Our Mission at Service Dog Certification of America is to provide and enhance the lives of people with special needs , granting them the ability to certify their dog (service dog registration) for service purposes and enable them to take their service dog anywhere they wish to go. Our goal is to provide you with all the necessary tools to properly identify your canine as a Service Dog. For over 12 years we have offered outstanding products and service. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service, attention to detail, and are willing to go above and beyond to ensure an exceptional customer experience. Providing 24hr. support and Service Dog Law Expertise. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on ALL Products and Services. Find Out More…
What is a Service Dog?
According to the American Disabilities Act (federal) any dog assisting a person with a disability is considered a service dog with no breed, size or age restriction. A Service Dog and its handler enjoys special protection. The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (Federal) enables people with physical and psychological needs the relief they require through the use of Service Dogs by assisting them with their daily activities. The handler and Service Dog are protected under this Federal Act which gives them equal access to anywhere the general public is allowed such as restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, taxis, and aircraft, as well as providing protection for handlers living in places “pets” are not generally allowed when the requirements and qualifications are met. Service Dog Certification of America’s online Service Dog registration will guide you and your canine helper to a very happy conclusion.
What is A Emotional Support Dog?
An emotional support dog is not a pet and is a companion that provides therapeutic benefit to an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability. A person seeking a emotional support dog must have a verifiable disorder or disability. The assistance dog is viewed as a “reasonable accommodation” under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHA or FHAct) to those housing communities that have a “no pets” rule. In other words, just as a wheelchair provides a person with a physical limitation the equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, an emotional support dog provides a person with a mental or psychiatric disorder the same opportunity to live independently. Most times, an emotional support dog will be seen as a reasonable accommodation for a person with such a disability. Failure to make reasonable accommodations by changing rules or policies can be a violation of the FHA unless the accommodation would be an undue financial burden on the landlord or cause a fundamental alteration to the premises. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses the term “assistance animal” to cover any animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. (FHEO Notice: FHEO-2013-01 at page 2). An emotional support dog is one type of assistance animal allowed as a reasonable accommodation to a residence with a “no pets” rule.
identify your service dog
The need for Service Dogs has increased dramatically over the last few years. These service animals provide people with an increased quality of life through their assistance in your day-to-day activities. By properly identifying your service dog, you will be assured that your caninehelper can accompany you whenever and wherever you may wish to go. A handler is protected under Federal law and cannot be charge any fee for an accompanying Service Dog, at any time and in all circumstances under Federal Law ie. pet rent at apartments, air fair, hotel fees etc. Our goal is to provide you with the all of the necessary tools to properly identify your canine as a Service Dog in all circumstances without any issues, along with 24hr. verification and Service Dog Law expertise.
testimonials
Thank you for your assistance with certification of VJARRA. Here in California, the recognition of a Service Dog is greatly enhanced by the visual presence of a SERVICE DOG emblem/patch over and above the dog tag. Very few individuals would approach a full-grown German Shepherd to “inspect” the collar ID. And, with the Service Dog patch, the ID is readily available from a distance. This visibility usually eliminates the majority of “challenges” that might otherwise be presented. I encourage any Service Dog owner to utilize any and all “visual aids” that are available.
– G.H. Thomas & VJARRA
Jun 30, 2009
registration / verification
At Service Dog Certification of America we provide Service Dog and Emotional Support Dog registration. At the end of this registration process your dog will have a profile that can easily be accessed by providing the requesting party with your registration number and our website address. This can also be accomplished by scanning the QR code on your dog’s identification card. Your dog’s registration will always be easily accessible for verification. This service is included with all packages offered. View a sample profile…
Hardship Assistance
With over 55,000 Service Dogs currently in our program, we are able to offer hardship assistance due to sponsorships and private donations. For general qualification inquiries and registration requirements, please visit our contact form. Service Dog Certification of America recognizes a significant number of Americans have some form of disability and offers financial aid to those on disability that meet with our requirements. In New Mexico, where we are located, we train 4-5 service dogs a year for our free Service Dogs for the disabled program and make many recommendations to individuals who are interested in learning more concerning the training of your Service Dog. Contact US to sponsor or if you have a potential client for our free Service Dogs for the disabled. Contact US…
traveling with your service or emotional support dog (uS department of transportation)
how do airlines determine whether an animal is a service animal?
Airlines can determine whether an animal is a service animal or pet by:
- The credible verbal assurances of an individual with a disability using the animal;
- Looking for physical indicators such as the presence of a harness or tags;
- Requiring documentation for psychiatric support animals and emotional support animals; and
- Observing the behavior of animals.
- Emotional Support and Psychiatric Service Animals – Airlines can request specific documentation and/or 48-hours advanced notice for service animals that are emotional support animals and psychiatric service animals. Find Out More…
frequent questions concerning Assistance dogs answered by the dOJ
Q:Does the ADA require service animals to be professionally trained?
A: No. People with disabilities have the right to train the dog themselves and are not required to use a professional service dog training program.
Q: What happens if a person thinks a covered entity’s staff has discriminated against him or her?
