Unfortunately, a growing number of people are falsely claiming their untrained pets are service dogs to gain access to public spaces.
Service dogs are much more than just pets. They’re trained working animals that play a critical role in helping individuals with disabilities navigate the world safely and independently. But with a growing number of people passing off untrained pets as service animals, it’s more important than ever to understand what legally qualifies a dog as a service dog—and why proper training and understanding matter.
The Legal Definition of a Service Dog
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks or do work for a person with a disability. This includes things such as guiding individuals who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, grounding an individual with PTSD during a panic attack, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or reminding someone to take prescribed medications.
Emotional support animals, therapy dogs, and pets—even if they offer comfort—do not qualify as service animals under the ADA unless they are trained to perform a specific task related to a disability. This is a key distinction, and misunderstanding can lead to legal issues for both individuals and businesses.
What Rights Do Service Dogs and Their Owners Have?
Service dogs and their handlers have certain rights and protections under the ADA and FHA (Fair Housing Act).
Legally, service dogs are permitted to accompany their handlers into public places where pets are typically not allowed, including places of employment, restaurants, stores, theaters, schools, hospitals, and modes of public transportation. Businesses are only allowed to ask two questions:
- Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
How much the handler discloses is up to their discretion—some prefer to give a bit more context (e.g. “I have seizures, and my dog alerts me beforehand and positions herself to keep my safe if I collapse.”), whereas others prefer to keep disclosure to a minimum (e.g. “Medical alerts and response.”). Both are completely valid, and it’s up to the handler’s comfort and discretion.
Businesses/employees cannot ask for documentation, require the dog to demonstrate the task, or inquire about the person’s disability. That said, service dogs must still be under control, housebroken, and not pose a threat to others. If a dog is disruptive or aggressive, a business may ask for its removal.
The Dangers of Fake Service Dogs
Fake service dogs not only erode public trust but also pose real safety risks and can make life harder for people who truly rely on service animals. When untrained dogs masquerading as service dogs behave poorly in public, it reflects unfairly on real service animals and their handlers, who already face added skepticism and scrutiny.
In some states, falsely representing a dog as a service animal can carry serious penalties like fines or even jail time. More importantly, it damages the integrity of a system built to support those with legitimate needs.
Resources for Service Dog Owners
With the rise of false service dogs, ensuring service dog owners are prepared with ample resources is more important than ever. At Fetch and More, we take this seriously, and have no shortage of resources and tailored services to equip and prepare service dog handlers, including:
- Virtual Service Dog Training and Certified Service Dog Trainer Courses: Our virtual training courses ensure both service dogs and their trainers are fully equipped for the responsibility that comes with service work.
- Virtual Disability Support: Research assistance, recommendations, and direct support to help mediate and resolve disputes related to your rights.
- Drug Pricing Advocacy: Information, resources, and mediation services to assist with drug pricing advocacy.
We also have our blog, which is updated monthly with informative, relevant posts, such as “Navigating Questions and Comments About Your Emotional Service Dog,” “Common Misconceptions About Psychiatric Service Dogs,” and “What Can Emotional Service Dogs Help With?” to name just a few. We also have our FAQ page and FAQ blog post.
In addition to our services and resources, some recommended resources include:
- Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative | Service Animals and Assistance Animals
- Service Animal Resource Hub | ADA National Network
- ADA Requirements: Service Animals
- Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
- Assistance Animals | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Get The Support You Need—And Deserve—Today
A well-trained service dog not only helps its handler live more independently but also upholds the credibility and trust placed in service animals across public spaces.
At Fetch and More, all of our virtual training courses are accessible and comprehensive, helping both dogs and handlers step confidently into their roles. Our founder and lead instructor, John Bellocchio, is a fully accredited behaviorist with over two decades of dog training experience.
In addition to his work with dogs, John also holds a behavioral science degree among numerous other degrees that allow him to offer his assistance and knowledge of complex issues regarding advocacy and mediation.
We’re happy to answer any questions, provide additional resources, and even discuss our funding options for select first responders and their immediate family members. To get in touch with us, please fill out a contact form, email us, or call us at 201-914-8268.
