FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: SERVICE
DOGS
Updated 4.20.10
My dog is great with people. He would make
a terrific service dog.
If you mean that he would enjoy interacting
with people in hospitals
and nursing homes, he would make a good therapy dog. A service
dog assists a person with a physical or emotional disability.
Therapy dogs do not have the right to enter public places, like
the post
office; service dogs do. Therapy dogs enrich the lives of others,
and you will no doubt find this work rewarding. We can help
prepare you. See our "Therapy
Dog Training" page
for more information.
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How can I get a service dog?
At Paws 4 Liberty, because we select
certain dogs ahead of time and train them in anticipation
of finding just the right person
for them, we may have a dog in house that may be suitable
for you. We strive to match the right dog with the right person.
Please
contact us to describe your needs, be prepared to meet the
dog in person, and train with us for a certain period of time.
Training
periods and prices vary, depending upon the skills required
of the dog and the number of follow-up lessons you will need
to ensure
you are ready to enjoy a safe and practical life in public
with a Paws 4 Liberty partner at your side.
Given the expense of frequent travel, and our desire to monitor
dogs we have placed over time, most of our clients live in Florida.
If you have already rescued your potential service dog, we may
be able to help you train him. Schedule an evaluation with us first.
We will test his reaction to other dogs, trainability, relationships
to people, and physical health, among other things. Please be aware
that we cannot guarantee that the dog you have chosen will have
the degree of socialization, emotional fortitude, and physical
characteristics you require.
Regardless of your choice, be prepared for hard work developing
a relationship with your dog. This is not an overnight or impulse
purchase.
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How can I get my service dog certified or registered?
The ADA does
not require service animals to be "certified." Beware
of organizations that offer online training, quick turnaround training
for rescued dogs, service dog “kits,” 1-800 numbers,
or other paraphernalia. We evaluate all the dogs we train, graduate
only some of them to “service dog” status, and place
others as pets in loving homes. Dogs that graduate go home to their
new handlers with a Paws 4 Liberty vest, collar, and identification
card.
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Where do you get your service dogs?
Some of our service dogs are
the product of our breeding program; some were rescued from animal
shelters or given to us by private
individuals; others were donated to us as puppies by their breeders.
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How much does a service animal cost?
Trainer and acquisition fees
may range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending upon
your needs and the readiness of the
dog for service dog work. Some people ask for sponsorship for their
service dog from friends and family or local organizations such
as businesses, churches, and civic groups. Others may develop web
sites or use other social media to raise money.
Assistance Dog
United Campaign (www.assistancedogunitedcampaign.org/)
raises funds in support of the assistance dog community. ADUC accepts
voucher applications
for new assistance dog partnerships. Vouchers are issued once
a year and the decision of to whom to give the vouchers is
based on disability and financial need.
Although we can help you with leads for assistance, we do not
provide grants or scholarships at this time.
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What if I’m a veteran?
Veterans in our area may direct inquiries
to the Independence Fund at www.independencefund.org.
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Can I train my own dog to be a service dog?
One of the big challenges
for people training service dogs is getting the dog adequately
trained for public access. Not all dogs
have the temperament to handle the stress of working in public.
Service dogs must perform their jobs without interacting with people
or other dogs, and they cannot show fear or aggression. They must
eliminate on command, and in areas you choose. Finally, the tasks
often required of them are beyond the skill level of many professional
trainers, not to mention the general public.
You must meet the ADA definition of having a "disability" and,
to be considered a service dog, your dog must be trained to perform
tasks directly related to your disability. Puppies are not “service
dogs” because they have not been trained tasks related to
your disability - after all, they are still learning to Sit. Dogs
and puppies in training are called “service dogs in training.”
Under our Train Your Own Service Dog program (paws4liberty.org/html/train.htm),
we will evaluate, board & train, and work with you in private
lessons. We will make every effort to transform your pet into your
partner, but there are no guarantees. We will keep you informed
each step of the way to minimize your emotional investment and
expense. Some dogs make it, and some may remain your beloved pet.
In that case, we can help you search for a service dog that will
be a compatible addition to your home.
The Delta Society’s Minimum Standards for Service Dogs (www.deltasociety.org/Document.Doc?id=170)
documents the recommended characteristics and minimum set of skills
required of all service dogs.
Although many books and videos are available on dog training,
and some address service dog training in particular, we have not
yet met a dog who could read. Please save your resources for interaction
with a professional trainer.
Assistance Dogs International has developed a Public Access Test
(www.assistancedogsinternational.org/publicaccesstest.php)
that reflects what they feel a service dog team should know to
be safe in public. It will give you an idea of the standards you
(and the general public) can and should expect from a trained service
dog.
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I was denied access with my service dog/animal. What can I do?
Find information availabe from these agencies:
- Access
to public places with a service dog and other rights under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
Department of Justice at (800) 514-0301; TTY (800) 514-0383; www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
- Housing with a Service Animal:
Department of Housing and Urban Development at (202) 708-1112;
TTY (202) 708-1455; www.hud.gov
- Traveling with a Service Animal:
Department of Transportation at (202) 366-4000; www.dot.gov
-
Bringing your Service Animal to Work:
Job Accommodation Network, a free service of the Office of Disability
Employment Policy of the Department of Labor, at (800) 526-7234;
janweb.icdi.wvu.edu
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How can I get my service dog/animal allowed in
housing?
