Service dogs can help humans in countless ways, but fake service dogs are becoming a very serious problem.
Generally you can identify service dogs by the fact that they wear a service dog vest, and sometimes an ID tag. But thanks to a rising trend that has begun online, it’s possible that you may see more and more fake service dogs in public areas.
True service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for humans. Service dogs help disabled people in countless ways, from providing balance and support while walking to fetching dropped objects or even opening doors to even alerting their owners to oncoming seizures. Service dogs undergo very specialized training to teach them how to perform these behaviors. The training also teaches dogs important behavioral expectations, such as not barking, not jumping on people, and how to stay focused on their owner rather than being distracted by their surroundings.
Because service dogs perform essential tasks to help people, they are allowed to go in most public places, including into stores and on airplanes. Business owners can question service dog owners, but they can only ask two specific questions: Is that a service dog, and what service does this dog provide? Store owners are not allowed to ask the service dog’s owner about what their disability is under federal law.
The problem is, some people are passing off pet dogs as service animals and getting your dog certified as an emotional support animal is getting easier and easier. Take a look at this video for more information.
Fake service dogs are not good news for society. They can put real service dogs in danger, since these untrained dogs may attack service dogs, which are trained to be submissive. Additionally, fake service dogs may exhibit negative behaviors in public, including barking, jumping up on people, and even being aggressive.
If you need a legitimate service dog, there are many ways to go about getting one. Some programs are willing to train an existing pet, but be aware of the fact that the rigorous training can take years and your pet dog won’t necessarily make a good service dog. Other programs train service dogs and then match applicants with dogs best suited to fulfill their needs. Your doctor can provide you with additional resources and advice on getting a trained service dog.
While emotional support dogs also perform tasks for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illnesses, there are different requirements and benefits for pet owners. Learn more about the difference here.
Visit the American Disabilities Act (ADA) website for more information.
This has been going on for a while.
So very true!!
Out of control. Hope someone reins in the abuse. Dogs do not belong in stores, hotels, casinos shopping carts, etc.
It’s not just dogs, people are claiming lizards, pigs and everything else as emotional support animals to bring them anywhere they go
Thomas Helle ESA are not protected by law. I do get what your saying. I mean a friggin peacock… In an airport… Yeah no haha
They are not protected by law, but most places have a policy where they are not allowed to question if it really is or ask for documents. That’s how so many people abuse it in the airport
Thomas Helle yea the airlines made it alot more strict but I think they need to do it even more. Especially exotic animals period.
Always people abusing something that is actually beneficial to some.
There are no national certifications for ESA or Service Dogs, there are people who charge a ton of money and give out certificates telling the owners their dogs are now certified.
Oh yes really getting way out of hand!
People are totally taking advantage and I don’t know why the stores etc aren’t questioning.
Laura Bailin Storm because most people have dogs and don’t care about stupid issues like this.they have better things to worry about
You can only ask if the dog is required for a disability and what they do but you are not allowed to ask for proof. Also people can “certify” their pet online for emotional support. These things make it impossible to determine if they are a pet or an actual service animal.
Laura Bailin Storm I call them out in public on their bullshit
Tara Holland and that is the b.s. loophole
PTSD service dogs, are protected and not considered a emotional support animal. Only issue with the article. I do agree with the issue at hand. Too many people saying emotional support animals can do what they want or blah blah, and the fake service dogs are an issue.
Jackie Johnson
We were just talking about this
I need a service dog but can’t afford one. It’s a shame that people are that selfish as to fake it.
There is no charge for a dog from Canine Companions for Independence, but you are responsible for food, vet bills, etc.
Lori Branic insurance should cover it
Nothing worse than people who have to make problems for those who can actually benefit from a service dog. I see it all the time.
This angers me that people are will to put their pet in a poor situation by giving the a title it’s not licensed – when the dog snaps its the dogs fault . NOT . People are so stupid. Also Therapy Dogs are NOT service dogs – they r license to visit people not to treat a special need ! So take those service dog emblem off your therapy dogs !!! Ugh
Nancy Gooley they are wannabe activists not caring bout their pets just themselves
Hailey Ann
Trump 2020
Heather Ann Hays
One of my biggest pet peeves
Cassandra Elizabeth
I called an airline for reservations and asked about bringing my cat with me for an extended trip. The agent told me to get a letter from my doctor saying my cat was an emotional support animal and have it with me to show at check-in and boarding. Never would have thought of that on my own, but several airlines did have an ESA policy on their website. That was in 2014, most have changed or eliminated their ESA policy because too many people abused it.
emotional support animal is totally different than service animal and I think that’s where people are running into issues and taking advantage. Emotional support pets are allowed on planes but not restaurants, schools etc. A true service pet is certified (for example seeing eye dog, or a dog for a child with diabetes that senses dangerous blood sugar drops) and is allowed everywhere.
That’s all I have
??♀️who gives a sh@t
Sandi Tucker
start checking for id for the person
true-you can buy the harness online without a lic-smh
At least people are acknowledging the problem and hopefully the laws get tougher.
Marilyn Wainwright
If business would speak up and ask he 2 questions it might help a bit, but they won’t in fear of a law suit. Its totally out of control .
Why would people do this ? Is it just self entitlement and me me me movement ? Ugh people suck !
Just let people hang out with their pets I honestly trust and like my pets more then most humans lol
To add I believe every pet is an emotional support animal as we are their supporters as well I mean all of our pets comfort us during hard times and no human goes through life without some hard times
It is getting to the point where you will need to show proof that the animal is legit. Currently, that is against the law but it is getting out of hand.
I saw it a lot this summer. Even though it was quite obvious it was not a True dog.
Annette Crawford Hall true dog?
We had a girl come into a seasonal job I did on weekends with a dog, she told me it was her “Emotional Support Animal”, I said well, you’re cute, and I don’t care
80 dollars is all it cost a buddy if mine did it i just dont understand the fastination of bri ging your pets everywhere they want to be home and warm not at a bar with 300 people this of course is for the fake for the real ones that need them now this just puts more stress on them trying to convince someone that they r real and really helping
Pete Zito it started with Paris Hilton thinking she can bring the micro machine sized dog all over
Top many know the law’s loophole…the fact a business for meanings of safety cannot ask what service the animal performs OR where is its vest is fucking horseshit.. Too many times in walmart and shoprites some pos dares to call a Chihuahua or some lol yipper dog as a service animal….a Chihuahua shakes and barks n shits that is all…no service
. emotional support does not count as a service animal…I saw at lacey Wal-Mart some idiot wanting to bring in a parrot or Macau
..they supposedly HAD TO allow it….my question is what happens when these fake support animals bites someone…according to that again horseshit loophole..the business is at fault and not the elwannabe entitled lil asshole. Make tyese jerkoff use a vest..its free instead being one of those “its a pet it provides a service”…just wanna slap the bastards who will screw it up for others