Service Dog Frequently Asked Questions

What is a service dog?

California follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which defines a service animal as a dog individually trained to perform tasks or work for a person with a disability. They can provide valuable support to people who are blind or deaf, live with mobility issues, have seizures or neurological conditions — and can even help people living with severe allergies.

Only dogs can be service animals (and in some special cases, miniature horses). From physically opening doors, to retrieving medication, to alerting when a medical emergency is imminent, service dogs are heroes — and can truly be lifesavers — when it comes to the skills they’ve been trained to do.

Working as part of a team with their disabled handlers, service dogs help them attain the safety and independence from which their handlers’ disabilities would otherwise limit them. While on duty, service dogs do not engage with other dogs or people so they can be completely focused on the needs of their handler. Some service dogs may wear a special collar or vest to indicate that they are on duty. Service dogs are welcome in any public place (even where dogs aren’t normally allowed).

Are Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) considered service dogs?

While the terms "service dog," "emotional support dog" and "therapy dog" are often mistakenly used interchangeably, service dogs are highly trained working dogs who help their handler with specific tasks. The tasks must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Emotional support, comfort or companionship alone does not qualify as a service task under the ADA.

What certification does a service dog need?

Under the ADA, there’s no legal requirement for service dogs to be certified, registered or carry special identification. Similarly, there is no government-issued ID or “official service dog registry.”

What matters is that:

• The dog is individually trained to perform tasks directly related to the handler’s disability.
• The handler has a disability recognized under the ADA.

The dog must still maintain a current rabies vaccination and license, but the owner is usually exempt from paying for the license. San Diego Humane Society waives licensing fees for service animals in Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.

How are service dogs trained?

A service dog should be given a minimum of 120 hours of schooling over a period of 6 months or more. At least 30 hours should be devoted to outings that will prepare the dog to work obediently and unobtrusively in public places.

• Obedience Training: A service dog must master the basic obedience skills (sit, stay, come, down, heel) and dropped leash recall in a store in response to verbal commands and/or hand signals.
• Manners: It’s essential that a service dog develops proper social behavior skills.
• Disability-Related Tasks: The service dog must be trained to perform tasks on command or cue for the benefit of their handler. This includes alerting to certain sounds, medical problems, scents (such as peanuts) or situations.

It‘s important to note that any training that triggers a service dog’s prey drive or fear in order to elicit a display of aggression for guard or defense purposes is strictly prohibited. Non-aggressive barking is permitted in appropriate situations.

How do I register a service dog?

California Health and Safety Code (121690) requires all dogs (including service dogs) to be vaccinated against rabies and to have a valid license. Once the dog is licensed, this information can help you register them as service dog with San Diego Humane Society.

Service Dog Registration

Assistance Animal Resources

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA website addresses frequently asked questions about service animals, including the differences between types of assistance animals, training requirements and rules for public spaces. Click here to see answers to frequently asked questions about Service Animals and the ADA.
ada.gov

Disability Rights California
This page provides an overview of rights people have to keep assistance animals in housing and public spaces in California, as well as free legal support and a guide to pursuing legal action in cases of discrimination.
disabilityrightsca.org

Service Animal Training and Placement

Assistance Dogs International
Especially good resource for those looking to adopt or train their own service animal as well as a list of organizations that provide trained service animals in California.
assistancedogsinternational.org

Canine Companions for Independence
Provides trained service animals for people with disabilities.
760-901-4300
cci.org

Little Angel Service Dogs
Provides trained service dogs to assist disabled children and adults throughout the country.
800-528-9550
littleangelsservicedogs.org

Love Heels Canine Partners
Provides trained service animals for people with disabilities.
loveheels.org

Pawsitive Teams
Helps train and place service and therapy dogs for San Diego residents.
858-558-7297
pawsteams.org

San Diego Humane Society’s Local Trainer Directory
List of positive reinforcement dog and cat trainers in the San Diego area.

Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs
Trains dogs for veterans with PTSD, TBI or mobility issues, as well as people with autism.
858-461-6827
tenderlovingcanines.org

Assistance Animal Funding

Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA) Program

This program provides a monthly payment to eligible individuals in the state of California who use a guide, signal or service dog to help them with their disability-related needs.
cdss.ca.gov/assistance-dogs

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Therapy Animals

What is an emotional support animal?
Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide comfort and support to people with various mental or emotional conditions. They are not required to undergo specialized training and do not have public access rights (meaning that, unlike service dogs, they can be prohibited from certain spaces).

An emotional support animal (typically a dog or cat, though they can also be other animal species) provides psychological benefits through comfort, affection and companionship. However, unlike service dogs, they have not been specially trained to perform specific tasks, such as medical alerts, wheelchair assistance, etc. Emotional support animals may have special privileges in public places (but are not guaranteed), so we recommend inquiring about the location’s policies.

State and federal fair housing laws require that housing providers make reasonable accommodations for tenants with emotional support animals. Emotional support animals are also covered by the Air Carrier Access Act.

What Certification is Required for an Emotional Support Animal?
A letter from a healthcare provider is required in order to have an emotional support animal. However, special certification is not required.

Emotional support animals must abide by the same licensing laws as all other pets. San Diego Humane Society offers licensing for residents of Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.

Therapy Dogs

What is a therapy dog?
Therapy dogs receive extensive training, similar to service dogs, but have a completely different job. Their responsibilities are to provide psychological or physiological therapy to individuals other than their handlers, who are usually their owners.

These dogs have stable temperaments and friendly, easygoing personalities. Typically, they visit places like hospitals, schools, hospices, psychotherapy offices, nursing homes and more. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to socialize and interact with a variety of people while they’re on duty. Therapy dogs do not have public access rights (meaning they may not be permitted everywhere) but are frequently invited to visit facilities that do not otherwise allow dogs.

How do I get my dog certified as a therapy dog?
Various organizations offer therapy dog certification and volunteer opportunities. Each organization defines its own criteria.

If you would like to have your dog certified for therapy, contact the following organizations directly:

• Helen Woodward Animal Center
• Independent Therapy Dogs Ltd.
• La Mesa Senior Center
• Love on a Leash
• Rancho Coastal Humane Society
• Therapy Dogs Inc.
• Therapy Dogs International
• Several hospitals in San Diego have their own therapy dog programs with their own requirements