10/30/2025
Let's talk about service dogs! 🐕🦺❤️🩹
To preface, KinderK9 does not train service or therapy dogs. Maybe someday that will change, but not for a long time, if at all.
This is a topic im very passionate about, and there is too much misinformation about in the public. So I thought I'd make a few infographics!
🐕🦺Service dogs are task trained dogs to assist an owner/handler with a disability. There are many kinds of service dogs like guide dogs, psychiatric service dogs, mobility, allergy, and many more!
🐕🦺Service dogs can be any breed, but require a very specific temperment. Therefore some breeds may do better at service work
🐕🦺Service dogs are protected under the ADA and can go anywhere reguardless of no pet policies. With the exception of religious buildings (separation of church and state) and infection concern rooms (operating rooms and burn unit in a hospital)
🐕🦺In some states, Service dogs in training are also protected and have access rights
🐕🦺Service dogs can be owner trained, but need lots of specialized training and desensitization work put in.
🐕🦺Service dogs must be under control at all times, potty trained, and must preform a task.
🐕🦺Businesses can ONLY ask handlers 2 questions.
1. "Is this a service dog required for a disability?"
2. "What tasks is this dog trained to preform?"
🚫Businesses cannot ask what your disability is, ask your dog to preform tasks, or ask for "registration."🚫
Some common myths, and the truth
🔴Myth: "Service dogs must be registered."
🟢Fact: The ADA does not require registration for service dogs, and those little "registration" cards people buy online are fake, a scam, and problematic.
🔴Myth: "Service dogs need a vest and leash."
🟢Fact: Service dogs do not need a leash or vest if it impedes the task.
🔴Myth: "Service dogs don't make mistakes."
🟢Fact: Service dogs can and do make mistakes on occasion because they are animals and not robots.
🔴Myth: "Service dogs never bark."
🟢Fact: Some service dogs do bark as it may be apart of a task or alert
🔴Myth: "Service dogs and ESAs are the same."
🟢Fact: Service dogs are very different and we'll go over that too!
ESAs:
🐕Any domesticated animal used to provide comfort to a person with an emotional disability.
🐕ESAs provide comfort and do not preform tasks, therefore do not have the same public access rights service dogs do.
🐕ESA owners must have an emotional or mental impairment and must have a letter from a mental health professional or doctor stating the condition and that the animal is required for it.
🐕ESAs are protected by the fair housing act like service dogs. Landlords can only ask for the letter, and cannot charge fees or deposits for ESAs.
🛑Why you shouldn't pet a service dog:
Not only is it rude, in many states it is illegal to interfere with a service dog, as it can distract the dog and put the handler at risk. Ask first before petting!!!
🛑Why you shouldn't fake a service dog:
Faking a service dog just for convenience and access to non-pet friendly places is morally wrong. In addition, misrepresenting/faking a service dog is also illegal in many states.
-It can distract service dogs and put the handler at risk.
-It can create a hostile environment for service dog teams or even the public if the dog is ill behaved.
-It can reflect poorly on real service dog teams if fake teams come into stores and behave poorly.
-The fake registration cards can cause access issues for real teams later that don't have fake registration cards.
I hope everyone could learn something from this! I apologize there are any inaccuracies in this as far as other states or new law changes. I wont pretend to know absolutely everything, but i do know a whole lot and love to share!❤️
Thank you so much Super Powers Canine Academy for your contribution to these infographics with some of the amazing photos you shared of service dogs you've trained!🦮
