General Service Dog FAQs
How do I get my dog covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
Because the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) views a service dog as a medical device, the ADA requires two key criteria to legally qualify for a psychological or psychiatric service dog. You must have a diagnosed disability, which may include psychological, emotional, or intellectual conditions that limit major life activities, and the dog must be trained to perform specific tasks directly related to your individual needs and disability.
Do I need to get my dog a vest or carry proof of their status as a psychological service dog?
Per the ADA website, www.ada.gov, you can only be asked “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?” and “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”
Psychological Service Dogs, Inc. will provide you a vest or harness for your dog stating that either it is a service dog in training or a service dog once training is complete. This vest or harness helps garner public recognition of your dog as a service dog.
What is the difference between service dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals?
Service dogs are trained to perform target specific tasks for a person with a disability and are allowed in all private and public places under the ADA.
Guide dogs are a type of service dog, specially trained to provide guidance to people who are blind or visually impaired.
Therapy dogs provide emotional support and comfort to many people, most often in hospitals or court settings. They do not have public access rights under the ADA because they are not trained to perform a target specific task for a specific individual.
Emotional support animals provide emotional comfort and support to those who need emotional support. However, they do not qualify as service dogs, as they have not been professionally trained as a service dog. They do not have public access rights under the ADA, and limited legal rights related to housing accommodations.
How do service dogs transform the lives of people with PTSD, autism, & more?
People living with invisible disabilities—including psychological, emotional, or intellectual challenges—often face significant obstacles. In addition to the stigma associated with their diagnosis, they frequently experience:
- Limited access to funding for therapy and medication
- Fewer hospital beds (and in some areas, no access at all)
- A lack of compassion and understanding from society at large
A psychological or psychiatric service dog empowers individuals to live fuller, more independent lives—and helps build deeper connections within communities.
What are some of the challenges that make it difficult to acquire a psychological service dog?
For many individuals living with invisible disabilities, acquiring a psychological service dog can be a life-changing step, but it’s not always an easy one. There are several barriers that often make the process difficult, including:
- A lack of qualified psychological service dog trainers, particularly those who understand the unique needs of individuals with emotional, intellectual, or psychological challenges.
- Limited availability of professionally trained service dogs, especially those not bred through expensive for-profit programs.
- The difficulty of legitimizing the need for a service dog, which can involve complex evaluations, documentation, or skepticism from others.
These challenges often leave individuals feeling discouraged or stuck, even when a service dog could make a meaningful difference in their lives. That’s why Psychological Service Dogs, Inc. exists—to break down those barriers and offer a more accessible path forward.
Where can I find additional resources?
Some of the best resources include the official government websites for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commision (EEOC), and the Department of Justice Disability Rights Section. We’ve compiled a resource section to help you find what you’re looking for. Visit the Resource page to learn more.