How to Make a Dog a Service Dog

Dogs have proven their usefulness to humans for centuries, and no more so than in becoming service doga. Knowing what it takes to have your dog trained as a service dog, and more importantly designated as a service dog, will make your life much easier no matter what your handicap. Follow these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a training program. In every state, there are various training programs for service dogs. These are different from obedience or other training sessions that a family pet may undergo and focuses on helping your dog become a working animal.

2. Designate your dog. Though there are no universally agreed to methods to designate your dog as a service animal, you may find it convenient to purchase a special harness that helps your dog assist you as well as offers a way for business owners and other people to identify your dog as a service animal and not a pet.

3. Know your rights. According to the Department of Justice's Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) website, if your dog is working in its capacity as a service animal, you may not be discriminated against in housing, and the animal may accompany you to the workplace, grocery store, restaurants and other places. See the Resources section below for a link.

Resources

• American Disabilities Act website

Who Can Help Sponsored

[servicedogs]

on 11/10/2009 Having your service dog properly identified with a service dog ID will reduce conflicts. You can find them inexpensively by just Googling "service dog ID".