Register Your Dog As a Service Dog
A service dog is a canine that has been trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate its owner's disabilities. These tasks can range from guiding a blind person to alerting a deaf person to a ringing door bell. They can also include picking something up for a person with a mobility disorder or alerting an epileptic to an oncoming seizure. While there is no officially recognized way to register your dog as a service dog, you can take steps to make sure it qualifies under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
Instructions
1. Ensure that your service dog has had proper training. This includes learning specific tasks to mitigate your disability and also proper manners for being out in public places. Even if your dog performs an important task for you, business owners can ask you to remove it if it causing a problem through bad behavior.
2. Be prepared to explain the task that your service dog is trained to perform. Under the ADA, you don't have to disclose the nature of your disability. However, you can be asked to disclose your service dog's specific task. If you don't want to repeat it frequently, have business cards printed up that explain the task your dog performs. When asked, simply hand one to the business owner or other person requesting the information.
3. Purchase or make a service dog vest for your dog. Even though vests are not legally required to identify an animal as a service dog, they often give it an appearance of legitimacy. Because there is no official registration for service dogs, you can purchase a vest from any vendor or simply make one yourself.
4. Register your service dog with a free registration organization. These organizations will provide an official-looking registration card or letter and information on service dog rights. Some provide other materials such as a service dog tag or vest, but these typically charge a fee. Beware of registries that will provide credentials for any dog without proof that it is a legitimate task-performing service dog, and don't pay a fee unless you are purchasing additional materials like a vest or tag.
Tips Warnings
You may feel more comfortable registering your service dog with an unofficial organization, especially if its a breed not typically used as a service animal. However, from a legal standpoint, it's really a waste of time and/or money. You're better off to create your own explanation cards detailing your dog's task and carrying a copy of the relevant section of the ADA. Make an inexpensive service dog vest if you wish, but knowledge of the law is all you really need to make sure your service dog gets proper access.
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