Service Dogs, ESAs, and Therapy dogs | What's the Difference?
Service dogs can help many people you may not expect, from people with diabetes to those in wheelchairs. The only requirement is that you legally have a disability that a service dog can assist with.
What is a service dog?
Service dogs are dogs that are task trained for between 18 months to three years to help mitigate their handlers disability. There are also emotional support animals and therapy dogs, many people get them confused but there are huge differences between them.
Warning
ESAs, Therapy Dogs, and Service Dogs all do not require certification or registration. All websites that advertise registration or certification for ESAs or service dogs are scams that are after your money and have no legal standing.
ESAs (emotional support animals)
ESAs are pets that provide emotional support to those with psychiatric illnesses (not necessarily disabilities), these are not to be confused with psychiatric service dogs. ESAs do not need to be registered or certified, the only requirement is a prescription from your psychologist. ESAs do not have public access rights, and are not task trained. They are however allowed to live in no pet housing and are allowed in the cabin on airplanes for free.
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs are not trained to assist anyone with an illness or disability, their only job is to provide comfort to groups of people. They go to schools, hospitals, and nursing homes giving affection to those in need.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are dogs that are task trained to mitigate their handlers disability. They are allowed in all areas where the general public is allowed with the exception of sterile environments. They are trained to assist only one person are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.