, 2010). Tasks are essentially behaviors the dog is trained to do to assist the person. For example, a serv ice dog may be trained to alert a person who is deaf to a door knock, or to pick up dropped objects for a person using a wheelchair. The law also pro tects the right of people with disabilities to take their service dogs to loca tions where dogs are not typically permitted, like restaurants or supermarkets. In the service dog world, the term for this is “public access.” It’s impor tant to remember that public access is not considered a “perk” but rather something the person needs. The same way a person with a disability may need to use a cane or wheelchair in a supermarket or restaurant, a person with a disability may need their service dog’s help in those locations. Unlike service animals who are trained to perform specific tasks to help a person with a disability, ESAs are not task trained. Their presence provides comfort. People often confuse ESAs with service dogs trained to help peo ple with PTSD or another mental illness. However, unlike ESAs, service dogs trained to help people with PTSD or other mental illnesses perform tasks. For instance, a service dog may be trained to remind their handler to take medication, to alert to increasing anxiety, or to retrieve an emergency phone. There are many different possible tasks a service dog may perform to help a person with mental illness. Because ESAs are not service animals under the ADA, people with disabilities cannot take ESAs to places where pets are not permitted.
Author Veronica Sanchez with her service dog, Mr. Sulu: Service dogs are trained to do specific tasks to assist their person, e.g. to alert a deaf person to a door knock, or to pick up dropped objects
© Veronica Sanchez
headlines as some people started traveling with unusual species as ESAs. In one case a person tried to travel with a peacock. There were bite incidents as well; in 2019 a passenger was severely injured by an emotional support dog and sued the airline. Beginning in early 2021, the Department of Trans portation (DOT) revised the ACAA and discontinued permitting ESAs in the cabin of an airplane. Additionally, the DOT made some changes regarding service animal access. The DOT now allows airlines to require some forms from service animal handlers attesting to their service dog’s health, behav ior, and training. Although ESAs are no longer covered under the ACAA, they are still cov ered by the Fair Housing Act and Rehabilitation Act. These laws pertain to access to most nopetsallowed housing. Because of concerns regarding abuse of the law, there have been a few changes here as well, with addi tional guidelines for landlords regarding documentation they can request.
Air Travel and Housing The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) used to allow people to bring ESAs in the cabin of an airplane when they traveled. However, abuse of this law made
Therapy Dogs Are Not Service Animals Therapy dogs are pets and their guardians do not have the legally protected right to take their dogs to places of public accommodation. Therapy dog guardians are typically volunteers taking their dogs to places they have been invited to help other people. For instance, a guardian may take their therapy dog to visit patients in a hospital. Therapy dogs are trained to meet standards set by a therapy dog organization.
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BARKS from the Guild/July 2021
Growing Demand Since ESAs are no longer permitted in the cabin of an airplane, individuals used to flying with their ESA in the cabin are now unable to. Many have been reaching out to pet dog trainers, requesting help with training their ESAs as service dogs. In addition, more and more people with disabilities are turning to trainers to help them acquire and train their own service dog, or to train their current dog to perform service tasks.
The Training Process Although the law does not set specific parameters for the training of service dogs, there have long been industry standards. There are no shortcuts;