Landlords, tenants and owners in multifamily housing, housing
management associations and realtors often have questions about
service animals in housing that traditionally has had no-pet
policies. Sometimes, service dogs may exceed weight limits in rental
agreements.
In many areas, despite federal and some state laws that protect
people with disabilities to have service animals in housing, confusion
about rights and obligations persist. This can lead to discrimination.
The Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act (www.justice.gov/crt/housing/jointstatement_ra.php) is
the law that most often helps to provide the guidance necessary
to answer the questions that arise about service animals in housing.
Advice about individual circumstances and about the legal interpretation
of the Fair Housing Act can be obtained from your local Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) office.
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I want to get a service dog/animal for
my child. Is this possible?
We will train a service dog for your child
if he or she is able to communicate and mature enough to understand
and participate
in the training process. Most children younger than ten years old
are not ready, but we will evaluate families on a case-by-case
basis.
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How does an dog/animal qualify to become a psychiatric service
animal?
The Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990, (ADA), defines
service animal as: "any animal individually trained to do work or
perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability." The
ADA defines a disability as: "a mental or physical condition
which substantially limits a major life activity such as caring
for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing,
speaking, breathing, learning and working."
To be considered a service animal, the animal must be trained
to perform tasks directly related to the person's disability. “Comforting" or "giving
love," although clinically proven to be beneficial for people,
would not be acknowledged as a trained "task" by the
Department of Justice, which enforces the ADA. Examples of trained
tasks performed by psychiatric service dogs can be found at www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html.
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Can my service dog ride in the airplane cabin with me? What is
required?
Service dogs are allowed to ride in the airplane cabin
with their handler. For more information contact the Department
of Transportation
at (202) 366-4000; www.dot.gov.
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How can I identify if an animal is a service dog and not just
a pet?
The simple answer is to ask the handler, “Is this a service
dog?” You may also ask what tasks the dog has been trained
to do for the handler. A service dog can be any breed or size.
There is no Federal requirement that the dog wear any special
gear or identification. Also, there is no requirement that the
handler carry any certification papers showing that the dog has
been trained as a service dog. Although you may not be asked by
law about the nature or extent of your disability, or why you need
the dog, you may be asked to describe the three tasks the animal
does for you.
Part of our job is to prepare you for public encounters. We will
help you explain to the public, by turns curious, friendly, and
sometimes hostile, why your dog is with you. We have found that
most people are supportive and if not, in need of constructive
dialogue and education. Although most public encounters are uneventful,
some can be upsetting or counterproductive for your dog, as when
a group of children stop to pet him at the same time as he is trying
to pull your wheelchair.
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Where can I get a vest for my service animal?
While you are participating
in our program and ready for public outings, we will provide you
with an embroidered Paws 4 Liberty
vest for your dog. You will take the vest with you when the two
of you graduate. The cost depends upon the size of your dog or
puppy, but ranges from $50 to $75.
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How should I treat my service dog once he or she
comes home?
Your service dog is not a pet and has different requirements for
optimum functioning than a companion animal. We ask that you abide
by the following:
- Do not tie out your dog or ask him or her to live outside so
you can "slowly integrate" him or her into your family.
Crate him inside if need be.
- Do not treat your service dog as a family pet; by definition,
these are not companion animals, but carefully selected
for drive, courage, and stamina; they need work, exercise,
and a
job to
do for you on a daily basis. They must run and work, not
just hang
out.
- Do not expect your service dog to perform at 100% capacity unless
you have been training at 100% capacity. There is no on/off
switch on a dog.Do not expect your service dog to integrate or "play" with
your other pet dogs or cats. Although we have made every effort
to socialize our dogs, he or she may require separate crating
or sleeping arrangements; walking or feeding times, etc.
- Do not think of your service dog as a loan
or gift, but a long-term commitment you have made to another
living being. We
train our animals to provide you with at least six years'
of working
life.
We honor our dogs, and will take them back, but we
are naturally disappointed if it is because you are moving,
allergic,
don't
have enough time, have too many dogs, etc.
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Do I have to pay for my dog?
Although we are a not-for-profit organization, the cost of running
a kennel and paying a dog trainer and kennel help is not insignificant.
We train and exercise our dogs many times a day; there are no "sick
days" in animal husbandry. Our expenses include cleaning supplies,
food, training tools and toys, special devices to train dogs to
help the disabled, nonstop laundry, and routine veterinary care.
We appreciate donations at all times, especially at the time of
placement. As a 501(c)(3), our returns are subject to Federal audit
and filed by a professional annually.
Volunteer help is always appreciated; our volunteers work in the
kennel and help to keep it clean and organized, build jumps and
training devices, keep the facility in good repair and attractive
for onsite visits by applicants and clients. The skills you use
at work are probably the very skills we need here. Let us know
about them.
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May I tour your facility?
Tours are available to those interested in training or boarding
with us by request only. Because we are a working kennel, and
the safety and security of our dogs is our top priority, we cannot
accommodate tours without prior notice.
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