A service animal is a dog -or in rare cases, a miniature horse- that is trained to do work or specific tasks for a person with a physical, sensory, psychiatric, or mental disability. They are working animals, not pets.
We know what a service animal is, but what is an emotional support pet? Let's get into it- An emotional support animal, or ESA, is a pet that provides comfort, companionship, and relief for people with conditions like anxiety, depression, etc... However they do not need to be specifically trained to perform tasks.
Guide Dogs
Hearing Dogs
Mobility Support Dogs
Medical Alert Dogs
Medical Response Dogs
Austim Service Dogs
Psychiatric Service Dogs
Keep the service animal clean and well groomed
Potty your service animal in appropriate spaces and pick up after your animal
Make sure your service animal is in good health and up-to-date on vaccinations
Keep the service animal on the floor
If a service animal is distracted, it could prove very dangerous for the whole service animal team. Examples include:
A medical alert dog could miss a life saving alert.
A guide dog could lose direction.
A mobility support dog could cause their handler to fall.
In many places, it is a crime to purposefully distract a working animal.
Trying to pet the animal without consideration
"Why do you need a service animal" "What's wrong with you?"
"You don't look disabled"
"You're so lucky! I wish I could bring my dog everywhere"
"You must be training the animal for someone else. How honorable of you!"
Talk to the handler, not the animal
Compliment them on their training instead of just being cute
Treating them with respect