A: Individuals who believe that they have been illegally denied access or service because they use service animals may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice. Individuals also have the right to file a private lawsuit in Federal court charging the entity with discrimination under the ADA.
Q: Does a hospital have to allow an in-patient with a disability to keep a service animal in his or her room?
A: Generally, yes. Service animals must be allowed in patient rooms and anywhere else in the hospital the public and patients are allowed to go. They cannot be excluded on the grounds that staff can provide the same services.
Q: Can service animals be any breed of dog?
A: Yes. The ADA does not restrict the type of dog breeds that can be service animals.
Q: My city requires all dogs to be vaccinated. Does this apply to my service animal?
A: Yes. Individuals who have service animals are not exempt from local animal control or public health requirements. Find Out More…
u.s. dept. of housing & urban development regarding assistance dogs
Section I: Reasonable Accommodations for Assistance Animals under the FHAct and Section 504
The FHAct and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) implementing regulations prohibit discrimination because of disability and Housing and urban development specific to assistance animalsapply regardless of the presence of Federal Financial assistance. Section 504 and HUD’s Section 504 regulations apply a similar prohibition on disability discrimination to all recipients of financial assistance from HUD. The reasonable accommodation provisions of both laws must be considered in situations where persons with disabilities use (or seek to use) assistance animals (4) in housing where the provider forbids residents from having pets or otherwise imposes restrictions or conditions relating to pets and other animals.
An assistance animal is not a pet. It is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Assistance animals perform many disability-related functions, including but not limited to, guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds, providing protection or rescue assistance, pulling a wheelchair, fetching items, alerting persons to impending seizures, or providing emotional support to persons with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support. For purposes of reasonable accommodation requests, neither the FHAct nor Section 504 requires an assistance animal to be individually trained or certified(5) While dogs are the most common type of assistance animal, other animals can also be assistance animals. Find Out More…
Common types of Service Dogs
Alarm Alert
Allergy Detection
Alzheimer’s Assistance Dog
Asthma Asst Dog
Autism Asst Dog
Balance Asst Dog
Balance Spt Dog
Brace/Mobility Support Dog
Crowd Control
Dementia Asst
Diabetes Alert
Emergency Phone Retriever Dog Guide Dog
Hearing Alert Dog
K-9 Rescue Dog
Medical Asst Dog
Medication Aid
Migraine Alert
Mobility Aid Dog
Narcolepsy Alert
Narcolepsy Resp
Panic Attack Dog
(deep pressure therapy)
Panic Prevention
Parkinson Asst
Psy Service Dog
Ptsd Service Dog
Security Alert
Security Asst Dog
Sedation Alert
Seizure Alert Dog
Seizure Response Dog
Severe Allergy Alert Dog
Speech Impairment Tasks
Speech Impairment- Asst
Smoke Alert Dog
Visual Asst Dog
Wheelchair Assistance Dog
Qualification Requirements
In Short: A well-behaved Service dog is unobtrusive, realizes that you are in control, and as a team you do not pose a public threat.
Dismissal: The Americans with Disabilities Act enables people with physical and psychological needs the relief they require through the use of Service Dogs by assisting them with their daily activities. Any dog that displays bad behavior, acts aggressively (growling, biting, showing teeth) may not be considered and will not qualify as a Service Dog. Keep in mind that even a well trained Service Dog is not perfect.
Commands: Commands may be administered to your Service Dog using verbal orders, hand signals or a combination of the two.
Vehicle Unloading: The dog must remain calm and under control while departing the vehicle. He/ she must wait until released before exiting. Once out of the vehicle the dog must wait quietly until such time as you command, while under no circumstances should the dog be off lead. A quick and efficient exit will ensure your canine helpers safety.
Approaching a Structure: The dog must remain in a heel position* at all times. Traffic, loud noises and other distractions should not gain the attention of the dog. As a team you should project a relaxed attitude.
Controlled Entry Though a Opening: The dog must remain in a heel position at all times. Soliciting of attention should not be tolerated.
Command Obedience: The dog must be obedient to your commands i.e.: sit, come, stay, lay, heel, etc.
Noise Distraction: The dog may acknowledge noise, but in no way should the dog show aggression or fear. Some reaction is normal however; a properly trained Service Dog once commanded, should not cower, shake, or act as though they are unable to perform their usual duties.
Restaurant Conduct: While seated the dog should sit under the table if permissible. If not, as close as possible will suffice. Dropped food retrieval should not be permitted under any circumstances.
Off Lead Retrieval: If lead is dropped at any time the dog must remain in the heel position, unless otherwise commanded.
Load into Vehicle: Load into vehicle should be conducted quickly and efficiently with either the dog or the handler entering first. The dog must not wander but patiently wait for instructions. The dogs safety is always the main concern when walking to or from your vehicle in a parking lot, necessitating command obedience.
*Heel Position :When you are standing still or walking, the neck/shoulder region of the forward-facing dog is lined up with your right or left leg, and close alongside you
Free Services & PDFs
- Air Travel Regulations
- Housing Regulations
- ADA Requirements
- State Law
- Guides to Training
- Third Party Verification
- Service Dog Rehoming
© 2008 . Trademarks and brands are the property of Service Dog Certification of America